Among planes even then: Ben Roney works on displays in the 4-H Exhibit Hall in this 2011 photo.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
Young Ben Roney loved to watch the airplanes diving and turning.
Every year, they would be there, part of an airshow at Indianapolis Regional Airport in Mt. Comfort, a few miles to the southwest of his home.
Years later, that annual airshow is a thing of the past, but Roney’s interest in planes remains strong. He’s an airplane maintenance specialist. His job is to keep planes in great shape as missionaries offer medical care, receive supplies and teach people about God.
He and wife Asil, also a maintenance specialist, traveled to Mission Aviation Fellowship headquarters in July for several weeks of training. It’s part of the journey toward one day being stationed abroad, supporting ministry through mechanics.
‘JUST TRUST ME AND WAIT’
Ben grew up in Hancock County; his family operates Tuttle Orchards. He grew up participating in 4-H, winning ribbons at the Hancock County 4-H Fair for projects including forestry, horticulture, gardening and electric. Some of those projects advanced to the Indiana State Fair.
His parents were involved in missions, and some of his siblings have served overseas. Ben remembers some of the early moments in his own spiritual journey. Growing up, he thought he might become a pastor.
“I came to Christ when I was pretty young,” he said.
One night at middle school youth group, “The lesson was on what God wants to do with your life.” Students were encouraged to write down a possible path on an index card. Later, though, the youth pastor told them to flip the card over and answer this: “What do you think God wants you to do?” The students were encouraged to pray about that.
About a week later, the African Children’s Choir came to his church. Ben had a sense God wanted him to go to Africa, but as the years passed Ben wasn’t sure about the specifics beyond that. “God would always say, ‘Just trust me and wait,’” he said.
Later, he sought counsel from an older man who had been on short-term missions to Africa. That man pointed out Ben’s acumen for working on farm machinery around the orchard. He said that mechanical know-how might be really useful on the mission field. Ben had never seen it as a particular talent.
“I didn’t realize it’s not normal to rebuild your engine,” he said.
Paul Romoser has known Ben since 2008, when Ben started coming to the youth group at Brookville Road Community Church in New Palestine.
“He discipled some of the younger students in the youth ministry program and would meet with them, follow up with them, and just really cared about them,” said Romoser, who was youth pastor at the church for nearly 30 years before retiring. “He’s always been one to tinker with motors and enjoyed stuff like this … We talked a lot about his future and which direction to go.”
‘IT WAS WORTH IT’
Meanwhile, Asil was growing up in the Middle East, where her parents were missionaries. She knew they’d moved far from family, in the days before email, when staying in touch meant a once-in-a-while phone call. She was inspired by their commitment.
“I just knew the life they chose was difficult, but it was worth it to them, with the Gospel being that valuable,” she said. “… They were just obeying God.”
She said she was “a bir more tomboyish” than her sisters. She developed an interest in maintenance, and when she was 12, her mother found out Moody Bible Institute in Chicago also has an aviation-centric campus in Spokane, Washington.
That’s where Ben and Asil’s paths crossed. They were married in late 2021.
‘THAT IMPORTANT PIECE’
Now, they’re raising support with eyes on being stationed at one of the 12 countries where Mission Aviation Fellowship has a flight base.
Keith Anderson is international director of maintenance for MAF. He said historically, it has asked pilots to be mechanics as well. But as some pilots come to MAF from industry and may focused strictly on flying. Also, as aircraft have become more complex, the need for people focused on aircraft maintenance has grown.
“I honestly see that as becoming a greater and greater need,” he said. “Just like a lot of organizations, it takes all parts of the organization for it to succeed. … Without the maintenance personnel, we don’t have airplanes to fly … If you don’t have that important piece of the puzzle, everything comes to a stop.”
Airplanes have a variety of functions on the mission field, he said, including medical care, flying in teachers for a remote community’s school, or fostering community economic development.
“For example, in Indonesia we often fly pigs out from some of the remote airstrips,” he said. “It provides huge income for folks back in these areas where they wouldn’t have that opportunity.”
‘LIKE A LIFELINE’
Asil said in the United States, it’s possible to think of flying as a glamorous hobby, but it’s different in some other countries. It can be a vital connection.
“When they see a plane, it’s like a lifeline. It’s a lifesaver for people,” she said. “We provide all that with the intent of bringing the love of Christ to isolated people.”
“We like airplanes,” Ben said, “but our passion is to share Christ with people … and to help them develop and mature in Christ.”
HELP SEND THE RONEYS
To help support Ben and Asil Roney as they serve overseas, go to Mission Aviation Fellowship’s site at maf.org. Select “Support monthly” in the upper-right corner. Then in the “Where should your gift go?” box, type “Roney.” The option “9150 | Ben and Asil Roney Ministry Support” should pop up; click on it and fill out the rest of the form.
