For dreams, for adventure and for love.
He was a four year old tot flying a kite in his province of Batangas when he beheld his first airplane. From that moment on he decided he was going to become a pilot. But as life would have it, he lost his father an early age and was unable to afford flying school.
Still, to pursue his dream he found his way in a job with Philippine Airlines not as a pilot but as a ground employee involved with logistics. From there he spun off to build a pioneering business that we now know as logistics. After being its founder and CEO, he has settled down to become it's chairman today. His name is Captain Meynard Halili.
On my flight to Tokyo two days ago I found myself at the check-in lines with Captain Meynard. A long time member of Victory in Manila. Meynard is a follower of Christ and serves as a volunteer at our church. I asked him where he was headed, he said, "I am going to New Mexico to fly my very first fighter jet, the L39 Albatross." This was how I extracted the rest of his story.
At age 40 when he could finally afford to take on his dream to become a pilot, he trained at Flight Safety International in Florida, the Rolls Royce of flying schools. This time not to be a commercial pilot but simply to fulfill a childhood dream.
Captain Meynard has flown just about every kind of aircraft including helicopters. At age 67 he remains as the opening air acrobatic act in the annual balloon fest in Clark Air Base, see video. His excitement was contagious as he explained how he was able to even get a permit to fly the fighter plane, Albatross, as a civilian.
What has possessed a man to do these things at his age? Why go to all the trouble the risk and expense? Captain Meynard explains:
1. For Dreams. He explains. "From the time I saw that plane as a four year old, I promised myself I will one day become a pilot. I simply would not let go of my dream. No one is too old to dream or to see his dream fulfilled."
2. For Adventure. "Life is all about adventure. Flying is no different. It is probably one of the highest adventures there is. Imagine being in an environment so uncommon where weather changes can change everything in an instant. Where an engine failure could mean your life and the lives of others."
3. For Love. "I love flying. I love flying so much that I started my very own flying school. Not only do I get to teach people how to fly, I get to enjoy what I love to do." Captain Meynard closed by saying "as you delight in the Lord, he gives you the desires of your heart."
While listening to Captain Meynard, I thought to myself and prayed that when I'm 67 I will continue to pursue my dreams, live out life of adventure and keep doing what I love to do. I prayed Lord may I never succumb to the comfortable, convenient, the cautious, even the conservative. May I live passionately!
May I continue to dream to see Your Gospel preached to the ends of the earth. Always seeking new adventures and believing that at every turn You are there with me. May I continue to passionately love Your Kingdom and make disciples as you have commanded us.
Thank you Captain Meynard for your inspiration and passion, it is contagious.
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