Prayer Brief MAR - APR 2025

PRAYER BRIEFING MARCH - APRIL 2025

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

MARCH 1-6

VAUGHAN & ROSEMARY WOODWARD

SATURDAY, MARCH 1

TUESDAY, MARCH 4

ORCHARD, Karl & Helene | Senior Systems Administrator (IT), PNG. The Orchards have moved house in Mt Hagen. Please pray for them for protection and an ability to sleep through the noise as they have moved closer to the local bar. They are thankful for the new friends their daughters have made. Karl is grateful for his IT team and the good work relationships they are building.

WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary | Interim Regional Director (Asia Pacific); HR Advisor, Cairns.

Rosemary gives praise for the successful new staff orientation programme in February. Pray that the 6 new staff and families will transition well into their new roles within the ministry of MAF.

SUNDAY, MARCH 2 NICK & RUTH HITCHINS

WATSON, Jonny & Glenys | Pilot, PNG. Give thanks for all of God’s provision in all aspects of our lives in Goroka. Please pray for our local friends that face transitions, that they might know God’s presence and support during this time of change. Please continue to pray for a resolution to the current aviation fuel crisis in PNG; this impacts the nation, not just MAF’s operations.

STEPHEN WOOD

MONDAY, MARCH 3 NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela | Regional Quality Manager, NZ Based.

Kevin will be travelling to conduct two audits and some training in early March. Please pray for safe travel and that the visit will bring improvement and encouragement for both the programmes visited.

BENJI & JESS HUNT

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5 CAMPBELL, Andy & Sharon | Maintenance Controller & Doctor, PNG. Kompiam Hospital in Enga continues to face many challenges ministering in the middle of ongoing tribal conflicts that have been continuing for many generations. The hospital grounds have been respected as a “safe zone”, however recently retributive violence resulting in 2 deaths has occurred there. Pray that God binds the dark spiritual powers involved and empowers his church in Enga.

THURSDAY, MARCH 6 MACDONALD, Andrew| Pilot, South Sudan.

Praise for a restful and productive Home assignment, where I met with my home support team and wider support network.

MARCH 7-15 FRIDAY, MARCH 7

MONDAY, MARCH 10

THURSDAY, MARCH 13

MAF INTERNATIONAL. We give praise that a new couple have been found for the position of hostel parents in Ukarumpa for the next academic year. Thank you for all your prayers for this in the past year.

INGHAM, Bridget | Pilot, PNG. Bridget is spending the next four weeks in Telefomin to help cover our flying operations there. Pray for God’s protection on the ground and in the air, good relationships with people, and that she can make the most of the opportunity.

HUNT, Benji & Jess.

Please continue to pray for Jess and Benji as they resettle in New Zealand after serving in PNG for 6 years. Pray especially for Elliot, their son, to adjust to school, a new country and for great friends.

SATURDAY, MARCH 8 MÜHLEMATTER, Renee & Pascal. | Pilot & Head of Maintenance, PNG. Please continue to pray for the fuel situation in PNG. The situation changes quickly.

One week we are refuelling from drums, the next week Puma (the sole fuel supplier) is giving us fuel. Please pray for a long-term and low-cost solution that would allow MAF to continue to operate and not have to charge higher fares due to higher fuel costs.

SUNDAY, MARCH 9 HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth | Business Analytics and Innovation Manager, Cairns.

Please pray as Nick guides the Innovation team in MAF with the launch of the new Innovation Portal.

Pray that MAF staff globally will engage with this opportunity to help make MAF deliver its global mission even more effectively.

TUESDAY, MARCH 11 VINCENT, Fiona | Finance Manager, Asia-Pacific Region, (NZ based).

Please pray for the Finance Team as we prepare for the Global Audit. This can be a stressful time as reporting deadlines also need to be met. May we be gracious with each other and a good witness for our Lord Jesus.

We pray that our processes demonstrate integrity and excellent stewardship of the resources we have been entrusted with.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12 MAF IN NEW ZEALAND. Stephen Wood is planning to visit some churches in the South Island in March. Please pray for open doors with the youth groups and young adults. May this be a fruitful time of introducing the work of MAF to more young people.

FRIDAY, MARCH 14 McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary | MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist–Turbine Aircraft, NZ based.

The MAF in NZ Cessna 206 is currently undergoing an engine change due to the engine reaching the end of its calendar life. Please pray that the change will go smoothly without unexpected delays or expenses.

SATURDAY, MARCH 15 VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel | Building & Maintenance Deputy Manager, PNG. The Van der Merwe family are homeschooling their 3 teenagers, which can be a challenge at times. Pray for strength and endurance to complete their studies well and to find creative outlets for their free time, as compound living can be restrictive.

