You are here: HomeNews20150316 › Swedish Officer Wings It In The Outback

Swedish officer wings it in the Outback

16 March 2015
Swedish officer wings it in the Outback

Sweden’s Lieutenant Ludwig Fontanac (left) experienced the Queensland Outback courtesy of The Salvation Army’s rural flying chaplain Captain Mark Bulow.


Flying to rural properties in western Queensland, landing on bush airstrips, chatting to station owners and their families, cleaning troughs and mustering was a long way from the winter snow and ice of his native Sweden for Salvation Army officer and pilot, Lieutenant Ludwig Fontanac.

Ludwig was in Queensland in January to spend time with Captain Mark Bulow, The Salvation Army’s South Queensland Flying Service and Rural Chaplaincy leader, and experience first-hand how the flying and chaplaincy services work in remote locations.

“It was a privilege to show Ludwig around western Queensland,” said Mark. “I gave him the full experience of flying, driving long distances when it was too wet to land the plane, going to properties where I knew the families, and also to places where I was starting totally new relationships.

“We also visited people we were able to assist with [the Army’s] drought appeal funds, and people where we showed up with nothing but biscuits and an offer to have a chat.”

Ludwig, who has recently been appointed as the commanding officer of two corps in the Sweden and Latvia Territory – Borlänge and Vansbro – trained as a pilot for four years. It was during his time learning to fly that he became a Christian. He began working with The Salvation Army and was responsible for an outpost of the Västerås Corps for two years, before training for officership.

“My boyhood dream was to be a pilot and I never thought about God,” Ludwig explained. “After I got saved, I wanted to see if I could combine my pilot training and education with God’s calling on my life.

“I felt that I had this gift from God, and I wanted to use it for his sake and glory.

“It is a great opportunity for me to see how Mark is combining his flying skills with getting the Gospel to the lost. We don’t have remote areas in Sweden, except the far north, but there are no landing strips there. But I would be open to going anywhere if God wanted to use my flying skills in another country as well.

“Rural ministry and getting out to meet people and build relationships is our responsibility wherever we are.”

Mark and Ludwig flew to properties north of St George and also drove further afield to Roma, Mitchell and Charleville.

“It was good to see how Mark approached new people and properties,” said Ludwig. “I learned how important it is to be on people’s wavelength and be able to talk about anything from weather and sport to politics and work. Mark is really good at easily meeting people where they’re at.

“Some people were really welcoming, others more reserved, so it was helpful to see how Mark coped with that and how he builds trust and develops relationships. It’s important for people to have relationships with people who follow God.”

Ludwig believes it’s easy for an officer to stay within the walls of their corps, run all the activities and not intentionally reach out to those in the community.

“This trip has encouraged me to speak to those in my community I don’t know, ask to go in for a cuppa and be where the people are,” he said. “It’s vital to take up the responsibility to reach out to people, make new contacts and choose to build the Army of God – this is the lesson I take back with me.

The size of Australia, and the weather, also made a big impression on Ludwig. “We travelled for days and only covered a tiny portion of this huge land,” he said. “The contrast of wet and dry was amazing, and I couldn’t believe just how hot it was all the time!”

Comments

No comments yet - be the first.

Leave a Comment


- Will not be published

Email me follow-up comments

Note: Your comment requires approval before being published.

Default avatarWould you like to add a personal image? Visit gravatar.com to get your own free gravatar, a globally-recognized avatar. Once setup, your personal image will be attached every time you comment.

The Salvation Army acknowledges the Traditional Owners of country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures; and to elders both past and present.

The Salvation Army is committed to ensuring the provision of safe and inclusive environments for children, young people and vulnerable people where they feel respected, safe, valued and encouraged to reach their full potential. The Salvation Army is a child safe organisation.