No Rest For the Weary

Stepping off the plane, John saw his own name scribbled in large balloon letters across a sign held at arm’s length above the serpentine line of people snaking in front of him. He waved at his contact, an American missionary named Matthew Smith. The short blond wore an easy smile with friendly but weary eyes.

“Welcome to Port Moresby, Mr. Braddham. How was your flight?” Matt welcomed, reaching for John’s carry-on bag.

“Very long. I can’t wait to stretch out,” John replied, hanging on to the bag.

“I’m sorry; you won’t be able to do that just yet. We still have a four-hour drive to POW’s New Guinea headquarters. Then fly from there to Irian Jaya,” Smith said of the Prayer On a Wing organization.

John tried to hide his impatience. “Four hours! I thought I would take my flight from here.”

“Well, Mr. Braddham, no plane from here can take you where you need to go,” Matt said, leading the way. “Plus it is cheaper altogether to send you on the next supply plane to Irian Jaya.”

“No rest for the weary.” Not that I’ve traveled for the greater part of twenty-four hours, changing planes in Honolulu and Sidney. Nothing that I’m not used to. John reflected of his flight to Vietnam a few years earlier.

Now he was here, less than a year after attending a church service describing the shortage of the missionary pilot supply worldwide. The war in Vietnam needed all qualifying pilots.

“Come along, Mr. Braddham.” Matt plodded ahead, shaking his head.

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Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Chapter 1-An excerpt from Commitment a Novel

Papua, New Guinea, looked serene from 12,000 feet above sea level. Even from thirty miles away, John could make out the rain forests beyond the strand of the southern shore. Light wisps of steam hung over the island, revealing the high humidity common to this area of the world. The changing waters of the Arafura Sea and the Gulf of Carpentaria graduated beautifully from light green at the tip of Cape York Peninsula, Australia, to a beautiful azure and back to light green in the billowing waves on the shores of New Guinea.

So this is home. John pressed his forehead against the cool cabin window. The island in view was roughly the size of Greenland with the tall Puncak Jaya, rising 5,030 meters above the ground. Neighboring peaks perched above the haze like pyramids.

Instinctively, he reached for his flight bag as he had done five times throughout the flight. He unzipped it and sighed with relief at the two familiar slim books. Approvingly, he nodded as he flipped through page after page of his first flight log, recalling his hundreds of hours of experience behind the controls of planes and helicopters. He tucked it back into his bag then pulled out the second book. The pages he flipped through were blank reminders of experiences yet to come. Just a thousand more hours, that should do it.

His thoughts were interrupted by the pilot’s soothing expressions of intent to land. The southern coast filled the windows on the left side of the plane. He could almost make out the waves cresting to shore as the plane rolled out of a right bank. John squinted to see the airport runway stretching before him like welcoming arms.

Find out what happens next in the exciting novel Commitment:

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Big Ugly Bird--Dinner

To the southwest, the mountain range covered the retreating sun, leaving behind a tell-tale eerie pink and blue. Still a few hours before sunset, the village was in the shadow of the mighty Maoke Mountains. As if cued by a legendary director, the entire village came suddenly to life with shouts of triumph and laughter, as they buzzed excitedly around the hunting party.

“Wow, what got them on the warpath?” John asked.

“Sounds like the hunting party is back. Come on, let’s see what they bagged,” Marta replied.

John laughed at her choice of wording and took up a quick stride matching her. As they neared, John saw one of the party hopping around with the ugliest bird he had ever seen slung across his shoulders.

The bird had the longest legs, save for the ostriches he saw in zoos and on Wild Kingdom. Instead of feathers, it sported long fine hairs. Blue and red adorned its neck, reminding John of the bright colors of a baboon

“THAT’S disgusting!” John exclaimed wide eyed.

“THAT’S dinner,” Marta said.

“I’m not eating it, if that’s what you think,” John replied.

“I’m recalling our conversation about being courteous and non-offensive, is what I think.”

“You are a tough one, Marta Springer.”

“It’s not like you have to eat the whole thing. There’s probably only enough for a taste. I recommend you at least have the courtesy to try,” Marta said.

“What is it?”

“That is the Cassowary, they call it... hmm, I guess the best translation is ugly stilt bird,” Marta said.

“I’d say. But look, I can relate to those wild piglets they are showing off,” said John.

“You are in for a real treat fireside tonight-chockfull of adventurous hunting stories,” Marta said.”

“I can’t wait.”

Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.

Who Does He Think He Is? An Excerpt From Commitment-a Novel

     “John, I know you are tolerating the time here you aren’t flying. After all, you’ve made quite an impression on the other pilots and mechanics,” said Steve a few weeks later over after-dinner coffee.
     “I guess my background as a crew chief and mechanic actually came in handy.”
     “All the other families talk about how you’ve been helping out with teaching. Some of the pilots say you are a natural with air frames and power plants,” Rachel, Steve’s wife said.
     “That’s all fine, but what about Jason? I need to earn his respect or something. I’ve got to figure out how to make him see I’m ready to start some serious flying.”
     “I really don’t think that will be too far into the future.”
John noticed Rachel’s pursing lips and quivering chin, her attempt to hide a mischievous smile.
     “Okay, guys, what’s going on? I’ve only known you a little while, but nonetheless, too well.”
     “It’s like this. No matter how you imagine your relationship with Jason, he respects you tremendously. But he knows your heart isn’t in it for the long haul,” said Steve.
     “Who does he think...,” said John.
     “Hold on now, let me finish. We’ve had lots of pilots here and each with his own reasons. Some want to be missionaries, some are drawn by danger, and some, like you, love to fly but have future plans that don’t end here,” said Steve.
     “Is that usually a problem?” asked John.
     “Of course not,” Rachel interrupted. “We’ve always accepted everyone who served with us no matter   what motivated them to do so. God has his own way of bringing people into his work.”
     “She’s right. And Jason sees that potential in you. You’ve impressed him thus far, and he is ready to give you more responsibility, right away,” Steve said.
     “I would have never known,” John responded.


Jeffrey W. Bennett, is the author of Commitment-A Novel and other non-fiction books, novels and periodicals.