M i s s i o n
A v i a t i o n
F e l l o w s h i p
FlightWatch Spring 2013
Investing in the future
A publication of
FlightWatch a publication of
From
Mission Aviation Fellowship
the President’s
Desk
John Boyd President & CEO MAF USA
Our Mission Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed.
Managing Editor: Tracey Werre Production Manager: Kelly Hewes Art Director: Colby Dees
Blessing the Next Generation
Writers/Resourcing: Jennifer Wolf Jason Chatraw Dianna Gibney
Dear Friend in Christ,
EVERY GIFT YOU SEND, every prayer
One of my most vivid memories from my time as an MAF pilot is when I stepped out of a plane into a crowd of hundreds of Haitian children. Though their excited smiles greeted me, they were obviously undernourished, their clothes torn and dirty, their country considered by many to be one of the poorest in the world. My heart grieved. I asked myself, what hope do they have?
you offer for MAF, helps change lives through aviation and technology.
That’s why MAF serves in such challenging places: to bring hope to the lost and suffering. Our Lord gives specific commands regarding the smallest of his flock. We are to teach them, care for them, and welcome them in Jesus’ name. Psalm 78 exhorts us to teach God’s Word to the next generation. In Matthew 19:14 Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Following these commands is one of MAF’s greatest priorities. Children are frequent passengers on MAF flights: Many a pilot can tell of babies being born on the plane or flown to medical clinics for treatment. MAF missionary families are frequently involved in personal ministries that focus on helping the little ones, children in orphanages, schools, English classes, Bible camps, and sports programs. We enable the work of those providing childhood vaccinations to jungle communities and food to starving families. Please allow me to thank you for what you are doing to build God’s Kingdom. He is using you, multiplying your faithful support of MAF, to bring hope and a brighter future to children who have so very little. In His grace,
John C. Boyd President and CEO
Matthew 10:42 “And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
We enjoy hearing from you! Please send comments and questions to MAF-US@maf.org.
MAF PO Box 47 Nampa, ID 83653-0047 208-498-0800 1-800-FLYS-MAF (359-7623) www.maf.org
MAF maintains the highest standards of financial accountability and public disclosure to donors, the government, and the world at large. MAF is a member of ... Accord™ (formerly AERDO) • CSC Christian Service Charities • ECFA Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability • IAMA International Association of Missionary Aviation • Missio Nexus. All Scripture references, unless otherwise noted, are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2010 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
On the Cover: At one of the MAF Ecuador program airstrips, children greet an airplane. Photo by Chad Irwin.
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EDUCATION TAKES FLIGHT MAF Invests in Future Generations
M
AF’s flight programs meet many immediate needs, as well as some needs that are more longterm. Education is one of those long-term investments that pays bountiful dividends. Indonesia is just one place where MAF supports many educational initiatives. In the mile-high village of Mamit, located in Papua’s Swart Valley, Wes and Esther Dale have been faithfully educating students for many years. Wes—whose father was killed by Yali cannibals in 1968 and his story chronicled in Don Richardson’s book Lords of the Earth— has a heart to help raise up Christian leaders. He teaches at a Bible school in Mamit while Esther teaches reading, writing, and math to the children of the Bible school students. MAF’s partnership with the Dales is vital, enabling their much-needed work in this remote area. Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Willfinger is a Bible school located in the remote village of Kampung Baru, Kalimantan. Young people from all over the island come here to train as pastors and evangelists so they can take the Gospel to fellow citizens living in remote areas of Indonesia. The school also serves as a high school and has several students receiving a Christian education in the higher grades. MAF’s support of this school makes it possible for this generation of young people to be a strong one, having an impact on their country. And still another generation is waiting in the wings, preparing to lead their communities. Several years ago, MAF’s regional manager for Indonesia, Wally Wiley, and his wife Joan helped start a K-12 school in Sentani, Papua. Even in its infancy, the school has received support from local governments, gaining validation within the community. It includes a mixture of students from the interior, as well as local students, and is already producing fruitful results. “The greatest stories about what is happening here are about the interior kids and the way they have flourished—how they’re taking the lead spiritually and academically and becoming role models for the rest of the school,” Wally said. Around the world, MAF transports books, educational supplies, students, teachers, and materials to build school facilities in remote areas. It’s all part of keeping an eye on the future, both spiritually and academically.
