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Bob Dontje’s missionary zeal appeared early in life.

“The idea and appeal of missionaries was always in front of me,” Bob recalled. As a youngster, the book Jungle Pilot  captured his attention when it told the story of five missionaries murdered in Ecuador by Auca Indians. He was further encouraged by his boyhood, mission-minded church in Ledyard, Iowa, as well as teachers, friends and family who supported his interest in missions.  

Later in life, when newlyweds Bob and Neva faced financial challenges while he attended Moody Bible Institute, his church provided support so Bob could concentrate on Bible school and aviation training. 

Soon after joining MAF, Bob completed flight and maintenance orientation.  Then, the Dontjes headed to Indonesia for language school and field checkout. They thought they were going to a one-year, temporary assignement to Kalimantan, Indonesia before heading to their permanent base in Iraian Jaya (today called Papua).  That turned into 12 years service in East Kalimantan and Sulawesi.