Prayer Briefing | Sept-Oct 2023

PRAYER BRIEFING

SEPTEMBER OCTOBER 2023

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

SEPTEMBER 1 - 7 FRIDAY, SEPT 1

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 6

HUNT, Benji & Jess; Elliott.

Maintenance Operations Supervisor, PNG. Pray for the issues with fuel that have been plaguing much of PNG recently. Pray that the situation will be resolved and MAF can keep flying to all the people who need their support.

MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for the recent intakes in the Mareeba flight school as they have started lessons toward their first solo flight. Praise God for their enthusiasm for flying and pray for them to be sensitive to God’s voice through their schooling.

MONDAY, SEPT 4 SATURDAY, SEPT 2 MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for the group of students from MAF Denmark’s COPILOT programme who were recently on an outreach trip in PNG. Pray that they were touched by God’s work and inspired by MAF’s contribution.

VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel; Isaac, Jana, and Karlien. (Candidate) Throughout this month we are continuing our Ministry Partnership. Pray for travel mercies as we share about MAF at numerous congregations across NZ. Pray for Cobus to receive wisdom and guidance when he prepares and speaks.

Pray also for receptive and responsive audiences. Please include our three children, busy with home schooling, in your prayers. Praise God for all the prayer and support partners gained during Ministry Partnership.

TUESDAY, SEPT 5

SUNDAY, SEPT 3 BREWER, Renee. Pilot, PNG. This month I am beginning my Line Orientated Flight Training out of Mount Hagen.

It has been quite a few months since I last flew the Cessna Caravan, so please pray that all the knowledge needed would come back quickly.

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

As budget meetings are convened this month, please pray for agreement, vision and good stewardship in all decisions made. We give thanks and praise to the Lord for all our wonderfully generous donors, supporters and hard-working staff. May He bless the work of their hands.

www.maf.org.nz

THURSDAY, SEPT 7 SPROUL, Phil & Tania.

Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Please pray for the Technical Operations Summit taking place 11-15 September.

Please pray that the leaders from maintenance and technical support teams from across Asia Pacific and Africa will be encouraged in their walk with Jesus as they met together and for strong relationships to be formed as they get to know each other and learn each other’s stories.

Pray for safety in travel and for strength and wisdom as Phil leads this.

SEPTEMBER 8 - 16 FRIDAY, SEPT 8

THURSDAY, SEPT 14

MAF INTERNATIONAL Continue to pray for the situation in Sudan. Pray for good health over our pilots and team responding in South Sudan so that flights with vital supplies and relief can continue to be brought to those who need it most.

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

Praise the Lord for all the good work MAF South Sudan has achieved over the last couple of months. To God be the Glory! Praise the Lord also for a restful break in Kenya to recharge, and now hit the ground running as we enter another busy period! Please pray for continued good health as we go about our duties.

SATURDAY, SEPT 9 DIXON, Grant & Sharon.

Aircraft Engineer & Member Care, Mareeba.

We return from our pastoral care visit to Arnhem Land today. In the team of 23, we remembered nine from our last visit four years ago. Pray for this relatively young team as they work in this part of God’s kingdom. Please pray for Sharon who will be in Ballarat visiting family for the rest of this month.

SUNDAY, SEPT 10 MAF NEW ZEALAND Pray for our team as we prepare for the promotional season to start again soon.

Pray that God would help us as we work out how to best spread the word about MAF’s work.

MONDAY, SEPT 11 McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary.

MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist–Turbine Aircraft, NZ based.

Pray for the Technical Support team attending the Technical Operators Summit in Cambodia from today until 15 September. Pray it will be a great time of team building and encouragement for everyone.

TUESDAY, SEPT 12 HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth; Benji, Samuel and Eddie.

Pilot and Country Director, Timor-Leste.

Benji and Ruth will be travelling to Cairns in midOctober so Benji can sit his final year high school exams.

This is a six-week block and will determine his course through university.

Pray for the preparation period leading up to this as Benji studies.

FRIDAY, SEPT 15 INGHAM, Bridget. Pilot, PNG. I will be in NZ for home assignment in October and November. Give thanks for the people and churches who have already agreed to host me and pray for me as I make the final preparations before flying back to NZ.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 13

SATURDAY, SEPT 16

MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for MAF Germany who continue to seek support in the areas of communications and fundraising. Pray that God will work on the hearts of people to come forward and that the right people will be found.

