MAF Prayer Briefing | March - April 2024

PRAYER BRIEFING

MARCHAPRIL 2024

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

MARCH 1-8 FRIDAY, MAR 1

WEDNESDAY, MAR 6

HARDING, Bill & Angela.

International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

Angela and Bill are going on a one week course at the beginning of March to learn more about the debriefing process. Please pray that they will be able to learn well so that they can be effective in better caring for MAF staff.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for the fuel shortage in Papua New Guinea. Pray the team can use fuel efficiently and be able to prioritise flights at this time.

MONDAY, MAR 4 HUNT, Benji & Jess; Elliott.

Maintenance Operations Supervisor, PNG. Please pray for engineering positions to be filled with ideal staff and for Benji who will be training the new staff over the next 6 months. We thank the Lord for the current engineering team and their dedication and hard work.

SATURDAY, MAR 2 SPROUL, Phil & Tania.

Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Praise God for our time in NZ on Ministry Partnership. Pray for our final visits to Churches and groups in Christchurch, Fielding and Hastings before we head back to Cairns.

SUNDAY, MAR 3 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Praise God for the success of our first annual Open Day in February. Praise God for the support shown and the new connections made.

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THURSDAY, MAR 7 WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary. Executive Officer and Director, Global Disaster Response & HR Advisor, Cairns.

Please pray for those affected by the recent Cyclone and major flooding in Cairns (including Janne who works in the Cairns office). Pray for speedy resolutions to insurance claims and restoration efforts.

FRIDAY, MAR 8

TUESDAY, MAR 5 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Praise God for the appointment of Stephen Wood, who is joining the MAF NZ team as our Youth Engagement Officer. Pray that God would go before him as he connects with Youth Groups and Schools around the country.

www.maf.org.nz

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

The Amphibian Cessna C208 is currently being prepared for service in Papua New Guinea at MAFs maintenance facility in Mareeba. Please give thanks for the team working to get this aircraft ready and for the required PNG Civil Aviation Authority approvals to be issued without delay.

MARCH 9-17 SATURDAY, MAR 9

TUESDAY, MAR 12

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for the opening and reopening of several airstrips in Papua New Guinea in recent months.

In partnership with the RAA, MAF is providing access to these communities to bring help, hope and healing.

MAF NEW ZEALAND. Pray for our MAF NZ team planning retreat happening today and tomorrow. Pray that God would give us wisdom, and fresh ideas and strategy to grow the impact of MAF in New Zealand.

WEDNESDAY, MAR 13

SUNDAY, MAR 10 INGHAM, Bridget. Pilot, PNG. My instrument flying training continues this month, with PNG-specific scenarios and flights. I will be away from home base for a number of nights as we explore different regions. Pray that it all goes well. Please also pray for the Noordhoek family who are returning to the Netherlands this month after nine years in PNG.

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

We thank God for His faithful provision of financial resources. Please pray for MAFI Finance as the 2023 year end accounts are prepared and finalised; that we will have stamina and grace as we handle the annual audit, meet reporting deadlines and attend to usual monthly tasks.

VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel; Isaac, Jana, and Karlien. Building & Maintenance Deputy Manager, PNG. Please join us in praising God for His unwavering protection throughout our transformative Transition Training in Australia and awesome Orientation Course in South Africa. As we prepare for our upcoming journey to PNG in March, we ask that you pray with us for the extensive preparations ahead.

SATURDAY, MAR 16 MAF INTERNATIONAL. This year, MAF Madagascar is partnering with Mercy Ships whose vessel has now arrived on the east coast. Pray for the team as they transport Mercy Ships personnel to remote locations all over Madagascar.

MONDAY, MAR 11 MACRAE, Leigh & Inneke; Cameron, Levi, Mikaela.

Residential House Managers, PNG. Thank you Lord for sustaining us all through the 3rd term.

No injuries and good health for us and all the students.

Pray everyone has a good break over the school break and has good rest.

FRIDAY, MAR 15

SUNDAY, MAR 17 THURSDAY, MAR 14 NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela.

Regional Quality Manager, NZ based.

Pray that God will draw people to Him at the Alpha course Kevin and Angela are running this month.

www.maf.org.nz

MACDONALD, Andrew. Pilot, South Sudan.

