MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) is a Christian organisation reaching men, women and children in over 25 countries. Operating more than 115 aircraft, MAF’s pilots overcome terrain that has become inaccessible due to derelict roads, natural disaster, or violent conflict. MAF aircraft fly into more than 1,000 destinations — transporting food and water, health professionals and medical supplies, and emergency workers and Christian missionaries where they are needed most. Each flight brings practical help, spiritual hope and physical healing to thousands of isolated people in remote communities for whom flying is a lifeline not a luxury. MAF is flying for life. www.mafsa.co.za
MAF respects the indigenous people of Arnhem Land. We have tried to ensure that names and photographs of deceased indigenous people do not appear in our publications.
MAF’S VERY FIRST FLIGHT 80 YEARS OF HELP, HOPE AND HEALING
MUM INSPIRES OTHERS AFTER BEATING FISTULA SOUTH SUDAN
A FINAL FLIGHT AND AN AVIATION LEGACY TANZANIA READ NOW READ NOW
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 YEARS!
2025 marks the 80th year of Mission Aviation Fellowship.
In 1945, Jim Truxton, Grady Parrott, Charlie Mellis and Betty Greene launched the Christian Airmen’s Missionary Fellowship (CAMF) in the US, aiming to use aviation for God’s Kingdom. Meanwhile, Murray Kendon in the UK shared the same vision, joined by Trevor Strong, Stuart King and Jack Hemmings. In 1946, Murray met with CAMF, and together they formed Missionary Aviation Fellowship.
At the same time, Australians Bruce Morton, Harry Hartwig and Ken Cooper, WWII pilots, dreamed of using aviation for mission work. By 1946, they were at Melbourne Bible Institute, joined by others in prayer and planning. In 1947, Harry felt called to start an Australian MAF. With MBI’s support, MAF Australia was formally established on 30 June 1947, joining the global mission to bring help, hope and healing through aviation.
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MAF is flying for life in Papua
Tristan Bagaskara
‘MAF’S VERY FIRST FLIGHT’
On February 23rd, 1946, Betty Greene made history as the pilot of the first ever MAF flight.
‘On the morning of our departure, a group of friends gathered for prayer and to wish us well.
After taxiing to the east end of the dirt strip, I swung the plane around for take-off.’
The very first MAF flight was underway!
MAF Pilot Betty Greene was a young woman of 25 when she took to the skies in February 1946.
‘As I pushed the throttle forwards, dust whipped up in a cloud behind us,’ she continued. ‘I climbed westward and circled back over the group of friends who waved to us as I dipped the wing in salute.’
‘It had been a year and three months since I opened the office,’ Betty wrote in her book Flying High, a fascinating account of the early
years of MAF and her own adventures as its very first pilot – not to mention the first ever female mission pilot. ‘What a thrill to actually be doing the work for which we had hoped, prayed and planned all those months.’
The excitement of the flight in the ‘beautiful red 1933 four-seater Waco Cabin Biplane with a 220 horsepower Continental engine’ was tangible. It had been purchased only weeks
before departure from the small city of La Habra in Orange County, California.
The plane was to be used initially to help SIL/ Wycliffe missionaries, who converged on ‘Jungle Camp’ for training, before spreading out across Asia, Africa and Latin America to translate the Bible into scores of indigenous languages. But it was only the first of many aircraft and pilots deployed across the world in the service of the Gospel in the years to come.
As the Waco Biplane wound its way in stages over Phoenix, Marfa, Brownsville, Tampico and Vera Cruz to Mexico City, Betty said, ‘We exclaimed “Ohs” and “Ahs” over the beauty of the shimmering Gulf Coast, the luxuriant green growth below and the towering Sierra Madre Oriental mountains to the west.’
The initial flight took more than three days as Betty proceeded cautiously, grounding the plane at one point to investigate a concern with the engine. These early flights were a steep learning curve for the young pilot – building on her experience as a WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) towing aerial targets for artillery practice and participating
A STEEP LEARNING CURVE
in early stratospheric flight testing that led to the development of technology for high altitude flying.
One lesson she learned early on was the need for wide safety margins when flying over mountainous areas. Betty ‘encountered an unusually severe downdraft’ crossing mountains near Arriaga on that first ferry flight.
