Flying For Life - Autumn 2014

Flying for Life Autumn 2014

The quarterly magazine of MAF

6 Tanzania A change of focus

10 Uganda A picnic from heaven

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: into the jungle

A glimpse of the Highlands MAF UK Chief Executive Ruth Whitaker reflects on a humbling visit to the remote Highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Photos Ruth Whitaker and Michael Duncalfe

NEW GUINEA

Yambaitok Mount Hagen

UA NEW GU PAP IN EA

F

ly just two hours north of Australia and you’ll reach a land that, for many, has a deep fascination and beauty. Vast, impressive forests, steep mountains, eclectic hidden tribes and a colourful yet violent culture mark a nation that remains largely unchanged by the rapidly evolving western world.

MAF has served in PNG since 1951. Many would consider flying a luxury but, to these villagers, our planes are the only way to receive SOLOMON many of life’s basicISLANDS necessities – including medical care and vital proteins absent from a simple, rural diet.

Guadalcanal

200 miles

Main The approach to Yambiatok airstrip Top right Meeting local Highlanders Bottom right Michael and Nicki Duncalfe

An exceptional team

I visited our programme there earlier this year, and was humbled by this incredible team’s understated service and exceptional skills.

Landing on airstrips which disappear from the sides of mountains and emerge from deep forests, they serve isolated people who are completely dependent on MAF’s small aircraft.

When passing through customs, I presented my British passport and was surprised to be asked, ‘Do you know Michael Duncalfe?’

2 Flying for Life Autumn 2014 www.maf-uk.org

Michael and his wife Nicki followed God’s call from rural Surrey to serve MAF in PNG over 20 years ago. Michael is our Chief Pilot, and the couple have devoted their lives to learning the local language and spreading the Gospel. Many people across the country know and love them – a powerful testimony to their commitment and faithful service.

As we shared uplifting stories, they told me that MAF’s programme in PNG is in serious need. ‘We are desperate for experienced pilots,’ they said.

I was well aware of this, but somehow, hearing that some of the regions where Michael flew in his early days are no longer served by MAF simply because we don’t have the staff, really brought home the situation’s gravity. And it’s really hard for our team to know that many isolated people aren’t receiving help while our programme remains understaffed.

Showered with greetings One morning, I joined a flight to a small place called Yambaitok.

The broccoli-looking trees, deep valleys and tiny winding rivers were breathtaking, but one

thing that struck me again was the nearcomplete absence of roads.

On board was a lady called Pokome, who was returning to her village from Bible college.

It’s wonderful to know that MAF supports these believers with highly subsidised flights – particularly when animism and sorcery are still present in the culture. The love of God and freedom of the Gospel are very much needed and, for Pokome, returning home was the beginning of her mission.

We landed on the tiny bush airstrip, and were instantly showered with greetings. Children surrounded me, and I joyfully photographed countless local people who ran to join in. Not having a mirror, this was one of the few times they had seen what they look like – their innocence and delight as they crowded round the tiny screen was touching.

Flying hope Although much of the cargo we fly meets the most basic human needs, there’s another very practical aspect to our work, and our large Twin Otter aircraft is well equipped to respond – often creatively – to some rather challenging requests.

‘Want to see some creative loading Ruth?’, Michael Duncalfe called to me at the MAF base in Mount Hagen. I grabbed my camera and headed over to a group of MAF personnel gathered round the plane with what looked like a huge metal frame.

It was actually a ‘walkabout sawmill’, with one of the largest blades I’ve ever seen! This menacing piece of equipment is used to cut large planks and logs – an essential device for jungle construction.

This particular saw was bound for the remote village of Eliptamin, where a community health centre was being built.

‘Only MAF goes to help this very remote community,’ commented Sali, who is one of

Eliptamin’s community workers, as Michael and his team wrestled to fit such a large structure through the aircraft door.

And he’s right. Without our aircraft, these remote people face days walking through dense jungle to receive medical help. The new clinic, once constructed, will save many lives – and it’s a privilege to be able to fly hope in such a practical way.

