Flying for Life - September 2016

Flying for Life SEPTEMBER 2016

The magazine

of MAF New Zealand

MAF’S PARTNERSHIP WITH FLOATING HOSPITALS IN BANGLADESH 4

Reaching Every Village in South Sudan

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MAF Resourcing Groups

12 Why Airstrips are so Important in PNG

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Bush Flying

On 12 July radio stations Rhema and Life FM recorded their morning shows from the air—aboard MAF’s Cessna 206!

Partnerships From its first days MAF has been an organisation that works with others and contributes to unity.

In 1960 New Zealander Alex Jardine went to visit the MAF work in PNG. His report concluded, “The missionaries may be Australian, German, American, New Zealander or Swedish. The mission may be Methodist, Brethren, Lutheran, Baptist, Assemblies of God or Anglican—but all are part of the greater missionary fellowship.

Everywhere, by the nature of its’ work, MAF is fostering their co-operation. Every MAF flight brings the missions together”.

In this issue, MAF partners with Every Village, a Christian project in South Sudan. In Bangladesh, MAF works alongside the Friendship floating hospitals to bring hope to the “Char” people living along the river banks. In PNG MAF co-labours with the Rural Airstrip Agency, an organisation started several years ago to provide resources to communities to enable them to maintain their airstrips.

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Clockwise from top: George and Andrew (with producer Charlie in rear) from Rhema’s Breakfast show. Mark Fox (CEO) with Bjorn and Josh from Life FM. Mark in the pilot seat with Justin from Rhema Media. Life FM’s Bjorn and Josh, recording their morning show from the Cessna.

Photos courtesy of Rhema Media

MAF NZ is looking for Church Reps

Are you able to “fly the flag” of MAF in your local church? All you need to do is put out promotional material as it becomes available and represent us at your church’s missions events.

The most important “qualifications” are to be passionate about MAF and our work and be a good communicator. We will provide guidance and resources.

MAF NZ FLEW RADIO HOSTS from Christian radio stations Life FM and Rhema on a short flight to introduce them to MAF and what we do.

This was a fantastic promotional opportunity—the radio networks’ combined listening audience is 142,000 a week. They recorded their breakfast shows from MAF NZ’s Cessna 206, both from the air over Auckland and on the runway. They interviewed Mark Fox about the role of aviation in missions and the goal and purpose of Mission Aviation Fellowship.

To find out more, contact Olivia Monk at:

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omonk@maf.org

On the first flight were George, Charlie and Andrew from Rhema’s “Breakfast” show and Justin St Vincent, one of Rhema’s Senior Account Managers for Media Sales, who we work closely with. Andrew came dressed for the part in goggles, leather flying helmet and scarf, aka the Red Baron! He may have gone over the top in his attempt to look the part, but we appreciated his effort!

Upcoming Touch and Go events

We have two Touch and Go events scheduled for the end of the year in Auckland. Come and see the aircraft and meet us on 30 October (at the North Shore airfield) and 27 November (at Christian Aviation at Ardmore airport).

On the second flight were Bjorn and Josh from Life FM’s “Morning Wake Up” show, and Luke Weston (Programme Director and host of Rhema’s “Drive” show).

They came back thrilled by the experience of flying in a real operational MAF aircraft that has over 30 years’ history overseas.

We are planning more Touch and Go events over the summer.

They were a great group who enthusiastically communicated both their excitement about the work of MAF and flying in a small plane to their listeners.

To get current information about all Touch and Go events, go to our website.

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. Articles may be reprinted with acknowledgment.

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MAF New Zealand PO Box 76502 Manukau City, Auckland 2241 Phone: 0800 87 85 88 Email: info@maf.org.nz Web: www.maf.org.nz Editor: Tim Houghton Layout and design: Tim Houghton Printing: Roe Printing

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

Contact us to receive the print version or go to our website to download the email version.

For our latest news or to give a gift, visit maf.org.nz or call us (toll free) 0800 87 85 88

An Amazing Story of God’s Guidance and Provision in the Early Days of MAF through One Kiwi Couple Over the last 70 years many people have been a significant part of making Mission Aviation Fellowship what it is today. The early days of MAF are peppered with stories of epic, against-all-odds pioneering efforts. Meanwhile at home, thousands have prayed, contributed their time and energy, volunteered and given sacrificially—and still do today. It is with deep gratitude that we recognise all those who have been the building stones in making the MAF we know today. This is the story of one such couple, and the lasting difference their lives have made.

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N 1958 all of MAF’s resources were being channelled into work in the field. With the work in Papua New Guinea continuing to expand, the training of prospective candidates for their engineering licences was becoming urgent. There was a growing realisation by MAF in Australia that there was a critical need to establish a headquarters base that would provide aircraft maintenance facilities as well as flight and engineering training. The aerodrome at Ballarat, built by the RAAF during the war, was identified as suitable, but MAF was facing a number of obstacles which appeared insurmountable.

First of all, an initial £12,000, was needed for a workshop, office equipment, stock and materials. A seemingly impossible sum for MAF in its existing condition.

