2014 FlightWatch Volume 3

A Publication of Mission Aviation Fellowship 2014 Vol 3

Hope Rises Bringing Healing to a Place Marred by Bloodshed

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a publication of

from the

Mission Aviation Fellowship

PRESIDENT’S DESK

Our Mission

Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ ” —Revelation 21:4-5b

Managing Editor: Tracey Werre

Production Manager: Jacqueline Heilman

Art Director: Colby Dees Design: Clayton Borah

Writers/Resourcing: Chris Burgess Jennifer Wolf

New beginnings Dear Friends, How wonderful is the hope we have in Jesus Christ. We eagerly long for the day when our Savior will return to “make all things new.” What a glorious hope we have in Him! Until that day comes, I am constantly amazed at how our Lord works amid even the most terrible situations—and how privileged we are to take part in that work. When rebel forces destroyed MAF’s base in Nyankunde, Democratic Republic of the Congo, it seemed that all was lost for that region. Yet God not only brought MAF back to Nyankunde, He is working in the hearts of the Congolese people to bring about reconciliation and healing.

In this issue of FlightWatch, you will discover the redemption taking place in eastern DRC and how MAF and our partners are working to share Christ’s love in the wake of tragedy. You will also learn how lives are being changed through sports ministry in Haiti, as well as what new computer software means for isolated church leaders helping new believers grow.

I hope you are encouraged by the work in which MAF is involved in sharing His love around the world, and please know that I am eternally grateful for your partnership in that work. Let us continue to faithfully strive toward the day when God will wipe every tear from our eyes.

EVERY GIFT YOU SEND, every prayer you offer for MAF, helps change lives through aviation and technology.

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) 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.™

Together for His Kingdom,

John C. Boyd

Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

On the Cover: On the path to Nyankunde. Photo courtesy of John Woodberry.

President and CEO

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Hoop Dreams How basketball, Haiti Bible Mission, and MAF are changing lives in Jeremie, Haiti

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hen the Los Angeles Lakers wrapped up their 2009 draft roster, one name was not on the list—Dwayne Jackson. After a summer practicing with the NBA champions, the college star had not made the cut. This painful moment would prove to be a definitive one for Jackson.

“God had an even bigger dream for me,” says the NCAA Big South star.

Four years later, Jackson found himself in a place very different from the Staples Center locker room ... on an MAF airplane in Haiti. Since his time with the Lakers, Jackson has dedicated his life to sharing Christ with others through basketball. He folded his 6’4” frame into the plane’s cabin in Port-au-Prince and set out for the remote city of Jeremie for a local tournament put on by Haiti Bible Mission (HBM), one of the many Haitian ministries served by MAF. While this tournament is a far cry from the NBA finals, for Jackson and local hoop star Carl Eric Jeune it would make a huge difference.

The tournament attracted hundreds of Haitians and was an excellent opportunity for HBM to share Christ.

It was also a chance for Jackson to connect with Carl Eric, who had recently become a believer but was struggling to balance his faith with his life as a local sports star. Rather than heading back to the States after the tournament was over, Jackson stayed in Jeremie to help Carl Eric grow in his faith.

“As soon as we got there, we instantly connected!” says Jackson. “God allowed me to use basketball to reach that kid. I shared Jesus with him, and Matthew 6:25-33 changed his life. I told him that God has a plan for his life and that he should always be strong.”

“Dwayne Jackson taught me about Jesus; he showed me that Jesus is everything,” said Carl Eric. “Thank you, MAF, for bringing him to Jeremie!”

MAF played another key role for Carl Eric when, later in the year, he broke his leg in a motorcycle accident.

MAF flew him on an emergency flight to Port-auPrince. For a short time, basketball was out of the question, and Carl Eric reflected on what Jackson had taught him about putting Christ first.

“This is having a ripple effect throughout Jeremie,” said HBM director Mark Stockeland. “Jesus is everything for Carl, and he is reaching other Haitians in a way that we, as outsiders, can’t.”

