Flying for Life - May 2015

Flying for Life MAY 2015

The magazine of MAF New Zealand

THE HUMBLE HERO

MAF’s Cofounder Turns 100 Inside: Special update on MAF’s response to developing emergency situation in South Sudan

NEW ZEALAND: Our Legacy

Our Legacy News & updates New Zealand has always played an important part in missions. Despite our relatively small size on the grand scale of the world, in the 1970s, this country had, per capita, the most overseas missionaries of any sending country!

In 2014, Aotearoa celebrated the 200th anniversary of the Good News arriving on our shores at the hand of missions. 2014 was also the year that Trevor Strong, the Kiwi cofounder of MAF worldwide, celebrated his 100th birthday. And in the same year, five new missionaries from various towns in New Zealand were preparing to step out into mission service overseas with MAF with more candidates and new home staff following close on their heels.

Mission work has always been an important aspect of our New Zealand history and it continues to be a key focus for our future. We are honoured to have the legacy of people like Murray Kendon and Trevor Strong—who boldly established MAF—and Samuel Marsden who eloquently preached that first sermon in New Zealand on Christmas Day in 1814.

Likewise, we are honoured to once again take up the baton in 2015, and run with it—or in our case, fly.

The foundation of missions in New Zealand is, like MAF’s, one of courage and tenacity and a sincere passion to make the Gospel known.

It is a legacy that echoes today, as we see New Zealand continue to pour people and talent into the Kingdom through missions. This is our legacy.

Calling all young artists!

Radio Rhema Interview

This is your chance! We are having an art competition—and you are invited to join in. There are three age categories; 6-8, 9-12 and 13-17. Pick a story or photo from one of our Flying For Life magazines and get inspired! Black and white, pencil, ink, paint—its up to you.

The day after completing a 3-day “ferry flight” from Cairns to bring MAF’s new Cessna 206 to New Zealand, pilot Rick Velvin was interviewed, along with CEO Mark Fox, by Radio Rhema.

Think you have what it takes to make super-cool art?

Shanna McGeorge, 17 years old and herself an artist, will be the judge.

She will be looking for technical skill, imagination and creativity. Artwork chosen will appear in the next Flying for Life magazine!

To enter: just take a photo of your art (or get your Mum or Dad to help) and email it in to us—and tell us how old you are.

Listen to the interview on our web site.

They talked about the 3-day flight, the amazing work (and challenges!) faced by MAF and the desire to bring God’s love to people in remote places around the world. Listen to the interview by going to our web site.

Got that “left out” feeling?

If you haven’t had an email from us for a while it may be that we don’t have your current email address. Just email us at info@maf.org.nz and we will update you...so you get all our updates and information as it happens.

By the Numbers–MAF in 2014 45,777 Hours flown 188,802 Number of passengers 5,432,929 Total distance flown in nautical miles 6,966,301 Cargo in kilograms 132 Number of planes 1,268 Total staff 328 International staff (overseas staff) 940 National staff (local staff) 1500 Christian organizations & NGOs supported 1,657 Destinations

MAF is an international Christian aviation organisation serving around 30 developing countries to reach people living in some of the world’s most isolated communities.

Operating more than 135 light aircraft, MAF flies into 2,500 remote destinations, transporting essential medical care, food and water supplies, relief teams and church workers ­enabling physical and spiritual care to reach countless thousands of people cut off due to formidable geographical barriers, natural disasters and political unrest.

Flying for Life is the official magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship NZ and CRMF in New Zealand and Australia. Articles may be reprinted with acknowledgment.

MAF New Zealand

PO Box 76502 Manukau City, Auckland 2241 Phone: 0800 87 85 88 Email: info@maf.org.nz Website: www.maf.org.nz Editor: Emma McGeorge Layout & Artwork: Tim Houghton Printing: Inkprint Limited

Prayer Map

For our latest news or to give a gift, please visit www.maf.org.nz or call us Toll Free 0800 87 85 88

“Prayer Map” is a FREE bimonthly publication of MAF New Zealand.

To subscribe to our print or email version, please contact us Toll free: 0800 87 85 88 email: info@maf.org.nz

If you no longer wish to receive MAF news, please phone us on 0800 87 85 88 and your name and details will be removed from our distribution list.

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MAF

SOUTH SUDAN

HOW MAF RESPONDS TO CRISIS IN SOUTH SUDAN Story and photos by Dave Forney

An ever-increasing number of refugees (currently totalling almost 100,000) are fleeing South Sudan due to the continuing fighting with the ensuing shortages of food and other critical needs.

At the present rate (and the UN does not anticipate it slowing down) there will be at least several hundred thousand refugees by the end of this year.

In a relatively short time-span this has become the biggest concentration of NGO/humanitarian effort in all of Uganda.

Travel to and from Adjumani remains difficult overland. Currently, the only way to and from Adjumani is via the often dangerous, long, bumpy, dusty (or muddy in rainy season) roads. This involves several hours driving to Gulu where­­(if you are lucky­­) you can catch a bus for an additional long and often terrifying bus ride to Kampala. Buses are often sold-out.

Top: South Sudanese child Bottom: Adjumani, a remote dusty town in Northern Uganda, has become the centre of the refugee crisis.

“MAF is making it possible for aid organizations helping those suffering effects of war, hunger and disease to get to where they need to be” Below: The old Adjumani airstrip has become overgrown with ant and termite hills scattered along its length.