Thanks to the dedication of our staff, we managed – finally – to fit the enormous cargo through the door!

On reflection Spending time in this beautiful yet undeveloped country, I was again moved by the lack of basic elements of what many of us would consider everyday life. Clean water, education, an abundance of food and many other practical things we take for granted – even a mirror – are so limited here.

And it’s very humbling to see the basic level of need that MAF is alleviating every day.

We are truly blessed to serve God’s work in this beautiful country, but we long to do more.

Even though it’s no longer a surprise when an MAF plane lands, locals still gather to greet us and welcome our vital cargo.

It was such a privilege to see their smiling faces. My desire is that we serve many more.

Do you know someone?

We desperately need experienced pilots, engineers and finance managers to serve this unique nation. If you know someone with any of these skills, and who is considering a life of mission, please tell them about MAF. Visit our website www.maf-uk.org/jobs for opportunities to join our team.

Autumn 2014 Flying for Life 3

LIBERIA: overcoming obstacles

The adventure continues Max Gove gives an update from his recent visit to MAF’s new venture in Liberia Photos LuAnne Cadd could have done if you flew for a couple of hours.’

The project plans to install another 200 Tiger-Worm Toilets across Liberia.

But the challenge of transporting large equipment outside the capital remains a significant obstacle to their work.

Believers deserve freedom

R

eturning to Liberia, I met some remarkable people desperate to help the country’s poor. Many spoke of the huge obstacles they face when travelling. Here are just a few encounters.

Babies deserve a chance Liberia’s infant mortality rates are among the world’s highest. According to UNICEF, more than 15% of children die before their first birthday. Save the Children facilitates projects such as Kangaroo Mother Care – a simple initiative to promote skin-to-skin contact, improving newborns’ chances of survival in the absence of incubators.

Save the Children works in 10 of Liberia’s 15 districts – many of their projects based in areas with challenging terrain.

Save the Children Operational Manager Sulaiman Sesay says, ‘One of the biggest challenges is getting around in the rainy season. When there’s a car blocking the road, you’re talking about

4 Flying for Life Autumn 2014 www.maf-uk.org

one week stuck on that road. To have flight services would be extremely helpful.’

Families deserve sanitation Of the capital Monrovia’s population of 1 million, less than 5% have access to a flushing toilet. This causes outbreaks of deadly diseases such as cholera.

Oxfam’s innovative Tiger-Worm Toilets provide packed slum areas with small filtration systems, where tiger worms kept in large concrete chambers break down solid waste into compost without the need for sewage systems.

Oxfam longs to spread this initiative throughout the country but, like Save the Children, they work in areas that are extremely difficult to access.

Oxfam Country Director Salifu Mahmudu (left) explains, ‘The car can take a number of people, but it takes four-five days to do what you

Walking around Monrovia on a Sunday, churches on every corner compete for an audience using loudspeakers.

Nancy Sheppard, a missionary who has served here for over 20 years, spoke about the spiritual darkness that grips many Liberian Christians. Mixing the Gospel with traditional beliefs is completely normal – very few people experience the true freedom Jesus gives.

‘To find Christians who reject sin and cultural norms, who take a stand for what’s right – that’s very rare. The spirits seem more alive than God is,’ Nancy admits sadly.

She told me of a pastor they had worked with. He trained in Bible college yet went on to rape a 13-year-old girl.

After serving his sentence, he said, ‘It really wasn’t my fault. The woman bewitched me – that’s why I did it.’

Nancy’s son John Mark (left) agrees.

‘These people so often say, “The devil made me do it.” Very few have any real concept of a personal relationship with God.’ John Mark and his wife Sara have also given their lives to God’s work in Liberia, and support Bible translation, discipleship and church-planting.

But the Liberian Church is desperate for support to help break through this spiritual darkness. MAF could be their only hope of reaching the country’s remotest regions.

Liberia deserves MAF It’s been an eye-opening trip. Each time I visit, I become more excited about the difference MAF can make.

But we still need your prayers.

We’ve been waiting for a number of months now for final papers to be signed so we can build our hangar and get a plane in the air. We’re relying on God’s miraculous provision!