Photo by Brian Underhill.
end Spring 2013 | www.maf.org
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Let the Little Children Come
Remote Haitian orphanage thrives as it partners with MAF
N
ot long after Danita Estrella-Watts responded to God’s call to open an orphanage in Ouanaminthe, Haiti, she discovered that the closest medical care required more than a car–– she needed a plane. Danita’s path first intersected with MAF in 2001 as she began to commute between Haiti’s capital city of Port-au-Prince and Ouanaminthe to obtain permits and do other legal work needed to establish her
organization, Danita’s Children. Then came her need for help with transporting the children to get proper medical treatment. “Some seasons we have had one medical emergency after another,” Danita says. “Since good medical care is practically nonexistent in our area, the only option we had was to utilize MAF to fly the children to Port-au-Prince.” Throughout the years, as Danita’s Children welcomed more little ones into the
Children play on the grounds of the orphanage/school run by Danita’s Children.
orphanage, many were sick or disabled. MAF transported them to their new home, even brought some of them out again when they were adopted. Following the 2010 earthquake, the orphanage’s relationship with MAF kicked into high gear. An additional 77 people came to the facility for shelter and recuperation from injuries. Children with special needs, amputations or serious injuries were flown by MAF; the rest came by bus. “Whenever we have an emergency, we rely on MAF,” says Danita. She recalls flights for several infant burn victims and other children who needed lifesaving surgeries in Port-au-Prince, or to reach a connecting flight for treatment in the U.S. One such flight happened in 2006 for a six-month-old boy, Lubenson, with a life-threatening tumor the size of a baseball in his mouth. Lubenson’s parents abandoned him, thinking the tumor was the result of a voodoo curse. It was growing daily, and time was of the essence. MAF was called and arrived within 24 hours to take Lubenson to Port-au-Prince. A week later, after obtaining a medical visa, the boy traveled to Miami, where a worldrenowned surgeon and his team donated their time to save the boy’s life.
Photos courtesy Danita Estrella-Watts
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1-800-359-7623
Whenever we have an emergency, we rely on MAF.
A timeline of healing ...
Will White and Lubenson before surgery, after surgery, and six years later. Photos courtesy of Danita Estrella-Watts and Will White.
He is a happy, beautiful child with a great call of God on his life! MAF pilot Will White, who transported Lubenson for the surgery, crossed paths with the boy during a recent flight to the orphanage. Although six years had passed, Will recognized him immediately. He was encouraged to learn how God is using Lubenson, who often prays with kids who have special needs at the orphanage and shares his story of how God provided for him. Danita adds that they recently celebrated Lubenson’s seventh birthday. “He is a happy, beautiful child with a great call of God on his life!” As she looks back on all of the children in her care, Danita says each one is a miracle. “When we first received our children, many were in diapers, and now we are starting to
talk about the future. Several of them are preparing to go to college in the next two or three years.” The staff at Danita’s Children make it a priority not only to clothe, feed, and educate the children but to teach them about Jesus Christ. “Our children will be able to look back at their childhood and see how the hand of God moved in their lives. For many of the children, if MAF was not available and willing to help in these emergency situations, their destiny would have turned out differently,” shares Danita. What began with one woman and 14 orphans more than a decade ago today encompasses 80 staff members, more than 100 orphans, a feeding program of 18,000 meals a month, and schooling for 350
children. A dental clinic was completed in 2010, and now a medical center is under construction, where visiting medical teams can work and provide quality healthcare in an area that otherwise has none. The ministry also includes a church to nourish the souls in the community; about 500 people attend. Danita states, “It does not take much to make a difference in the life of a child. You just have to be willing. I am grateful to MAF for being willing to be a vessel that has been used to save the lives of so many children.”
end
Spring 2013 | www.maf.org
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Missionary Spotlight: The Scheer Family
Proving the Impossible W
hen it comes to following God’s plan for their lives, Matt and Ellie Scheer know there are no coincidences on their current path as MAF prefielders.
Their very relationship is a testament to the words “With God all things are possible” (Matt. 19:26). One has only to hear the unbelievable “How We Met” story to come to the conclusion that their paths were meant to cross on the way to MAF. And now that they’re preparing for an assignment in Indonesia, the meaning of that verse has really been put to the test. This past year and a half of building a ministry partnership team (prayer and financial supporters) has been, according to Ellie, a time of “testing and refining.” She describes some of the trials they’ve encountered––illnesses, car accidents, mice infestations at their home, as well as the flooding of their downstairs. “We had heard that this would be a faith-building year, but we didn’t realize how much that would be true for us.” Matt adds that “God has grown our faith and taught us how to praise Him ‘in the storm’ this year. He has also shown us a beautiful picture of the Body of Christ, as hundreds of people from all walks of life have joined our team to help make this ministry possible.” Both are looking forward to reaching the mission field. They were initially drawn to MAF because it serves in so many places around the world. And while they initially were excited about the possibility of serving in Africa––since Matt was raised a son of missionaries in Rwanda––once they learned more about all the different programs, they both felt a pull toward Indonesia. So they were excited to learn of their assignment there. Along with the trials, support-raising has been slow, and the couple wondered why it was taking so long! But then Ellie discovered she was pregnant with baby number three. God knew all along that they wouldn’t be ready to go last fall. They had to learn to trust that God was in control and the time of their arrival in Indonesia was entirely in His hands. The couple will be packing their belongings, and Matt will be going through final training at headquarters before they leave for language school this May. Please keep the Scheers in your prayers as they continue to seek out ministry partners and go through final preparations. To learn more about the Scheers and support their ministry with MAF in Indonesia, go to http://www.maf.org/scheer.
