MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP VOLUME 2 ISSUE 1 2019
NEWSPAPER OF MAF SOUTH AFRICA
REACHING THE ISOLATED
WHAT’S IT LIKE FLYING IN PNG? Dave Rogers, an MAF pilot based in Papua New Guinea, answers the question, from his perspective, flying an Airvan GA8 out of Goroka. Page | 04 WE NEVER TRAVEL ALONE Flying for Life, MAF South Africa’s local initiative is reaching the isolated in Limpopo. Working in unity with each partner is key to seeing our vision of help, hope and healing materialise. Page | 09 ADVENTURE ON PURPOSE Maxine Holman, MAF SA’s CEO, begins an adventure in Tanzania that will see many lives changed across the world. Page | 10
“Hiking the volcano was tough but so worth the climb; the descent tested me on every level.“ Jenni Harvey Architect & participant of Adventure on Purpose
CURRENT VACANCIES COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER SOUTH SUDAN Do you love researching and reporting on real life stories? Do you have a calling to be a missionary? Don’t miss out this opportunity, contact us now. Visit www.mafsa.co.za Current Vacancies C O M PA S S C R E AT I V E S T U D I O I N C 2 0 1 - 3 2 2 8 s out h s ervic e rd
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MAF is an international Christian organisation whose mission is to fly light aircraft, and to use other technologies to bring help, hope and healing to people in some of the world’s poorest communities. Every four minutes an MAF plane is taking off or landing somewhere in the world to assist missions, churches, aid and development agencies, and other local groups to transform lives and share the love of God.
FROM THE CEO
You might have read that while visiting our missionaries, the Combrinks, based in Tanzania, I climbed the active volcano, Ol Doinyo Lengai, known by the Tanzanian Maasai as the Mountain of God.
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Adventure on Purpose provides unique and life-changing adventures that make a difference. Adventurers will fly with MAF, experiencing firsthand what it is we do. Proceeds from each excursion will feed into the work of MAF. You can read about the “Pilot Adventure” on page 10, and join in our next adventure in Drakensberg, June 13 - 17 this year (page 2).
but we also value the people who have gone before us and accomplished much. In 2020 we will be celebrating 75 years of reaching the isolated. This year we would like to begin the celebrations, by remembering the people who forged the way and helped to make the adventure of MAF possible.
Mi Av Fe MAF Blend Blueberry Dark chocolate Earthy
Throughout the newspaper, look out for the new and the old, our Being a part of the mission of MAF current stories, and our historical has always been an adventure. records. Sharing the love of God with the isolated involves bravery and risk. Thank you for all your support Flying in countries experiencing and prayers in 2018. We’re disease, war and isolation is an excited to go adventuring with adventure of faith. Adventure on you in 2019. Purpose opens the opportunity, for those who are interested Maxine Holman in the ministry of MAF, to raise CEO of MAF SA funds and awareness through an exciting and unusual experience.
Science of Coffee in partnership with MAF SA
We have partnered with Science of Coffee, which works with farmers from niche areas within the tropics that cultivate exquisite coffees.
This was not only an adventure I wanted to embark on, this was the beginning of an additional method of raising funds for MAF in a different and, quite literally, adventurous way. In order for MAF to sustain itself, the MAF SA team needed to look at new We value new beginnings ways of generating income. and the potential they have,
In the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, coffee is one of the main sources of income for remote communities, but only if they have access to buyers. Tropical and mountainous terrain covers most of PNG. Over 80% of the population lives in rural isolation. MAF’s aircraft fly tonnes of coffee beans from the farmers in dense jungles to the market in the city where it can be sold. Without MAF, these farmers would suffer and their business would be virtually impossible.
“The best word I can use to describe this adventure is remarkable. We hopped on and off this little, and I mean little, aircraft like it was a bus. I met people from a totally different culture, living such a different life in an isolated community. What a privilege, being able to experience a world so far removed from my own, and to observe a small piece of what MAF is achieving daily. Hiking the volcano was tough, but so worth the climb; the descent tested me on every level. This trip was nothing like I have previously experienced – the terrain, the culture, the work of MAF. It was a journey for my body, spirit, mind and emotions and one that I’ll always talk about with delight.” Jenni Harvey, Architect and Participant of Adventure on Purpose, page 10.