‘A glance at the rate of climb indicator told me that we were descending at about 2,000 feet per minute,’ wrote Betty, ‘although I was in level flight and had level throttle. Fortunately I had several thousand feet to spare and was glad of it.’ Disaster was avoided and valuable knowledge gained.
On another occasion, Betty wrote, ‘I flew a family from Jungle Camp to Tuxtla. As I sped down the strip I noted the plane hesitated to take off. We had poor lift and the tail wheel hit the rise at the end of the strip. That experience taught me what
a difference high temperatures and high humidity can make for flying. After that I tried to get out of marginal strips in the cool of the day when the lift was good. ‘
An understanding of the challenges involved in flying in tropical climates and over remote and difficult terrain had to be learned on the job by Betty and the other early pioneers. This was later passed on to generations of MAF bush pilots through excellent training.
A SERIES OF FIRSTS
In her career, Betty made over 4,640 flights as she ferried aircraft and delivered missionaries, dignitaries and cargo to inaccessible corners of the country. She also carried out many life-saving medical flights for patients who would have died without them.
Betty went on to serve in 12 countries including Peru, Nigeria, Sudan and Papua (Indonesia) and touched down in some 20 more, before returning to serve MAF from its US base in 1962. Her impact as a woman and a pilot was clear. ‘I was frequently the first woman pilot to fly in an area,’ she explained.
‘It was said that I was the first to fly across the Peruvian Andes into the jungles of the upper reaches of the Amazon River. In Sudan, it took an act of parliament for me to fly there. In Papua, no woman had piloted a plane into the so-recently opened interior. Amelia Earhart had only touched down on the coast of Papua New Guinea on her round-the-world flight in 1937.’
‘These experiences were thrilling,’ Betty once remarked humbly, ‘but in all honestly I did not have any ambition to achieve ‘firsts’ in flying. My mind was set on doing productive work and any achievements in flying came about incidentally as I carried out my assignments.’
PASSION AND FAITH
Described as a woman with ‘poise, refinement, alert mind and ability to articulate’, what impressed people most was Betty’s strong faith, professionalism and passion for flying. Her resilience and grace when, time and time again, she faced resistance for being a woman pilot in what was seen as a man’s world, were remarkable.
Betty was decades ahead of her time and God’s chosen instrument to fulfil an important strategic role in MAF’s early development. As one commentator wrote concerning her lasting impact, ‘Through her writing, dreaming and service she offered new ideas and principles in the area of aviation to enable missionaries to do their work in remote areas.’
Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.
PROVERBS 16:3 | NIV
SOUTH SUDAN | STORY BY JENNY DAVIES CULTURAL SENSTIVITY: AS A CONDITION EFFECTING WOMEN, FISTULA IS A TABOO SUBJECT IN SOUTH SUDAN. SOME PHOTOS HAVE BEEN REMOVED FROM PATIENTS FROM OTHER LOCATIONS AT THEIR REQUEST.
MUM INSPIRES OTHERS AFTER BEATING FISTULA
In February and March, MAF partnered with the Reconciliation Hospital in Hai Referendum to fly fistula patients to Juba for surgery. 30-year-old Tensa, the mother of eight, with six living children, shares her story to encourage other women to seek out help.
In the pre-op ward, Tensa is waiting to receive expert care. Tensa’s story is tinged with sadness and hope. The thirty-year old mother developed a fistula birthing her eighth child, in her rural community in October last year. Too far from hospital she had no choice but to deliver at home.
‘I stayed for three days in labour. The baby wanted to come out, but it was too big. I sat down and when I tried to get up, I found that my legs were paralysed. I couldn’t stand by myself.
‘ We couldn’t get transport to the hospital. My legs were paralysed so I could not walk. I had to be carried. We finally got a car I was put in the car and taken to hospital
but when we got there the baby was already dead in my stomach.
Tensa was taken for surgery as soon as she arrived. The baby was delivered and taken away to be buried.
Her ordeal was far from over.
After three days in hospital the doctors began to notice a smell. Tensa was taken again for second surgery – at which time a catheter was fitted. She was then transferred to a different hospital where she could receive more advanced care and removed her catheter.