Please join us in praying that, through MAF, Liberia’s people will receive the hope, life and freedom they deserve.

Autumn 2014 Flying for Life 5

TANZANIA: new challenges, new direction, same calling

Changing focus Regina Chacha of Teamwork Ministries: ‘Many of the people who come are unwilling to come any other way than with MAF. We have had terrible experiences with buses.

The worst was when a staff member took a night bus that was hijacked. He was robbed and beaten. It took weeks for him to recover.

MAF eliminates these sufferings. We are so thankful for your partnership.’

MAF passenger Evert Schut: ‘Without the existence of MAF, Wycliffe Bible Translators and Dr Jon Eager and his wife Melissa, who offer vital healthcare through a remote clinic, would never have been able to stay for such a long time.’

Philemon Mwilonga, brother of a village chief in Lualaje, Tanzania: ‘I’ve seen the work of MAF in my village – they brought us medical help and saved lives.’

6 Flying for Life Autumn Winter 2013 2014 www.maf-uk.org www.maf-uk.org

Although we’ve recently scaled back our programme in Tanzania, MAF remains committed to the country’s people Story Gary Clayton Photos Richard Hanson, Katie Machell

B

‘

eing new,’ says Jez Simpson, our Tanzania Programme Manager, ‘I chose my words carefully as I didn’t want to create any cultural faux pas when I met with MAF’s financial auditor Hakili to discuss some of the reasons for refocusing our mission so vital resources can be redirected to other parts of Africa.

‘However, during our discussions, Hakili said, “Go, the people of South Sudan need you. We have enough in Tanzania, but the people in South Sudan are suffering terribly. They need you!”’

Sudan, has resulted in changes to our Tanzania programme.

But although we have reduced the scale of our work there, we remain committed to the country and its people.

Despite its progress, Tanzania’s rainy season causes flooding and cuts off villages for weeks at a time. So we will continue to operate a reduced number of flights to remote villages, enabling isolated people to receive medical attention, hear the Gospel, and provide transport for pastors and evangelists in hard-to-reach areas.

Improved infrastructure

Flying the Archbishop

In recent years, we are seeing big steps forward in Tanzania’s infrastructure – making travel between major cities easier and safer, and causing a decline in the number of requests received from our partners.

This, coupled with increasing needs and opportunities in Liberia and South

For over 50 years, our presence has made a considerable contribution to churches throughout Tanzania, with thousands of Maasai in the north coming to Christ as a result of evangelism that was spearheaded by the regular MAF Malambo safaris that started in 1985.

In recent years, we’ve flown local

Maasai to share the Gospel with their people and enabled Wycliffe Bible Translators to give Sandawe speakers God’s Word in their own language. MAF planes have also airlifted many ill and injured patients, transported emergency supplies, and even taken the Most Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, from Nairobi to Dodoma last year to attend the inauguration of Tanzania’s new archbishop.

Archbishop Welby expressed his appreciation to MAF, saying, ‘I had no idea of the scale or effectiveness of what you do. I am very struck by the extremely clear spirituality of it.’

Come back soon!

‘The work of MAF is very good,’ agrees the Dean of Chimala Diocese. ‘I received ten phone calls that said, “Please bring the pastor back next month. Can she please come regularly?” So thank you, MAF, for making this possible.’

The Dean was grateful that, thanks to our aircraft, Dr Gala and a team of doctors provided 300 women and children with vaccinations, treatment and care. The team’s pastor shared the Gospel with villagers, resulting in 15 women coming forward for baptism.

Accompanying the Gospel On another occasion, after the unexpected arrival of an MAF medical safari in Namwangwa, a group of musicians from the local church, along with a choir, worship songs to encourage people to attend the doctors’ clinic.

Although the strings were made from bicycle spokes and the tuning pegs from screws and washers, the blue stained electric guitars were amazingly well crafted. They attracted quite a crowd!

When the music finished, the pastor gave an evangelistic talk and the medical team spoke from the Bible, taught about malaria, and examined patients.