TRANSFORM LIVES WITH A GIFT IN YOUR WILL | YOUR GIFT CAN HELP MANY | Large or small, a gift to MAF in your will can save many lives. A single legacy can cover fuel for an emergency flight, provide life-saving medical equipment, or even help educate a child. Whatever the amount, your legacy will make a lasting difference. For further information or resources please contact our Relationship Manager, Precia Ngoepe at 011 659 2880 or email precia@mafsa.co.za. MAF SOUTH AFRICA Block 816/3 Hammets Crossing Office Park, 2 Selbourne Road, Fourways PO Box 1288, Lanseria, 1748 T 011 659 2880 | E maf@mafsa.co.za NPO 006-942
BANKING DETAILS Mission Aviation Fellowship Standard Bank Greenstone Branch code: 016342 Account No: 020044615
VOL. 2, NO. 1 , AUTUMN 2019. MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP Design/Editor: Gabriella Szabo Printer: Insights Publishing Mission Aviation Fellowship is the official newspaper of MAF South Africa. Articles may be printed with acknowledgment. If you no longer wish to receive MAF news, please advise us at maf@mafsa.co.za Front cover: Courtesy Mark and Kelly Hewes.
PLEASE NOTE When donating to a missionary family, reference the missionary families’ surname as well as your name and surname. Please don’t post cash, the envelopes are often tampered with.
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MAF LOGO LIVERY 2012 - CMYK Mission Aviat ion Fellowship June 2012 Jason Bouwman
SERVE WITH US AND LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN
CRITICAL POSITIONS Communications Officer South Sudan Do you love researching and reporting on real life stories? You will provide a frequent and detailed flow of information from the programme to the wider MAF community in order to ensure that our Resourcing Groups receive accurate, detailed and timely information.
CRITICAL POSITIONS
CRITICAL POSITIONS
If you are interested in combining your engineering skills with the opportunity for mission this could be the job for you.
Being an MAF Pilot is one of the most demanding and we believe satisfying roles there is. You are at the sharp end of transformation as you work with our partners to reach isolated communities.
Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Uganda
Chief Pilot South Sudan
VISIT WWW.MAFSA.CO.ZA OR CONTACT NATALIE AT RECRUITMENT@MAFSA.CO.ZA TO ENQUIRE
FAMILY FUNDRAISING HIKE
HIKE FOR FLIGHT 2019
FUNDRAISING DINNER
Suikerbos Nature Reserve Date | 9 March 2019 Time | 10 am - 12 pm Distance | 5 km Donation | R100/family Register online now
Drakensberg Date | 13 - 17 June 2019 Distance | 40 km Registration | R2000 Fundraising target | R1500 Register online now
Johannesburg Date | 25 May 2019 Time | 6 pm Cost | R200/person Theme | Adventure Register online now
QUESTION & ANSWER BOX We would like to invite you to ask the questions you may have about MAF and we will anonymously post the answer in the next edition. Email maf@mafsa.co.za subject line: MAF Question QUESTION: How many hours does a pilot need to apply to MAF? We are currently only accepting pilots with approximately 500 - 1000 flight hours experience in airplanes.
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Flying for MAF is nothing like flying for a commercial airline. Dave Rogers, an MAF pilot based in Papua New Guinea, answers the question, “What’s it like flying in PNG?” from his perspective, flying an Airvan GA8 out of Goroka.
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WHAT’S IT LIKE FLYING IN PNG? STORY AND PHOTOS BY DAVE ROGERS
Pilots are often asked what it’s like being a mission pilot. It’s so different to flying for a commercial airline. Dave helps to answer the question.
