July 2009 What’s Up With Alex?

#1
(God’s Thunderin’-Trumpet Blowin’ Missionary Pilot - Class of 2012)
Since I was not able to get my private pilot license
Wow - What A Summer! my freshman year with my classmates, my grandfather,
Things really began to start rolling in the spring Jerry Cooper, approached the members of his flying club
with news from the head aviation professor at Liberty Uni- for a 90 day student scholarship; the club voted in favor
versity that I had been a recipient of the Adam M. Triplett unanimously. Thanks goes to all the members of the Anson
Memorial Scholarship for flight training. (I missed out on Flying Club for giving me the opportunity to catch up with
the flight training portion of my freshman year at Liberty my class.
due to a lack of funds.) As soon as school was out for the summer, I went to live
The news couldn't have come at a better time. This schol- with my grandparents Jerry and Sybil Cooper for the last
arship is given annually in memory of Adam Triplett two weeks of May. In that short time I studied to pass my
(Mark and Linda Triplett's son) who was killed in a flight written test and earned the proficiency to solo.
training accident. Adam also played the trumpet and was Then it was off to Carolina Creek Christian Camp in
involved in Christian ministry. Thank you so much Mark Texas to work for six weeks as counselor at a youth camp .
and Linda, you will never know how much that scholar- It was lots of hot, hard work, but I experienced many bless-
ship encouraged my faith in pursuing God’s plan for my ings and memories through the kids I worked with.
life. Nevertheless, Jerry Cooper (Grandfather & flight in- July 4th found me back with my grandparents in North
structor for the summer) tempered my excitement with the Carolina to finish the race: getting my private pilot license
fact that as generous as the award was, it was only about in time for Oshkosh (largest annual fly-in)!
one twentieth of what will be required for all of my flight I passed my private pilot check ride with Fred Saverance
training over the course of the next few years. in Florence, SC. Fred was a great encourager in a very spe-
cial way. Thanks again Fred for all your help.

Capt Ben Griffin - US Air- July 23, 2009 - THE DAY!!

ways gave me an hour in his
Citabria! Ben was grateful for
Jerry Cooper’s instruction. He
soloed Ben 40 years ago in
high school. Thanks, Ben for
your help & encouragement!
7-18-2009
Two days after my private
pilot check ride, we loaded the
van and hit the road for Osh-
kosh. With a special emphasis
on Missionary Aviation this
year we were all excited about
the events and people that God
would bring into our lives.
7-25-2009
I passed my private pilot
check ride. Thank you Lord
for seeing me through it all!
(Student & instructor: Alex
and Jerry Cooper)
7-23-2009
At Oshkosh I visited with
Terry Thompson - Retired
Air Force Base Commander -
Associate Pastor - Author of
"The Aviators Devotional"
Thank you, Terry, for your
encouragement and prayers!
7-28-2009

A visit with Jeff Burnham at Roger Krenzin and I with the

Oshkosh. Jeff is the son of Gra-
cia & Martin Burnham - The
missionary pilot couple that
was taken captive by Philip-
pine rebels. His dad was killed
in the rescue attempt. Jeff is a
flight instructor at Liberty and
may be instructing me one day.
7-28-2009
Helio. I had the opportunity of
visiting him at the JAARS cen-
ter in Waxhaw, NC. Roger was
very helpful in understanding
the rough course to becoming a
professional missionary pilot.
Thanks for the encouragement
and great advice.
7-28-2009

After Oshkosh I headed to Macon, GA to help my cousins
paint my grandparent’s (Carl and Francis Stewart) house.
Their generous wages helped me out tremendously in paying
off the flight time bill I owed the Anson Flying Club. Thank
you Granny and Papa Stewart for helping me start next year
with my private pilot expenses paid in full!
8-05-2009
I will be traveling back to Liberty on Saturday, Aug 15th to
begin my sophomore year. Since all of the flight time for my
instrument rating will be flown in Liberty aircraft, the finan-
cial challenge will be even greater in this new year. It's going
to be exciting to see how God's provision will play out in the
days to come.
8-15-2009

Joseph “Alex” Cooper
706-617-4175
alex@carolinacoopers.net
MSC Box E8376 Additional thanks to Dennis Cannon, Robert
Liberty University
Reynolds, Jan Bitrick, Rebecca Wiltshire,
P.O. Box 20,000
Lynchburg, VA 24506-8001 Evangel Temple, my friends, family, and
my parents Chris and Alysia Cooper.