The Pontiers

            For those of you who may have missed it, on July 20, we had the rare privilege of meeting Ron and Donna Pontier and their youngest daughter, Brianna. Ron preached and also gave a brief talk and power point presentation following the service, after which the Missions Committee treated the Pontiers to lunch at La Posta. We say it was a "rare privilege" because Ron and Donna hadn't visited us for some five years. Like most missionaries, the Pontiers are able to return to the U.S. on home leave only once every five years, but they always make it a point to visit First Presbyterian when they are back here.

             For the past 25 years, the Pontiers have been serving the Africa Inland Mission (AIM). They are currently based in Kampala, Uganda, but AIM serves missionaries in some 11 countries in central Africa. Ron, whose grandfather and father were also missionaries in Africa, is a pilot. He flies people and supplies throughout the vast region, which contains some of the most rugged, isolated terrain on earth. His passengers include U.S. and African evangelists, missionary family members, schoolchildren and patients who need emergency medical treatment. Sadly, he has sometimes been called to transport the bodies of missionaries killed in the line of duty, as well as supplies for disaster relief activities. Ron also insures that the aircraft are properly maintained and represents AIM in its dealings with local aviation authorities and other government representatives. Donna is one of the teachers who educates the children of AIM and other missionaries and provides additional support to missionary families.

             At the beginning of his sermon, entitled "Obsessed with Lesser Things", Ron apologized that he was "just a pilot" and not a theologian. He then gave an absolutely riveting talk about the realities of serving Christ in a dangerous, unstable part of the world. As a senior AIM pilot, Ron now has some choice in the flights he does. He said that his absolute favorite assignment is to fly evangelists to the most remote villages, where the people may never have heard the Gospel or may have only a very basic understanding of it. If the Apostle Paul were still around, he would completely understand Ron's enthusiasm -- and would probably be first in line as Ron's next passenger. But it isn't necessary to be a missionary overseas in order to experience the joy of sharing Christ with others. Ron urged us to get out of our own comfort zone and take advantage of any opportunity to tell others about the Good News.

             Ron also had a lot to say about his impressions of the U.S., which he had not visited in the past five years. Ron is a loyal American and obviously loves our country, but he is deeply saddened by the changes he has observed. Each time he has returned to the U.S., Ron has always been struck by the overwhelming material wealth of our country -- and at the same time by the spiritual poverty he encounters. He believes that most of us have far too many things, which we have acquired by going far too deeply into debt. Yet despite all our toys, we are often dissatisfied and lonely. He contrasted us with the Africans -- most of whom are dirt poor, living in very crowded, primitive conditions -- yet happy with what little they do have and with their family and friends.

             Ron gave a personal example of his own "obsession with lesser things", which could well have cost him his life. Once while flying in poor weather, he discovered that his Global Positioning System (GPS) wasn't working. As the weather gradually worsened, he eventually determined that the GPS's batteries had expired. He then began fumbling through his pack to take out and install fresh batteries, all the while keeping a wary eye on the cloud bank horizon and his instruments. Ron found the fresh batteries and put them in his lap -- and then discovered he had mixed them up with the dead batteries, which looked exactly the same! At this point, Ron was really beginning to sweat. Then he suddenly remembered how he had flown for many years before he had a GPS. He got out his trusty paper map and compass, did some quick calculations, then flew lower until he could see some landmarks on the ground. And yes, he prayed -- probably harder than many of us have ever done! He proceeded to his destination and his missionary passenger, who had slept through the whole thing, never realized what a close call she (and Ron) had had. Ron's point was not just to tell us an exciting story. Rather, it was to emphasize that we all become vulnerable when we put too much faith in material things (such as the GPS) and forget that they are merely a means to an end, and not the end itself. These things are great when they work, but they can distract us and ultimately let us down if we rely solely on them.

             Ron also noted the continuing decline in public education in the U.S.. As many American missionaries try to do, the Pontiers want their children to have at least some of their high school education in the U.S., in preparation for college, so they sent their son, Ben, to high school in Detroit for his junior year. It proved to be a discouraging experience. The teachers had no respect from the students and no authority to maintain even basic order in the classroom. Ben also found the work to be too easy, so after the first semester, he was glad to return to his school, Rift Academy, in Kenya.

             After the service, Ron gave a power point demonstration and told us more about how AIM operates. He also told us about a disturbing development in Africa. In many areas of the continent, Saudi Arabia is pouring in millions of dollars to spread Islam. In northern Uganda, for example, Muslims now control both the local government and commerce. This means that Christians are blocked from assisting fellow Christians in southern Sudan, who are suffering terrible persecution from the Islamic-controlled Sudanese Government. The Saudis are greatly outspending all Christian missionaries combined in Africa. And where do the Saudis get all their money? That's right -- from you and me, every time we fill up our gas tanks. Just do the numbers -- we all spend a lot more for gas than we do to support missionaries. Something to think about. .

             Yet despite the discouraging things the Pontiers have seen, both in Africa and the U.S., they remain joyful in their service to the Lord and anxious to get back to the front lines in Africa. And it's likely that at least one of their children will follow in their footsteps to become a fourth generation missionary. May God be with them as they return to Uganda.

Return to home page

Send comments, suggestions, and requests to Alex. F. Burr or send email to aburr @ zianet.com.
Technical assistance and net access provided by zianet.com .
Last update 2008-08-03 07:29:24