Weighing in Two airstrips opened by MAF in another part of the country, Kitwai B and Lerumo, enabled a medical team flown by pilot Kirsten Combrink to examine 158 babies, 87 pregnant women and 79 other patients in just one trip. One of many more ways MAF personnel and planes have blessed Tanzania’s people.

Praying for Tanzania As we praise God for over 50 years’ flying in Tanzania and look forward to the next phase of our programme, please pray for personnel affected by the changes – particularly those staff previously working in MAF bases in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam.

Making changes MAF International CEO Chris Lukkien: ‘Over the last ten years, we have seen huge improvements in Tanzania’s infrastructure.

These improvements have reduced the need for MAF flights which, coupled with the increasing costs of running our services, meant it was essential to review our long-term plan for this country. We want to ensure the good stewardship of our resources and respond to needs as they change.

‘Please pray for all our staff and partners affected by our changes which, as difficult as they will be for some, will create a longer-term future for our work in Tanzania.’

MAF in Tanzania 1959 – base in neighbouring Kenya opens. Flights from there to Tanzania begin a few years later 1963 – MAF starts flying in Tanzania after co-founder Stuart King’s visit in response to Bishop Yohanna Madinda’s request to establish a base there 1977 – permanent base established in Dodoma to meet the needs of missionaries serving Tanzania. Sub-bases in 6 other locations follow, with 11 aircraft 2011 – 4 aircraft, 15 international staff and 66 national staff serve 77 destinations, 158 partner organisations and 3,917 passengers 2014 – extensive survey results from 2013 in restructuring. Bases in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma close, but MAF continues supporting partners from our Arusha base.

2 Cessna 206 aircraft remain to conduct MAF’s flying, with a third C206 used as part of our partnership with Wycliffe Bible Translators in Mbeya.

Flight operations using 2 Cessna 208 aircraft will cease, with the planes redeployed to meet partners’ needs in Liberia and South Sudan.

Autumn 2014 Flying for Life 7

MADAGASCAR: country overview

Island of beauty, island of pain

Despite Madagascar’s breathtaking beauty, its people suffer severe poverty and malnutrition. Chronic food insecurity is widespread – caused primarily by annual cyclones, flooding and drought MAF has been flying since 1988 to enable vital healthcare, agricultural development, evangelistic outreach and disaster relief to reach those in need

AR C S A AG D A M Country

statistics

Total land area: 226,597 sq miles (UK = 94,241 sq miles) Population: 23,201,926

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ana

Ant

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GA

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MOZAMBIQUE

200 miles

Our operation Programme Manager: Bert van den Bosch Distance flown during 2013: 104,324 nautical miles Staff: 27 (5 international, 22 national) Cargo delivered during 2013: 28 tons Partners we serve: 70 Hours flown during 2013: 860

Left Clearing the way for the plane in Ankavandra Above Medical safaris fly help to remote places

Fleet: 1 Cessna Grand Caravan, 1 Cessna 182 Key organisations that fly with MAF: HVM (Good News Hospital), Medair, UNICEF, Wycliffe Bible Translators

Capital: Antananarivo Natural hazards: cyclones, drought, water contamination, soil erosion Religions: indigenous beliefs 52%, Christianity 41%, Muslim 7% Percentage of population living on less than $2 (£1.17) a day: 91% Infant mortality: 58 deaths per 1,000 births Life expectancy: 64 Adult literacy rate: 64.5% Percentage of population under the age of 15: 42.7% Young people involved in child labour: 28%

Sources: Operation World, CIA World Factbook 2014, WHO National Survey Monitoring Millennium Development in Madagascar, WHO Madagascar Health Profile 2012, USAID Development Food Assistance Programme – Madagascar Photos LuAnne Cadd

Autumn 2014 Flying for Life 9

UGANDA: hope in the slums

One day in heaven Jill Vine shares about the blessing of a picnic for children on Bukasa Island, Uganda Photos Jill Vine

T Main The children were captivated by the view Above Jill Vine shares a piece of heaven with children from the slums

his story began a year ago when I visited Bukasa Island with Sam Tsapwe, an evangelist MAF regularly flies to the Ssese Islands on Lake Victoria. After an overnight stay in a slum there, we walked back to the airfield accompanied by a group of laughing children, pastors and their wives.

