MAF Prayer Briefing | July - August 2024

PRAYER BRIEFING JULY - AUGUST 2024

Find out more about our people, planes and remote places at www.maf.org.nz

JULY 1-7

BRIDGET INGHAM

MONDAY, JULY 1

THURSDAY, JULY 4

INGHAM, Bridget. Pilot, PNG. Pray for the Min Baptist Union Ladies’ Conference to be held in Tabubil from 1-5 July. May all involved be strengthened in their faith and enjoy the fellowship together. I want to be an encouragement to the ladies as I do some of the flying to get the ladies to the conference.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for the recruitment of experienced pilots that are needed across the organisation, especially in PNG and Chad. We also need maintenance engineers in Mareeba and PNG.

TUESDAY, JULY 2

ANDREW & SHARON CAMPBELL

VAUGHAN & ROSEMARY WOODWARD

FIONA VINCENT

CAMPBELL, Andrew & Sharon.

Maintenance Controller, PNG. PNG’s official population estimate varies between 9 & 11 million, however an unofficial UN report last year estimated it could be as high as 17 million. Under 25-yearolds make up 60% of the population. A census was held between 17 & 30 June.

Pray for accurate results and wise governance as a result.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 3 VINCENT, Fiona. Finance Manager, Asia-Pacific Region, (NZ based).

Budget season has come early this year. Please pray for the finance team as they prepare budgets and liaise with all the different programs and support offices, to prayerfully consider how the resources we have been given, are to be used to serve isolated communities in Jesus’ name.

FRIDAY, JULY 5 ORCHARD, Karl & Helene; Ayla and Thea. Candidate; IT Manager, PNG. Pray for us as we fly to orientation in the first week of July. May we have safe travels and take in all the course information. Please pray for our daughters, Ayla and Thea, as they stay with Helene’s parents for the 14 days we are away.

SATURDAY, JULY 6 MAF INTERNATIONAL Please pray for a MAF open day in the Netherlands today.

They are fully booked with 8,000 visitors! Please pray for meaningful connections and all the activities to run smoothly.

SUNDAY, JULY 7 WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary. Interim Regional Director (Asia-Pacific) and Director, Global Disaster Response & HR Advisor, Cairns.

Our son, Ryan, broke his leg in April damaging his knee. This required significant surgery and immobilization. Please pray for the healing process.

JULY 8-13 MONDAY, JULY 8

THURSDAY, JULY 11

HARDING, Bill & Angela.

International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

Please pray for the Orientation of the new international staff.

It runs from 8 to 14 July.

This is followed by Security Training from 15 to 17 July.

FOX, Mark & Philippa. CEO MAF NZ. Praise and thanks for God’s faithfulness to Mark & Philippa over many years of ministry, both as a Pastor then as MAF NZ CEO. “God has sustained and strengthened us through many straight and challenging paths.”

TUESDAY, JULY 9 SPROUL, Phil & Tania.

Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Praise God for providing a Head of Maintenance for the MAF Australian Maintenance team. Jim Gray started with us in June, and has been a blessing and brought an easing of pressures on the team. Please pray for wisdom, discernment and vision as budgets are prepared for 2025 initial submissions and please pray for a time of rest and refreshment as we take a two-week holiday early this month.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 10 MACRAE, Leigh & Inneke; Cameron, Levi, Mikaela.

Residential House Managers, PNG. Pray for the family as they have finished their time in PNG and have returned home to NZ. Pray for a good time reconnecting with family and friends. Pray for rest and rejuvenation. May God lead and provide for all that they need in re-establishing their lives here.

BILL & ANGELA HARDING

FRIDAY, JULY 12 MÜHLEMATTER, Renee & Pascal. Pilot and Head of Maintenance, PNG. Pascal and I are currently in NZ where he is meeting my family, friends and supporters as well as seeing our beautiful country. We are looking forward to catching up with my supporters and sharing about the work we have been doing with MAF Please pray for a fruitful time and people to be inspired by what God is doing in PNG.

SATURDAY, JULY 13

MARK FOX

LEIGH & INNEKE MACRAE

McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary.

MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist–Turbine Aircraft, NZ based.

Praise the LORD that the Cessna Caravan floatplane has arrived safely in PNG. Currently we have 6 landing piers around the lake, and we hope to develop another 14 over the next year. Please pray for wisdom and funding for this infrastructure.

RENEE & PASCAL MÜHLEMATTER

JULY 14-19

DOUG & YVONNE MILES

SUNDAY, JULY 14

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17

MILES, Doug & Yvonne.

Interim Country Director, PNG. We are officially retiring at the end of August after serving with MAF for 34 years!

The need for someone to replace Doug as Country Director is paramount. There is someone who has shown interest, so please pray that God will provide. There is also a real staff shortage at the moment, with many away on home assignment and a number have gone for good.

VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel; Isak, Jana, and Karlien. Building & Maintenance Deputy Manager, PNG. Please continue to pray for us as we adjust to life in PNG and learn the cultural queues.

We are grateful for the house we live in, in Mt Hagen, which was newly renovated before we arrived. We were also able to buy a car.

MONDAY, JULY 15 KEVIN & ANGELA NICHOLLS

NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela.

Regional Quality Manager, NZ based.

Kevin gives praise that his health has been good in recent months, as he awaits a planned medical procedure later in the year.

Please pray that God will work in the hearts of the people who are coming to the outreach course at our Church, starting end of July.

TUESDAY, JULY 16 COBUS & TRONEL VAN DER MERWE

KERRY & MARIE HASTIE

MAF NEW ZEALAND. Please pray for Maximus, the grandson of Ken and Erica Mathews, who has a brain tumour and is receiving radiation treatment at Starship Hospital. Pray for the family as they struggle with the family being apart and the success of the treatment.

Pray also for God’s provision for them.

THURSDAY, JULY 18 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Please pray that God will bring the right people for several vacancies in MAF including Quality and Safety Managers.

Please pray for the Quality and Safety Training being held this month, to equip the staff further to do their jobs with confidence.

FRIDAY, JULY 19 HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth; Samuel and Eddie. Pilot & Country Director, Timor-Leste.

When you support MAF in Timor-Leste, you are saving lives as 80% of our medivacs are literally snatching someone from the jaws of death. Often it is 2 people as 20% of the medevacs are for complicated labour. Please continue to pray for safety for both pilots and patients and God’s provision and healing both physically and spiritually.

JULY 20-26 SATURDAY, JULY 20

MONDAY, JULY 22

THURSDAY, JULY 25

POUND, Jonathan & Michele; Abby, Daniel, Joseph, and Benjamin. Pilot, South Sudan.

We give thanks that our homeschooling books for the year arrived in Juba in one piece. Pray for Michelle and the children for continued good health, protection and peace as they complete their studies and go about their day-to-day lives. Pray for new friends on their compound as some of the other children are going away to boarding school.

MACDONALD, Andrew. Pilot, South Sudan.

Please pray for the South Sudan/Kenya flight operations department. We are losing two of our senior pilots over the next 3 months, and the roles need to be filled to provide leadership to the pilot team.

MAF NEW ZEALAND. As a new school term begins, pray for more opportunities for Stephen Wood, our Youth Engagement Officer, running our Co-Pilot program. He speaks at youth groups and mission events to challenge young people to get involved in outreach and consider joining MAF in the future.

SUNDAY, JULY 21 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie; Ethan. Quality and Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Please pray for peace and favourable results from the recent oncology visit for Kerry. Pray for Johanna as she adjusts life and adjusts to medication for a Thyroid issue. Pray for Ethan with his upcoming uni exams.

TUESDAY, JULY 23 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for qualified and passionate teachers for the Juba Christian Academy in South Sudan, which supports many of our staff families.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 24 WATSON, Jonny & Glenys; Katie, Alana, Danielle, and Lucy. Pilot, PNG. Praise God for our ‘PNG family’ who support and encourage us. Please pray for refreshment, and ongoing energy and passion to serve God where He has placed us.