For Dwayne Jackson, that is a victory that far exceeds anything he could have won playing with the Lakers.

“It takes a team to reach the people of Jeremie,” said Stockeland. “And without MAF none of this would have happened. People’s lives are being changed because MAF is there.”

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Back to

NYANKUNDE MAF’s return to this eastern DRC base revives a region scarred by war

An MAF airplane lands in Nyankunde. Photo by Stig Jacobsson.

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he last radio communication MAF pilot Dave Jacobsson received from his wife on the morning of September 5, 2002, was, “They’re at the door!” Then, nothing.

Just agonizing silence as Dave tried for more than 24 hours to make his way back to the MAF base at Nyankunde in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

On the ground, tribal soldiers had kicked in the kitchen door at his house. At gunpoint, they demanded that his wife Donna give them radios,

satellite phones, food, and money, while 20-month-old son Andrew toddled around in between the soldiers’ feet.

Three Congolese workers and another son lay hidden underneath the bed in the back bedroom, where they had taken cover against heavy gunfire.

The next day the Jacobssons and a handful of missionaries were evacuated, along with some Congolese who were thought to be in greatest danger. The rebels allowed three planeloads to leave.

The relief they all felt as they took off in the MAF Cessna was mixed with

An aerial view of the destruction of Nyankunde. Photo by Dave Jacobsson.

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incredible anguish for those left behind.

Some 3,000 people lost their lives, while thousands more fled on foot.

The entire village and mission station were destroyed. Nyankunde was left abandoned. It would go down as the worst massacre of the Ituri tribal conflict.

The Healing Begins

The first of the displaced people began to return in early 2004. In February of that year, MAF and AIM (Africa Inland Mission), along with a Congolese pastor, drove from Bunia to Nyankunde to do their first on-the-ground evaluation since the attack. MAF’s base of operations for eastern DRC since 1967—10 homes, two hangars, and a small school—had been completely looted. Tin roofs, doors, windows, wiring, toilets, sinks … all of it, gone. The main hangar was still intact, though empty. But there was hope—MAF could rebuild and come back.

A multiphase plan was initiated, with the first step being to secure and maintain the base with the courageous help of a small Congolese crew on-site. The airstrip was demined

“ What had become a symbol of fear, death, and destruction, Nyankunde is alive again and a testimony of God’s faithfulness, restoration, and healing.” and restored, and the first flights into Nyankunde began again in 2005.

MAF started rehabilitating its houses and hangars with the help of visiting church teams from the States. Staff monitored security in the area, and two risk assessments were conducted to determine when it would be safe to return.

In the meantime, while MAF was going through this years-long process, the work of healing was taking place through local churches, newly formed reconciliation ministries, and an evangelical radio station that spread the good news of Jesus Christ far and wide. Hundreds of ex-militia turned to Christ; there was confession and forgiveness, and freedom from hatred and bitterness. And Nyankunde was reborn.

Out of the Ashes

In the early mornings now, it’s common to see people with a hoe over their shoulder, heading to the lush green fields and hillsides to work their gardens—a sign that there’s a sense of security among the community, that this place is safe to call “home” again.

“What had become a symbol of fear, death, and destruction, Nyankunde is alive again and a testimony of God’s faithfulness, restoration, and healing,” said Donna Jacobsson. She and Dave, and the young son who toddled among the soldiers’ feet on that fateful day (he’s now a teenager!), were the first MAF family to return in spring of 2013.

“We have literally seen and felt the gray cloud of oppression lifting, and today we can say that Nyankunde feels like a beautiful and peaceful place once more,” said Lary and Sheryl Strietzel, the second MAF family to move back last December.

As repairs continue on the remaining MAF houses, a third family relocated there this spring and—Lord willing—a fourth will follow in the fall.

“The vision for our Nyankunde and Bunia bases is still a work/prayer in progress,” said Dave.