The fishing communities of Bukasa are only allowed to live in cramped ghettos within a few small pockets of the island. Though they are surrounded by beautiful fields of open countryside, trees, lake views and glades of jungle, there is a heaviness that hangs over the slums. The oppression I tangibly felt during our

10 Flying for Life Autumn 2014 www.maf-uk.org

visit noticeably lifted as we left the slums behind.

Forming a dream As we talked together while walking to the plane, a somewhat absurd idea popped into my head. ‘Wouldn’t it be lovely if we could host a picnic for this community out here in this field?’

The idea seemed to click with Sam, but neither of us knew how to bring it into being.

Eight months later, I overheard Sam talking about visiting Bukasa with a team from MAF Denmark. I asked him if there would be space for me and whether we might somehow throw

together a picnic. There was space, and our Danish friends willingly helped fund the picnic for 180 people.

‘This will mean the team will not just have a meeting with the people, it will be a real time of fellowship,’ Sam commented. Every time I’ve travelled with a visiting group, they are treated by the Africans as honoured guests. This picnic would equalise things naturally, even turning things around so that we, their visitors, could serve them.

Trusting God The night before our flight, our plans to take the people out of the slums were in jeopardy.

The pastors seemed adamant the picnic had to be by the church hut in the slum, not outside of it. They raised the issue of public toilets and then the weather.

I sent an urgent SOS to my prayer chain network as our plans seemed to be falling into disarray. I read Psalm 113:7, ‘He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap’ and Psalm 107:9, ‘For He satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.’

I felt reassured that God was behind this event and that everything would work out.

Into the darkness After landing on Bukasa, we travelled in a tractor-drawn trailer from the airstrip. An hour later we arrived, but at a different slum to the one we had previously visited. I was struggling to trust the day’s events to God, as things weren’t turning out as we had planned!

As we entered the slum, men and women stared at us without smiling back when we greeted them. My stomach felt twisted as we drove through the same heavy atmosphere I had felt on my last visit.

But as we pulled up to the church and school grounds, hundreds of children ran towards the trailer screaming their welcome – they were so happy to see us! We bravely jumped off the trailer, and into the sea of children.

The youngsters gave us such a lovely welcome, and then took turns holding hands with us during the time we were there. Led by Sam, the pastors and the children began singing and praying together with their visitors. Then the Danes sang songs and gave gifts.

A patch of paradise While the singing and speeches continued, I asked the pastor of the church if there was a good place nearby for the picnic. Together we searched for the perfect site. She pointed out some areas that were laced with rubbish. I looked at her imploringly and asked, ‘Would it be okay if we keep going, right up out of the slum?’ Thankfully, she kindly agreed.

We finally spied a perfect sanctuary, which was surrounded by palms and other trees, with lots of shade and soft grass.

As the pastor went to ask permission from the farmer of the field, I kept walking up the

path to the crest of the hill. Suddenly, the landscape opened up. I gasped at what lay in front of me – a stunning view from the highest cliff point on the island, overlooking blue water with ten eagles flying above to complete the picture. Now I understood why our plans had changed. God had something even better for us.

A formidable feast Our large group of 180 walked up the hill to settle down and share the picnic in the farmer’s field. A police representative, a minister, the local authority for the island and many pastors all came to share in the feast of sandwiches, fruit, cake and soda, along with over 100 children and their teachers.

The Danish team and I were able to serve the food to these precious guests.

We prayed together, played games and then went for the prized walk up the hill. I will never forget the sight of all the children running, then standing still, looking out at a view they had never seen before.

It seemed as if they were suddenly being introduced to the beauty of Bukasa for the first time. Sam told me later that, having repeatedly visited Bukasa for decades, he never knew such a beautiful place existed.

An unforgettable day A game of football erupted with the new ball the MAF Denmark team had given the children, followed by Frisbee and skipping. Joy was everywhere. My heart felt so full to be able to witness such a beautiful day. ‘They will never be able to forget this,’ Sam commented.

