The Bio of Todd: I was born in a log cabin in the rugged northwest and swaddled in bearskin. Actually, that is all true except for the log cabin and the bearskin. My family then moved to Pennsylvania then Ohio and then back to my birth state of Oregon. I attended two years of college and still had no idea what I wanted to spend my life work doing. Thumbing through the Walla Walla University bulletin I found Aviation. Three years later I walked away from a Cessna 152 with a grin on my face and a private pilot certificate in my pocket. Shortly after, my wife and I went as student missionaries to the Philippines, where I shadowed a missionary pilot for a year. It was there that I contracted malaria and realized my calling in life. We returned to the States and I earned my A&P certificate along with my instrument, commercial, and multi-engine ratings. Now we are ready to head back out for the ultimate career. 

The bio of Cas: I was once nearly eaten by a lion. Between the flimsy chain-link fence and the taunting Zimbabwean keeper, I was sure Brian the lion was going to jump over and gulp me in one bite. As it turns out, much to my satisfaction, I was in fact not eaten that day. I grew up in an old farmhouse that my child-brain remembers as perfect. To this day my mind often wanders back to that house and rocks in the old Lazy Boy or swings out back on the tire swing. From an early age I can remember my dad calling me a zookeeper. From “saving” gardener snakes to collecting every stray dog on the countryside, I felt it was my duty, nay, my privilege and honor to help any animal in need. And so I did just that.The story of my testimony is a long one, so the details will be spared here, but when I became a follower of God 2 things in my life changed: my outlook of the future and my discovery of Stripples. Stripples (vegetarian bacon) quickly became my favorite veggie meat and has been ever since, while my forward outlook changes daily. As I continue to learn and grow my understanding of the world that’s around me and the world that awaits me grows also. To describe my “dream job” would be akin to describing a rainbow; it looks different on different days and in different weather, but always points to God. I want to write and photograph and film primarily. I want to share stories with the world and share God with those in the stories. I’m not a preacher. I’m not a nun. I’m not always on my “A” game as far as being godly. But, I am a friend. I’m a smiler and a lover of people and I don’t let the politics of religion stop me from loving anyone. And that, like being kissed by an orangutan, will always be what’s in my heart.  

The bio of Millie: I was born September 8, 2009. Since that day, I’ve proven to be an endless source of enjoyment, entertainment, and love to my mama and papa. A good day for me is one in which naps, meals, and toys are all in abundance, throw in the occasional diaper change and I tend to be a very happy baby. You want to know what I think about this whole Kiribati thing? I say bring it on! On my first plane ride, and each one since, I impressed everyone with being a great traveler. And, going someplace warm means less clothes, and the closer I get to naked the happier I am. The other great thing about living by the ocean is, well, the ocean. I would spend all day in the tub if mama would let me, and maybe there, she will! PS: Don’t worry about missing me grow up, at the rate my mama takes photos you’re sure to not miss a moment.