Pray for the upcoming flights we will be doing with partners over the coming months in the buildup towards the election in December. This is the first in South Sudan. Pray for a peaceful time.

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MARCH 18-26 THURSDAY, MAR 21 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Praise God that the program in Kalimantan, Indonesia, enjoys favour from the local government, including the ministry of health, which relies on MAF to provide air medevac services in the region.

FRIDAY, MAR 22 MONDAY, MAR 18 CAMPBELL, Andrew & Sharon. Maintenance Controller, PNG. Please pray for the PNG Government which has instability which affects how the country is governed in all sectors. In February a vote of no confidence was held. Pray for wise servant leadership at all levels throughout the country. 1 Tim 2:1-2.

TUESDAY, MAR 19 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for the families serving with MAF Ecuador as the country is experiencing political turmoil and heightened crime.

WEDNESDAY, MAR 20 FOX, Mark & Philippa. CEO MAF NZ. It is event season for MAF so please pray for Mark and the team as they will be in the South Island from March 20 until after Easter.

During Easter the Cessna 206 and MAF team will be at the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow.

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HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth; Benji, Samuel and Eddie.

Pilot and Country Director, Timor-Leste.

Please pray for the situation in Timor-Leste which has deteriorated during our absence on Ministry Partnership: There is a huge healthcare crisis, with many deaths, and causing many children to be sent to work on the streets. Praise God for protection in this fragile climate as Sam, Eddie, and Ruth have been “home alone” in Timor while Nick has been back to Cairns to settle Benji into his halls of residence at James Cook University. We are rejoicing with him on his acceptance into medical school there, as well as adjusting to a different family dynamic.

SATURDAY, MAR 23 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Pray for our Touch and Go events happening in the South Island this month. Pray that we would reach new people and Churches and that they would be inspired to support the work of MAF.

www.maf.org.nz

SUNDAY, MAR 24 WATSON, Jonny & Glenys; Katie, Alana, Danielle, and Lucy. Pilot, PNG. Pray for Jonny this month as he spends a week in the bush at Mount Tawa Airstrip, providing technical support while the RAA work with the community to restore the airstrip. Pray for safety for pilots and aircraft especially during the wet season as airstrips are often soft and slippery.

MONDAY, MAR 25 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie, Jesse, and Ethan. Quality and Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Pray for Ethan as he has just shifted to Brisbane and started his first year at UQ University. Pray for Jesse as he settles back into school.

TUESDAY, MAR 26 ORCHARD, Karl & Helene; Ayla and Thea. Candidate; IT Manager, PNG. Praise that we had an opportunity to meet Minnie Kendon, wife of Murray Kendon (MAF Founder), and pray with her. Please pray for us as we speak at Maungaraki Baptist Church this month and as we reach out to other churches, that they would be willing to let us speak.

MARCH 27-APRIL 3 FRIDAY, MAR 29

MONDAY, APR 1

GOOD FRIDAY. “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. Praise God for the nearly 80 years of MAF being able to show the love of Christ to isolated people around the world.

INGHAM, Bridget. Pilot, PNG. Two more pilots are going through the instrument flying training this month, meaning those of us who are available for normal flying operations are going to be busy! Pray that I can get sufficient rest each day, and each week, to continue serving God and the people of Papua New Guinea to the best of my ability. Pray also that I can keep on top of my non-flying obligations, including airstrip survey checking and continuing professional development (CPD) modules.

WEDNESDAY, MAR 27 MILES, Doug & Yvonne.

Interim Country Director, PNG. Pray for God’s grace and wisdom as we continue to fill the Interim Country Director role in PNG. Pray for strength and good rest, particularly as we travel between PNG and Cairns often.

THURSDAY, MAR 28 BREWER, Renee. Pilot, PNG. Over the next few months I will be spending a lot of time in a MAF outstation called Balimo, flying around the Western Province in PNG. I will be flying health teams in and out of remote airstrips Thank God for the wonderful work these health teams do and that we can help. Please pray for safety and protection as I get used to flying solo here in PNG!

SATURDAY, MAR 30 POUND, Jonathan & Michele; Abby, Daniel, Joseph, and Benjamin. Pilot, South Sudan.