FRIDAY, JULY 26 MAF INTERNATIONAL. The fuel rationing from Puma continues. Please pray for a long-term solution. MAF PNG management made the decision to remove the fuel surcharge from seat fare ticket prices, to help people living in bush communities who were unable to afford to travel. Pray that we can be as efficient as possible with the use of our aircraft.

Photos left to right: Markus Ape working on fuel calibration (Mandy Glass), Fuel Yard (Mandy Glass), Paul Kaia, MAF PNG’s Fuel Coordinator (Tajs Jespersen)

JULY 27-29 SATURDAY, JULY 27 MAF INTERNATIONAL. In March, Siobhain Cole from MAF PNG, ran the first workshop aimed to educate the female students at Telefomin Secondary School about their periods and provide re-usable sanitary kits.

She started with the grade 12 students and hopes to reach the whole school during this year.

Pray that this ministry will encourage and bless the young women.

SUNDAY, JULY 28 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Ron Pritz, former CEO of MAF International, has released his memoirs in a new book On the Wings of the Dawn. Ron and his wife, Mikel Ann, served in Papua for 10 years from 1976-1986, on the board of MAF US and then as CEO of MAFI from 2008-2009. The book is available from Amazon. Pray that the book will inspire prayer and callings and that God will bless this couple in their retirement.

MONDAY, JULY 29 MAF INTERNATIONAL. In May, weeks of non-stop rain in Northern Kenya caused disastrous flooding and landslides. This has displaced more than 210,000 people and killed at least 220. MAF has been involved with the ongoing relief effort, including delivering medical supplies to combat the threat of cholera. Please pray for wisdom, protection and stamina for our pilots and staff.

More than 350 households lived here, but all were washed away by a torrent. Now, only a flowing river remains.

Above: Remains of a community church building.

PHOTOS: Jacqueline Mwende

JULY 30 - AUGUST 4 TUESDAY, JULY 30 HUNT, Benji & Jess; Eliott. Maintenance Operations Supervisor, PNG. Please pray for Benji as he works in the hangar this month. Please pray that his team would gain good experience from the jobs and that they would continue to work well as a team.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 31

BENJI & JESS HUNT

DIXON, Grant & Sharon. Aircraft Engineer & Member Care, Mareeba.

Please pray for us as we continue with our commitments with the Red Sea Counselling Centre, and Grant with his part time engineering work at Mareeba.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 1 SPROUL, Phil & Tania. Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Please pray for Tania and others in the MAF People Care Team as they attend a Care and Critical Incident Debriefing course this month with Pioneer Bible Translators. That they will gain insight on how to provide care and support to those in our teams who deal with unusual and tense situations.

GRANT & SHARON DIXON

FRIDAY, AUGUST 2 McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary. MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist–Turbine Aircraft, NZ based.

MAFI are wanting to sell the other floatplane that had faithfully served in Bangladesh for many years and is now in Mareeba, being prepared for sale. Please pray that a suitable buyer will be found for this aircraft.

SATURDAY, AUGUST 3 INGHAM, Bridget. Pilot, PNG. Several of our northern hemisphere colleagues and their families have recently been on home assignment and have now returned to PNG. Pray that they can re-settle well into life here. Pray also for the Muilwijk family who are finishing and returning to the Netherlands permanently.

PHIL & TANIA SPROUL

SUNDAY AUGUST 4 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Please pray for God to find suitable house parents to replace the MacRaes for the hostel in Ukarumpa, so that the different families can be well supported to continue their work while their kids continue to receive a good education.

COLIN & ROSEMARY MCINTOSH

AUGUST 5-11

KARL & HELENE ORCHARD

MONDAY, AUG 5

THURSDAY, AUG 8

WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary. Interim Regional Director (Asia-Pacific) and Director, Global Disaster Response & HR Advisor, Cairns.

Vaughan was appointed Interim Regional Director – Asia Pacific in June. Please pray for guidance and wisdom for Vaughan and for MAF as the organisation works to delegate his other duties in relation to Global Disaster Response.

WATSON, Jonny & Glenys; Katie, Alana, Danielle, and Lucy. Pilot, PNG. Praise God for His provision to us through NCA; the school our girls go to, for the blessing that the teachers are to so many missionary kids.

