“The whole meaning of history is in the proof
that there have lived people before the present time
whom it is important to meet.”
–Eugene Rosenstock Huessy
Betty Greene (1920-1997) is one of them.
Eight year-old Betty sat close to the radio, listening intently to the news all America wanted to hear on May 21, 1927: Charles Lindbergh had landed his tiny plane safely in Paris. He had flown nonstop for thirty-three hours and thirty minutes to cross the Atlantic Ocean–the first person to do so. As a result, Charles Lindbergh became a hero to many Americans, including young Betty.
The next year, she followed the exploits of Amelia Earhart. In June of 1928, Ms. Earhart also flew nonstop across the Atlantic, from Newfoundland to Wales.
“That’s what I want to do someday—fly airplanes!” Betty asserted. And she began to dream of her own adventures in the sky.
By the time Betty was old enough for flying lessons, however, the Great Depression had settled over the country. Her mom and dad needed every dime to provide necessities for their family of six. Flying lessons were an unaffordable luxury.
But on her sixteenth birthday, Betty received an envelope from one of her uncles. Inside she found one hundred dollars—a small fortune at that time. Betty immediately made arrangements for flying lessons.
Not that she could expect to become a commercial pilot. That career was reserved for men in the 1930s. Unless Betty took up stunt aviation, she would have to be content to fly as a hobby—if she could afford access to a plane.
An elderly family friend suggested a creative possibility. Betty might be able to serve as a missionary pilot. “Think of all the time—and sometimes lives—that could be saved if missionaries didn’t have to spend weeks hacking their way through jungles,” she said.
Immediately Betty knew. This was what God wanted her to do.
Before Betty had a chance to pursue such a radical idea, World War II began. Early in the conflict, it became apparent the number of Air Force pilots was inadequate. But someone decided women could be trained to handle non-combat tasks, freeing up men for the more dangerous assignments.
Betty perfectly fit the criteria to become a WASP in the Women Airforce Service Pilots, and was readily accepted into the program.
Soon she was flying planes from the manufacturing site to military bases and departure points for overseas. She towed aerial targets for soldiers to gain artillery practice—with live ammunition (so say some sources). And Betty flew missions at high-altitudes, to assist in the development of needed technology for such flights.
Betty’s dream to be a missionary pilot seemed to be on hold as the war continued, but God was about to do immeasurably more than all she could ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).
While serving as a WASP, Betty wrote two articles for two different Christian magazines about using planes to help missionaries. Three American pilots read the articles and wrote to Betty about their idea to start such an organization, once the war ended.
On May 20, 1945, the Christian Airmen’s Missionary Fellowship began operation in Los Angeles. Later to become Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF)—perhaps because their first pilot was not an airman at all. It was Betty.
(Preparing for the inaugural flight, February, 1946)
That first flight included two women missionaries in need of transportation from southern California to Mexico City, a three-day trip.
On the first leg Betty noticed something coming off the engine, so she made an unscheduled landing at Tuxpan, Mexico to have the plane inspected. The debris turned out to be just flaking paint. Meanwhile the two missionaries made their way to Mexico City on a commercial flight.
Betty and a new passenger, Cameron Townsend (founder of Wycliffe Bible Translators) left Tuxpan for Tuxla Gutierrez, near the Wycliffe Jungle Camp. Along the route Betty stopped in Minatitlan to refuel and then they were off again. However, a heavy storm developed, and they were forced to turn back.
As they headed toward Minatitlan, another setback occurred: the engine died. Betty kept her head and switched gas tanks, then re-fired the engine. The tactic worked. She and Mr. Townsend safely returned to Minatitlan. Later she discovered that water in the fuel tank had caused the engine to fail.
The next morning, they finally reached Tuxtla. The three-day flight had taken one week. But the troublesome beginnings did not discourage Betty.
She went on to serve as an MAF pilot for sixteen years–in spite of more mishaps, emergency landings on rivers and at least one crash. She completed 4,640 flights, served in twelve countries, and touched down in another twenty.
Her responsibilities included ferrying aircraft and delivering missionaries, dignitaries, and cargo to remote areas. She also saved lives by transporting ill or injured patients from inaccessible locations back to civilization and medical care.