Pray for good health and protection for all the MAF staff in Mt. Hagen.

MARCH 16-26 SUNDAY, MARCH 16

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19

SATURDAY, MARCH 22

POUND, Jonathan & Michele | Pilot, South Sudan.

Praise the Lord for His healing hand. As a family we have experienced His healing touch firsthand over the last couple of months from such things as getting snagged on a chain link fence, an infected cat bite, worms in the feet, tooth ache and ring worm - to name a few. We are thankful for Gods protection, and for your covering prayers for protection and healing from these minor ailments, the ongoing risk of malaria and typhoid, and also from recent outbreaks of cholera, Mpox, and even Ebola in neighboring Uganda.

MAF IN ARNHEM LAND. Pray for the people in Arnhem Land who need salvation.

Pray for MAF staff in this programme to reach the isolated communities with Jesus’ love and light.

MAF IN KENYA. Praise God for the recent medical safari with CURE in Lodwar, Kenya, that meant 60 patients were able to be seen and some scheduled for surgery.

MONDAY, MARCH 17 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie | Quality & Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Kerry and Marie plan to move back to New Zealand in June.

Pray for Kerry as he trains others and hands over his duties in Mareeba. He has a pivotal role. Pray for logistics to fall into place.

TUESDAY, MARCH 18 MAF IN NEW ZEALAND. Co-pilot is planning a missions trip to see the work of MAF and our partners.

Please pray for the planning of this trip and for all the details to fall into place. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please contact the MAF NZ office.

THURSDAY, MARCH 20 SPROUL, Phil & Tania | Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Please pray for Tania as she helps lead the ‘Koala Kids’ (playgroup) outreach at church again this year. Pray that there will be opportunities for conversations with parents about God’s love and his gift in Jesus.

Pray for Phil as he travels to Africa this month to meet with teams in Kenya and Uganda. Pray for the leaders and participants in the Aircraft Maintenance Supervisors course that is being held in Uganda this month.

FRIDAY, MARCH 21 HARDING, Bill & Angela | International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

As many of you will be aware, Arnhem Land Pilot and Deputy Country Director, Chris Coffee, died in a car accident on 8 January.

Please pray for Chris’ wife and children who remain in Nhulunbuy. Please uphold the whole team in Arnhem Land as they continue to grieve.

SUNDAY, MARCH 23 MAF IN SOUTH SUDAN. Praise God for a surgical camp that took place in South Sudan where hundreds of people received eye surgeries.

Without MAF, this would not have been possible.

MONDAY, MARCH 24 MAF IN PNG. Pray for the church leaders in Bulolo, PNG who are working with MAF Technologies to train their pastors to effectively spread the Gospel in remote communities.

TUESDAY, MARCH 25 MAF IN PNG. Praise God for a recent sawmill delivery in PNG. This will be used for community projects, such as providing timber to build schools and an aid post.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for the recruitment of staff needed for the IT teams in the support offices. Pray that the right candidates will be found.

MARCH 27-31 THURSDAY, MARCH 27 NIOVARA, Elisa | Engineering Apprentice Candidate (currently building Ministry Partnership Support).

Elisa, a graduate of NMIT in Aeronautical Engineering (AME), is pursuing her calling to become a licensed Aviation engineer. This requires an additional two years of practical experience as an apprentice working at our MAF base in Mareeba Queensland. For this, she needs a period of ministry partnership, gaining support from her church and local community. Once qualified, her goal is to serve with MAF in the mission field.

“Please pray for strength and courage as I build my Ministry Partnership Team, share my testimony and make the work of MAF known in my community. May I be led by the Lord.”

JONATHAN & MICHELE POUND

FRIDAY, MARCH 28 FOX, Mark | CEO, New Zealand.

Pray with Mark as he spends time building relationships with large donors. Pray that he can find new donors and that they will catch the vision of MAF and the transformational work MAF is doing.

PHIL & TANIA SPROUL

SATURDAY, MARCH 29 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Today all the CEO’s and Board Chairs from around the MAF world meet virtually to discuss and make decisions regarding the integration under MAF International. Please pray for this pivotal meeting.

SUNDAY, MARCH 30 MAF IN NEW ZEALAND. Please pray for Danielle and Ashley, our Marketing and Communications team. May more people in NZ become aware of the work of MAF and become prayer partners and supporters of the work and staff.

KERRY & MARIE HASTIE

MONDAY, MARCH 31 MAF IN NEW ZEALAND. We are grateful for all our supporters and prayer partners.

Join us in giving thanks and praying God’s protection and blessing over them.