A group of missions and NGOs, together with the UN, requested MAF’s help in determining the possibility of reopening an old, overgrown airstrip. This would allow MAF to begin providing safe, regular service to the personnel working with the ever-increasing number of refugees.

MAF had several follow up meetings with representatives and engineers from the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) and the UN (UNHCR and UNICEF).

MAF pilots Dallas Derksen and Dave Forney went to Adjumani to conduct a thorough survey of the old airstrip and determined the potential for re-opening and improving it to current MAF standards.

Within a few months MAF hopes to be able to glorify God by providing safe, time-saving flights directly to and from Adjumani. By doing this they will be serving those who are in turn serving the many who are suffering effects of war, hunger and disease in the developing refugee crisis in South Sudan.

www.maf.org.nz

May 2015

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TREVOR STRONG: The Humble Hero

THE HUMBLE

By Emma McGeorge

M

eeting Trevor Strong is like meeting a long lost friend. His warmth and graciousness are the first things I notice as I shake hands with one of the men who, in the midst of the horrors of WWII, dreamed that aircraft could be used for a better purpose than war.

Trevor Strong is also a true gentleman, and the first thing this soon-to-becentennial does when I meet him in his rest home on the North Shore of Auckland, New Zealand is to offer me his chair. He asks me about myself and my work, and laughs easily as we exchange personal stories. His smile is contagious and, despite his years, his eyes still hold a twinkle of good humour and delight. Put quite simply, Trevor Strong is charming.

He is also handsomely decorated and somewhat famous from his career as a veteran pilot in WWII, but you would never know this just from talking to Trevor. He is genuinely humble, and not at all concerned with making known his heroic actions in the war.

It’s the same when we discuss Mission Aviation Fellowship and its early beginnings in which Trevor played a key role. While Trevor is clearly delighted to 4

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hear of MAF’s impact, and perhaps even surprised at just how widely spread this mission organisation has now become, he is not at all concerned with receiving any accolades for his vital role in the organisation’s birth and first steps.

Yet, with the help of old newspaper clippings, snippets of memories, and the assistance of his daughter, Beverly van Vugt, Trevor’s fascinating and inspiring story begins to unfold.

Flight Lieutenant Trevor Strong was more than just a brilliant pilot—one of the best, in fact—he is also a deeply committed Christian. Trevor was 19 years old when he heard the Gospel message clearly for the first time from a blind soldier-turnedevangelist who was holding rallies in New Zealand in the early 1930s. It was a life changing week for Trevor, who attended every meeting before joyfully finding his pardon and peace through Jesus Christ at the foot of the cross. This experience made a huge impact on him, and he soon found that old hobbies and interests fell away. As Trevor remembers: “I found my joy in the service of the Lord Jesus Christ.”

It was soon after this that a second World War exploded across the world and Trevor’s newfound faith proved to be a worthy foundation. Trevor had always wanted to fly and was quick to sign up for training in New Zealand to defend

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his country as a pilot. He continued his training in England, then began a tour of operations against Nazi Germany.

During this dangerous time, Trevor’s found his faith to be a tangible strength: “We were very often brought face to face with the reality of death, but I had no fear… This did not make me careless, but confident, because my life was in His hands.”

As an extremely skilled pilot, Trevor was assigned the role of a pathfinder—a high risk job that involved flying out over enemy territory to seek out a clear path for the Allied forces to use. Trevor successfully led forty-four pathfinding missions, until August 25, 1944 when his plane was hit by Nazi guns over enemy lines. Instantly Trevor, a confident and efficient leader, snapped into action and successfully evacuated his entire crew before finally jumping from the doomed aircraft himself. Separated and alone, he evaded the enemy for two days, making his way toward the Allied lines. It was a harrowing experience: “I’ll never forget the sound of dogs, howling in the woods as they came after me…” Unfortunately, Trevor was apprehended and taken to an interrogation centre in Germany where his story ought to have ended.

Yet once again, God was faithful and Trevor’s faith held firm: “While in solitary

HERO

MAF’s CoFounder Turns 100

“It gives me great joy to think that aircraft can be used to carry the Gospel to the ends of the earth, so that we may have the joy of taking life and not death to the peoples of the world” confinement, the presence of the Lord was very real indeed.” He was soon moved to a prison camp, and here he found a number of other believers. They spent the next nine months sharing Bible studies, prayer and fellowship, but it was tough times that the men faced.

“As the war came to a close, things became very difficult,” Trevor recalled, “It was very cold and we were often hungry. It was a grim experience, but in all these things we were able to triumph in Christ.”

As the war ended, Trevor and his POW camp were liberated by the arrival of the Russians. With the traumas of war fresh in his mind and the grace of God strong in his heart, Trevor flew back to England.

There, he met up again with fellow Kiwi pilot, Murray Kendon, and that same day heard his friend’s unique vision – to use aircraft as a tool of the Gospel.

Trevor immediately knew that this was God in action and his mind flew back to the night he had flown through flashing tracers, quietly promising God that if he came out of this war alive he would use his influence in Christian mission work. Now, as peace began, Murray was proposing a new kind of mission organisation that would use aircraft for help and hope, rather than for war, and Trevor joyfully resonated with this: “I felt that this was what the Lord had called me to do.”

After WWII ended, Flight Lt. Trevor Strong was decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross. Yet this war hero found his greatest reward in daring to dream big and do bigger for the Kingdom and he threw himself into establishing a brand new aviation-based mission with all his heart.

The two friends worked together to

present the concept of using light aircraft to help in humanitarian and mission work, but found it next to impossible to find a willing audience.