MAF is again serving the Nyankunde Evangelical Medical Center, which has been revived thanks to Congolese doctor Mike Upio in partnership with Samaritan’s Purse. It serves as a training

hospital for the country’s doctors and nurses, and patients come from all over to receive specialized care and surgery.

Along with an increase in flights for the hospital, Christian workers and pastors are taking advantage of affordable flights out of Nyankunde and avoiding the high airport taxes of Bunia.

“Last July, we were ready to travel to Tchabi by road, a full-day’s journey through some insecure stretches for annual church meetings,” said Pastor Kabaku, director of the Institute Biblique de Nyankunde. “MAF made it possible for our pastors to safely arrive in 15 minutes!”

When Kabaku and his team visit the hospital to pray for the sick, they often learn that patients are coming from far away via MAF. “We see that our ministry reach is widened, enlarged,” adds Kabaku.

“For me personally,” adds Dr. Upio, “MAF is a big support and an answer to my prayers. MAF in Nyankunde means life is back, and the Gospel can be spread again and again.”

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MINISTRY SPOTLIGHT: the Harkonens

Mamas can’ t fly airplanes!

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AF pilot Laura Harkonen aimed to prove her female passenger wrong as she encouraged the woman in the right-side passenger seat to take over the controls and fly the plane. “Mamas sure can fly airplanes!” Laura assured her.

Laura should know. She’s one of the few MAF-US female pilots on staff, and the only one based in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This can lead to some odd responses from the people she encounters. Out in the remote villages, the women are especially surprised to see a female pilot. But Laura is able to connect with them in a way that most male pilots probably wouldn’t. “A smile and outstretched arms will almost always result in me holding a baby,” she says.

This is just one of the perks of being able to fulfill a dream she’s had since she was 17.

“Laura loves to fly and minister to people through flying and showing the love of Christ to her passengers,” said Timo, Laura’s husband. Originally from Finland, Timo met Laura while attending college in the States. He has always encouraged his wife to do what she loves.

“If a couple has the primary focus of following Christ together, then it is natural that they support each other to live more fully for Jesus and pursue the ministry that God is calling them to,” he adds.

Timo is following his passion as well, by coming alongside Congolese pastors to find out their needs and support their efforts. His training in business, and especially his Master of Divinity, will be invaluable as he continues to explore ministry opportunities.

While he works on building relationships with local pastors, Timo also keeps busy home-schooling the couple’s children— Janey (15) and Richard (12)—and with all the details of daily living. “We don’t have things like microwaves or even power, except what comes from the solar panels (which isn’t much) or generator,” explains Timo. “Daily life just takes more time here.”

“I feel Timo’s current and future work with the pastors is every bit as valuable as my flying,” said Laura.

When she’s standing alongside the airplane in the middle of nowhere amongst curious kids and adults, Laura says, “I just thank God that He gave me the opportunity to serve Him in this way. I can’t imagine a different life for us.”

If you are not supporting an MAF family, you may be missing a special blessing! To learn more about the Harkonens or to join their support team, visit www.maf.org/harkonen.

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“Laura loves to fly and minister to people through flying and showing the love of Christ to her passengers.”

—Timo Harkonen

Photo courtesy of the Harkonens

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TECH CORNER

Lumin O p e ning D oors for Isol ate d Pastors

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he Church is growing in many places around the world—yet with that growth can come unexpected challenges, like how to prepare pastors, who are leading these churches for effective ministry. For many pastors, having access to biblical training and resources is next to impossible either because of geographic, political, or religious barriers. Eighty-five percent of the world’s churches are led by people with no ministerial education.

MAF has opened the doors for a solution. Lumin is a new tool from MAF to help pastors and church leaders in isolated places create culturally relevant training.

This software enables people to create courses, e-books, presentations, and other content (“Paks”) so that biblical and theological training can be easily shared no matter where in the world a pastor lives.

Each Pak can be configured to meet the training needs of each pastor and church, and created in a way that is culturally relevant. Paks can be viewed and shared on most mobile devices and computers or using the Estante app.

Serve God and Support MAF—Right in Your

Own Community!