‘ That’s when I realised there is leakage. The urine started flowing uncontrollably.’
‘I had so many thoughts. “My legs are paralysed, and urine is leaking uncontrollably. What am I going to do? Whenever I ate anything I would vomit – I thought, “My by body is finished.”
‘My husband’s family supported me and people in my community raised money to get hibiscus flowers so they could bring me tea.’
‘I wondered, “What will happen to my children? Their father cannot take care of them by himself without me”.’
The missionary doctors at the second hospital realised that Tensa needed the care of specialist fistula surgeon Dr Andrew Browning who visits Juba three times a year. They referred Tensa to the ELCMSS’ Reconciliation Hospital in Juba and made arrangements for her to fly there with MAF.
It wasn’t easy for Tensa to travel so far and leave her children behind.
‘I left my children in the Nuba Mountains. I came to Juba with other women who were the ones I was staying with in the hospital in Nuba,’ she says.
Despite the challenges, Tensa has a smile on her face as she was helped to disembark by the MAF team at Juba International Airport as one of 43 patients to receive fistula repair surgery at the February outreach.
‘It was coming close to surgery day when I started feeling chills in the night. The ELCMSS medical staff tried to make me feel warm but to no avail. The day of her operation came.
‘ They took me to the operating table but when the doctor touched me, he found that my body was very hot. They postponed the operation and tested me Malaria and typhoid and found that I was suffering with typhoid.’
Onc e Tensa recovered from Typhoid, she was taken for surgery again. This time the operation was successful. Tensa was finally on the road to recovery after a traumatic ordeal.
‘ The doctor treated me, and I am very happy.’
‘One of my legs is better, but the other is still numb although it has improved from before when my foot would just drop, and I had to be carried like a small child. Now, I can move around with my walker.’
She is thankful f or the role played by ELCMSS staff, the doctors and medical staff, and also to MAF.
‘I give all the thanks to God. I thank God and I thank the doctors. I thank the people who brought me to the doctors.’
Her story doesn’t end there.
The pain ful experience became unexpectedly joyful for Tensa for another reason. When she left her home in Western Equatoria, eight years ago, to marry a man from the north, it was the last time she saw her family. They had completely lost touch. On hearing of the separation, ELCMSS staff member Benjamin embarked on a mission to reunite the family. He took a photo of Tensa and sent it to some people in her community. The photo was forwarded until it reached her siblings living in Juba.
A few days before her surgery, a joyful reunion took place with three sisters, a brother and a niece, crowding around Tensa’ bed. If she hadn’t flown on the MAF plane to Juba for surgery – the happy reconnection may never have taken place with family she last saw eight years ago.
Tensa is delighted to have the support of her family. ‘If not for Benjamin, I would not have met with my family. I thank God for this!’
At the other end of her ordeal, Tensa counsels’ other women living with a fistula to be brave and seek help.
‘ The people who are sick like me should not be afraid. Let them come. Don’t fear, saying “I don’t have food,” or “I don’t have money.” The hospital staff give us food, and we eat, and we drink. They should not fear because they will be treated, and they will go back home happy. The doctors are good. Nobody will die here. You will be fixed, then you can go back to your children. Do not be afraid at all. This is my advice to people who are sick and afraid. Let them not be afraid.’
‘I am inspired by Tensa’s resourcefulness. Tensa went to a distant land, another country, and the connection to her homeland was broken. When she came to Juba, she didn’t even have a smartphone, but she was bold to ask for help. The Lutheran Center staff were resourceful to use social media to find people online from her home area, and that resourcefulness made the reunion happen so quickly. God uses His people to make miracles happen in the lives of others. That’s what happened in the chain of events that reunited Tensa and her siblings.’
—
Daudi Msseemmaa, Regional Representative for East Africa
‘I didn’t understand the reality facing women living with fistula until I visited the ELCAMSS hospital and saw the work firsthand. In Sweden, no woman would have to live with this condition. In South Sudan, there could be as many as 60,000 women living with the stigma and heartbreak of this condition. The need is huge. Nevertheless, I am proud that MAF can play a small part - helping one woman at a time.’