But all this changed when Murray spoke to Dr Thomas Cochrane, president of the Movement for World Evangelism at the Mildmay Centre in London. Murray shared his idea for using airplanes to enable missionary work, and Dr Cochrane’s answer was swift and direct: “God has laid this on your heart, Murray, perhaps He wants you to do something about it yourself. You pray about it, write an article, and I will publish it.”

The article, published in England’s “A Christian Weekly” on 5th July 1945, was the first recorded thought about an MAF-type operation, and it unleashed a wave of Christian pilots, engineers and supporters. From that moment, everything changed for Trevor, Murray and the fledgling Missionary Aviation Fellowship (later changed to Mission Aviation Fellowship), and the two Kiwis had soon set up a small headquarters in London from which to launch the organisation. They spent the year travelling around the UK gathering support and sharing the dream with English aviation enthusiasts and supporters. In 1946 they sent a Miles Gemini aircraft to make MAF’s first survey flight into Africa.

That same year, war-hero-turnedmission-founder Trevor Strong returned to New Zealand to marry his sweetheart, Joan Flemming. He then set about igniting the MAF vision in Aotearoa.

Trevor established the MAF Committee in 1947, and later became the first chairman of the MAFNZ Board. In 1959 MAF New Zealand was officially incorporated as a Society and, though

Trevor was not able to continue flying due to hearing damage sustained from the war, he served on the MAF NZ Board and continued to play a key part in MAF in New Zealand for many years.

He and Murray remained close friends until Murray sadly passed away in New Zealand on 27th May, 2014.

On 29th November, 2014, Trevor Strong celebrated his 100th birthday.

More distinguished, wiser, and with that indomitable grin, he greeted his centennial year with the same gracious faith he had carried throughout a tragic World War, a ground-breaking new mission organisation and a genuine life lived to the full.

Visiting with Trevor a few weeks before his birthday, I mentioned to him that the vision he and Murray had shared began with one small plane, but that Mission Aviation Fellowship was, today, a global organisation with 140 aircraft. “Well,” he said, then paused and grinned to himself, “fancy that.”

Though Trevor and Murray, two downto-earth WWII pilots from New Zealand, were passionate about the idea of MAF and confident that God would use it for His glory, they had absolutely no idea of the extent to which God would bless this daring endeavour. They dreamed of an aviation-based mission that would turn the deadliest of weapons into tools of peace; yet even they were awed and blessed by the way MAF aircraft and ministries have revolutionised humanitarian work, aid services, and mission work around the world.

Thanks to Trevor Strong, Beverley van Vugt (nee Strong) and Ted Crawford for their assistance with this story. Credit also to the New Zealand “Challenge” newspaper, Edition 29 August 1946. All photos courtesy of Beverley van Vugt.

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May 2015

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PNG: Gordon Bland - a Kiwi builder

: e c i v r e S f o s d n n o a r e H d l i u B i e w i n e K c S A n o i t a i v A e th Story and photos by Emma McGeorge Gordon Bland is on his third day in the job and already he is run off his feet.

When I spoke to him at the MAF Base in Mt Hagen, Papua New Guinea, he had been at the hangar since 7am, checking up on the final loading of a Twin Otter that was carrying 1200kg of building supplies to the remote base of Kawito.

Papua New Guinea is a long way from Wanganui, New Zealand, but Gordon and his wife Janine have come here with the purpose to fill what was a critical vacancy for MAF and to serve in any way they can in this beautiful and diverse country. It’s a unique and challenging adventure, but Gordon testifies of God’s hand at work every step of the way.

Gordon has always had a heart for missions and a particular interest in aviation. He already had his Private Pilots’ License with Mission Aviation Fellowship in mind when his sister organised a mission conference in his home town of Wanganui. Gordon found out that MAF would be there, and he eagerly went along to meet the MAF team and find out more.

He left the conference with a MAF book and CD, and a renewed interest in aviation mission work. Soon, however, MAF had approached him with a different proposal than what he had in mind. Papua New Guinea was desperate for a Property and

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Maintenance Manager and Gordon, a self-employed businessman with years of building experience, fit the requirements perfectly.

It wasn’t the flying role he had anticipated but to his credit, Gordon’s servant spirit was stirred. He and Janine prayed much, opened their hearts and agreed to let the ball start rolling. Not long after their application had begun the position in PNG was changed to a critical status, and Gordon and Janine found themselves fast tracked to the mission field in just 4 months. This time was a flurry of activity, as they threw themselves into support raising, preparing to move overseas and live in a third world country, wrapping up business in New Zealand, and saying goodbye to family and friends.

Upon arriving in Papua New Guinea Gordon and Janine participated in various orientation work, including language learning and a one week stay in a remote bush village. Then it was on with the task, which now finds Gordon busily involved in the happenings at the MAF Base in Mt Hagen, and starting to find his feet in a new role and a new country.

Gordon’s official title in PNG is the MAF Property & Maintenance Manager—a hefty title that encompasses three key areas: Vehicles, Buildings and Projects.

There are constant requests for repairs

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and maintenance, and everything is carefully entered into the computer system by Ellison.

MAF vehicles are rotated on a weekly basis through the vehicle maintenance workshop. The roads in PNG are rough and littered with potholes and Gordon notes that keeping MAF’s vans and trucks in good repair is a substantial task. There are eight MAF vehicles plus various staff cars which come in for maintenance, and meticulous records are kept for each vehicle.