Also needed were a hangar, workshops store, office and several houses. MAF could raise no finance to build, so it would need to be available at a reasonable rental. But where could MAF rent several houses, let alone the other accommodation?

The hurdles seemed insurmountable but quite unknown to the Council in Melbourne, God had begun seeing to all this provision, in the first instance in quite an extraordinary way through a man and his wife in New Zealand.

Trevor Bryant, a farmer in the North Island, had an established property of 224 acres carrying sheep and cattle. He and his wife Helen were active Christians and had three children of school age. Over a period of weeks, towards the end of 1960, Trevor consciously surrendered his farm to God and from this came a vivid awareness that it truly was His and that he was the steward. At the same time, Helen had a growing conviction they

shadow of doubt about what they had to do. One can understand Ken’s shock at the breakfast table when he heard his host quietly stating he wished to give MAF his farm, the whole source of his family’s livelihood. But Ken soon realised that they were serious and that nothing would change their minds. After careful consideration, the Council, with deep gratitude to God and the givers, accepted the property and made arrangements to sell it. should be getting out amongst people more to share their faith more freely.

One evening, Trevor was suddenly convinced that the next day the farm would no longer be theirs. It seemed ridiculous yet the conviction remained.

That night Helen “happened” to go to a meeting at which Ken Knobbs, a member of the (MAF) New Zealand council, was speaking, and he returned to stay the night at their home. The Bryants had always been interested in missionary work, but had no particular association with MAF. That night, during his personal devotions, Trevor suddenly became acutely aware of the presence of Christ in the room and clearly remembers the brief but audible words: “Give everything”.

“Everything?” he queried.

“Everything”.

“But where, Lord?”

“MAF” Trevor humbly suggested another cause in which they were interested.

“MAF”, came the firm reply. Trevor still hesitated.

“I have spoken”, said the Lord and withdrew.

They discussed and prayed about it all far into the night and finally agreed to tell Ken Knobbs at breakfast. There was no

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The gift had no conditions apart from a request that it be devoted to some special project rather than just going into general funds.

Trevor and Helen knew nothing of the project being prayed about in Australia, the initial capital funds for which were to be provided in equal proportions by New Zealand and Australia. Back in Melbourne it was decided that MAF would purchase Aerial Missions’ small Moorabbin workshop, with equipment, stock and work in progress, at book value. The next step was to find additional workshop and hangar space.

But here now was New Zealand’s share— sufficient to get started. Through a series of events, a large hangar became available, (and) a workshop, office and store space, a number of flats and houses, formerly the RAAF officers’ married quarters, all at low rentals!

Through the faithfulness of one Kiwi couple, God had provided the seemingly impossible—and in 1961 MAF was established at Ballarat.

Taken with permission from the book “Balus Bilong Mipela”, by Vic Ambrose. Photo kindly provided by Geoff Bryant, one of Trevor and Helen’s three children.

Trevor died 10 years ago and Helen passed away on 17 July, 2016.

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Mission Aviation Fellowship partne mission agencies, church teams a them to achieve what God has ca One of them is Every Village.

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N MARCH 2016 pilot Dave Forney

reported on his South Sudan trip with MAF’s partner organisation Every Village. Usually Dave is fly-

ing our Cessna Caravan in Uganda, but he spent a week in the far north of the world’s newest nation, supporting Every Village’s short-term missionaries. He felt blessed by the experiences he had during the week in Aveil and Mvolo, and was impressed with the impact Every Village is having. Dave loved spending time with the kind-hearted and welcoming people of Mvolo. Mvolo is located in the Western Equatoria region and is home to the Jur tribe. The Jur predominantly work as farmers and are a peaceful and gentle people. In partnership with the Sudan Inland Development Foundation, an indigenous non-profit organisation, Every Village has completed pastor training in this area.

EVERY VILLAGE is an organisation that aims to live up to its name by reaching every village in South Sudan with the Gospel and community development. They are using a four-pronged approach: The first step is to send short term missionaries to South Sudan, to build credibility and do survey work in the villages. These trips provide opportunities for follow-up on previous and current projects, help develop vision and strategies for future projects and ministries and encouragement to the long-term missionaries.

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They also open doors for step two, which involves the implementation of water wells to bring clean drinking water to villages. In the villages water is very scarce, so fulfilling one of the greatest physical needs of the people has a great impact: as Every Village brings clean drinking water, they earn trust and respect.

This step not only enables Every Village to provide water for the people of South Sudan, but also (step three) to share the Living Water with them: long-term missionaries come to the villages to live with the

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people, learn their language and culture and share the love of Jesus.

The fourth step is to introduce Christian radio. In order to share the Gospel with the people they erect their own broadcasting towers and simple recording studios in remote areas and provide tens of thousands of simple solar powered, hand-held radios so that everyone can hear worship songs and teaching. The radio station broadcasts in the local language to reach people from several isolated areas and from all walks of life.

ers with over 1000 and NGOs to enable alled them to do.

Reaching

Every Village in South Sudan Photo by Dave Forney Story by Emilie Schweers

Photo by Tim Houghton

Please remember to pray for Mel Laird, a Kiwi pilot from Kaikoura who left New Zealand in May to get more training before serving in South Sudan.