As we later walked down the hill, I turned to see Sam Tsapwe holding hands with his fellow pastors (as Africans do), every face adorned with a smile. It will forever be in my memory as the day our MAF family shared in something that surely resembled heaven.

Autumn 2014 Flying for Life 11

WORLDWIDE FLEET: the new Cessna 182 SMA aircraft

Little plane, Big adventure

Although it’s the smallest of MAF’s aircraft, over the last few months the little Cessna 182 has been on a very big adventure Story Olly Nunn Photos Herman Sterken

L

ast summer, many supporters flocked to see MAF’s newest Cessna 182 SMA aircraft on its tour around Britain.

Before coming to the UK in 2013, the aircraft was completely overhauled and repainted, and the innovative SMA ‘diesel’ engine updated. Gone too were the modifications from its previous role as a skydiving aircraft – not an activity MAF does a lot of!

With the tour completed, the elderly navigational and radio equipment was replaced with modern units, allowing reliable communications and GPS navigation. A Stormscope was fitted, which is vital for avoiding dangerous weather systems.

Safety and reliability are as important

on the ground as in the air, so the final task was to upgrade the 182’s wheels and brakes.

In January, our new C182 left the Netherlands, ferried by former MAF pilots Herman Sterken and Jeroen Knevel. Over five days, they flew south across Europe, the Mediterranean, and through African skies to reach Uganda.

Modern technology tracked their progress live – and the crew even ‘blogged’ during the journey.

During this adventure, Herman and Jeroen encountered 50-knot winds, fierce heat, airframe icing and dangerous downdrafts.

Technology may have changed since the days of MAF’s early pioneers, but the dangers are still very real.

Additional changes have been made to the aircraft in Uganda, and there is still work to do. To cope with rough airstrips, over-sized tyres have been fitted and the undercarriage strengthened.

Folding rear seats will improve loadcarrying flexibility, and a new HF radio installation will allow direct communication with other MAF bases.

When the registration paperwork and essential staff training are completed, it will be time for this little plane to start taking help, hope and healing to the forgotten people of Uganda and South Sudan. Please pray for the smooth completion of changes to the C182, and that she will soon begin flying. The little Cessna has already been on a big adventure, but there’s an even bigger one on the horizon. .

Pray for South Sudan About one-third of South Sudan’s children are malnourished and the numbers have been increasing every day since conflict erupted last December. People are starving Unimaginable suffering, over 1.1 million displaced people, continued violence, disrupted livelihoods and repercussions arising from no harvest threaten this already shattered nation.

The situation is severe. Very little food is available, and a cholera outbreak in the capital has claimed hundreds of lives.

MAF is working around the clock to fly help to where it is most needed.

Please pray for the people of South Sudan, for MAF and for the many organisations striving to meet such overwhelming needs.

Would you also give a gift to MAF today, to help God’s love reach those who are suffering?

Visit www.maf-uk.org/prayforsudan or send your gift today. Together, we will see God touch this broken nation.

MAF YOUTH EXISTS TO ENGAGE UNDER-18S IN THE LIFE-SAVING, HOPE-BRINGING, WORLDCHANGING WORK OF MAF – AND HERE’S A CHANCE TO DO JUST THAT

THINK INSIDE THE BOX

WE WANT TO MAKE GOING TO ‘THE ENDS OF THE EARTH’ A REALITY

BY ENGAGING YOUNG PEOPLE ACROSS THE UK AND INSPIRING CHURCH YOUTH GROUPS FOR GLOBAL MISSION To achieve this, we are launching our very first MAF Youth fundraising campaign called THINK INSIDE THE BOX. Think Inside the Box will raise money so we can deliver vital educational supplies to remote parts of Papua New Guinea (PNG) – where many people live without access to a single road. These are the remote, forgotten, boxed in people who need our help.

We want our young supporters to take hold of the issues that face isolated people, and encourage youth groups across the UK that they can make a difference and bring about change in the developing world.

