Pulling Out All the Stops

It all came together on this day.

Andrew and Rachel Trott and their two children needed to return to their ministry among the Maliyali people of Papua New Guinea, where a young church already exists. They had purchased more than a ton of supplies to sustain them for a couple of months and to resupply medical and office supplies for the team’s work. A Kodiak airplane would fly most of it to Yifki, the closest airstrip. The Trotts themselves would fly in the R66 helicopter straight from the Ethnos360 Aviation’s flight center in Goroka to their remote home among the Maliyali.

“Another mission was equally vital,” wrote Kodiak pilot Travis Lesicka: “Fly nine new teachers and 400 kg (882 lbs) of their supplies into Yifki.”  In Yifki, the Hewa church has established the Yifki Christian School, staffed by Christian teachers. Multiple Kodiaks would fly them and their cargo to Yifki.

“We were pleasantly surprised,” wrote Andrew Trott, “when [the aviation department] told us it would be possible to send more of [our] large order than we had anticipated because multiple Kodiaks were already going to Yifki that day.”  In fact, said pilot Travis, “to achieve both these goals simultaneously, our flight coordinators Hudson Senter and David Stobbe devised a bold plan: all three Kodiaks would fly into Yifki, and from there, an R66 helicopter would shuttle the Trotts' cargo over to Maliyali – a quick 10-minute hop.” In all, Trotts would get 974 kg (2,147 lbs) of their supplies.

To Travis, this day held special significance. “Just days before, on July 3rd, I’d finally received my check-out to fly solo into the bush after six months of intense in-country flight training – the culmination of a desire I’ve had for over 25 years. But this highly coordinated, multi-aircraft operation wasn't just about moving cargo; it was about advancing the Kingdom.” 

“Thursday, July 7th, 2025, the Goroka morning hummed with the promise of a wonderfully productive day,” remembered Travis. “The R66 with the Trott family departed Goroka first. I followed in a Kodiak at 8:10 AM, landing about an hour later with 704 kgs (1,552 lbs) of the Trotts’ supplies. The second Kodiak was 30 minutes behind me, and the third, another 45 minutes after that. This was a carefully timed dance, a testament to teamwork.”

Not all went exactly as planned.  Josh Verdonck in the R66 could not take his first load straight to Maliyali, as it was clouded in.  Instead, he parked at Yifki to wait out the weather. Travis landed about ten minutes after Josh, parking the Kodiak at the very top of the Yifki airstrip. “I got straight to work, offloading my 704 kgs and sorting it for the helicopter shuttles to Maliyali.”

As the clouds in Maliyali parted, Josh lifted off from Yifki with the first shuttle.  Soon, the second Kodiak, piloted by Ryan Farran, landed – 40 minutes after Travis had landed – bringing in seven teachers and 200 kgs (441 lbs) of their supplies. “Then Josh returned with an empty R66, and we quickly refueled and loaded 420 kgs (1,146 lbs) for its next short shuttle to Maliyali.” 

A pilot’s job is not just flying, Travis observed. “While the R66 was away on its second Maliyali run, I was busy sorting the remaining cargo, calculating weights, ensuring every kilogram counted for those critical helicopter flights.” The helicopter was back shortly, and just after it landed, Andrew Smith in the third Kodiak arrived, bringing the last two teachers and their 200 kgs (441lbs) of supplies, plus another 194 kgs (428lbs) for the Trotts.  Travis wrapped up the story: “I finished helping the R66 crew load the last of the Maliyali-bound cargo.  At 12:20 PM, I departed Yifki for Goroka.”

“It had been a full morning,” recounted Travis, “not just of flying planes, but of tangibly supporting the spread of the gospel in PNG.”  The vision is clear, and it includes you when you donate to the Missionary Flight Sponsorship fund.  As Travis said, “Every flight, every kilogram, every teacher and missionary flown, is a direct answer to your prayers” and all for the goal of a thriving church for every people.  Thank you!