Since leaving, the situation in South Sudan has deteriorated to the point that most of the MAF South Sudan team were evacuated to Kenya, but they continued to work alongside their colleagues from MAF Kenya and Uganda, as well as members of the MAF Disaster Response Team, to continue to provide vital flights and services to our customers and partners.

Lives are Changed Eternally in Aweil At the Every Village location in Aweil, Dave witnessed the typical scenes of families in the mud-hut villages gathering around their little blue radios provided by Every Village, listening to the only radio station available in their heart language. Dave was amazed to see how much the people enjoyed the Christian radio: “It’s a very powerful tool that can reach hundreds of thousands of people from each radio tower. One can only guess the eternal impact that the radio is having throughout South Sudan!” www.maf.org.nz

Mel says, “This week essential international staff are back in South Sudan, although their families remain in Nairobi for now. Assessing the security level is an ongoing task, and it needs to drop back to a certain level before families will be allowed back to live there”.

Please pray that peace will be restored in this country and for Mel as she takes all the exams and training necessary to fly in Africa.

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When God Has Other Plans Recently God met a community’s need by letting fog roll in right over the top of the airstrip to open up an incredible opportunity for Dallas Patten, one of our Twin Otter First Officers, to reach into the lives of some women in a remote community. She was able to share about God’s love for them and their value as women in a culture where women aren’t valued at all.

Story by Dallas Patten

Photo by Michael Duncalfe

MY CAPTAIN MICHAEL VOGEL AND I were flying out in the Tabubil region of the Highlands. We flew to a remote airstrip called Busilmin, tucked right up at the end of a complex valley system. Weather is always an issue out there but this was first thing in the morning and we had gorgeous clear blue skies. Busilmin is a village that only MAF flies into. Education only goes to grade She is three, and no one speaks English.

Thankfully Michael is much better at breaking the ice than I am. He had a Tok Pisin bible story book and he started reading to the kids, while I wandered around feeling awkward. Then Michael got a strap out of the aeroplane and we played Tug of War—pilots against all the village kids (we didn’t win!)

clothed with strength and dignity

When we landed at Busilmin to unload passengers and supplies, we decided to bring Proverbs out our bible boxes. Busilmin is a very poor community but we sold everything: 15 small Tok Pisin Bibles, four audio bibles, 3 large Tok Pisin Bibles, one English NIV and one Bible commentary. This community was so hungry for any resources we could give them.

When we started the engines and lined up at the top of the strip for departure, an unusual fog rolled in right over the top of the strip, meaning we were unable to depart.

Michael and I sat there for a while thinking the cloud would disappear, but after ten minutes it got worse, so we got out our coffee thermos and kept waiting. After 15 minutes or so we realised we weren’t going anywhere, so we shut down and hopped out of the aircraft.

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By this time we were all starting to warm up to each other. I thought that, with their education being so limited, the kids might like to look in the plane and sit in the cockpit (most had never been in a plane, let alone seen the cockpit).

Then I really felt prompted to share with the women Proverbs 31. While most of them had some Bible knowledge, none of them had been taught the value of women or been told that their work is valuable and righteous before God. It was so cool to share with them that they are important and their lives are valued by God. Of course it was just after this that the cloud cleared (nearly five hours after the fog had rolled in) and we were able to depart. We were so far behind schedule that our programme for the day was completely ruined, but I think what God had planned for the day was far more valuable!

From

Garden Boy to Aircraft Engineer

On the 15th of February 2016 he got an additional rating to

By Ainesa Namunu and Mandy Glass his AME License for Airframe Group 05. With these qualificaTWENTY YEARS AGO, Joseph started working as a garden boy tions on his AME License, Joseph is able to perform mainat the MAF Kagamuga Compound in Mt Hagen. He had tenance on all MAF aircraft airframes and hydraulics and he left school at Grade 10 and had no technical training. On a can also sign off the paperwork. casual basis, he gradually moved to the MAF Headquarters Asked what he sees as the most challenging aspect of his to help with aircraft paint stripping when there was a need. work, Joseph comments, “To trouble shoot and find the The hangar supervisors noticed his dedication and commitanswer to what’s wrong with an aircraft, we have to find new ment, and consequently he was asked more often to help out ways of thinking, look through the books, at the Hangar. do research and check if there are any new In 2000, Joseph wrote an official application Joseph Tambure CASA amendments we have to follow”. letter for full-time employment with MAF. He started as a garden Joseph has more license ratings to study, was hired as a Hangar Assistant, and spent his time mainly doing hangar cleaning and aircraft boy 20 years ago and and he is now working towards more experion the Piston engine. He said, “I have wheel build-up. From 2000 to 2005, while servpersevered to Achieve ence all the study materials and I just need to ing as Hangar Assistant, he upgraded his educational qualification to Grade 12 level through a career and ministry work through them. I passed the required exam on gas turbine a few years ago, and I the Department of Distant Learning (DoDL) at in MAF PNG’s hangar am working towards getting the license for Mt Hagen Secondary School. this type rating.” The new changes at CASA As the years went by, Joseph started working PNG, especially in the maintenance sections, unfortunately on aircraft under the supervision of LAMEs (Licensed Aircraft might delay that process.