SO WHAT CAN YOUNG PEOPLE DO? - FILL THE BOX Order a collection box and save pennies for PNG. - BUY THE T-SHIRT We’ve created a really snazzy T-shirt we think young people will love, so why not buy one for someone you know?

- RAISE THE FUNDS There’s a fundraising pack for you to download, full of ideas for individual or group fundraising activities.

- SEND THE HOPE Get groups of young people together and pray – it’s the most effective thing anyone can do for MAF!

SO WHAT CAN YOU DO? TELL PEOPLE! Please pass on the news to anyone you know who’s under 18 or involved in youth work.

We depend on you to make this initiative a success, so please help MAF Youth deliver boxes of hope to people living boxed in.

‘It really is so impossible to run a high school in such a remote part of the country, but because MAF provides transport they have made it possible!’

(Flora Kabieng, former head girl from Oksapmin High School)

REMOTE. FORGOTTEN. CLOSED OFF. BOXED IN. THINK INSIDE THE BOX!

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT WWW.MAF-YOUTH.ORG/THINKINSIDETHEBOX OR EMAIL YOUTH@MAF-UK.ORG Autumn 2014 Flying for Life 13

UK news

Following in HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2013

Mum’s footsteps When Wendy Coates discovered that her mother Rilla Hutchinson had left a legacy to MAF, she was delighted

Out and about at Spring Harvest Our events team has been to many different Christian exhibitions and festivals, but it was our first time at Spring Harvest – and we loved it!

It was a great opportunity to showcase our newly refurbished trailer alongside our aircraft, and meet lots of new people.

We were also grateful to see all the wonderful supporters who came and said hello – it was great to meet you.

One special MAF friend, Chris Merkins, made our day when she told us her story.

As a young girl in 1958, Chris was taken by friends to watch a film about five missionary martyrs, which told the story of MAF Pilot Nate Saint who was killed in Ecuador because of his faith.

Chris was so affected by the film that, later that night, she knelt by her bed and gave her life to Christ. Today, her passion

for MAF remains inspiring.

For those of us who have the privilege of working for MAF, it’s always an encouragement to hear what the organisation means to our supporters – our aircraft couldn’t do their amazing work without you.

We also hosted the Spring Harvest kids club in the mornings. As you can imagine, after reassuring some that the ejector seat wasn’t going to propel them skywards, they loved our plane!

We were equally delighted that MAF friend and future pilot Paul Burton joined us on the Youth Stage, where many young people heard about our work.

Thank you, Spring Harvest – we look forward to next year!

‘Mum was born in Manchester in 1936 and became a Christian through the local church. She was an active member of the youth group and married Dad in 1962.

They spent their first two years together in Nigeria, where he was working, and made friends with several missionary pilots.

‘Although my parents returned to the UK to bring up their family, they never lost interest in mission and Africa. When we married and had families of our own, she remained supportive.

‘She and Dad enjoyed some wonderful adventures overseas during retirement, until Dad’s Parkinson’s disease made travel too difficult.

‘Mum did a great job caring for Dad until he passed away in March this year.

She died just two weeks later.’

Wendy, also a keen MAF supporter, concludes, ‘MAF combined my parents’ love of Africa with their understanding of the vital role planes can make to people’s lives – including bringing the Good News about Jesus. I pray that legacies like Mum’s will bless those in need through the ongoing work of MAF.’

If you leave a gift to MAF in your Will, you will also help transform lives for years to come. To find out more, please phone our Legacy Co-ordinator Miriam Wheeler on 01303 851958 or her email address is miriam.wheeler@maf-uk.org

This is MAF is a Christian mission aviation organisation serving 25 developing countries to reach the world’s forgotten people – those living out of sight, out of mind and out of hope. With land access denied by inaccessible terrain – due to natural disaster, war or economic crisis – thousands of communities are completely isolated. Operating 140 light aircraft, MAF’s pastor-pilots fly into roughly 1,800 remote destinations. Whether landing in deserts or jungles, on lakes, rivers, tracks or roads, MAF planes transport essential medical care, food, water, relief teams and Church workers to those in desperate need. Each flight carries practical help, spiritual hope and physical healing to thousands of men, women and children for whom flying is not a luxury but a lifeline.