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From the Top: Dave Rogers at Dinangat - home to three Bible Translator families A typical approach landing in Wonenara The community at Haia Getting above the weather over Goroka Right: Bibles sold by Stephen Eatwell at Hewa
conduct the missed approach. If we continue past that point, we must land, there is no option to abort! In the rest of the aviation world, a missed approach is typically possible right up to the “The risks of operating light aircraft point of touchdown, and often in general, but particularly in PNG, after. In the above example the necessitates strict adherence committal point is just a little to procedures and extensive bit before touchdown, but at training. For each airstrip we go other airstrips it can be as far as to, we have published parameters a minute out from landing. A lot for things like wind, temperature, can happen in a minute. and surface condition that vary how much load we can take “So, before we continue past in or out, or may prohibit us the committal point, we need from landing completely. The to be confident the winds are parameters themselves vary suitable, the runway will remain for each airstrip depending on clear, and that turbulence will the elevation, length, slope and not destabilise our approach. surrounding terrain. There are rare occasions where unforeseen changes to the wind “There is a fair bit of margin built or turbulence occur past the into these parameters to allow for committal point and, in those unexpected fluctuations beyond situations, we are glad for the what we’ve planned for. Aside safety margins built into those from the safety achieved by only operating parameters.” operating within these proven parameters, there is a stringent These safety measures are there training and checking process to to make the mission of seeing ensure pilots are competent to fly lives physically and spiritually into each place. This covers not transformed, possible. Brad only landing and taking off at the Venter, who flies the Twin Otter airstrip, but also flying the route to out of Telefomin explains that, get there as well as any alternate “A pretty average, normal day” routes. has many different flight legs, carrying many people, for many “So, what does a typical approach different reasons. For Brad, on to landing look like? Well I thought one day, it is normal to land I’d show you one of my favourite around eight times, carry around examples. The red line shows a hundred passengers, and many the approximate flight path of thousands of kilograms of cargo. the aircraft on approach to land. MAF pilots conduct medevacs, The blue line shows the missed carry pastors, bibles and other approach path in the event we NGOs, building materials, and need to abort the approach. The passengers running normal dotted line indicates times where errands. And these are just some the aircraft is flying behind the to name a few. terrain pictured. You can see in this example that for a portion of Dave concludes, “All of that might the approach we actually cannot make you a little bit nervous! But see the runway! rest assured, it actually makes us really safe pilots...every decision “One thing unique about flying in we make is well thought out and PNG is what we in MAF call the considered - there is no room “committal point”. This is a point for a she’ll-be-right mentality. We along the approach path that are very actively engaged in each is our last opportunity to safely flight.”
HISTORICAL RECORDS
Harry Hartwig was one of the visionaries who brought MAF in Australia into existence. Harry surveyed much of northern Australia and Papua New Guinea in 1951 to find the most suitable site for the commencement of flying operations. After an exhaustive search, he finally chose Madang on the north coast of PNG. Tragically, only four months later, due to a deadly mix of low cloud, rugged terrain and unsuitable aircraft, Harry fatally crashed on a hillside during a routine flight in the Goroka Valley. By God’s grace, others have continued the work that remains true to Harry’s original vision. Praise God for the people who have said yes to His call for over 70 years.
You may be interested in joining MAF as a pilot. Contact the office on 011 659 2880 or email recruitment@mafsa.co.za
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PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONARIES Families from South Africa are working in third-world countries across the globe, to bring the love of Christ to the isolated.
BRAD & MICHELLE VENTER | PNG | Thank God for a very successful furlough. The Venters have committed themselves for another four years and this will take them to serving with MAF for twelve years. Praise the Lord for their love for the people of PNG and the work of MAF.
TOBIAS MEYER | SOUTH SUDAN Tobias has settled in well with life and work in South Sudan. Continue to pray for all our missionaries and assets in South Sudan as this country is continually ravaged by violence. The peace negotiations are fragile and the church in Sudan continues to suffer.
GRANT & EMILY STRUGNELL | LESOTHO Grant is flying without an instructor and fulfilling his dream to fly for MAF in Lesotho. Continue to pray for safety when flying in high winds and in mountainous terrain. Emily continues to be the love of Christ to the orphans at Pulane.
MARK & LORRAINE LIPRINI | DISASTER RESPONSE Mark shows no signs of slowing down although he is reaching retirement soon. Lorraine continues to hold the fort while Mark flies in Chad, Sudan and Liberia. Pray for guidance, wisdom and financial stability as they plan for the years ahead.
KIRSTEIN & AMELIA COMBRINK | TANZANIA Kirstein attended a bible school graduation for the Maasai, who were once an unreached peoples group. Although there is much darkness in Tanzania, the light of the gospel still reaches the isolated and unreached. Pray the powers of darkness will continue to be broken.
STEVE & CAMILLA EATWELL | PNG A new season starts for the Eatwell’s as they return to RSA. May the flame for the lost and isolated continue to burn in their hearts as they settle back into life in RSA. May God lead their paths for His glory.