Maintenance Engineer). He was motivated by other engineers What keeps Joseph going is his strong faith in God, that He who were doing CASA (Civil Aviation Safety Authority) Exams will provide what Joseph needs and give him what’s on his to pursue his career as an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer heart, “God is good. God is good all the time. Whatever we (AME). He self-studied the CASA Basic Exam Study Materials ask of Him He will give to us. I am happy that God hears my and towards the end of 2005 he sat his first CASA exams. prayers and gives me what I need to get on with my career. I Joseph passed all the required CASA exams and applied did all my study as self-study. God opened the door for me to for a PNG Aircraft Maintenance Engineer License. He was get into engineering”. granted this License for Airframe Group 01 in October 2011.

Photo by Mandy Glass

Joseph preparing a C172 engine for shipment to Australia.

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MAF’S PARTNERSHIP WITH FLOAT HOSPITALS IN BANGLADESH

Story by Charm Communicatio

The stories of Ferdows and Anna highlight the need of vulnerable people who do not ha healthcare facilities that we take for granted. In the four weeks between 4th March and the partnership between MAF, HumaniTerra and Friendship enabled 237 life-changing 158 medical interventions. Praise God for the opportunity for MAF to serve in this way our fantastic partners HumaniTerra and Friendship—as well as the patients treated!

Bogra, and he suffered from bilateral club foot. His father, Nannu is a farmer who struggles to provide for his family. When Ferdows was born with a club foot, his father was well aware of the trouble his son would face in life, as Nannu himself was born with a club foot and never had access to any treatment for it. Because of this, Nannu is discriminated against by the members of his community and even his family until this day.

Ferdows’ parents only have limited finances and were consequently not able to provide their son with the appropriate treatment. Despite their desperate situation, they continually visited various doctors but to their great disappointment no one could offer any medical assistance to their son. They were almost at the verge of losing all hope, when they were

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NE PATIENT who received lifechanging surgery thanks to the partnership between MAF, HumaniTerra and Friendship is Ferdows. Ferdows is an 11 year old boy from the Ranirpar village of

informed about Friendship’s Floating Hospital and its free healthcare provisions. Without hesitation, they took him to the Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital (LFH).

Upon arrival, Fedows was examined by the on-board doctors and was finally selected for the surgery by the doctors’ team from HumaniTerra, who then performed the orthopaedic surgery. It was a successful operation and after five days of observation on board the Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital, he was released with the appropriate medical advice and medication.

Being very aware of the discomfort, uneasiness and social stigma attached to being born with clubfoot, Ferdows’ father was thrilled that Friendship’s floating hospital gave his son the opportunity he himself had never received.

About HumaniTerra HumaniTerra sends 8 surgical missions (orthopedic, reconstructive, ophthalmology, gynecological, pediatric and plastic surgery) each year and takes care of the training of local paramedic staff, from the diagnostics to post-operation follow up. HumaniTerra contributes to providing the hospital boats with specialised equipment and supplies adapted to the most frequent illnesses.

2001: the Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital (LFH)

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2008: the Emirates Friendship Hospital (EFH)

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Photos courtesy of Friendship

2013: the Rongdh

ATING

maine Viljoen ons Officer in Bangladesh

ave access to the 9th April 2016, surgeries and y and pray for

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NNA KHATUN had lost her will to smile after a terrible accident left her severely burnt. Two years ago, Anna burnt herself when an unfastened oil lamp, the only source of light inside her home fell on her causing her clothes to catch fire. When her mother heard Anna’s screams, she rushed to her aid, but Anna had already suffered severe burns to her torso. Her parents rushed her to the local village medic who was not well equipped enough to treat her. Her burns were quite severe and over time the muscles and tendons on her neck had shortened and hardened. No further post-burn treatment was possible because of a lack of access to such facilities and financial constraints.

When a neighbour informed her father about the Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital her parents arranged for the arduous journey to Jamalpur where it was moored. After assessments and tests, she was selected for the operation and the HumaniTerra team performed the reconstructive surgery of skin grafting on Anna’s neck. Due to the extent of the burns and issues of infection and skin necrosis, she had to remain in the ship’s post-operative bed for a week. During this time, all medications were supplied free of charge.

honu Friendship Hospital (RFH)

Runa Khan, Executive Director and Founder of Friendship’s floating hospitals

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UNA KHAN says, “Friendship’s mandate is to go to areas which are not accessible, which are the most difficult, geographically challenged areas in the country. That’s where we go. We identify needs and we start working in those communities. We have to find innovative ways of reaching these people because in Bangladesh you don’t measure distances in kilometers, but in time and difficulty in getting there. And this is where MAF comes in. For example, we have these fantastic floating hospitals, international doctors come as volunteers due to a great need which we have identified. You know, there is no way that women with fistulas can go to a regular hospital and get cured there. They can’t afford it. So our hospitals are reaching them. If we can save one hour, it is one person’s life being saved. You see? So if MAF is not there, one whole day is wasted in travel, one whole day going and one whole day coming. How many operations? Maybe one-third of the operations we would not have been able Photo by LuAnne Cadd to do if we did not have the services of MAF. So this is a very deep relationship, which I think MAF understands and we understand, and which has grown incredibly over the last 10-12 years”.