— Josefin Brandstrom, MAF Country Director, South Sudan
‘Fistula repair surgeries are a way to serve women from rural communities who live with physical and psychological side effects of fistulasometimes for years. MAF brings them to Juba to receive surgery and nursing care at the ELCAMSS Reconciliation hospital. It is a privilege to support such lifechanging work with our flights.’
— Gerbrand Reijnoudt, MAF Pilot
‘It is our privilege to partner with ELCAMSS Reconciliation hospital in bringing hope to women living with childbirth injuries in South Sudan. As missions, we are aligning our Christian visions to transform the lives of some of the most vulnerable people in South Sudan. Our generous MAF supporters allow us to continue to support this life changing work.
— Jaap de With, MAF Partnership Development Manager
PRAYER DIARY PRAY FOR OUR PROGRAMMES
MAF SERVES IN MULTIPLE COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE VISION OF TAKING CHRIST’S LOVE INTO THE MOST REMOTE PLACES ON EARTH.
MOZAMBIQUEPAPUA NEW GUINEA
Pray for the MozMed flights in Mozambique that had to be cancelled. Because of this, many isolated villages cannot get seen by the doctors. Pray for breakthrough for this flying. Mozambique is experiencing unrest in the north, please pray for protection over communities and targeted Christians.
Praise God for a new airstrip that has been built in Moka, in the Gulf Province of Papua New Guinea. This airstrip was built by the villagers by hand, and after six years of labour, MAF can now bring help, hope and healing to the community.
ARNHEM LANDTIMORE-LESTE
Please pray for the communities in Arnhem Land that have been affected by the recent flooding.
Pray for members of the team who lost family members this year.
Pray for the chaplaincy hospital team who visit medevac patients every Tuesday at hospital.
PAPUASOUTH SUDANMALAYSIA
Pray for the community in Danawage, in Papua, Indonesia, where schoolteachers recently had to be evacuated due to unrest.
Praise God that during a Peace and Reconciliation outreach in South Sudan, 63 participants were able to receive healing.
Pray for the partnership with Medecins Sans Frontieres in South Sudan to treat cholera patients.
The churches in Malaysia have seen a decline in mission engagement. Please pray that the heart for mission will be reignited.
BRAZIL
The team currently consists of 72 members: nine staff members, 52 missionaries, and 11 volunteers. Please pray Pray for continued provision and for God’s protection over the isolated communities they serve. May the programs they offer in healthcare, education, environmental support, and evangelism continue to be powerful instruments of transformation in these regions.
Pray for ongoing documents that are being sent in Suriname for a new runway in their rural outpost.
Pray for Maboholokoa, a teacher serving in Kuebunyane, Lesotho. She is the teacher at a school that is the only school for children within a two-hour walk.
Praise God that MAF flights in Guinea have been able to support Pioneer Bible Translators with their work. It can often take many years to translate one book of the Bible, so let’s give thanks that our flights mean they can spend more of their precious time on this vital work. May many more people read God’s Word in their mother tongue.
HAITI
Pray for the security issues happening in Haiti. Pray for the safety of the MAF team there and for wisdom in how to handle dangerous situations.
SOUTH AFRICA
Pray for incoming field staff that they would receive strong support and encouragement from their sending churches and communities.
Pray for the new families arriving in East Democratic Republic of Congo, that they will settle well amidst the security challenges there.
CHAD
Pray for favour with the authorities in Chad as both the Air Operator Certificate (AOC) and Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) status need to be renewed.
MADAGASCAR MAF STAFF
Praise God for the successful arrival of the new Caravan EX in Madagascar. Continue to pray for the next steps as this aircraft is prepared to be operational.
Pray for the MAF staff who are awaiting various licences and results before they begin serving in the programmes. Pray for smooth transitions.
TANZANIA KENYA LIBERIA
Praise God that the Haydom Lutheran Hospital celebrated 70 years of service in Tanzania. This partnership with MAF has brought increased healthcare to many people.
Pray for the flights planned for the summer in Kenya. Pray that the flight demands will be met with only one pilot in programme.
Continue to pray for God to call more qualified and mission-focused pilots to join the Liberia programme to strengthen the capacity to serve more isolated communities.