MAF NEW ZEALAND Pray for more candidates to follow God’s calling on their lives and come forward to apply. Praise God for the people we do have in the pipeline who are working very hard to become ready to serve overseas.

www.maf.org.nz

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SEPTEMBER 17 - 25

SUNDAY, SEPT 17 HARDING, Bill & Angela International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

We have just returned from a two-week holiday walking part of the Camino Pilgrimage through Portugal and Spain, so praise God for that time.

Pray for us as we attend the MAF Global Forum (Bill) and MAF HR Forum (Angela) in the UK at the end of the month.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 20

SATURDAY, SEPT 23

FOX, Mark. CEO MAF NZ. Pray for me as I travel with Ian McBride, the MAF NZ Board Chairman, to the MAF Global Forum in the UK starting today and continuing until 27 September. Pray that there will be ongoing growth of unity among MAF resourcing groups and programmes, and that good progress will be made on the implementation of the MAFI vision.

WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary; Ryan. Executive Officer and Director, Global Disaster Response & HR Advisor, Cairns.

Praise that MAF Disaster Response has been able to facilitate flights in South Sudan. Please pray that they will run smoothly and bring the Lord’s help and hope to those in need.

THURSDAY, SEPT 21 MAF INTERNATIONAL. The Madagascar programme is in the process of building a new hangar. Pray for all of that to go smoothly over the next few months and that everything will run to schedule.

MONDAY, SEPT 18 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie, Jesse, Ethan. Quality and Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Please pray that Ethan’s application to the University of Queensland in Brisbane will be accepted for a 2024 start. Praise God for Johanna and Liam’s recent wedding and pray that they will find a house to rent.

TUESDAY, SEPT 19 MAF INTERNATIONAL Praise God that all the MAFI programmes and support offices are now using the new finance software and for the success of this roll-out. Pray for continued smoothness in the future use.

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SUNDAY, SEPT 24 CAMPBELL, Andrew & Sharon.

Maintenance Controller, PNG. There was a 30-day State of Emergency declared by the PNG Government in August, because of lack of fuel supply and foreign exchange. This affected travel throughout PNG including challenging puzzles for MAF’s operations.

Pray for continued good governance by all parties and that God raises up great leadership in PNG.

MONDAY, SEPT 25

FRIDAY, SEPT 22 MACDONALD, Andrew. Pilot, South Sudan.

Pray for us in Juba in the next few weeks as we are short of pilots due to home assignments. A busy wet season schedule is adding pressure to our flight operations so please pray for strength and energy for everyone involved with the programme.

www.maf.org.nz

MILES, Doug & Yvonne.

Cairns. Country Director, PNG. Doug’s days are extremely busy covering the demands of the Country Director role and unexpectedly the Operations Director responsibilities.

Whilst both roles are very familiar to him, prayer for good health and wisdom with managing these roles proficiently is appreciated.

Please also pray that Yvonne’s day-to-day support to staff families would be beneficial.

SEPTEMBER 26 - OCTOBER 4 TUESDAY, SEPT 26

MONDAY, OCT 2

MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for all our Northern Hemisphere resourcing groups who are representing MAF at various events over the warmer months. Pray for good conversations and interactions with potential new supporters and those with an interest in working for MAF.

VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel; Isaac, Jana, and Karlien. (Candidate) Pray for us as we continue our ministry partnership. Pray that the people that we come into contact with will listen with open hearts. Pray for energy as we travel to speak at different places around the country and that we will reach our fundraising target soon!

WEDNESDAY, SEPT 27 NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela.

Regional Quality Manager, NZ based.

Praise God that the recent meetings that the Quality and Safety Team had were very productive and Kevin did not have any health problems during the trip.

FRIDAY, SEPT 29 WATSON, Jonny & Glenys; Katie, Alana, Danielle, and Lucy. Pilot, PNG. Give thanks that Numonohi Christian Academy has started a new school year for our children. Please pray for energy and wisdom for the MAF PNG leadership, and that God will provide people to fill key vacancies in the programme.