Buildings are also a key part of the job and there is on going maintenance to be done on terminals and hangars. MAF is a mission organisation, but aircraft add a whole new level of requirements. As Gordon puts it, “We are a mission, but one that is flying planes; and so we need to adhere to the aviation standards of safety and operations.”

Staff housing keeps Gordon and his team on their toes. Kakat, the longserving Maintenance Supervisor and Gordon’s right hand man.

Gordon is committed to ensuring that MAF staff are comfortable and happy in their homes. One example of his dedication to staff well-being is his plans regarding the difficult power situation in the MAF outstations. “If you’re in a coastal region,” Gordon explains, “this means searing heat and humidity, but no fans running and fridges being left to defrost. Some outstations have no

At first glance a builder in an aviation organisation may seem a bit out of place–but Gordon’s role is vital to the work of MAF roads to them, and therefore no mains.

So they rely on generators, which are on and off, with only some on solar power.” A long term project that Gordon is keen to push through is solar power becoming the norm, thereby supplying a reliable source of power.

Gordon is slowly settling into routine in Mt Hagen, and says the job has expanded even further since he first arrived. It has also brought a whole new element into the work scene for him, which is that of a workplace that is dedicated to mission and service.

Which brings us onto projects, the third facet of Gordon’s role. Projects, as Gordon explains, are mostly long term jobs that require a lot of planning and manpower. One project soon to be underway in Goroka will be the moving of a hangar and the replacing of a terminal. Other big projects looming on the horizon are the building of new MAF houses and coordinating house placements and land settlements.

Project volunteers are an important dimension of all this and, from time to time, volunteers will come from Switzerland, New Zealand, Australia and other countries to serve for a short stint with MAF in PNG. Gordon’s role will include overseeing the volunteers and coordinating their efforts. He is already looking ahead to the extra work that comes with this blessing, saying, “It will take quite a bit of planning, as it takes a little while to source materials here in PNG, and to ensure that everything is ready to go when volunteers arrive.”

It’s a lot to take in, let alone be in charge of, but Gordon is taking it all in his stride.

“I enjoy a challenge. There’s a little bit of trepidation, but also excitement. There is a lot to do, and lots of people asking about various odd jobs and projects.”

Gordon is also enjoying getting to know his team. “They are really good guys,” he says of the Maintenance Team. The feeling is clearly mutual, and the men on his team enjoy working alongside Gordon and using their skills to make a difference in their home country.

time is invaluable, and it highlights that extra component unique to MAF – an organisation that is aviation-focused, but first and foremost Kingdomfocused.

Gordon has been proactive about taking opportunities to further the Kingdom, and he has made a great effort to connect with the culture and the people of PNG. He and Janine did a four-day outreach trip to Mengau with a MAF team not long after their arrival. They also appreciated the bush orientation trip that saw them spending a week out in the village of Sengapi and simply dwelling amongst the people there. “We went on a lot of ‘wokabouts’ (walks),” Janine recalled, “and spent time visiting people and sharing ‘kaikai’ (food) with them.”

During their time in Sengapi, Gordon enjoyed getting to know the locals, as well as making the most of his time there by doing all sorts of fix-it tasks.

He repaired the old mission house that was their accommodation, including reconnecting the water supply. The first night they had no water, the second night cold water, and by the third night it was hot water! Gordon also did other odd jobs around the village, Gordon also did one job that MAF certainly appreciated—he fixed the lawnmower that keeps the airstrip maintained!

Gordon genuinely appreciates this side of MAF, saying, “One great thing that I’ve not had before in life, is arriving at work and starting the day with ‘lotu’, or worship.” Every morning, Gordon gathers with his team as they share from the Word, pray, and commit the day’s work to the Lord. To Gordon, this

At first glance, a builder in an aviation organisation may seem a bit out of place, but Gordon’s role is vital to the work of MAF. He may not be flying planes, but his hands are very busy and his work on the ground ensures that MAF is kept in the air: efficient, safe, and well-maintained for the task of mission in Papua New Guinea. © Emma McGeorge

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May 2015

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NEW ZEALAND: the new Cessna arrives

MAF NEW ZEALAND’S CESSNA 206 ARRIVES Photos and story: Tim Houghton

The journey to New Zealand

Why we need a plane

O

ver the last 70 years, Mission Aviation Fellowship has grown from just one plane to a fleet of 140 aircraft. A MAF aircraft is taking off or landing somewhere in the world every three minutes, but not one of these operational aircraft has ever been based in New Zealand!

New Zealand provides many of Mission Aviation Fellowship’s pilots–and it has become increasingly clear that there is a growing need for an aircraft here in New Zealand to train, test and prepare pilots for the challenging conditions they will face overseas.

The plane performs three functions Firstly, it allows candidate pilots to build hours and practice in a plane very similar to those they will be flying once they head overseas. This is an aircraft that is standard for MAF field work so ZK-MAF is a turning point for MAF NZ’s preparation of Kiwi pilots. A range of flight assessments will be cheaper and more readily available to candidates and will allow them to keep current by accumulating pilot hours.

Secondly, the arrival of the Cessna 206 in New Zealand raises the profile of our work and the impact it has on remote communities around the world and helps people understand MAF’s life-saving services in nations like Papua New Guinea, South Sudan and Timor-Leste.

And thirdly, it creates a presence to attract more potential field staff to serve in overseas mission with MAF. 8

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History of the Cessna The plane was first registered 35 years ago in 1980 in Australia as VH-WKH. In 1983 it began service with MAF registered as VH-UBV, flying in Arnhem Land, the remote and isolated area of far north Australia.