“After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Rev 7:9-10 NASB “God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.” Psalms 67:1-2 KJV “For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Psalm 33:4-5 KJV “The Son shines with the shininggreatness of the Father. The Son is as God is in every way. It is the Son Who holds up the whole world by the power of His Word.” Hebrews 1:3 NLV
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HOW DO YOU RESPOND? ‘“When Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, he became angry and was greatly incensed. He ridiculed the Jews, and in the presence of his associates and the army of Samaria, he said, “What are those feeble Jews doing? Will they restore their wall? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they finish in a day? Can they bring the stones back to life from those heaps of rubble—burned as they are?”’ (Nehemiah 4:1-2) Nehemiah’s response to the opposition is something to remember. He doesn’t react by fighting with the enemy, nor does he accept their discouragement and fall into self-pity or a failure mentality. The task at hand was larger than himself and his builders. They had turned to the Lord in great faith for something that in the physical looked impossible. The enemy had room enough to ridicule - grand moves of faith give that opportunity, safe moves that make sense, don’t. This tactic - to steal people’s hope, kill their dream, and destroy their faith is as old as Adam. How does Nehemiah respond? He cries out to the Lord in prayer and continues to work. And so, despite the enemy’s discouragement, soon they built the wall to half its height. Their progression prompts the enemy with another typical tactic - fear. This time around the Jews were tired from the work and began to be afraid of the threats. Nehemiah prays, stations people to stand guard in the exposed areas, told the people to remember God, not be afraid of the enemy, fight for their friends, families and homes and continue building. When opposition comes - pray, set your face like flint, practise self-control and continue the good work. In due time you will reap the reward. In Nehemiah’s time, he saw the completion of the wall fifty-two days after he had begun. We serve a God of miracles; do you respond as though you believe Him?
MAF LOGO LIVERY 2012 - CMYK Mi ssi o n Avi at i o n Fello w sh i p Ju n e 2012 Jaso n Bo u w man
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PRAY FOR OUR PROGRAMMES MAF serves in several countries around the world with the vision of taking Christ’s love into the most remote places on earth.
LIBERIA
CHAD
SOUTH SUDAN
UGANDA
Pray for the missionaries we fly to feel strengthened to continue the good work and to be encouraged.
Pray for paitents receiving healthcare through our flights to recognise the love of Jesus and give their lives to Christ.
There is a large number of street children suffering in Juba. MAF has reached out to them. Pray for healing and restoration.
Pray for unity within the many refugee camps. Pray for stability and pray for an increase in salvations.
TANZANIA
KENYA
ANGOLA
MADAGASCAR
Pray against wildlife attacking the planes during the night. Pray for a fiery hedge of protection around the plane.
Pray for reconciliation and peace for the people. Pray that terrorism ceases and that the gospel is preached.
Pray for protection over staff and the local people from the landmines. Pray for healing from the war.
Pray for wisdom for the doctors we fly, and for hope to abound in the patients they operate on.
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
DRC
MONGOLIA
TIMOR LESTE
Pray for people’s eyes and ears to open. Pray that MAF staff are a light that Mongolian people recognise. Pray for freedom from tradition.
Pray for translators so that people will receive the Word and other Christian material in their language.
Bind deception and loose Truth. Pray that people will see Christ and understand the love that He has for everyone.
Continue to pray for healing for those suffering from the recent Ebola outbreak. Pray against fear and for strength for doctors
BANGLADESH
ARNHEM LAND
MYANMAR
SOUTH AFRICA
Bangladesh is one of the world’s poorest and most densely populated nations. Pray for transformation
Pray for good health over the Yongu people. Pray that our pilots will be contacted in time for each medevac.
Pray for open doors to build an airstrip. Pray for good relationships to be developed between all parties.
Pray for people with disabilities in the “disability centre”. Pray for strength and hope for the carers.
PRAYER NOTES
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“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere.” 2 Corinthians 2:14 NIV C O M PA S S C R E AT I V E S T U D I O I N C 201- 3228 so u th servi c e rd
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One of MAF South Africa’s pilot families will be finishing their journey in Papua New Guinea.
FAREWELL FROM THE EATWELLS STORY BY STEVEN AND CAMILLA EATWELL PHOTOS BY LUANNE CADD
Over the past four years I have flown many, many medevacs and so many more pastors, bible students, hospital staff, food supplies, relief and building supplies for schools, churches and other structures. Flying pastors means that we can significantly increase the time they spend in remote places, as they could walk for a week to get anywhere. The flying itself has been amazing. It is probably the best bush flying one can do with short, steep airstrips in mountainous terrain where one often needs to commit early. It is also very rewarding as the plane is a lifeline to so many people who have no other option but to walk. The closest bush strip to us is a three-day-walk and an eighteen-minute flight. This makes all the difference when one has been bitten by a death adder, or has pregnancy complications, or one of the many other life-threatening illnesses.
for the plane and what it means to the or beetle nut, Pronutro, yoghurt and Spur. Thank-you to everyone who helped make people as I offloaded food supplies. these four years of service possible. We I have sadly seen three deaths of are truly grateful to all the supporters who medevacked patients and flown many donated financially, the prayer warriors who bodies back to their villages, but I’ve also prayed for us and those we served, and for taken healed, healthy people and babies the family and friends that encouraged us home too. I flew approximately 600-700 throughout our time. You have all left a hours each year and completed 1 500 legacy of love for the people of Papua New landings each year. Guinea.