SATURDAY, SEPT 30

TUESDAY, OCT 3

MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for the political situation in Niger, and the impact this might have in the West Africa region. Pray for our programme staff as they navigate good safety during times of instability.

MACRAE, Leigh & Inneke; Cameron, Levi, Mikaela.

Residential House Managers, PNG. Pray that the students’ term goes fine, and they settle well into a normal routine. Pray for the families of the children in our care around MAF.

THURSDAY, SEPT 28

SUNDAY, OCT 1

MAF INTERNATIONAL Praise God for the delivery of 2,000 New Testaments and 2,000 Old Testaments in the Ketengban language to several villages in the Pegunungan Bintang province in Papua, Indonesia.

The Old Testament translation in Ketengban was recently finished.

HUNT, Benji & Jess; Elliott.

Maintenance Operations Supervisor, PNG. Pray for all the missionary families around PNG in different mission organisations. Thank God for their commitment and pray for continued energy and enthusiasm for the roles that God has placed them into.

www.maf.org.nz

WEDNESDAY, OCT 4 MACDONALD, Andrew. Pilot, South Sudan.

Praise God for the recent peace and reconciliation workshops that have been happening in the different areas round the country. Pray that they will help to bring calm and allow people to move on with their lives.

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OCTOBER 5 - 13 THURSDAY, OCT 5

MONDAY, OCT 9

THURSDAY, OCT 12

DIXON, Grant & Sharon.

Aircraft Engineer & Member Care, Mareeba.

Sharon returns from visiting family in Victoria today and we depart for our pastoral care trip to PNG on the 11th.

We would value your prayers as we reconnect with this team after four years. Please pray for strength and energy as we travel.

SPROUL, Phil & Tania.

Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Praise God that Tania is able to travel to NZ to support our eldest daughter and her husband and pray for the safe arrival of our first grandchild due this month.

Pray for Phil as he participates in Leadership Meetings and the International Managers Conference, both happening in Cairns this October.

MAF NEW ZEALAND. Pray for wisdom and finances as we look to expand as a resourcing group, particularly in the areas of youth and fundraising.

FRIDAY, OCT 6 HARDING, Bill & Angela International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

We are spending a large portion of this month overseas at various events within the MAF International calendar. Please pray for energy for both of us.

Particularly pray for Bill going to the Philippines to speak at a mission conference on 19 October.

SATURDAY, OCT 7 MAF INTERNATIONAL Give thanks for an Every Home for Christ (EHC) church in Renk, South Sudan which is ministering to the refugees in Renk. Pray for strength and energy for everyone involved with supporting the refugees.

SUNDAY, OCT 8 MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for the work of MAF partner NET Foundation in Uganda who work to equip local pastors to lead change in their communities.

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FRIDAY, OCT 13

TUESDAY, OCT 10 HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth; Benji, Samuel and Eddie.

Pilot and Country Director, Timor-Leste.

Pray for Nick this month as he completes his annual instrument proficiency checks and flight checks at the base in Mareeba.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 11 INGHAM, Bridget. Pilot, PNG. I am in NZ for home assignment. Pray for safe travel during my ‘North Island road trip’ starting from today until 25 October. Pray especially for the schools and youth groups I am planning to visit.

www.maf.org.nz

MILES, Doug & Yvonne.

Cairns.

We complete our shortterm support to the PNG programme this month.

Both of us would appreciate prayer that our respective surgical procedures would be successful, cataracts for Yvonne and oral surgery for Doug. We will continue with our long service leave until the end of the year and would appreciate prayer for wise choices in planning our future.

SATURDAY, OCT 14 MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for all those who have a hand in maintaining our airstrips in the communities, particularly Miagoni in Chad, who helps with checking the airstrip at Bere for debris, sending weather reports, and keeping motorcycles, children and goats from crossing the airstrip when a plane is coming in.

OCTOBER 14 - 20 TUESDAY, OCT 17 MAF NEW ZEALAND As the weather improves and we look to start up promotional events again, pray for wisdom, creativity, and energy for everyone involved in organising those events to get the word of MAF out to the public of New Zealand.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 18 SUNDAY, OCT 15 VINCENT, Fiona. Finance Manager, Asia-Pacific Region, (NZ based).