As pilots John Neal and Rick Velvin (below) flew the Cessna from Cairns to Auckland (total flying time of 18 hours – spread over 3 days) we were able to

Cambodia: 1999-2005 It was flown to Cambodia in 1999 with a special Fuel System fitted for the long flight to Phnom Penh.

“Throughout the time the Cessna was based in Cambodia it was the only fixed-wing aircraft available to Christian and other Development Agencies”

track its journey on our computers using software called V2Tracker. Most of the flight to New Zealand was over water, so safety and navigation were a priority. As the Tracker shows, the Cessna travelled

Australia: 2005-2012 In 2005 Cessna 206 VH-UBV returned to Mareeba, Australia and began an extensive overhaul and refurbishment.

Arnhem Land: 1980-1997 For the next 7 years UBV was based at the MAF Flight Training Centre, Coldstream, Victoria. During this time about 95 pilots (other than Instructors) trained in it.

On 28 February, 2012 UBV was retired from Flight Training Centre service.

2013-2015: Overhaul in Mareeba, Australia Complete overhaul and refurbishment.

On February 10, 2015 the 206 was back in the air!

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from Mareeba to Coff’s Harbour, Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island before finally landing at Ardmore airfield in South Auckland.

The Dedication At 5:30pm on Wednesday evening of 11 March over 50 people started to gather at the hangar of Christian Aviation to be part of the Dedication of the Cessna 206

About the Cessna 206 at Ardmore airport.

Right on time at 6pm the tiny speck appeared. To the pilots among us it was unmistakably the 206. Cheers went up.

There was more applause and thanksgiving from the audience. Rev. Dr. Richard Waugh and CEO Mark Fox

* The Cessna 206 has the capacity to carry the pilot and up to 5 passengers or 400kg of freight and cruise at a speed of 222kph (120 knots). * Its piston-powered single engine (Continental IO-520F17B) produces 300hp and drives a three-bladed propeller. * One of the smallest aircraft in the fleet, it is durable and reliable, with a good takeoff performance from the short and rough bush airstrips used by MAF. * All MAF’s 206s have been modified to suit the environments in which they fly; over-size main wheels and heavy-duty nose gear are designed to withstand the forces exerted on the aircraft from rough airstrips. * A large cargo pod underneath the plane allows more freight to be carried. * This cargo pod, as well as wing struts and oversize tyres, contribute to the 206 being the slowest aircraft in the fleet, but its durability and ability to land on rugged airstrips makes it ideally suited for MAF’S work.

prayed for the plane and it’s use for God’s Kingdom here in New Zealand.

Omaka Airshow This was the first time most people got to see a real MAF plane close up-and sit in the seat and talk to real MAF pilots.

A lot of interest was generated over the 3 days of the event, with a number of serious enquiries.

* Bulky and heavy cargo is loaded easily through the large double door at the rear. During medical emergency flights, this large door allows patients on a stretcher to be loaded and transported to hospital. * MAF designed and built passenger seats especially for the C206 that can be easily removed and folded away for a quick transition from passenger carrying to medical or freight configuration even when at a remote bush airstrip all without having to return to base or use any special tools.

Rev Dr Richard Waugh, a church leader and aviation historian said, “The arrival of Cessna ZK-MAF in New Zealand is cause for celebration–a very valuable tool for Kingdom purposes here at “the ends of the earth”–and I encourage people to be fully supportive of this important mission development.” www.maf.org.nz

May 2015

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MONGOLIA: a unique operation MAFI: Engineers needed!

By Emma McGeorge Ask anyone within MAF how things are going and the answer is always the same: full speed ahead!

MAF operations have never been busier. There is a constant demand for our services amongst humanitarian and aid agencies across the globe, local churches in developing countries bless our planes for their significant help in spreading the Good News, and hundreds of emergency patients rely solely on our aircraft to speed them to medical care.

This is becoming a serious problem because of another occurrence that is conversely very good: pilots are flooding to the mission field in droves.

And for MAF, an aviation-based mission, pilots are essential.

But the lack of engineers currently working with MAF, and the shortage of new engineers on the horizon, poses a real concern within MAF operations.

The pilots are raring to go, the mission field is wide open and beckoning but the planes

With so few engineers our aircraft are unusually slow to go through regular maintenance and safety checks. If a plane needs a more serious overhaul or has an accident that requires more work than normal, there are too few hands to do the work in a reasonable time frame. This ripples back to the waiting pilots, who find themselves unable to do what they are called to do, simply because the tools they use are still in the workshop.

Those who currently serve MAF with their technical and engineering skills are doing so out of a love for mission and a passion to use their skills to aid the Gospel. Yet our current MAF engineers are coming under enormous pressure, and with no tangible light on the horizon to ease their load.

Their work is particularly important, as every tiny detail means the difference between life and death. It’s a job that has to be done just right and it cannot be rushed or skimped over.

A new and concerning situation is arising within MAF, one that threatens to considerably slow down–possibly even halt our unique and vital work: we are severely short of engineers.

Without engineers, MAF simply cannot leave the ground.

Rob Hovenden and Jono Edwards 10

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Engine

themselves aren’t available to keep up with the demand.

At work www.maf.org.nz

Peter Higham catches up with the MAF engineers in Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

Story and photos by Peter Higham.

P

ilots and planes are ready to respond to needs around the world­­—but the need for engineers is desperate.

Engineers are now the essential but missing link. Today I took the opportunity to sit with some MAF engineers over lunch.