We have so many stories to share about Steve and Camilla Eatwell how God has just used us and the plane to Pilot Family, MAF Papua New Guinea extend His kingdom. All we needed to do was be here and God arranged the rest. It is so hard to try and explain to people in South • Africa how isolated and remote it is here. Top: Camilla Eatwell visits a medevacked family, Erik, Loretta and We, as a family, have invested so much Steven (named after Steve Eatwell) in physical and emotional energy into PNG Rumginae Hospital and especially Rumginae, our jungle village home. We really do feel that we are wantoks • From the left: Pilots Steven Eatwell and Markus Bischoff arrive at (family) in Rumginae. It is going to be sad to Rumginae outstation say goodbye to this special place. Our kids • Flying to save lives also means one faces have grown up here. The Eatwell family, Steven, Camilla, extreme situations. We experienced a 7.6 Nate and Cade magnitude earthquake in 2018 and I was the We do look forward to getting back to South • Bibles sold by Stephen Eatwell at first plane in to the most affected village to Africa, the land of real milk, takeaways, Hewa and Wanakipa medevac the survivor of a walking party of shops with food within sell-by date, tender twelve. On that day I saw the appreciation meat, babysitters, date nights, no malaria
PRAISE REPORT We praise you God that the Eatwells were able to serve in Papua New Guinea! It takes faith, courage and resources of many kinds to serve on the field, thank you Father for Your provision. We praise You for Your faithfulness in keeping the Eatwells healthy and for Your protection over them. Thank you for enabling each flight to take off and land at the right time for your people. We praise you Father for your endless love that you have shown them and the people they served.
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FLYING FOR LIFE
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“Here is what I am commanding you to do. Be strong and brave. Do not be terrified. Do not lose hope. I am the Lord your God. I will be with you everywhere you go.“ Joshua 1:9 NIRV
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MAF LOGO LIVERY 2012 - CMYK Mission Aviat ion Fellowship June 2012
Jason Bouwman
Flying for Life, MAF South Africa’s local initiative is reaching the isolated in Limpopo. Working in unity with each partner is key to seeing our vision of help, hope and healing materialise.
WE NEVER TRAVEL ALONE STORY BY GABRIELLA SZABO PHOTO BY JONO WOOD
LIMPOPO
direction – a great reminder of our Christian mission. In 2019 we look forward to working in unity with many different partners, seeing Travelling with others essentially means that the success more lives transformed, not just for of each project is not only dependent on Flying for Life, the moment, but for years to come. but also on many different partners, involved in seeing isolated communities In 2018, Flying for Life partnered change. HISTORICAL RECORD with Mercy Air, a likeminded Christian Aviation organisation In 2018 we received the In July 2013 we visited the that has the same vision – to see happy news that a partner Manenzhe Clinic, in the Mutale isolated people spiritually and pledged to help District where we had last physically transformed. Their staff rebuild the “disability flown our CHOC partners to are missionaries with a heart for God and for people. do a CHOC Awareness Training centre”, a dilapidated building, housing session. These sessions train over twenty On one of our flights there could and educate healthcare be nurses, doctors, photographers, people with professionals, healthcare logistics staff, evangelists and, differing workers and traditional of course, pilots. As a team of disabilities. practitioners on the early many different people from warning signs of childhood many different backgrounds and Sadly, the cancer. Sister Nekhubvi, a local organisations, we collectively financial backer of nurse had been to this training bring a unique set of skills and the rebuild became and on our visit, told us about personalities. Every individual is ill with a chronic an 11-year-old girl with a paramount to the journey. disease and could growth on her eye. no longer support the When we land, the collective initiative. journeying continues as we We were able to meet with the work with and coordinate many young girl and her mother to This year the number of people with disabilities at the different partners on the ground. take a photo for our team of On a recent flight to the Vhembe centre has grown to forty. There are eight carers – willing ophthalmologists and cancer District, we partnered with the women from their village. Recently a storm damaged their awareness trainers to assess. local government to reach rural tin roof. They are in desperate need of a new, safe and areas that do not have easy access hygienic home that will foster development and a pleasant If necessary, a CHOC home in to dental care. The government environment. We appeal to those who would like to get Johannesburg was prepared to brought their dental truck, and involved in rebuilding the disability centre. If you would like receive her if cancer treatment our volunteer dentists from to get involved in the process, please contact the office was necessary. We waited to Johannesburg worked together at projects@flyingforlife.co.za. If you would like to donate hear the news. with