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Resourcing Groups

What they are, how they work All 15 Resourcing Groups around the world share the same goal—of keeping the planes flying!

J

ust as every coin has two sides, Mission Aviation Fellowship also has two sides: MAF International (MAFI) is the operational side that flies the planes and delivers the services in over 30 countries around the world, while Resourcing Groups enable the overseas work to continue.

world to support the overseas work. At the core of each Resourcing Group are the “three P’s”: Prayer, People and Provision.

Both aspects of MAF’s work are vital. One can not exist without the other. The overseas work could not continue without the hard work of the Resourcing Groups—and without the operational work overseas, Resourcing Groups would have no reason to exist! The shared goal of both MAFI and the Resourcing Groups is that the Gospel goes out to isolated communities around the world.

People: Resourcing Groups are responsible for actively recruiting new staff and walking them through the lengthy process of applying to work with MAF.

The MAF New Zealand office in Manukau, South Auckland is one of 15 Resourcing Groups currently working around the

Prayer: From its earliest days prayer has been foundational to MAF’s work. Resourcing Groups are responsible for mobilising prayer for our staff, programmes and projects.

Provision: Urgently needed funds are raised on behalf of both the staff serving overseas and MAF’s on-going projects carried out in developing nations.

On a day to day basis Resourcing Groups work collaboratively to share ideas, resources, videos, prayer needs, updates and information.

The countries in red are resourcing nations Australia Finland Norway Canada France Sweden South Africa Germany Switzerland New Zealand Italy The U.K. Denmark The Netherlands USA

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Being developed: Malaysia Philippines India Singapore

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This month Mark Fox (MAF NZ CEO) will meet with the leaders of the other fourteen Resourcing Groups in Finland to talk though the current challenges faced by those on the field and be updated on the changing situations overseas. Among other things they will discuss the best way to coordinate how all Resourcing Groups work internationally so that they all operate by the same processes and standards no matter where they are located.

The new MAF logo is one example of the advantages that take place when everyone works together. Today the same logo is used across the MAF world and all aircraft have the same livery, delivering the same message no matter where they fly.

Through the work of Bill Harding, four new Resourcing Groups are currently being established; Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia and India.

From left: Andrew Linton, Mark Fox, Mandy Clayton, Olivia Monk and Tim Houghton

“The goal of the Resourcing Group in New Zealand is to identify, recruit and train more staff and raise more resources, prayer and funds to meet the urgent needs overseas” Mark Fox Mark Fox: CEO MAF New Zealand

Around the world developing nations are desperately calling for more MAF aeroplanes and staff—and we are responding to those needs. Our office enables many in New Zealand with aviation skills to answer God’s call to “go into all the world”.

God calls the individual, the church sends them—but MAF provides the vital link and infrastructure for them to go.

Even as a small country, I want to make sure MAF NZ has a strong voice among the global MAF community. We are, after all, the highest MAF recruiting group per capita in the world!

On a day to day basis I set the theme and direction of the New Zealand Resourcing Group, make sure the strategic direction set by the Board is achieved and that MAF NZ remains financially sound.

To help us meet our goals I plan, manage and coordinate MAF NZ’s presence at churches, mission events, expos and airshows, as well as Touch and Go and InFlight events. I foster partnerships with individuals, potential donors, trusts, organisations, pastors and missions leaders.

As a PPL (Private Pilot License) pilot I understand the challenges of preparing to fly for MAF. My passion both for mission and flying helps me “connect” with pilots and other aviation professionals to mentor, advise and encourage them on their journey towards MAF. Once a year I travel overseas to provide pastoral care and support for our Kiwi field staff.

Finally, I look after staff and manage office activity to make sure everything we do, from fundraising appeals to publications and the website, is accurate, consistent and professional.

Mandy Clayton: Office Administrator/PA.

My job includes keeping the office running smoothly and I am constantly brain-

storming to find the best, most efficient way to maximise resources. I make sure everyone has everything they need, when they need it!

As Personal Assistant to Mark, I help coordinate his schedule and make sure he has everything he needs to do his job.

I help with key MAF events—training courses for prospective Candidates, Recruitment and Board retreats, MAF InFlight meetings and Touch and Go weekends—and the follow up afterwards.

As well as preparing for Board meetings, I answer the phone, emails and questions coming through the website and update the database. I send resources and materials to overseas staff, donors and volunteers and keep churches informed about the work of MAF. My role includes processing all donations that come in, setting up of APs, banking and keeping staff updated on their sponsorship levels.

Tim Houghton: Communications Manager

My job is to inform, inspire, engage and mobilise people and churches throughout New Zealand to understand who we are and what we do. I am especially concerned to help MAF connect with younger audiences while maintaining our relationship with our older friends and supporters.