(Betty, center left, in Papua, Indonesia)
In 1962 Betty transitioned from pilot-in-the-field to representative-and-recruiter for MAF, serving as an advocate for the organization until her death in 1997.
Today, MAF operates 132 aircraft in more than 25 countries worldwide.
(Sites of MAF Bases)
And it all began with a little girl who dreamed of flying.
Sources: www.dianawaring.com; http://www.footprintsintoafrica.com; http://www.maf.org; http://www.maf-uk.org; http://www.mnnonline.org.
Photo credits: www.flickr.com (2), http://www.pinterest.com; http://www.maf.org (3).
DREAM BIG !!!
Betty would be a poster child for that song, Dream Big,” by the Martins!
This is such a beautiful story and, once again, it makes me wish you had been
my history teacher. You make it all
so interesting.
So glad you find these stories interesting, Grace. I love doing the research, discovering new heroes or more details about those I already know. Betty came to my attention on one of those Today in History calendars. The more I read the more impressed I was with her perseverance and courage.
WHAT A GREAT STORY!!! I do so love it when you tell these stories from history – stories most of us have missed. This is a great gift, Nancy. Thank you.
Thank you, Diana. I guess there are a few of us left who enjoy history! Since I love researching our heroes of faith from the past, I’ll keep these posts coming every now and then. That you consider these stories great gifts gives me much pleasure!
That girl was fly even when she wasn’t flying!
Amen to that! As I said to Grace above, Betty was a strong woman of perseverance and courage. One source reported she was known for her poise, quick mind, ability to articulate, strong faith, and professionalism (www.maf-uk.org). Fly indeed!
wow what a story. amazing what we can learn from bio’s isn’t it? Thanks for highlighting her life.
Thank you, Jean, for reading!
Hi Nancy,
What a great story…she never quit orb became defeated! Great example for me! Sorry I haven’t commented much, but I read your posts and they always touch me! God’s blessing to you, my dear!
Hello, Ginny! How delightful to see your name in my inbox. So glad you found inspiration from Betty’s story, and thank you for being a faithful reader.
What an inspiring story! Thanks for retelling Betty’s tale of hope, patience, and loving exploits.
You’re welcome, Laurie. Betty Greene is certainly an example to all of us of those traits–and then some!
Nancy, you find the best stories! I know of Missionary Aviation Fellowship–we have two friends–one older, one younger–who fly for them. I had no idea it was started by a woman. What an amazing God we have.
I, too, have been acquainted with MAF for many years but did not know the story of its founding. You’re so right: Our amazing God has manifested himself brilliantly time and time again through people like Betty Greene. How else to explain the miraculous turns of events, the “just-so-happened” incidents, the strong character of such heroes that sees them through fearful, difficult experiences? Only our Almighty God!
I too love history, so found this one especially compelling. Thank you, Nancy!
Oh good–another history lover! Thank you, Susan. Glad you found Betty’s story compelling.
What a wonderful history lesson! I love learning things like this. And the quote:
““The whole meaning of history is in the proof
that there have lived people before the present time
whom it is important to meet.” –Eugene Rosenstock Huessy
Thanks so much for sharing this!
I knew you’d like this post, Cheri! The quote came from a book by Eugene Peterson, Run with the Horses (about Jeremiah). It caught my attention too, because the saints who’ve lived before us provide powerful examples and inspiration. Like you, I love learning about them!
Hi Nancy,
Great story. Yes, it is good to know people who were first to do something. Like dominoes, God uses people’s stories to inspire others. Have you seen the movie, Hidden Figures? Someone has to be first and that road is not easy, but is blessed.
Thank you,
Gary On Thu, May 18, 2017 at 12:06 PM From the Inside Out wrote:
> Nancy Ruegg posted: “”The whole meaning of history is in the proof that > there have lived people before the present time whom it is important to > meet.” –Eugene Rosenstock Huessy Betty Greene (1920-1997) is one of > them. Eight year-old Betty sat close to th” >
Thank you, Gary. Glad you enjoyed Betty’s story. I haven’t seen the movie, Hidden Figures, yet but want to. I understand it’s worth seeing!
It will inspire you. What makes it great is though it is not Christian film, you can tell believer’s had a big hand in it.