government dentists. toward the rebuilding of the centre please donate into the Flying for Life Bank Account: With great joy we were told Mashula, a thirty-nine-year-old woman who received treatment, that the girl did not have had experienced a year of dental cancer. After being checked, a pain and travelled over an hour diagnosis was made that it was to reach the dental truck. If citya granuloma. We were able to dwellers go a month with dental fly Professor Polla Roux, our pain, many would say they have left volunteer ophthalmologist, to it too long. Each of the twenty-one the remote village and he was patients that were treated have a able to operate and remove the long story of pain, but now they granuloma. This was to be the each carry a testimony of relief. very first operation for the Eye Without collaboration, Mashula, or Doctor Clinic flights that still anyone of the twenty-one patients take place today. would have never been helped. Standard Bank Fourways Crossing Journeying together is a result of Many different partners were Branch Code: 009 953 and a necessity for our vision of needed for this young girl to Account number: 0233 81922 help, hope and healing in rural receive healing. It is always a Swift Code: SBZAZAJJ isolated communities of South Reference: Your Name_Disability privilege for Flying for Life to Africa. be a part in helping to see lives changed. We love the fact that in an aircraft there are many different travellers in one vehicle, all going in one Flying for Life journeys with many different people. We never travel alone. There is an African proverb that says: “If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
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LIFE IN A PROGRAMME
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP
VOL.2 NO.1 2019
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.” Psalm 84:5-6 NIV C O M PA S S C R E AT I V E S T U D I O I N C 201- 3228 so u th servi c e rd
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Maxine Holman, MAF SA’s CEO, begins an adventure in Tanzania that will see many lives changed across the world.
ADVENTURE ON PURPOSE STORY AND PHOTOS BY MAXINE HOLMAN
Around 1985 an MAF pilot was flying evangelical safaris to Maasai villages in Tanzania. On one such visit, while talking to a local Maasai, the pilot learnt that they had been worshiping Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano, known by the Tanzanian Maasai as The Mountain of God. The Maasai said that they, “hear the rumbles and see the smoke and know that god lives there”. Upon hearing this the pilot invited the local Maasai man to fly in his aircraft to show him that no god lives on the mountain. After the flight the Maasai man committed his life to the Lord, the one and only true God. MAF has been flying in Tanzania for about sixty years. At the end of last year, Maxine Holman, MAF SA’s CEO visited the programme and Tanzanian based missionaries, the Combrinks. She also visited and then climbed Ol Doinyo Lengai. The climb wasn’t only an adventure she wished to embark on, it was the start of an additional method of raising funds for MAF in a different and, quite literally, adventurous way.
“In Malambo we had been invited to attend the Maasai bible college graduation. It was a privilege to meet Christian brothers and sisters in such a different and difficult environment. We spent one night in Malambo and then moved on to Engaresaro, where we were met by a wall of heat as we left the aircraft, but also by Yona, a very friendly Maasai, who owns the Worldview Campsite. “We packed all our gear into a beat-up Land Cruiser and proceeded to make a very bumpy journey to the campsite. Looking around at the desert-like terrain, I was a bit apprehensive about what this campsite was going to be like, but we arrived at a green oasis about ten minutes later. Running water, flushing toilets, big green trees providing shade, and people to help carry, unpack and put up our tent - it was just incredible!
“Adventure on Purpose isn’t just about the physical activity, it’s also about the spiritual journey that the Lord is taking each one of us on. It isn’t just about what you can experience, it’s also about opening your eyes to the world and how other people live. “My experience isn’t going to be your experience, but it is going to change you, in one way or another.
“During my time in Tanzania I met Elisha, the evangelist and bible college teacher MAF has been flying for thirty years. Before he came into contact with MAF, he originally travelled by foot or on his bicycle for days at a time to reach each village. When he first started there were about sixtythree Christians. Today there are over sixthousand Christians. MAF was an answer to “The challenge was only a few hours away, his prayers. enough time for us to rest, have dinner and a short sleep before we piled back into the “Flying in Tanzania isn’t easy, it’s gruelling bumpy Land Cruiser. At 11 pm we were work, but MAF does this work so that people taken to the base of Lengai with our twenty- can come to know the Lord. Kirstein has three-year-old guide who had climbed the a heart for helping people like Elisha. He volcano about fifty-five times. We were in sometimes has to stay away from his family for a week at a time. The sacrifices that are good hands. made are big and it can only be done when “At 12 am, in deep darkness, we started our you know you are called by God.