Please join with us as we praise the Lord for safe, trouble free travel from Juba to New Zealand! Please pray for continued good health and safe travels as we travel around NZ. Please pray for God’s will to be done during our home assignment speaking engagements, that people will be encouraged, blessed and challenged!

SUNDAY, MAR 31 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Happy Easter Sunday!

Pray for the team as we attend the Wanaka Air Show today until April 3. Pray that God would bring the right people to our stand and that our conversations would be fruitful.

www.maf.org.nz

TUESDAY, APR 2 WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary. Executive Officer and Director, Global Disaster Response & HR Advisor, Cairns.

Pray for new MAF staff, who Rosemary has been onboarding, as they now settle into their new programmes in Arnhem Land, Timor Leste and PNG! Give praise that new staff continue to be led into service with MAF.

WEDNESDAY, APR 3 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for people to fill the crucial need for school teachers in Papua New Guinea. Pray that the need would be met in order for missionary families in PNG to continue serving.

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APRIL 4-11

THURSDAY, APR 4 McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary. MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist–Turbine Aircraft, NZ based.

As part of MAFI’s plan to reduce the age of its Cessna C208 fleet significantly, MAF Madagascar’s 30 year old Cessna C208 is due to be replaced with a new aircraft later this year. Please pray for the funds to purchase this aircraft to enable the MAF team to continue providing a safe & reliable service to the people of Madagascar.

SATURDAY, APR 6

TUESDAY, APR 9

MACDONALD, Andrew. Pilot, South Sudan.

Pray for the team here in Juba. We have many pilots busy with training, or away on Home assignment, pray for continued operations, that they will go smoothly.

WATSON, Jonny & Glenys; Katie, Alana, Danielle, and Lucy. Pilot, PNG. Pray for key vacancies to be filled in MAF PNG, including a new Country Director. Thank God for the joy we have in living and working in PNG, and please pray that we might be gospel focussed and will have continued strength and enthusiasm for the work God has called us to as Glenys flies, and as Jonny gives technical advice on airstrips.

SUNDAY, APR 7 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Today is World Health Day. Praise God for the many organisations MAF partners with, to bring medical care to those who desperately need it. Pray for the strength and courage of our MAF Pilots, in particular, who often face heartbreaking and distressing situations flying people with medical needs.

WEDNESDAY, APR 10

MONDAY, APR 8

FRIDAY, APR 5 FOX, Mark & Philippa. CEO MAF NZ. We have a number of new staff in the Kendon-Strong Centre this year. Please pray as they settle into their roles and become effective as quickly as possible.

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

Please pray for guidance navigating tropical wet weather systems, for stamina, concentration, and safety for Nick as he begins a busy season of ferrying aircraft between Mareeba in Far North Queensland and Dili. Our airvans in Timor are due for significant overhaul.

www.maf.org.nz

HARDING, Bill & Angela.

International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

Give thanks for that we are able to spend Easter together with all our children and also that two groups of exMAF staff (from our time in Tanzania and the UK) are coming to stay with us in April.

THURSDAY, APR 11 MAF NEW ZEALAND. Pray for Jane and her ongoing process of recruitment.

Pray that God would call new people to express their interest in serving with MAF, and pray for those currently in the recruitment process.

APRIL 12-20 FRIDAY, APR 12

THURSDAY, APR 18

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Remember the MAF Technologies PNG team, pray for patience as they serve the communities around them. The team helps install radios and solar panels, trains people to use computers and shows them how to access the Bible on MP3 players.

CAMPBELL, Andrew & Sharon. Maintenance Controller, PNG. Pray for Sharon as she responds to the many medical needs and requests with the acute shortage of doctors in rural centres. Pray for MAF’s services to greatly strengthen the provision of Christian health services. Including with the expected introduction of the floatplane “P2-WET” in Western Province.

SATURDAY, APR 13

MONDAY, APR 15

MAF NEW ZEALAND. Pray for Zoe (Marketing & Communications) as she heads to the Netherlands for the Global MAF Marketing and Fundraising summit. Pray that it would be a great time of unity and innovation amongst all those attending.

ORCHARD, Karl & Helene; Ayla and Thea. Candidate; IT Manager, PNG. Please pray our house sells well and that we settle into a good routine in the house we are renting until we head overseas.

