David Holsten comes back on the podcast this year to talk about two recent milestones in the organization's history--the 50th anniversary of the program in North Kalimantan, Indonesia, and the 75th anniversary of the program in Shell, Ecuador. Listen in on David's thoughts on the significant impact these programs have made, and his own personal connection as a pilot/mechanic in Kalimantan.

Episode 6 with David Holsten

Thousands of people in need of critical medical care but unable to access it in Ukraine have been sent to other EU states for treatment in a mammoth operation known as Medevac. On this week's episode, supported by the European Union’s Department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, we look at how this is organised and the impact it has for people on the ground in Ukraine.

What happens when people need medical attention in Ukraine?

"Nine Line" is a solemn and powerful musical tribute to the MEDEVAC heroes of the battlefield. In military operations, the Nine Line call is a lifeline—it’s the structured radio format used to request emergency medical evacuation for the wounded. But behind each line is a real voice, a real soul, desperate to save a brother or sister in arms.

This song captures both the urgency and the reverence of those calls. It's about the medics, the pilots, the crew chiefs, and the warriors who hold on and hold out. For every life saved, every mission flown into harm’s way, and every call made with trembling fingers and a fierce heart—this is for you.

Nine Line (A Tribute to the Lifesavers Who Answer the Call)

Feelings of War is a heartfelt country ballad with a touch of Irish influence, born from a poem I first wrote in 1990–1991 during the Gulf War. Decades later, in 2025, I adapted those words into song as a tribute to my wife—Lt. Col. Debbie Sterling, USAF—for her courage, sacrifice, and faithful service to our country.

This song reflects the doubt, fear, and separation we endured during wartime, but also the strength of love that carried us through. It’s about keeping the home fires burning, holding onto faith, and waiting for the day when two hearts are reunited again.

A story of love, duty, and resilience—Feelings of War is both personal and universal, honoring the men and women who serve and the families who stand beside them.

Feelings of War

“Worth More Than Rubies” is a heartfelt country ballad inspired by Proverbs 31 and written as a tribute to the strength, dignity, and faith of a woman who loves her family and walks with God. Blending traditional country storytelling with uplifting gospel tones, the song celebrates a wife and mother whose wisdom, grace, and character shine brighter than jewels.

The original poem was written in 1991, while my wife was deployed during Desert Storm, and later adapted into a song in 2025 as a tribute to her love, sacrifice, and faithfulness.

A song for husbands, wives, and families of faith—this track is both a love song and a praise song, honoring the timeless truth that charm may fade and beauty may pass, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Perfect for fans of classic country, gospel-influenced ballads, and faith-filled music that speaks from the heart.

Worth More Than Rubies

Most of my music centers on Jesus Christ and God’s amazing grace. I primarily write in the Country Christian style, but every now and then I like to branch out when the mood strikes. You might hear touches of alternative Christian rock (I did grow up in the ’60s and ’70s), contemporary gospel, or even a hint of bluegrass gospel along the way. From time to time, I also step outside faith-based music into modern bluegrass or country.

I was fortunate to play bass and sometimes piano in my late teens and early twenties for a country gospel group known as The Gospel Crusaders. We performed primarily at churches across Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, and Tennessee. Then life happened, and I stepped away from performing for almost 50 years. During this time, I started focusing more on writing lyrics and music. In 2017, I picked up my mandolin and joined God’s Country in Largo, Florida. The group disbanded in 2023 when several members moved out of state, but we’re planning a reunion performance in 2026.

Even when I venture beyond my main focus of sharing the gospel through song, I strive to keep my lyrics honest, heartfelt, and sometimes just plain fun. Believe it or not, I’m not in this to make money — I write as an outlet to share the stories and experiences of life over the past 70 years. I write the lyrics for most of my songs, though I’ve been blessed to collaborate with a few talented friends along the way.

I use Studio One to produce my music and have built a large library of loops over the years. Some vocals are mine; others are performed by friends. And yes, I also use AI-generated voices or enhancements to vocals when needed.  I am in my 7th decade on earth and my voice doesn’t have the range it once had, plus I don’t have immediate access to female vocalists.  There’s a lot of debate about AI in music, but for me, the goal has never changed — to spread God’s love and joy. Technology is simply a tool, much like the studio innovations that have shaped music for the past fifty years.

In today’s music, many well-known and touring artists now use pre-recorded tracks and digital stems during live concerts to fill out harmonies, recreate orchestral parts, or trigger sound effects — it’s all part of modern performance. Whether it’s a backing track on stage or an AI vocal line in the studio, the heart behind the music still matters most.

I don’t believe AI will ever replace real musicians, but those who learn to embrace it and use it to enhance their craft will continue to flourish in the music industry.

I play bass, trumpet, guitar, piano, mandolin, and I’m currently working to get up to speed on the fiddle. You may not agree with my take on AI, and that’s okay. My purpose isn’t profit — it’s to share the message of God’s love through whatever tools I have, whether that’s a guitar, a loop, or an algorithm that helps me clean up a mix.

As W. Edwards Deming once said,
“It is not necessary to change. Survival is not mandatory.”

Technology will keep evolving, and so will we. My greatest hope is that one of these songs touches someone’s heart or makes a difference in their life. If God can use even one of them to do that, then I’ve accomplished what I set out to do.

God bless you all.

Cinematic spoken-word reflections on war, service, and the human cost of duty—told with raw honesty and reverence.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a missionary pilot overseas? Or have you been curious about what it’s like to raise a family in a different culture? Or have you ever thought about how you could use your skills, talents, and abilities to serve the Lord, wherever you are? Then you’re in the right place. On From the Hangar, your host Lem sits down with a variety of staff serving at MAF, both on the field and at HQ. We’ll talk about what led them to MAF, what it’s like serving in the roles they’re in, what their life is like outside of the cockpit or office, and more. Welcome to From the Hangar!

The Explainer is a weekly podcast from The Journal that takes a deeper look at one big news story you need to know about. What's the background?  Why is this in the news?  Get the facts behind the story from Ireland's biggest news website.

New tracks tagged #MEDEVAC