STICKS, SHOVELS & AXES: A NEW RUNWAY TO SHARE THE GOSPEL
In Papua New Guinea’s Gulf Province, a small community has carved a 516-metre airstrip from the jungle – a new route from the sky for the Gibello family and MAF to bring help, hope and healing.
After years of hard labour with nothing but hand tools and prayer, the remote village of Moka now has a viable link to the outside world.
“ This airstrip was built with determination and hard work,” said pilot Brandon van Saane after completing the first landing of an MAF aircraft on the grass airstrip.
“With sticks and shovels, the village began with a small clearing that looked like good, flat land, and worked from there.
“And here we are, about 6 years of hard work later — jungle transformed into an airstrip!”
“We had no machines,” said missionary Caleb Gibello, “so we did everything by hand… cut probably two or three hundred trees with axes. By God’s goodness, not one person got injured.”
Caleb’s wife, Melissa, added, “I was worried about poisonous snakes biting them, or trees falling on a kid… but we didn’t lose one person.
That was an answer to prayer.”
This extraordinary achievement marks a turning point for Moka—a village of only three hundred people on the banks of the Turama River, previously accessible only via days-long journeys on rivers and through the jungle.
The Gibellos, fr om the United States,
“Without this airstrip, a health emergency meant a 5–7-day trip by boat to the nearest hospital in Kikori,” said Brandon. “By plane, Kikori is a 25-minute flight from Moka.”
— Brandon van Saane, Pilot with MAF in Papua new Guinea
settled at Moka in early 2018 to preach the Gospel to people who had never yet heard the message of Christ before, a mission that Caleb’s grandfather and father already had on their hearts building churches in other remote parts of Papua New Guinea.
Bism arck Sea
USTRALIA Coral Sea
Indian Oce an
Port Mor esby
Mount Hagen Oksapmin
Th e new airstrip makes their mission sustainable.
“ Landing directly in Moka with all our cargo, the most difficult part now is just walking it up a little hill to our house,” Caleb said with a smile.
Before, they had to land in Faia, a nowabandoned logging camp airstrip north of Moka.
“When we flew to the other airstrip, we’d have to carry hundreds of kilos of cargo down to the river on foot, and then put all the cargo in the boat, and then go about two hours or so down the river to our village, hoping that somebody was there with a motor and a boat,” said Caleb.
Caleb and Melissa are raising their two children in Moka, committed to the Gospel and the people.
“Our main goal is to preach God’s word, to make disciples... not just in the village of Moka, but hopefully in other villages as well,” Caleb said.
They’ve learned the local language, developed a written form of it, and translated several short books of the Bible – with more to follow.
Living in Moka isn’t easy.
“ The dangers would be cassowaries, wild pigs and saltwater crocodiles… we’ve lost two people this year to the crocs,” said Melissa. “And there’s the death adder snake that kills many.”
Melissa did a special bush medicine nursing course before coming to live out in the jungle, knowing her skills will benefit the community. Hence, medical supplies are always part of their airfreight.
Still, they stay. “To live for the Lord and to live for His Word and His Gospel is a life that is not going to be wasted,” said Caleb.
MAF is a vital link in their ministry now. “We can’t do our ministry without something like MAF. There are no roads into this area—it’s very remote. Without a plane, it couldn’t happen,” Caleb said.
Reflecting on his flight out of Moka, Brandon concluded: “I left Moka feeling very encouraged. It is a privilege to be able to support the work of missionaries like these.”
BECOME A REGULAR GIVER.
Keep planes flying and isolated people helped by giving a regular gift to Mission Aviation Fellowship.
Regular gifts allow us to plan for the future and focus on bringing help, hope and healing to isolated people worldwide.
Fuel the mission and fly hope further by giving a monthly gift: Visit mafsa.co.za/donate or email maf@mafsa.co.za to find out more and become a regular giver today.
impact report
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP
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BISHOP MISANGO FRED
Worth a thousand words
Lake Victoria is home to more than 3,000 islands — 84 of which form the Ssese group, where healthcare, education and spiritual support are in short supply. Furthermore, to visit their neighbours, Ssese islanders must first return to the mainland by boat — a journey of many hours — before a long wait for the next available boat to carry on to their destination.