I use all available communication tools— radio and TV, events, media releases to newspapers and magazines, email campaigns and online platforms such as Facebook and LinkedIn—to get the word out.

I design and produce MAF NZ’s printed materials, including the Flying for Life magazine, calendars, displays, Prayer Maps, brochures, posters, ads and five fundraising appeals a year.

We are currently redesigning our website from the ground up so that it is simple to use and effective both in look (style) and content.

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Ministry Partnership Manager

In this role I provide training, support and resources to Candidates and field staff to help them raise and maintain prayer and financial sponsorship.

Olivia Monk: Recruitment Manager

Places like PNG and Arnhem Land are in constant need of more staff. I am always on the lookout for potential applicants who have a call from God to serve with MAF. In the early stages I field a lot of queries, send out information and answer questions. Once people are accepted as Applicants I journey with them through the long and detailed process of preparing to serve with MAF. I keep in constant contact with MAFI on their staffing needs so that we are on the same page regarding what kind of people, qualifications and expertise are needed.

More recently I have been connecting with Bible Colleges and other organisations to keep them informed about our vacancies and short term opportunities.

With the goal of growing MAF NZ’s volunteer base I am developing the roles of Church and Area Reps so they are able to “fly the flag” of MAF. Finally, my job includes supporting staff as they transition back to New Zealand— which is sometimes more challenging than leaving for the field!

Andrew Linton: Finance Manager

I’m grateful to God for the opportunity to do practical mission service with MAF NZ. I provide accounting, administrative, and governance services, overseeing all aspects of the MAF NZ accounting process, including management and statutory reporting, overseas remittances, creditors, payroll, budgeting, investments, and projects.

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WHY AIRSTRIPS ARE SO VITA

When most of us think of an airstrip we think of a couple of hundred meters of grass in IN A COUNTRY WHERE vegetation grows rampant year round and rainfall continuously erodes, keeping up with maintenance can be overwhelming. Also, as new aircraft have been introduced and safety standards increased, more knowledge, expertise and resources are required for communities to be able to keep their critical life-link with the outside world functioning.

Stories and photos by Chris Unrau

“

An airstrip means that instead of walking for days through rugged, dangerous terrain, a community has viable access to teachers and educational supplies, doctors, healthcare workers and medicine, pastors and church resources, food, supplies and more. I could see for myself that there were a lot of people living in very primitive societies, in primitive conditions. Some of the men wore only loin cloths. One man had a plastic bag for a hat. It became more and more clear to me how much need there is in these communities. Many people had discoloured or missing teeth. Few people had any footwear. There are no doctors, nurses, or teachers at any of them. People are sick and dying of very treatable conditions. An airstrip brings health, education, and development to remote communities.

However, there is an even more pressing and urgent need for airstrips in PNG. For all of us death is painful and confusing, but when the surrounding culture leads you to blame a person or spirit for every bad thing that happens it further adds to the confusion. In the remote border areas between Enga and Hela Provinces where we were working, communities continue to struggle with beliefs that lead to witch-hunts. Despite what many Westerners might think, witch-hunts were not eradicated in the middle ages—in PNG they are rooted in the need to assign blame or cause for misfortune or untimely death.

Airstrips bring people who will help them understand these confusing events and teach them about a God that loves them. They bring Jesus, who, they will learn, came to die for them and brings an opportunity to be released from the bondage of false beliefs.

”

John Bromley’s role as the MAF Rural Airstrip Development Manager is to work with aircraft operators and the PNG Government to establish a new organisation separate from MAF called the Rural Airstrip Agency of PNG Limited.

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Accompanying John and myself was Anton Lutz.

Both Anton and John grew up in PNG, sons of missionary families. I used a drone (below) to capture images as part of a survey of airfields in PNG and later extracted topographical data in order to assess each airfield.

THE RURAL AIRSTRIP AGENCY is an organisation that started several years ago with input from various NGOs and private aviation companies as well as local and national government. The goal is to provide resources to communities to enable them to maintain their airstrips, open new ones or restore airstrips that have become unusable. Headed by CEO John Bromley, it is currently in the process of setting up a new base of operations in Goroka, where equipment will be maintained and staged for delivery by helicopter. Once fully operational, the RAA will employ 20+ native Papua New Guineans and will provide survey, engineering and design expertise to supplement the machinery and implements for construction of airstrips in very remote locations.

AL IN PNG

“At one time there were as many as about 600 airstrips in PNG; today fewer than 300 are usable”.

n a remote area. But to many in PNG, an airstrip means a whole lot more...

PAIELA The first strip we assessed was Paiela. Conflicting information had been given to us about it, some saying it was unusable, others saying it had recently been used by a Kodiak. As we ascended the valley and locked in on the community, the strip came into view. Perched at the top of a mountain ridge, Paiela (photo) sat flat and smooth, a long narrow table. At each end it abruptly stopped, dropping hundreds of feet nearly straight

ship in Tok Pisin, explaining that they may be better off to relocate to a ridge across the valley. We boarded the helicopter and set off to the next stop, Papake.