Photo by the Popes.
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1-800-359-7623
Turbine Engines Exposed
IS IT A
MATCH?
... God’s call, your skills, MAF’s vision and opportunities ... A mock-up of the turbine engine run stand. Photo by Phil Nelson.
I
n its search to create better ways to train its world-class mechanics, MAF’s ingenuity knows no bounds. Case in point? The new turbine engine run stand currently under construction.
For about a decade, MAF has utilized an engine stand with a run out Cessna 206 engine to train mechanics on piston engines. But as MAF has purchased more planes like the Kodiak and Caravan that are powered by turbine engines, mechanics need maintenance training on those machines, too. Engine stands enable instructors to actually run an engine outside of a plane, creating a more dynamic teaching environment. Instead of talking about what they might see, instructors can create the conditions to see it. But this can be very costly.
“
It will be a critical tool in helping train our mechanics.
”
Last summer former MAF staff member Gerald Dafoe—now a dedicated volunteer—got MAF’s turboprop engine stand project off the ground, so to speak. Two generous financial gifts helped as well.
Gerald found a flatbed truck to hold the turbine engine. MAF also needed a way to protect the mechanics from the exhaust gas. Gerald located a tractor-trailer sleeper cabin that fits the bill. The propeller and engine are mounted in front of the sleeper cabin. Technicians operate the engine from inside. The air brakes on the truck help keep the engine from moving.
Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed. MAF has opportunities for ... Teachers —For MAF missionary children Learning Technologies Specialists —Programmers —E-Learning specialists —App developers —Teacher/trainers IT Specialists Pilot/mechanics Aircraft mechanics Learn more at …
www.MAFrecruiting.org 1-(800)-FLYS-MAF (359-7623) recruiting@maf.org
“It’s going to look like an interesting contraption––but it is going to be safe and practical,” said MAF’s Dan Rogers, who helps oversee the volunteers in the machine shop. “It will be a critical tool in helping train our mechanics.” Spring 2013 | www.maf.org
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NEWS Briefs 50 Years Young! The crew at the Palangkaraya floatplane base in Kalimantan, Indonesia, recently held a birthday party for one of its Cessna 185s, PK-MCD. This senior citizen left the Cessna factory in Wichita, Kansas, in 1962—50 YEARS AGO! Since then, MCD has flown in Papua and Kalimantan on both wheels and floats and has accumulated just shy of 24,000 flight hours. The Palangkaraya team shared cake and a few laughs at this unique birthday party. Following close behind at 22,000 flight hours is the other C185 floatplane at this base, PK-MCB, at a youthful 45 years old. The fact that these two C185s are still flying is a testament to MAF’s careful maintenance of its fleet. (Photo by Tripp Flythe.)
MAF-Learning Technologies Conference Imagines Digital Evangelism The MAF-Learning Technologies (MAFLT) team held a “super conference” in Nampa, Idaho, in January to discuss strategies for mobile MAF-LT Super Conference. Photo by Brendan Blowers. learning. Ten field staff and five Nampa LT staff members came together to discuss different approaches for using cell phones and tablets to enable biblical training. Issues of security, resource distribution and sharing on the new Estante app, and church resourcing were key topics of discussion. Director of MAF-LT Richard Morris says that “with mobile computing, MAF-LT has a greater opportunity for impact than any other time in the past decade.” He encouraged the team to imagine the possibilities available through technology: “Think of the five billion people who will soon have a computer in their pockets, and use that for Kingdom ends.”
Next Steps on the Lesotho Hangar Project The MAF Lesotho program is moving another step closer toward the goal of building a new hangar. Only two of the five aircraft fit in the current hangar, leaving three planes exposed to the elements. Government officials have signed a Memorandum of Understanding stating MAF can build at the airport with a 50-year no-cost lease. Fundraising for this much-needed hangar is underway. Please keep this project in mind when you go before the Lord in prayer.
Looking for activities for kids?
Check out
Kids’ Connection online, and download a FREE Petey activity book and coloring book: www.maf.org/connect/kids
Please join MAF and pray that ... •
the MAF missionary school in Tarakan, East Kalimantan, Indonesia, will receive accreditation soon, which will provide quality education for our missionary children there and reduce staff turnover.
•
the Lord will raise up more teachers to work with MAF.
•
MAF prefield missionaries will have success in finding ministry partners to provide financial support and cover them with prayer.
•
Estante, a new digital library tool developed by MAF-Learning Technologies, will have a positive Kingdom impact as isolated pastors and churches discover its usefulness for sharing Christian materials.
MAF
Blog
As I sit on my porch writing this post, several aircraft have landed. I wonder what supplies they will bring, how many new people will arrive, and what impact the Gospel will continue to have. I breathe a prayer for all of the pilots who fly here, and I thank God that He has called us to serve in this unique place called Wamena. To read more of the story and ...
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visit mafblog.com.