The engineering team ensures that each plane has been through its vigorous checks and that any required repairs have been carried out, making it safe to fly. The team has to follow a complex set of procedures to keep up with aircraft standards. With the number of planes that are managed by the engineering team this is not an easy process. Aircraft checks have to be planned weeks in advance in order to work in with the engineering staff availability, and to also provide buffer time for unexpected maintenance issues.

Most of the men present at the lunch table are well-seasoned, skilled engineers. Each had previously prepared for MAF service for years, doing aircraft maintenance training and completing between 20-40 exams to become fully qualified.

My first conversation was with Jonny Garwood, a recent edition to the MAF Arnhem Land team. A New Zealand missionary kid who grew up in Papua

Engineers look to th

eers–The Missing Link

he sky

“Although all MAF engineers have the skills to use a spanner, wrench and riveting tool, their passion goes beyond the scope of fixing an aircraft.

They have made sacrifices to be with MAF because they truly believe in the vision of the organisation and they want to be part of God’s work”.

New Guinea, Jonny is an aircraft apprentice and was quick to mention that the job requires a lot of reading and studying. He finds satisfaction in troubleshooting faults and the opportunity to be part of a team.

However the job definitely has its challenges, such as cleaning up horrid smells from the aircraft—the result of motion sickness!

Hangar foreman Rob Hovenden, who was listening in on our conversation, was quick to agree that it’s a very humbling experience to clean dirty aircraft. However, the sheer satisfaction of finding a defect before it causes problems brings a sense of great worth to his role. For him, being part of MAF is a package deal: one gets to fix aircraft, work with a great bunch of people and serve God and people through the ministry of MAF. As lunch drew to a close, most of the engineers returned to the hangar floor and I was left with the storeman, Rod Neil. Although not an engineer, Rod works very closely alongside the engineers. Rod commented, “They don’t take shortcuts, they do their job very professionally and I would feel very

comfortable travelling in any aircraft that is maintained by MAF Arnhem Land Engineers”.

Rod also mentioned that the engineers will turn their hand to almost anything, whether it be cleaning, fixing vehicles, painting MAF houses, going on homeland outreach trips or spending time with the local people.

Wandering out to the main area, I found the engineers in the hot and humid hangar. The whole team was involved in doing a “Check 3” on a GA8 Airvan. This is a complex two to three day check that involves removing panels, screws and filters etc to make sure the aircraft is safe and fit for service.

I asked David Lamboa, an MAF engineer from PNG, what is challenging about being an engineer. He replied that dealing with the civil aviation rules and keeping up with the constant changes in operational procedures surrounding the aviation industry brings its pressures.

Also, when time is tight and planes are needed for flying faults that take a long time to fix can be very challenging.

That challenge often comes in the shape of a call at the end of the week

David Lamboa

for a plane that needs attention and is stuck out at one of the homeland communities. This means getting together a tool bag, finding a plane and pilot that can take an available engineer to the stranded plane, and hoping that the fault can be easily fixed and not require a night out in the bush or a second return trip with extra parts and tools.

John Hermanus agreed the constant pressure makes one tired, but he noted that, in the end we are doing this for God: “Our source of strength comes from God, and each day it means praying and asking God for wisdom to make the right decisions and to fix the aircraft properly.”

Finally, I move into the hangar offices.

Here I see the Chief Engineer and the Hangar Foreman at their desks, filling out countless amounts of paperwork, planning maintenance schedules, always available to offer a word of advice or encouragement.

Together, these engineers make up a vital part of the MAF team and ensure that the aircraft are fit for flight. Their place in MAF makes the vision of our mission possible.

John Hermanus www.maf.org.nz

May 2015

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ARNHEM LAND: After the cyclones

Arnhem Land– after the cyclones Thanks so much to all of you who were praying when Arnhem Land was put on high alert due to cyclone Lam. On Tuesday 17th February MAF began evacuating their remote base staff as well as securing staff, planes and houses at MAF’s main base locations. The cyclone intensified into a Category 4 cyclone and rumbled towards Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala.

Just a few weeks later Cyclone Nathan arrived.

Both cyclones were a stressful and challenging experience for the MAF staff in Arnhem Land. However, as soon as they were able, MAF teams started helping clean up the local communities and damaged MAF facilities.

One such team (photo right) went to Elcho Island and were able to help clean up the two MAF properties. Peter Higham reported: “One MAF house had a huge tree fall on the roof and pierce a hole in the tin roof, allowing a lot of water into the house. The second house had an incredible number of trees snapped all around it, as well as some broken windows and water damage. The team assessed damage, repaired holes in roofs and windows, chain sawed down tree after tree that had fallen, piled trees and rubbish into big piles. There was a lot of mess in the yards at both of the MAF houses that required cleanup”.

MAF Communications in Anehem Land said, “with hard work MAF were back operating from all bases within a week.

However, it is just the beginning. Infrastructure—that many took for granted—takes time to fix. Repair work to seriously damaged houses will go on for many months yet. The communities will recover, but it will take time”.

Please pray that MAF staff, especially those in remote communities, will have a sense of peace, safety and joy as they settle back into work and service in Arnhem Land.

Photos courtesy of MAF Arnhem Land

Left-right: Peter Higham, Pilot: Matt Roediger, Apprentice Engineer: Lincoln Haines, Assistant Program Manager: Dean Giles, Rachel Goodfellow, Building Maintenance manager: Charley Stockley

Pen pals invited-no experience necessary!