PAPAKE The approach into Papake was difficult. Clouds were blocking the view, and despite what the on-board GPS was saying, we couldn’t see our destination. Our eyes searched the white sky to our left while David kept careful watch that he didn’t lose sight of the ground on his right. Finally, Papake emerged, and as it grew brighter we could see a lot of work had already taken place. Trees were cleared, stumps were being burned, sod being stripped, dirt moved by hand or wheelbarrow.

People were busy working in different areas, and they waved and cheered as we continued our descent into a clear area.

We found ourselves on the side of a mountain in one of the most remote places on earth. It was quiet, cool and surreal.

down. We made a couple of passes to get a good view, but we could tell without landing that Paiela, despite being usable, would always be considered too short and too flat for many aircraft. This community, by virtue of its location alone, will be difficult if not impossible to serve with today’s modern, larger aircraft.

The work at Papake was incredible. This village had been working very, very hard. Crews of young boys were swinging bush knives to clear vegetation, making way for John and Anton as they marked the centerline and assessed the progress. Others were carrying roots, sticks, and stumps and stacking them to be burned. But the hardest working people on the site were a group of ladies (photo), barefoot, carrying sod chunks to the side and filling in gullies with large lumps of dirt. Two ladies had spades and would hack chunks of sod the

KENALIPA Our flight continued on to Kenalipa, where we gently set down on a small grassed area. Kenalipa is a community that knows the value an airstrip would bring, and they are eager to make it happen. Unfortunately, they too are limited by their location and, despite Herculean efforts to start the work, may never see a viable airstrip open up. Their situation was different from Paiela; instead of a table top with cliffs at each end, Kenalipa was perched on a ridge, with good slope. Slope is a good thing for rural airstrips, as it shortens the landing and takeoff distances of airplanes. Unfortunately for Kenalipa, a couple of factors also played in—a mountain at the high end, a sharp drop off at the other, and another mountain on the approach/ departure path. Mountains are not good for airplanes, they typically don’t move out of the way and can be quite hard when you hit them. Kenalipa would be a tough place to put a strip. John and Anton (photo) chatted with the local leader-

size of a pillow, then others would strain to lift them onto their shoulders and carry them away. Pieces of sod stretched for a couple hundred meters, probably 1.5 meters in height. They had been doing this for a long time! It was an incredible sight.

YALUM At Yalum, the last strip we visited, anyone who wanted any education had to walk nine hours through the bush before reaching a road, where they could then hitch a ride to go further to find a school.

After gathering data from three airstrips in various stages of construction, I now had my work cut out for me. I would need to get back to my computer to process it all, but really I was trying to process in my own mind what I had just seen and experienced. Surreal is the best word I can find to describe it. As John, Anton and I sat around that evening, we sipped our locally grown PNG coffee and chatted about what these airstrips would mean to these communities.

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September 2016

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BUSH FL What makes bush flying different from regular commercial flying?

The short answer to this is “facilities”. Commercial pilots fly out of developed airports with long, paved runways and sophisticated approach and landing aids. They are provided with high-tech guidance all the way and are surrounded by modern facilities which aid everything from comfortable flying to prompt processing of passengers and cargo.

The bush pilot is very much on his or her own and has to handle everything by themselves. Although global positioning receivers (GPS) are now becoming almost universal in even the smallest aeroplanes, their main navigation aid remains a map and compass coupled with the pilot's intimate knowledge of the local terrain and the vagaries of its weather.

The runway will usually be grass, the passenger and cargo handling facilities will be a shed at best or, more usually, consist simply of the pilot sitting on one of the mainwheels writing on a clipboard and using a set of bathroom scales to measure the weight of everything and everyone going into the plane!

Rev. John Neal

Photo by Tim Houghton

What particular skills does a pilot need to develop?

The bush pilot needs to be very, very good at basic, foundational but essential piloting skills. He or she must be very familiar with the aeroplane, how it handles at all weights, what its limitations are and be so completely at home in its cockpit that all the necessary checks and drills can be done promptly, without hesitation or omission, so they can focus entirely on controlling and guiding the plane.

The bush pilot must always know specifically where the aeroplane is, its destination and how best to get there. They must also have a Plan B, C or D up their sleeve to ensure the flight is carried out safely, and for this they must have excellent analytical skills to assess all possible courses of action at any particular moment and decide which is safest.

Further, the pilot must then be able to assess a possibly less than ideal landing strip from the air, then work out how to approach it and land without fuss or drama. As a well-known aviation aphorism puts it, “A superior pilot uses their superior knowledge to avoid situations that will demand the use of their superior skills!”

Can anyone learn to fly this way, or are there specific types of people/personalities with the required skills?

Nearly everybody who wishes to be a pilot, and who can afford the cost of training, can become one. There are a few individuals who could never learn to fly for some reason, but they are very few. For the majority, just as a trainee pilot can gain skills with a good flight instructor and plenty of practice, so most could learn to be a bush pilot. However, the training would be quite different from that of a would-be airline pilot.