Please pray for our staff in Myanmar as they support other NGOs ministering to the needy and persecuted.

Please pray that we will be given permissions to complete our airstrip project in Lailenpi and establish a flying programme; taking hope, help and healing in the Name of Jesus to the people in the remote communities of Chin state.

MONDAY, OCT 16 BREWER, Renee. Pilot, PNG. It has been awesome being here in PNG and experiencing first-hand the impact that MAF is having in the communities that they fly into. The isolation of the bush places is so apparent and explains the excitement in the community as the MAF plane lands. Please thank God that we are able to use aeroplanes in such a positive way and provide hope to these isolated communities.

MACRAE, Leigh & Inneke; Cameron, Levi, Mikaela.

Residential House Managers, PNG. Pray for Peace in Ayura and for God’s continued protection over us and the people that live around us.

Pray also for opportunities to connect with other families at the centre.

FRIDAY, OCT 20 CAMPBELL, Andrew & Sharon.

Maintenance Controller, PNG. There is much criminal activity in some areas which are difficult to police, such as in Enga province, Mougolu, and Bosavi. Some from “Raskol” activity, some from escalated tribal conflict.

Pray for transformation for perpetrators, and grace for the victims.

SATURDAY, OCT 21 MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for our partner Global Health Ministries, who are building wells in southern Madagascar.

This is particularly vital during the ongoing drought.

THURSDAY, OCT 19 POUND, Jonathan & Michele; Abby, Daniel, Joseph, and Benjamin. Pilot, South Sudan.

Praise the Lord for His love never fails! We feel so blessed to be here in South Sudan, serving with MAF. Praise the Lord for the opportunity to serve in this manner and pray for strength and good health that we can continue to serve to the best of our abilities – for His Glory!

www.maf.org.nz

SUNDAY, OCT 22 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie, Jesse, Ethan. Quality and Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Pray for Jesse as he starts end of year exams and for relief for Marie as her hip is starting to give her pain.

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OCTOBER 21 - 31 MONDAY, OCT 23

SUNDAY, OCT 29

MAF INTERNATIONAL Praise God for all of MAF’s long-standing partners and supporters who have grown to become friends over the years. Pray for them to have success in all of their separate missions.

MAF INTERNATIONAL Continue to pray for several vital vacancies across the MAF family, that the right candidates will come forward. Pray for wisdom for the recruitment teams as they filter through applications.

TUESDAY, OCT 24 FOX, Mark. CEO MAF NZ. Pray for the effectiveness of the MAF NZ promotional programme.

Now that summer is approaching, we as a team are able to hold Touch and Go events with the MAF airplane and attend airshows. Pray that we will receive a positive response.

WEDNESDAY, OCT 25 McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary.

MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist–Turbine Aircraft, NZ based.

One of the GA8 Airvans from the MAF North Australia programme is being relocated to MAF Switzerland.

The team in Mareeba are currently working through the export process, getting European Aviation Authority approvals and organising the shipping of the aircraft.

Please pray that everything will go smoothly.

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THURSDAY, OCT 26

MONDAY, OCT 30

WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary; Ryan. Executive Officer and Director, Global Disaster Response & HR Advisor, Cairns.

Praise that MAF Disaster Response has been able to facilitate flights in South Sudan. Please pray that they will run smoothly and bring the Lord’s help and hope to those in need.

WATSON, Jonny & Glenys; Katie, Alana, Danielle, and Lucy. Pilot, PNG. Please pray for the work of the Rural Airstrip Agency as they help communities to develop, restore and maintain airstrips throughout PNG, especially for local and central government to keep their commitments to provide infrastructure to rural PNG.

FRIDAY, OCT 27

TUESDAY, OCT 31

MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for a family who recently arrived in the Ecuador programme. Pray for them to learn well as they continue their training at the language school.

MAF INTERNATIONAL Pray for two missionary families from MAF France serving in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar as they raise financial support.

SATURDAY, OCT 28 NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela.

Regional Quality Manager, NZ based.

Pray that the online quality and safety conference scheduled for the end of this month will bring improvement for MAF and encourage all who attend.

Pray for continued wisdom for the quality and safety team with the new database that we have introduced through September and October.

www.maf.org.nz

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