ELISA NIOVARA

APRIL 1-7

KEVIN & ANGELA NICHOLLS

TUESDAY, APRIL 1

FRIDAY, APRIL 4

WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary | Interim Regional Director (Asia Pacific); HR Advisor, Cairns.

We give praise for the celebration of Easter this month and the hope we have in our risen Saviour.

Pray for Vaughan as he makes scheduled visits to the Asia Pacific Programmes to support and encourage the in-country teams during April and May.

MAF IN UGANDA. Please pray for the new float plane that has been delivered to Uganda, that there are no complications with it, and that the aircraft will continue to be used to serve in the communities on Lake Victoria.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2

BILL & ANGELA HARDING

NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela | Regional Quality Manager, NZ Based.

We praise the Lord that 2024 was an accident-free year for our flight operations in MAFI. Praise that our new safety reporting database has been widely used and continues to bring visibility of issues that improve both safety and efficiency.

THURSDAY, APRIL 3 KARL & HELENE ORCHARD

COLIN & ROSEMARY MCINTOSH

HARDING, Bill & Angela.

International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

Pray for a time of rest and refreshment for Bill and Angela in early April, when they attend a silent retreat.

Over Easter they plan to be in Christchurch with family. Pray that this will be a special time as a family.

SATURDAY, APRIL 5 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray with the team in Mareeba for the various positions that are vacant to be filled.

They are looking for aircraft technicians in Arnhem Land, Mareeba and PNG and a flight instructor in Mareeba.

SUNDAY, APRIL 6 MAF IN NEW ZEALAND. Our first “Flying for Life” magazine of the year is going out this month. Please pray for people to be positively impacted by the stories shared and moved to support MAF financially or in prayer.

MONDAY, APRIL 7 HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth | Business Analytics and Innovation Manager, Cairns.

Pray for key exam periods coming up for the boys.

Especially Benji with his first semester medical school exams, and Samuel for his Year 12 (final year) internal assessments.

APRIL 8-14 TUESDAY, APRIL 8

SATURDAY, APRIL 12

ORCHARD, Karl & Helene | Senior Systems Administrator (IT), PNG. Please continue to pray for us in our language learning.

Please pray with us to find a local church to become part of in which we can find fellowship.

CAMPBELL, Andy & Sharon | Maintenance Controller & Doctor, PNG. We plan to be on home assignment.

Pray that we find the appropriate balance between rest and partnership building. May we minister well, as well as be ministered to. Pray for the Maintenance Control team, who are covering for Andy in his absence.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 9 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie | Quality & Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Please be praying for Jesse to find a job and suitable accomodation, as he will be staying in Australia when we move back to NZ in July.

THURSDAY, APRIL 10 VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel | Building & Maintenance Deputy Manager, PNG. Please pray for Cobus in his role as Deputy Maintenance Manager as there are constant demands on his time. Pray for wisdom, strength, patience and creative solutions to deal with the issues as they come up.

FRIDAY, APRIL 11 FOX, Mark | CEO, New Zealand.

Pray with Mark as he spends time building relationships with major donors. Pray that they will be receptive to the needs of MAF and keen to partner with the work.

ANDY & SHARON CAMPBELL

SUNDAY, APRIL 13 McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary.

MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist Turbine Aircraft, NZ based.

One of the new Cessna Caravans destined for service in PNG, is currently in the UK where it will be dedicated by King Charles III at an event this month as part of the 80th anniversary celebrations of MAF in the UK.

MONDAY, APRIL 14

ANDREW MACDONALD

COBUS & TRONEL VAN DER MERWE

MACDONALD, Andrew | Pilot, South Sudan.

Pray for this coming year in South Sudan. There is a lot happening in the next few months. Pray for safety in operations and for the passengers we fly, that they will be able to continue their work.

MARK FOX

APRIL 15-26 TUESDAY, APRIL 15

SATURDAY, APRIL 19

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 23

MAF IN PNG. Praise God for the first graduation that took place at Mougulu High School in PNG. MAF has been supporting this school since it was founded in 2020 by flying in resources to help the day to day running of the school. The students in this remote village have a chance to improve their future with their education.

MAF IN MADAGASCAR. Praise God for an evangelical sports delivery in Madagascar which brought faith to the village of Tambohorano.

These flights supported a project to spread the gospel and inspire young people with their love of sport.

NIOVARA, Elisa | Engineering Apprentice Candidate (currently building Ministry Partnership Support).

“I praise and honour God for His goodness towards my family and I. Many of my wider family have lost their jobs in the current recession in Auckland, but we are not worried, as we have seen God’s provision amid it.”