SUNDAY, APR 14 VINCENT, Fiona. Finance Manager, Asia-Pacific Region, (NZ based).

We give thanks for the ongoing ministry MAF has in Arnhem Land. Please pray for all the newly baptised believers. May they continue to grow in their faith and stand strong against opposition.

Please pray that all the current staff vacancies will be filled.

TUESDAY, APR 16 HUNT, Benji & Jess; Elliott.

Maintenance Operations Supervisor, PNG. Please pray for good quality sleep for Benji and that he would be able to continue to manage periods of time where sleep doesn’t come as easy. Please pray for safe travels for Jess and Elliott who will be back in NZ for a term for Elliott to go to school and Jess to keep her NZ Nursing Practicing Certificate current.

WEDNESDAY, APR 17 SPROUL, Phil & Tania.

Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Continue to specifically pray for a Head of Maintenance for the Australian AMO (Aircraft Maintenance Organisation) that provides maintenance for the Timor-Leste, Arnhem Land and Mareeba programs.

www.maf.org.nz

FRIDAY, APR 19 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie, Jesse, and Ethan. Quality and Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Pray for Marie and Kerry as they visit both their mums over Easter. Pray for Kerry’s mum’s salvation as she has terminal cancer.

SATURDAY, APR 20 NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela.

Regional Quality Manager, NZ based.

Pray that as we continue with the introduction of the second stage of the new Quality and Safety database, that it will continue to help improve safety and reliability of the MAF ministry.

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APRIL 21-30

SUNDAY, APR 21 MACRAE, Leigh & Inneke; Cameron, Levi, Mikaela.

Residential House Managers, PNG. Pray for renewed strength for the last term. Pray everyone stays healthy. Pray for good preparation for exams for the students. Pray for our family as we prepare to transition back to NZ.

WEDNESDAY, 24

SATURDAY, APR 27

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

Praise the Lord for a full and successful, yet restful home assignment! A lovely time of reconnecting with supporters, friends and family. Pray with us for a safe journey back to Juba, and for the quick recovery from jetlag. Also for the renewal of Jono’s medical, license and instrument rating – all within the first week of returning to South Sudan!

MAF NEW ZEALAND Pray for the finances and wisdom needed for the engine overhaul of our MAF NZ Cessna 206.

THURSDAY, APR 25

TUESDAY, APR 23

BREWER, Renee. Pilot, PNG. Flying with MAF here in PNG comes with many rewards and many challenges. One of the rewards for me is that I get to see this beautiful country and help people that are isolated and unable to access resources. One of the challenges is having limited iinfrastructure such as a lack of weather information at many locations in PNG. Please thank God that I get to do this cool job and pray that despite the lack of information, I would be able to make wise and safe decisions whilst I fly.

VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel; Isaac, Jana, and Karlien. Building & Maintenance Deputy Manager, PNG. Join us in thanking God for our safe arrival in PNG. We kindly ask for your prayers as we settle in and strive to make significant progress in learning the local language.

MILES, Doug & Yvonne.

Interim Country Director, PNG. Pray that God would bring the right person to take on the role of Country Director in PNG. Pray that it would clearly be the appointment of God on their life.

MONDAY, APR 22 MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray that we will never fail the countries and communities we seek to serve. This year sees our 25th year of service in Mozambique, 35th in Angola, 55th in Guatemala and Kalimantan, and our 65th anniversary in Kenya. Give thanks for these milestones and pray that we’ll go from strength to strength.

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FRIDAY, APR 26

www.maf.org.nz

SUNDAY, APR 28 MAF INTERNATIONAL It’s a joyful privilege for all of us in the MAF family to be a part of salvation in remote communities! During showings of the Jesus film, more than 1,500 people in Olturot, Kenya, watched enthralled as his life unfolded on the screen. Pray for all those eager villagers, including the 150 who became Christians after CITAM missionaries shared their faith.

MONDAY, APR 29 MAF NEW ZEALAND Pray for Andrew and the team as they connect with Churches around New Zealand. Pray that Churches would feel led to partner with the work of MAF NZ.

TUESDAY, APR 30 MAF NEW ZEALAND Pray for all of the children of our MAF team around the world. Pray for their health and protection. Pray that they would know the nearness of God, particularly for those in the process of transitioning in or out of living on the missions field.

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