That said, there are some people who will never make bush pilots, particularly with MAF. It has not so much to do with their skills at the

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LYING! controls, as their attitude towards their flying. The “gung-ho”, flamboyant personality, the “I-know-it-all types”, the risk-taker or the short-cut artist will not last very long, for either their chief pilot or an accident will ground them. Another who will not make it as a bush pilot is the one who has learned to fly by rote, but who has not developed either the maturity or the understanding of flight itself. It basically boils down to a question of attitude, along with a willingness to make a real effort to learn and understand flying.

What do you look for when doing flight assessments with potential MAF pilots?

I am not too concerned about a Candidate's flying ability—by the time of their assessment flight each pilot has already satisfied the Civil Aviation Authority that they have reached the Commercial Pilot Licence standard.

I am much more concerned about their judgement! I am always watching to see if their basic flying skills deteriorate under stress.

Flights rarely go to plan in the places MAF flies. Weather, equipment failures, sick passengers, medical emergencies and so on make it essential that the bush pilot is able to quickly and effectively analyse what is happening, review which possible courses of action are available and decide which is the safest if not the most practical. So, as we are flying during flight assessments and these problems crop up (whether they occur naturally or I dream them up) I ask the candidate to think out loud so that I can follow their reasoning process. I am looking for their ability to weigh up the pros and cons and arrive at a good decision.

Assessment flights can be quite arduous and deliberately stressful so that the assessor can see what happens when plans go awry. As a wise old pilot once observed, “Anyone can do it when the going is easy, but in this game we are playing for keeps!”

We asked John Neal, MAF NZ’s Chief Pilot, to reflect on what he is looking for in prospective Candidates when he does flight assessments. John also discusses the key skills pilots need to develop to fly with MAF. John flew as a bush pilot in Labrador, is an Anglican minister and sits on the MAFNZ Board.

Can you think of some situations in your own life where bush flying skills were called into play?

Oh, lots! I spent nearly five years flying a bush plane in Labrador, northeast Canada where these skills were used every day. I regularly flew a “beat” about 700 miles long in which there were very few real airports but dozens of places where I had to land and takeoff.

In summer, the plane was equipped with floats, so every landing, even in harbours or rivers with which I was very familiar, never occurred without first a detailed look at the area for rocks, reefs, boats, floating logs etc, then working out where it was safe to touch down and how to then taxi to the floating dock. During winter the plane exchanged the floats for skis and, with these, any level piece of snow—or ice that was more than four inches (100 mm) thick—could be used.

But again, landing and takeoff areas had to be continually assessed for wind direction and strength, obstructions, thin ice etc. Similarly, flying in white-out conditions could be very dangerous so I always had to know that I could land, no matter where I was, to wait until the conditions changed. A large survival kit always sat in the back of the plane!

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Faces

& Places

Boy, were we glad to see Ryan Cameron go—but only because it has been a long journey for Ryan. At times he wondered if he’d make it, but he never gave up on his dream to fly for MAF. We worked and prayed alongside him as he spoke in churches, sent out prayer letters and did everything he could to raise his personal sponsorship. We were able to see him off at Auckland airport on Tuesday 12 July. He is now serving the Lord as a pilot in Arnhem Land. Good on you, Ryan, we’re proud of you!

“Australia watch out! Here we come!”

MAF NZ have made the decision to release us to secondment to MAFI. So now we have packed, finished tidying the house so it can be rented and will be at the airport ready to fly on 1 October! Psalm 136:1 says, “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His loving kindness is everlasting”. The Hasties are very appreciative to everyone who has made it possible.

Kerry is thrilled to pursue his long-time dream of serving as an aviation engineer at Mareeba.

In line with one of MAF’s strategic priorities to become “more international”, Bill Harding has been in India presenting MAF’s ministry to church and mission leaders, seeking their engagement with MAF’s mission and encouraging the transition of Indian churches’ self perception from mission recipient to mission force. In Hyderabad, he was excited to introduce MAF’s newest missionary pilot candidate, Jacophin Singh, pictured with Abdiel David, who works with Bill.

On 1 September Angela Harding ended her role providing legal and communications support for MAF and began work as the Executive Officer of the Cairns Street Chaplains. While this is exciting and she is confident that it is what God is calling her to do, Angela said, “It will be sad not to be going into the MAF office in Cairns each day”. Please pray for her in this new role and as she continues to support Bill in his role in MAF.

The Vautiers left Gapuwiyak and returned to New Zealand on 22 September. They said,”It has been a privilege and an honour to work alongside Yolngu and they will always have a place in our hearts”. Pray for Des & Emily and their children Jack, Dominic and Nevaeh as they resettle into “normal” life in New Zealand.

We deeply appreciate their 4 years of hard work and commitment in Arnhem Land.

On Friday 19 August William Nicol was the international speaker at MAF NZ’s InFlight event in Manukau. He presented a brilliant in-depth overview of the strategic directions that MAF is moving in and where we are headed as an organisation. He also showed videos he shot during his recent visit to Africa that captured how different people use MAF’s services to accomplish what God had called them to do. William is MAFI Aviation Director based in Cairns.

MAF NZ has produced a new brochure that explains everything you will need to know in order to leave a bequest to Mission Aviation Fellowship. If you would like a copy we can send you one, or you can download it from our website. Why not leave a legacy for generations to come?