Please pray students and teachers alike as they start the ‘new year’.

TUESDAY, AUG 6 JONATHAN & MICHELE POUND

JONNY & GLENYS WATSON

ORCHARD, Karl & Helene; Ayla and Thea. Candidate; IT Manager, PNG. Please pray for our Entry and Work Visas to be issued for PNG promptly. We continue with support raising. Please pray for the funding needed to come in soon. Karl finishes this month at his current workplace. Pray he can finish well.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 7 POUND, Jonathan & Michele; Abby, Daniel, Joseph, and Benjamin. Pilot, South Sudan.

The Team in South Sudan and Kenya have welcomed 5 new pilots recently, all at various points of their training. Pray as the families settle in well.

Please pray for the safety of all the staff. Pray for good weather and firm airstrips and that our efforts will bring glory to God.

ANDREW MACDONALD

FRIDAY, AUG 9 MAF NEW ZEALAND. The MAF NZ Board are meeting today. Pray that this will be a fruitful time of discussion, problem solving, and brainstorming for future growth. Pray for wisdom for each of the members as they make important governance decisions.

SATURDAY, AUG 10 MACDONALD, Andrew. Pilot, South Sudan.

As we move into the wet weather, the challenge of keeping our flight schedule on time and safe increases.

Pray that we can continue to operate safely and be an enabler for those partners that we fly.

SUNDAY, AUG 11 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for the German dentist who MAF flew to Atauro Island, Timor-Leste.

The 3-day clinic offering specialist treatment helped many people.

AUGUST 12-18 MONDAY, AUG 12

FRIDAY, AUG 16

HARDING, Bill & Angela.

International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

Remember Angela and most of the People Care Team from around the MAF world, who will be in Cairns this month for training.

VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel; Isak, Jana, and Karlien. Building & Maintenance Deputy Manager, PNG. Please for the children as they adjust to homeschooling and to also find some hobbies that they will enjoy in their free time. Pray for good friends.

Isak has discovered squash at the local club and the family enjoys volleyball on the compound on Sundays.

TUESDAY, AUG 13 MILES, Doug & Yvonne.

Interim Country Director, PNG. As we are retiring at the end of this month, our prayer is to finish well and that in our retirement we would continue to be led by God’s Spirit to serve Him.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 14 MÜHLEMATTER, Renee & Pascal. Pilot and Head of Maintenance, PNG. This month, Pascal and I, will be in the South Island doing a mixture of work, study, travel and visiting friends, family and supporters. Please thank God that we have this opportunity to visit NZ and to share about the work in PNG. Please pray that God will use us during this time for His glory.

THURSDAY, AUG 15 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Pray for Mark Fox as he speaks today at the gathering of Air NZ engineers in Christchurch.

May it be a great time of making connections and may God call people for the many vacancies in MAF.

TIMOR-LESTE DENTAL CLINIC (AUG 11)

SATURDAY, AUG 17 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Praise God that MAF take delivery this month of a new Cessna Caravan as part of our fleet renewal program, and pray for the fleet management team in Tech Ops as they finalise all the paperwork and modifications required to prepare it for service in PNG.

SUNDAY, AUG 18 VINCENT, Fiona. Finance Manager, Asia-Pacific Region, (NZ based).

The Arnhem Land program still has many staff vacancies for engineering and admin positions, including Country Director. Please pray for the right people for these positions. We give thanks for the staff who are taking on extra responsibilities to cover the gaps in the meantime.

Pray for stamina and good health for them.

Top: Dr. Walter attending to patient.

Middle: Dr. Walter and Pilot Jan Klassen.

Bottom: Dental patient, Sergio.

Photographer: Lobitos Alves

AUGUST 19-30 MONDAY, AUG 19

FRIDAY, AUG 23

TUESDAY, AUG 27

FOX, Mark & Philippa. CEO MAF NZ. Thanks to the Lord that I have been able to serve the Lord through MAF for many years.

“It is a privilege to serve God through this fantastic ministry which brings lasting effects, both physically and spiritually, to many, many isolated people.”

HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth; Samuel and Eddie. Pilot & Country Director, Timor-Leste.

Pray for our chaplaincy team in Timor. They care for the patients who have been medevacked by offering food, Bibles, phone credit, hygiene products, clothing etc. They give a listening ear and advocate for the patients.

Pray for wisdom and grace, to be able to show God’s love in their time of need.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Please pray for PNG as a nation, specifically for its leaders, that they might follow the example of Jesus Christ who came to serve, not to be served.

SATURDAY, AUG 24

THURSDAY, AUG 29

HUNT, Benji & Jess; Eliott.

Maintenance Operations Supervisor, PNG. Please pray for good health for us and our team as the flu and tummy bugs are regularly making an appearance through the compounds!

Please pray for energy and good quality sleep.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for a new staff family who arrived in Lesotho in October last year, and for another staff family who arrive in November this year.

TUESDAY, AUG 20 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie; Ethan. Quality and Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Please pray for Jesse as he is in his last year of college and for his future in Australia.

Pray also for Kerry and Marie as they now focus on their return to NZ in April 2025.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 21 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Today, Mark Fox is speaking in Auckland with Air NZ engineers. Please pray for God appointments and good conversations. May God call the right people into His service!

THURSDAY, AUG 22 MACRAE, Leigh & Inneke; Cameron, Levi, Mikaela.

Residential House Managers, PNG. Please continue to pray for the MacRae as they settle back into life in NZ. Pray for work for them both and the children as they attend school.

SUNDAY, AUG 25 DIXON, Grant & Sharon.

Aircraft Engineer & Member Care, Mareeba.

Pray for us as we serve God. Please pray for continued good health as we go about our duties.

MONDAY, AUG 26 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Please pray for all our staff today – for healthy marriages and family relationships, good health and spiritual vibrancy.

WEDNESDAY, AUG 28 NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela.

Regional Quality Manager, NZ based.

Pray for wisdom and clarity, as Kevin updates and develops training material for MAF staff.

FRIDAY, AUG 30 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Pray for Jane Eddy, our Recruitment Manager, for wisdom and favour, to find the right people to fill the different vacancies around the MAF world. May God call the workers for the harvest.

AUGUST 31 SATURDAY, AUG 31 MAF INTERNATIONAL - KENYA. In April, MAF played a crucial part in the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation, transporting eye specialists from Nairobi to Moyale to offer life changing surgeries. Pilot Daniel LoewenRudgers ensured the safe and swift arrival of the eye specialists, cutting travel time to just three hours compared to the perilous 15-hour journey by road due to the area’s high insecurity.

Free eye check-ups were given to more than 2,000 individuals.

During the five-day eye surgical camp, the team conducted screenings, diagnoses, treatments, counselling, and an impressive total of 295 sight-restoring surgeries. Among these surgeries, 282 were cataract procedures, while 12 involved excisions. Additionally, 21 children diagnosed with congenital and traumatic cataracts were referred to tertiary facilities for specialized surgery.

Catherine Jakaiti, the Program Manager at the Fred Hollows Foundation was on board the flight and she expressed her gratitude to MAF for the flight, in getting the medical team to the surgical eye camp noting, “without MAF, this would not have been possible.”

Please continue to pray God’s protection over the MAF team in African nations who are often flying in the midst of dangerous situations. Pray for favour and unity as MAF continues to partner with many organisations bringing medical help to people in need.

Photos: The Fred Hollows Foundation

Africa

Asia Pacific

The Americas

Angola Chad DRC Kenya Lesotho Liberia Madagascar Mozambique South Sudan Tanzania Uganda

Australia -(Arnhem Land) -(Mareeba (Training)) Guinea Kalimantan Malaysia New Zealand Papua PNG

Brazil Ecuador Guatemala Haiti Mexico Suriname

MAF NZ WEBSITE Scan the QR code or go to www.maf.org.nz

Map does not include support countries (Apart from NZ & Aus where our staff serve) Green dots = Where our NZ staff serve.

SUPPORT OUR STAFF Scan the QR code or go to www.maf.org.nz/ donate

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

PO Box 76502 Auckland 2241 New Zealand