Join the team of MAF Advocates across the country and share the life-transforming ministry of MAF with friends, family, churches, and others. As an Advocate, you have a terrific opportunity to educate people in your community about MAF’s role in reaching isolated people with Christ’s love around the world. www.maf.org/serve/advocate-wing

“When trying to reach isolated people groups, it can be very difficult to know exactly what kind of devices they are (or will be) using. Lumin provides an easy way to create engaging content that can be shared across a wide variety of devices and operating systems, without the need for specialized software,” said Elliot Dawson, the main developer of Lumin.

“Lumin is exactly what we need,” said Harry, a worker with a partner organization of MAF that works to train local leaders in South Asia.

MAF works to overcome barriers to the Gospel to reach isolated people with Christ’s love, whether through aviation or technology solutions like Lumin.

“I have successfully prepared a course in Lumin and uploaded it to Estante. It is all working very well,” said Amir, a worker with a school in India. “I want to say, ‘thank you so much for your help, and I thank God [for Lumin].’ ” END

MAF is a finalist in Lightspeed Aviation Foundation’s 2014 Pilot’s Choice Awards.

Eight winners will receive a grant ranging from $2,000 to $10,000, based on the number of online votes received.

VOTE FOR MAF... www.maf.org/lightspeed 1-800-FLYS-MAF

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NEWS BRIEFS

She Said Yes! MAF was giving KODIAK airplane rides in Riverside, California, last April when the unexpected happened: A young man proposed to his sweetheart in our airplane! The future bride is Chrystal Isaac, and her fiancé is Stephen Wood. Chrystal is the granddaughter of MAF alumni Melvin and Nancy Isaac.

Photo by Paul O’Brien.

the Ecuador PA-14— Nate Saint’s airplane! The propeller was a gift from thenpresident Grady Parrot

to thank Norm for preparing Grady’s garage to become MAF’s first shop.

MAF Flies the Book of Numbers The happy couple. Photo by Susan Davis.

MAF Opens New Learning Center MAF has opened its newest learning center in the La Cuenca community of Costa Rica. The ministry offers a place for students young and old to learn basic computer and technology skills. Its main purpose, however, is to bring holistic transformation to the people. Brendan Blowers, on loan to MAF from Latin America Mission, works within the slum one day a week and teaches the students about technology and God’s love.

Since February 2014 Brendan has taught mainly adults who come to the classes to learn how to type, to use Microsoft Office products, and to develop skills that will help them find employment.

Last December, MAF pilots had the privilege of transporting the final handwritten book of the Ngalik Bible translation—the book of Numbers— from the remote village of Silimo to Wamena in Papua, Indonesia. From there it traveled to Canada, where it’s being digitized. The Alliance missionaries (formerly C&MA) Buzz and Myrna Maxey sent this note to MAF staff: “Each one of you (and many other MAF pilots) have done so much over many, many years to partner with us, the Edward Maxey and now the Buzz Maxey families. You have done so much to see that Mom and Dad Maxey got in and out of Tulem, Pasema, and then Silimo. Now you have done so much to get us all around Papua so that the Ngalik OT translation can go forward.”

A Piece of MAF History Back in May, MAF alumni Norm and Cathy Olson (1958-1998) mailed a piece of MAF history: a wooden, full-size Sensenich propeller with Piper label and Cruise pitch, thought to possibly be the original equipment on

MAF staff in Papua hold the Ngalik translation of the book of Numbers. Photo by Matt Harris.

Join us in prayer ...

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” —1 John 5:14-15 For the Alas de Socorro del Ecuador team in the midst of raising funds for a KODIAK aircraft.

As the Asas de Socorro team helps the people of western Brazil recover from heavy flooding earlier this year, that they will be a light to those who are hurting.

For the MAF programs that are short-staffed at the moment, due to furloughs, that those who remain will be able to meet the added commitments.

That the many people who volunteer with MAF so faithfully will feel joy in being part of this ministry, and be blessed in all they do.