MAF is flying for life.

14 Flying for Life Autumn 2014 www.maf-uk.org

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Flying for Life Editor: Richard Hubbard Email: editor@maf-uk.org Printer: Headley Brothers Ltd Ashford, Kent Printed on sustainable paper produced from a managed forest

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Trustees needed The Apostle Paul reminds the church in Corinth that each member is a different and important part of the body.

It’s the same with MAF. Some are pilots, some are aircraft maintenance engineers and some managers. Others support MAF through prayer, giving or volunteering. But together we make up the MAF family.

Since 2012, my role has been as a trustee of MAF UK. It’s been a privilege to serve God in this way by playing a part in the governance and direction of this amazing organisation!

We’re currently looking for new trustees to join us, and are interested in hearing from people with experience in one of the following areas: Human Resources, Finance, Communications and Media (digital media in particular), Fundraising or Mission.

We meet formally four times a year, and some trustees are also members of one of our subcommittees. The total time commitment is around eight days a year.

In volunteering for this role, you’d be part of an inspiring team that is seeking God’s heart for people in need across the globe – and doing something about it!

If you think God may be calling you to become a trustee, please contact Gary Colvin, Head of Human Resources, MAF UK on 01303 852810 by 10 October.

MAF sets a world record!

On 7 June, supporters from across Scotland and northern England took part in the MAF Big Picture event, and helped us set a new world record for the greatest number of people down a zip slide.

Our zip slide was braved by amazing people aged from 8 to 80, helping create the Big Picture – a wonderful photomosaic showcasing MAF’s work in Commonwealth countries.

To view some more fantastic photos from the day – including Chief Executive Ruth Whitaker on the zip slide – visit www.maf-uk.org/bigpicture. There are also some great interviews with our special guests, including former NASA astronaut Colonel Jim Dutton and Scottish Paralympic triple gold medallist Aileen Neilson.

Gareth Mitchell, MAF UK Trustee

MAF Day of Prayer Will you join us and hundreds of other supporters across the UK in praying for MAF on 19 October? To order your free Day of Prayer resource pack, please visit www.maf-uk.org/pray or phone 01303 852819.

Visit our website www.maf-uk.org

MAF Day of Prayer

For our latest news and to give a gift, please visit: www.maf-uk.org/ flyingforlife or call our Supporter Relations team on 01303 852819

Sunday 19 October 15

On the road

with Cathy Burton The latest dates for Cathy Burton’s autumn tour are now in!

Her concerts are always exceptional and utterly captivating and we are so grateful to Cathy for her ongoing support.

For a great night of music and inspiring films about MAF, don’t miss a concert near you.

For more information, visit www.maf-uk.org/cathyburton

FRIDAY 26 SEPTEMBER | 7PM, THE TOWN HALL, MARKET SQUARE, KIRTON IN LINDSEY DN21 4LZ SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER | 7PM, COLCHESTER ROAD BAPTIST CHURCH, COLCHESTER ROAD, IPSWICH IP4 4ST SATURDAY 11 OCTOBER | 7PM, KING’S LYNN ACADEMY, QUEEN MARY ROAD, KING’S LYNN PE30 4QG SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER | 7PM, ALL SAINTS ANCHORSHOLME, 36 VALEWAY AVENUE, THORNTON-CLEVELEYS,

LANCASTER FY5 3RN

SUNDAY 23 NOVEMBER | 6:30PM, HARBOUR CHURCH, EAST CLIFF PAVILION, WEAR BAY ROAD, FOLKESTONE CT19 6BL

I’m delighted to be partnering with MAF on my UK tour. It’s a great opportunity to spread the word of MAF’s amazing work in a fresh and heartfelt way.

I’ve been an MAF follower for about seven years, and I never get tired of hearing about their essential work – serving remote and forgotten communities.

One of my passions is to tell people about who MAF is and what it does. The concert includes a great talk, encouraging listeners to partner with MAF – I’m excited to see a new generation of supporters as a result of this tour!

Cathy Burton