ascent. There was no trail or pathway that we could follow. We just had to keep climbing up. The headtorch gave just enough light to guide our next step. Occasionally, the steepness caused us to crawl on all fours. Adventure on Purpose, provides unique We crossed all sorts of terrain – sand, rocks, life-changing adventures, while making a sheer faces, always up and always uneven. difference. The adventures provided are life-changing, not just for the participant, but for the people they encounter along “We finally reached the rim of the volcano the way. Adventurers will fly with MAF, at sunrise. The smell of sulphur filled the experiencing first-hand what it is we do. air. We couldn’t see anything because we’d Proceeds of each adventure will feed into walked straight up into the clouds. We stood the work of MAF. on the crater, pondering the greatness and glory of our Mighty God. Maxine’s exhilarating experience of the pilot project is recorded below. “The descent was one of the hardest things I have gone though. One wrong step and “We arrived at Kilimanjaro Airport, to be I don’t think I would have survived the fall. collected by MAF pilot Kirstein Combrink in But eleven hours and thirty minutes later a very small aircraft, the Cessna 206 - let we were back down at the base with Yona the adventures begin! We flew for about and the Land Cruiser. The views coming thirty minutes to Malambo, a very rural down were incredible. We had to stop and area where Kirstein helps with evangelical take them in because that is what kept us safaris. On our way, Kirstein pointed out our going. It wasn’t just a physical challenge, it formidable challenge. The sight of her from was also a mental challenge, not to give up, the aircraft was just amazing. As we looked to just keep going. I feel like the Christian down, we saw Ol Doinyo Lengai on our walk is like that sometimes too, a challenge left, Lake Natron on our right and scattered not to give up but to keep going until the Maasai bomas below us, sparsely dispersed day we meet our Lord and King face to face. on an arid, desert-like terrain.
“I want to continue seeing people being reached and reaching out for Christ, like those I met at the Maasai Bible College Graduation, and Elisha and Kirstein and his family. There are many ways to make this vision possible, and making it happen is always an adventure.”
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From the left: Lodon, Maxine, Jenni, Taxon, Kirstein at the C206
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MAF LOGO LIVERY 2012 - CMYK Mi ssi o n Avi at i o n Fello w sh i p Ju n e 2012 Jaso n Bo u w man
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VOL.2 NO.1 2019
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP
LIFE IN A PROGRAMME
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“Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV
C O M PA S S C R E AT I V E S T U D I O I N C 201-3228 south service rd
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MAF LOGO LIVERY 2012 - CMYK Mission Aviat ion Fellowship June 2012
Jason Bouwman
The Endanyawish landscape is dry and dusty. The airstrip parallels a short mountain ridge with a small marshy lake close by. The landing is tricky with a sharp turn at the beginning in front of the ridge, and winds that must be taken seriously
CLINICS OFF AIRSTRIPS STORY BY MAF UK PHOTOS BY MARK AND KELLY HEWES
The location of the clinic is not in a village, but takes place just fifty metres or so off the airstrip at a small concrete church building. Before it all begins, Nurse Maria gives a health education and family planning talk to the women waiting outside, and a pastor speaks and prays. This clinic is the smallest of all the locations that MAF flies to on the Haydom Medical Safari, a life-saving initiative where MAF regularly flies a medical team to several remote villages who otherwise wouldn’t have access to healthcare. With only seventy-four patients here compared to the largest with 559, numbers and needs are relative.
medical team and evangelist to provide mobile clinic services in Lesirwai for the Maasai in the area. Kirstein explains, “As MAF pilots, we like to get involved with the ground work, where we can.” On this particular medical outreach, Kirstein helped the nurses finish the work by filling the syringes for tetanus vaccinations and completing patient cards. Kirstein reflects on the time before the Haydom Safaris and the importance of continuing flights to Endanyawish. “There was such a high infant mortality rate. If we draw back and they don’t get vaccines, and there’s a polio outbreak two years from now, is it better for us to respond to a major crisis? It’s prevention at the end of the day. It’s a calling in Christ and there’s extreme value in continuing to do this.”
“What we’re doing here is having a lasting impact on the survival of children by getting vaccines to the people, helping women have safer deliveries.” Kirstein Kirstein Combrink, MAF Pilot, from South Combrink, MAF Pilot relfects. Africa, is base in Tanzania with his wife Amelia, and their two young sons.
