What could aviation possibly have to do with the Museum of the Bible? This is the museum that opened today in Washington DC. Well for me, it all started on an airplane
One can learn fascinating things during an airplane flight. If you take the time to listen and ask things of other people. It was summer time 2014 and the family was flying out west on our annual vacation. Flying on Southwest Airlines we did not have assigned seating and I was able to secure a spot in the front row, with its much welcomed extra leg space.
I plopped down between two gentlemen, I can’t remember either of their names, but remember both of their faces, where they were from (Colorado and Texas) and what we talked about. “Colorado guy” was in his late 20s, had grown up in Idaho and gone through some rough times. He told me how he had turned his life around and was now living in Denver.
“Texas guy” spotted the book on my lap. It was a biography of George Whitefield. He asked me what I thought of it, I was early into the book, I explained. Much to my surprise he had read it. We began to compare notes and that is what started our 2+ hour three way chat (Colorado, Texas and me).
Throughout the conversation I learned that Texas guy was a computer guy. I was able to piece together, however, that this was no regular computer guy. Though he did not say it outright, this was one of the leading computer guys in the nation. {I confirmed this hunch with a friend after landing}. Well Texas guy, now computer guru guy, had been hired to help put together the Museum of the Bible.
The Museum of the Bible, I had never heard of it. He told me of the plans and the vision for this “Smithsonian-like” Museum to be built in Washington DC. He told me that much of it was being spearheaded by David Green, the CEO of Hobby Lobby. It turns out that Mr. Green has been greatly impacted by the Bible and amassed quite a collection of valuable copies.
Ironically I just recently finished listening to the book, More than a Hobby, which is the inside story of Hobby Lobby. It is a fascinating read and I have been able to use several excerpts in my college leadership class.
Texas guy / Computer guru told me of the planning and hope for the museum. Like any worthwhile endeavor it takes vision, perseverance, planning and execution. A first class museum was the goal. That goal was realized today. https://www.museumofthebible.org/
So what does that have to do with flying? Two things. One is that while we flew, Texas guy told me of many of David Green’s philanthropic efforts. Green genuinely wants to help America and others. I was surprised to hear that Green had helped fund the filming of The End of the Spear. The film was released in 2006 and if you have never seen it, I recommend highly that you do so. It has some of the most simple, but beautiful flight footage I have ever seen on the silver screen. The flight scenes are done with a yellow Piper over thick jungles. The contrasts in colors, alone, are breathtaking.
The End of the Spear chronicles the life of Jim Elliott and four others who were martyred in Ecuador in 1956. The story was captured by Life Magazine at the time. Several books have been written on the topic (Shadow of the Almighty, Through Gates of Splendor). Doctor Aviation devotes the Notable Innovator segment of Session 8 to the epic story.
Even if one is not interested in the plot, which is amazing in and of itself, the aviation scenes will make the viewing worthwhile for the aviation enthusiast. You can view the trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YS_RFrmFgyg
The other connection to aviation is the activity that we were involved in. Good old fashioned conversation between strangers. I had never met these two men before and haven’t seen them since, but it was a memorable conversation. All it took was for three men to be genuinely interested in what the others were saying. We asked good questions and actually listened to the answers (so it was not like a media interview). I know it is tempting to shut down on an airplane and watch a movie on a tablet. But next time try this, just ask the person seated next to you a simple question and see where it goes. It can make an aviation trip memorable.