A while back we mentioned that we were inviting children to be a pen pal to a MAF missionary kid overseas. Sometimes being a missionary kid can be hard.

Far from friends, home, familiar places and faces, it’s easy for children on the mission field to be alone.

Photo: Tim Houghton

At the Dedication MAF NZ’s plane in March, we suddenly realised that three previous leaders of MAF New Zealand­–along with our current CEO­–were present.

We grabbed a camera and caught this remarkable shot. From left to right: Mark Fox: CEO of MAF NZ 2008–present Rod Peek: Executive Director of MAF NZ from 1984–1989 Ted Crawford: General Manager of MAF NZ from July 1989–April 2001 Rick Velvin: General Manager of MAF NZ from 2002–2008

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All you have to do is spend a bit of time on a regular basis writing to your pen pal. You share what is going on in your life and find out what is happening in theirs. Pray for them and their needs. Simple!

If you haven’t do so yet, feel free to contact the MAF NZ Office and let us know you are interested.

Announcing the first recipient of the Richard West Memorial Fund!

About the Fund

T

en years ago on the 22nd February 2005, there was a tragic MAF aircraft accident in PNG. The two experienced pilots, Richard West and Chris Hansen, both from New Zealand, lost their lives All the passengers were able to walk away almost unscathed.

Richard had flown with MAF for 9 years, first in the Aboriginal communities in Australia’s Northern Territory, followed by 3 years in Papua New Guinea.

Some years later Richard’s parents, Reg and Jan West, decided to turn something tragic into something special.

They established the Richard West Memorial Fund as a legacy honouring their son, and to date it stands at over $244,000. MAF would like to express our deep appreciation to everyone who has contributed to the Fund.

The cost of training is extremely high and each pilot has to go through a series of rigorous flight tests before he or she is passed to fly with MAF. For some, this expense becomes overwhelming and, although highly qualified and doing well, they face dropping out. By assisting with the high cost of pilot training something very positive has been birthed out of heartbreak.

It is a privilege for the West family, in spite of their own personal tragic loss (and with the help of some others) to play such a vital role in helping other MAF pilots prepare for service—so Richard’s legacy can live on.

About the family

C

hris and Ruth De’Ath with their children Maddison, Chloe, Kaela and Toby are the first recipients of this fund.

A family from Rangiora, Christchurch, they served with Thrive Church in Rangiora, North Canterbury NZ for 22 years. Ruth is a Registered Nurse and a passionate Mum to their 4 children.

In March 2014 they passed on the Senior Leadership of the church so that Chris could focus fully on completing his Commercial Pilots License and fulfil a long held desire for both of them; to serve as missionaries with MAF. Chris says, “In the 12 months leading up to our departure from NZ our family of six sold our house and caravan, downsized and lived on very limited income in order to complete the Commercial Pilot training. Upon acceptance we then had 4 weeks accommodation in Cairns to cover, the cost of pilot standardisation as well as numerous other costs involved in shifting country! We were grateful and honoured to be the first recipients of the Richard West Memorial fund. The grant meant that we could embark upon flight standardisation without incurring a financial burden”.

Even more impactful is that only the growth on these funds will be used to provide gifts–so the Fund itself will continue for many years to help other MAF pilots from New Zealand and Australia train and develop their skills for service with MAF.

They will head to Arnhem Land on their first assignment in April, working with the Aboriginal Yolngu people.

Above: The late pilot Richard West.

Below: Chris and Ruth De’Ath with their children Maddison, Chloe, Kaela and Toby.

CHRIS, RUTH & FAMILY SERVING IN ARNHEM LAND www.maf.org.nz

May 2015

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NEW ZEALAND: Knitting for PNG

Knitting for PNG

By Emma McGeorge

F

Soon, Jeanne was joined by a number of friends in Dargaville. She put out a plea to friends of Facebook with a number of balls of wool being donated as a result.

The women decided on a simple but comfortable design and the colourful garments have since been churning out.

Jeanne Mudford lives in Dargaville, a small country town on the west coast of the upper North Island. Along with a group of dedicated friends, she happily knits baby garments for the Highlands women of Papua New Guinea.

Francesc’emma (Francesca) Stanfield is another avid knitter, though neither parties have met. Francesca lives in Auckland and has also been a key player in sending baby garments to PNG. Three of her grandchildren serve with MAF, two in the New Zealand office and one in Papua New Guinea, giving Francesca a personal interest in and appreciation for MAF’s work.

rom various homes around New Zealand the sound of knitting needles click vigorously, telling a story of a common purpose.

The garments are small, the colours and patterns vary, but the end goal is one and the same—a sincere desire to gift Papua New Guinea with love.

Woollen garments may seem a strange gift for a country so close to the equator, but up in the highland mountains, with some villages as high as 8,000 feet, a warm, cozy sweater is a genuine need for a newborn baby.

Jeanne first had the idea of knitting baby garments for PNG after attending a Sista’s Conference in Auckland. “I felt God wanted me to get involved in doing something for babies and children.”

It was not long after this that Jeanne heard about MAF women bringing warm baby clothes and blankets to women in the Highlands who had just given birth, and she was immediately captivated by the possibility of sending handmade garments to Papua New Guinea.

“My heart goes out to the children of Papua New Guinea,” says Francesca, “and I want to help them.” She finds great joy in knitting the little garments, and she is especially thrilled to know that the warm and cheery clothes can be used to bless women and their babies in another country.