Nurse Neema sits down on a wooden bench inside the church to speak with Rehema, a thirty-six-year-old mother holding her chubby six-month old baby, Veronica. She has come to the clinic to have Veronica weighed, and hopes to receive the six-month vaccinations although it’s a few days early Neema asks Rehema in her own language where her village is located. The answer clearly takes Neema by surprise as she asked again to make sure she understood correctly: a five-hour walk. Rehema left her home at 6 am and arrived at the clinic at 11 am. • From the top: Women and children at an outreach clinic in Lesirwai “Most of us wouldn’t get in a car and drive • A medical team prepares for an for five hours, let alone walk,” Kirstein outreach clinic reflects. • A baby is weighed in Lesirwai These flights provide the opportunity to • Villagers help carry medical supplies change a person’s life. It is a sustaining from the plane work. On a recent flight, Pilots Kirstein • Kirstein prepares for outreach Combrink and Jarkko Korhonen flew a
3 C206 Aircraft
33 Locations
7 Staff
20 Partners
TANZANIA NEEDS PRAYER Pray for our missionaries to reach more of the nomadic maasai. Pray for open hearts and for seed to be planted in good soil. Pray for more airstrips to be built.
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WORLD NEWS
MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP
VOL.2 NO.1 2019 C O M PA S S C R E AT I V E S T U D I O I N C 201- 3228 so u th servi c e rd
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MAF LOGO LIVERY 2012 - CMYK Mi ssi o n Avi at i o n Fello w sh i p Ju n e 2012 Jaso n Bo u w man
EBOLA RELIEF EFFORTS STORY BY EMILY DAVIES AND PHOTOS BY LUANNE CADD
MAF has been transporting vaccines, medical personnel and supplies, and sanitation equipment into the North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) since early August 2018 to stem an outbreak of the Ebola virus disease (EVD). MAF staff in Nyankunde (neeahn-kun’-dee) temporarily relocated their operations to Uganda due to a positive test of the EVD in the Nyankunde hospital in late December. They returned late January as it was determined to be an isolated EVD case. Emergency relief flights by MAF continued from other airstrips until they resumed
using the Nyankunde base. Since August 7 MAF has conducted twenty-four Ebola related flights with ninety-nine passengers and nearly eight tons of cargo. Jon Cadd, MAF programme manager for East DRC, said the temporary relocation created some logistical challenges to our aviation operations, but we continued to respond to the crisis.
the virus. We know that Ebola is transmitted through bodily fluids or from eating infected bush meat and contacting fluids from infected animals. We use strict protocols for handling patient samples that we deliver for testing and to clean our aircraft to keep staff and passengers safe.”
Due to the vast distance to reach remote villages, jungle terrain that makes overland travel difficult, “MAF has been responding to and areas prone to communal Ebola outbreaks for many years violence in one of the county’s and has a wealth of experience most populated provinces, air in this area. We have an Ebola travel provided by MAF is one of Pathogen Management Plan the quickest and most efficient we follow to protect staff and means of delivering supplies and minimise the risk of transmitting people to Ebola-impacted areas.
The DRC, along with the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other medical groups, is battling this most recent outbreak of the EVD located in the northeast part of the country. According to the WHO, the number of deaths has reached 377 out of 625 reported cases for this outbreak. This is the ninth outbreak of the EVD in the DRC since the discovery of the disease in 1976.
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Main: Landing in the DRC
A LIFE-TRANSFORMING VEHICLE STORY BY GABRIELLA SZABO PHOTOS BY ADRIAN MUNRO
MAF’s aircraft are the vehicles of hope that make the mission possible. For over seventy years of reaching the isolated, donations have been raised for our fleet of nearly 130 aircraft in operation. This is truly a testament to God’s faithfulness.
of rugged utility and flexibility. MAF pilots know the Caravan as the backbone of our fleet. This life-transforming plane has been painted and fitted in our home-country’s Lanseria International Airport. It was a delight to visit her and imagine all the places she will land in, carrying hope for the future.
MAF UK have recently raised funds for a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan to operate in Without aircraft, we wouldn’t be able to South Sudan. Aviators know the Caravan see Christ’s love transform lives across the as the “workhorse of Africa”, a bush aircraft world’s most remotest parts.
As Bishop Wilson from the Episcopal Church of South Sudan says, “I want to express my gratitude towards MAF. Without MAF it would be very difficult for our church to operate across South Sudan.” Mark Liprini, our South African based pilot flew the Cessna to Kenya in the beginning of February. From there she will be flown to South Sudan. Let her adventure of carrying help, hope and healing begin.