MAF's East Africa Regional Finance Manager Sam Baguma visited Lingira Island, along with Africa Region Content Producer Paula Alderblad who took these fantastic photos. There he spoke with Bishop Misango Fred, who gave examples of the daily obstacles faced by the islanders. ‘To get teachers to move here is a real problem,’ says Bishop Misango.
Everyone agrees that an MAF floatplane would make these journeys much safer and quicker, encouraging stronger communities and successful development for thousands of islanders.
The MAF Uganda team is determined to bring help, hope and healing to the islands by floatplane, and fundraising plans are underway. ‘Thank you for thinking about us,’ says Bishop Misango. ’Your support means so much to us — may God bless you abundantly!’
A FINAL FLIGHT AND AN AVIATION LEGACY
Longserving MAF Pilot, Mark Liprini, was saluted by the Tanzania programme team recently, for his significant contribution of service spanning over 25 years. Mark has served in 10 different countries in Africa. The Tanzania team saluted him with a water salute upon taxiing to the far apron in the airstrip, having completed his final operational flight in the programme and within East Africa. Mark now heads for retirement. We wish him God’s speed in all his endeavours.
MAF TANZANIA BIDS A FOND FAREWELL TO THEIR CHIEF PILOT, SENDING
HE AND LORRAINE EMBARK ON A NEW SEASON OF LIFE.
With bittersweet spirits, we announce that our beloved Chief Pilot Mark Liprini has reached the end of his operational flights journey here in East Africa.
Over 25 years, Mark’s faithful service throughout the 10 African countries he has flown in service of MAF has left some big boots to fill. His journey has inspired many young pilot hearts to aspire to a lifetime of service to the Lord. In the recent years, Mark has fittingly served in our Tanzania program to train our new pilots to carry on
the work of this program and accommodate transition of fleet. He has done this with all of his heart and we, as well as many others that have crossed paths with him, are so grateful to have a small chapter in his life.
As we wished him well on and sent him onwards on the journey with God, there was much laughter, songs, cake, good food and even better company - and of course the the airport fire truck engaged their water canon to salute the end of and era.
MAF HELPS BRING ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST TRAFFICKED MAMMALS BACK TO SAFETY
When the Forestry Development Authority confiscated a baby pangolin from a market in Maryland, MAF was called to deliver the endangered creature into the protective hands of the Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary team.
“One of MAF’s mission mandates is caring for creation,” said Amos Simiyu, the pilot responsible for transporting the ‘VIP’ passenger: a small white-bellied pangolin.
“As an aviator, what normally comes to mind is the reduction of carbon emissions –but this time it was a rare occasion to save an endangered animal in Liberia.”
Pangolins are shy, gentle creatures which feast on insects such as ants and termites. Unfortunately, continued exploitation of their scales (believed to have medicinal value) and illegal consumption of their meat is pushing them closer to extinction. Weighing in at a tiny 349 grams and with some damage to his scales, the baby pangolin from Maryland needed to be
moved quickly to the capital city of Monrovia for medical treatment.
However, since pangolins are naturally anxious, experts were concerned the young male animal might not survive the two-day arduous journey by dirt road, so help was sought from MAF.
“Pangolins are really stressed animals,” said Dr Manon Dorny, veterinarian at Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary. “They can even die of stress, which is why we have to be very careful… especially here, as the roads are often not in the best shape.”
Fortunately, the MAF flight meant he was able to arrive at the sanctuary in a matter of hours avoiding any further distress.
“It meant a lot to the department of wildlife in Liberia and has given us another platform to share God’s love,” added Amos. “It’s the little things we do that make a difference.”
Director of the sanctuary Valère Verbeat said, “Thanks to the amazing support of MAF in Liberia, this little one was able to travel quickly
and safely from Harper to Monrovia by plane. Our team was waiting at the airport to bring him straight to the sanctuary.”
Dr Dorny told MAF that the white-bellied pangolin, which they have affectionately named ‘MAF’, is doing well eating and gaining weight. “Once he has reached around 1kg in weight and is strong enough to find termites for himself, we will release him back into the wild,” she said.
Wherever you see this symbol, it indicates a flight where MAF responded to a problem caused by the climate crisis, or transported a partner who supports creation care, flights in response to creation care.