The ladies are selfless when it comes to the fruit of their labours, and their enthusiasm for caring and giving is inspiring; but they simply find great delight in sharing their talents to bless others. As Jeanne says, “I’m so excited to be doing this!”

The Dargaville group of knitters Left to right: Fae Fischer, Beverly Blong, Kath Gilespie, Jeanne Mudford and Alison Robertson.

Picture courtesy of Jeanne Mudford

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Francesc’emma Stanfield displays one of the many garments she has knitted.

Photo byEmma McGeorge

“My heart goes out to the children of Papua New Guinea,” says Francesca, “and I want to help them”

MAFI: Vacancies

New Resource for Aspiring MAF Pilots

Current Vacancies

Think you’d make a good MAF pilot?

Behind every pilot stands a team of 7 other workers who enable the pilot to keep flying…Aviation Engineers, IT and HR Specialists, Operational and Safety Managers, Building Managers...the list goes on.

Take a look at the wide range of roles listed below–then go to our web site to get the full and most current job descriptions!

Engineers

Experienced Aircraft Engineers Engineering Manager, PNG

Term, 1 yr) Flight Programming Coordinator, PNG

Deputy Director of Maintenance, South Sudan

Pilots

Avionics Engineers, (Various Locations)

Seaplane Pilot, Bangladesh

Mission Pilots, PNG

Managers

Twin Otter Pilot - Fast Track Program, PNG

Programme Manager, Mongolia

Mission Pilots, Arnhem Land

Finance Manager, PNG

Other roles

Facilities Manager, South Sudan

Programme Safety Manager, PNG IT Manager, PNG IT Manager, South Sudan HR Manager, Arnhem Land IT Manager, Uganda (Short Term) Chief Engineer Base Manager/Pilot, Marsabit, Kenya

Operations Operations Manager, South Sudan Operations Director, Kenya (Short

Experienced Pilots, (3 Locations)

Technology Services Representative, Arnhem Land Construction Project Manager, South Sudan IT Short Term Roles, MAF I Stores Manager, Arnhem Land Home School Support Teacher, Arnhem Land Airfield Developer, Liberia Engineering Administrator, Arnhem Land Church & Community Liaison Manager, PNG

Just one example of an opportunity with MAF overseas...as a Seaplane Pilot in Bangladesh!

The Pilot Enquirer Pack is a resource “for pilots by pilots” that covers: why it takes someone special to fly with MAF, a look at the underdeveloped and challenging environments where MAF operates and the exceptionally high technical skills required.

The pack includes a checklist to help a potential pilot know if he or she would be a good “fit” with MAF and a stepby-step walk through of the recruitment process.

Finally, there is the contact information for nearest of 15 locations around the world if a pilot decides to take the next step—to “Being Part of Something Bigger”. Find the Pilot Enquirer Pack on our web site.

Be Part of Something Bigger

It’s true, working with MAF is an adventure. You’ll visit places you’ve only read about and see things you’ve only heard about—but the real adventure will come when, trusting in God, you step out in faith and learn to lean on Him in a whole new way.

It’s not easy leaving your comfort zone.

We understand that getting to know a mission organisation—and the part that you can play in it—can be a daunting process. So we’ve made it easy for you!

Go to our web site, click on the “Be Part of Something Bigger” box at the top of the home page—and start your online Journey to find out more about working with MAF!

Bangladesh is one of the most challenging and rewarding seaplane environments in MAFI operations. Flying in Bangladesh presents a heavy professional ATC environment, a low visibility climate and over 8 months of monsoon flying weather.

A person who can demonstrate creative, out of the box thinking, a high degree of situational awareness, can remain cool under pressure and has good stick and rudder abilities will find this role an enjoyable experience.

Go to our web site for a full job description.

Want to get involved and help MAF reach it’s goals but can’t go overseas? Not able to work full time for MAF but have a love of missions? We are looking for people throughout New Zealand who are able to represent us in their own towns and churches. Being a “Church Rep” requires a good understanding of MAF and the ability to speak in front of people. We provide training, resources and guidance. Please contact us if you feel this is something God is calling you to and would like to find out about the next step.

For a full list of vacancies visit www.maf.org. nz. For further details on any of these positions email Tessa McGeorge at: tmcgeorge@maf.org Successful applicants for the non-volunteer positions will need to meet the requirements for MAF International staff membership including raising prayer and financial support.

www.maf.org.nz

May 2015

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HELP IS ON IT’S WAY!

For the 1.5 million people still internally displaced in South Sudan fear is a daily reality. In desperate places like South Sudan the sound of an MAF plane arriving speaks the kind of hope that says, “You can make it. Help is coming”.

That’s the hope you can bring to someone in desperate need today.

NEW FACES & PLACES

Tim Houghton Communications Manager & Ministry Partnership Manager Since becoming a Christian Tim has been passionate about world missions and working with people from other cultures. He spent 15 years directing refugee resettlement programmes (both in California and New Zealand), has taught on YWAM schools around the Pacific as well as the Kairos missions course and loves all forms of creative expression... video, photography, art and writing.

Tim has travelled to almost 50 countries.

Emma McGeorge Executive Assistant to Programme Manager-Papua New Guinea After working in MAF New Zealand for 7 years, Emma was excited to take the opportunity to go and serve with MAF in Papua New Guinea. She has spent the last few months learning the local language and culture, building relationships and preparing to assist with the smooth running of MAF PNG’s very busy ministry.

CALL TO ME and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3 (NIV) MAF-New-Zealand

mafnz | www.maf.org.nz | info@maf.org.nz | 0800 87 85 88