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16 INGHAM, Bridget | Pilot, PNG. My close friend, Raewyn, will be visiting me in PNG for the next 8 weeks and volunteering for MAF while she is here. Pray that her flights to Mt Hagen go smoothly and that she would be blessed and be a blessing during her stay.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17 MAF IN MYANMAR. Pray for MAF in Myanmar to be able to support local ministry partners through technology services and solar power.

FRIDAY, APRIL 18 GOOD FRIDAY. As we celebrate Easter, we are reminded of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. We are also reminded that our sacrifice pales in comparison and that we are honoured to labour in His harvest field. May we see great fruit over this period.

SUNDAY, APRIL 20 EASTER SUNDAY. Christ is Risen!

THURSDAY, APRIL 24 MONDAY, APRIL 21 VINCENT, Fiona | Finance Manager, Asia-Pacific Region, (NZ based).

MAF in PNG is seeking to recruit a number of suitable candidates to fill critical financial roles. Please pray that capable and honest personnel will apply for the positions and that wisdom will be given throughout the interview and preemployment process.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. MAF International is planning a Fundraising and Communications Conference for 5-9 May 2025. This is intended to streamline the fundraising and communications across the MAF world. Please pray for the planning and preparation for this conference, that it will be fruitful and that God will give unity and creative ideas.

TUESDAY, APR 22

FRIDAY, APRIL 25

SPROUL, Phil & Tania | Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Please pray for the engineering teams who are preparing three new aircraft for service (two for PNG and one for Madagascar).

Pray for timely delivery of parts, good communication with regulators and that all regulatory paperwork required will be obtained without problems.

MAF IN TANZANIA. Pray for the team in Tanzania, that they may be able to operate more flights this year.

SATURDAY, APRIL 26 MAF IN LESOTHO. Praise God for the missionary work happening in Lesotho and the impact this is having on so many people’s lives.

APRIL 27-30 SUNDAY, APRIL 27 MÜHLEMATTER, Renee & Pascal. | Pilot & Head of Maintenance, PNG. This month, Renee will be completing some training in Telefomin with an instructor pilot to learn to land on some of the more advanced airstrips. This will include going to Telefomin twice for two 5-day stints and staying at the Telefomin base. Please pray for peace, protection and that the training goes well. Pascal has an annual maintenance audit from the regulator CASA coming up. Please pray for a straightforward audit and that CASA would be satisfied with their visit.

BRIDGET INGHAM

MONDAY, APRIL 28 POUND, Jonathan & Michele | Pilot, South Sudan.

Praise the Lord for His provision of new pilots to the program in South Sudan. Gerbrand, who has been here a year, has finished his Line Oriented Flight Training and his supervised period and is now flying solo! Jesse, who has been here a couple of months, has finished all the prerequisites for his Kenyan License, and is about to begin his country orientation. Please pray for them and the rest of the team, as we continue to learn and develop the knowledge and skills required for the job.

PASCAL & RENEE MÜHLEMATTER

TUESDAY, APRIL 29 WATSON, Jonny & Glenys | Pilot, PNG. Give thanks for the provision of people who willingly and ably fill critical roles in MAF in PNG. Please pray for endurance and wisdom for them, and that God might call and bring to us people to fill the critical gaps more permanently. Pray for continued enthusiasm and strength for our family as we live and serve in PNG.

FIONA VINCENT FIONA VINCENT

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30 MAF IN NEW ZEALAND. The MAF NZ AGM will be held on the 16th of May 2025 in Auckland. Please mark this date in your calendar. It will be great to have many attend. Please pray for the planning and all the arrangements for this event.

JONNY & GLENYS WATSON

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MAF Operations Operations Worldwide

Home support offices.

Operating programmes. [#] Number of aircraft flown per country.

Countries that provide or invest in aviation skills training.

2 Countries served by MAF partner organisations or regional affiliates.

3 Support Countries that also operate programmes within their borders.

1

AFRICA

ASIA PACIFIC

EUROPE

THE AMERICAS

Angola [3] Chad [2] DRC [8] Guinea [1] Kenya [2] Lesotho[3] Liberia [3] Madagascar [3] Mozambique [2] South Sudan [7] Tanzania [2] Uganda [5] South Africa

Australia1,3 -(Arnhem Land) [8] -(Mareeba) [11] Hong Kong India Kalimantan [2] Malaysia New Zealand [1] Papua [9] Philippines Papua New Guinea [10] Singapore Timor Leste

Denmark Finland France Germany Italy Netherlands Norway Sweden Switzerland United Kingdom

Brazil2 [5] Canada1 [3] Ecuador2 [2] Guatemala2 [2] Haiti [4] Mexico2 [2] Suriname 2 [3] United States1 [7]

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

*MAF also operates in a number of “restricted access” countries that cannot be named for security purposes. [6]

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