MAF Scottish Special - Winter 2020

SCOTTISH Scottish Special SPECIAL Summer 2019 – MAF Scotland news and events

JAN-MAR 2020 Endings and new beginnings

Off to a flying start!

As I reflect on all that has happened this year, I realise this issue of Scottish Special marks both endings and new beginnings for the MAF Scotland office.

After serving the Scottish office so faithfully for 23 years, Hazel Bell hangs up her MAF shoes and heads into a well-earned retirement with her husband Iain. To our supporters, she is so much more than a voice at the end of the phone — I know that, to many, Hazel’s always felt like part of their extended family.

Sarah Foulger is also leaving the office on a year’s maternity leave.

I’m sure you will join me in wishing them both God’s blessings in the new beginnings ahead of them.

As we step into MAF’s 75th year, I’m reminded of Ecclesiastes 3 — ‘a time for everything’ and ‘a season for every activity under the heavens.’

New staff will bring new ideas, new opportunities and new growth. So, as we celebrate what has gone before, let us move into the future confident in the knowledge that our heavenly Father leads us in the way forward.

Wishing you a blessed and joyous time this Christmas Heather Malloch Head of MAF in Scotland

When our plane landed at the Scottish Parliament in September, the MAF team had a rare opportunity to speak to the hearts of politicians.

MAF International CEO Dave Fyock also had the privilege of sharing the Gospel with MSPs when he opened Parliament with his Thought for Reflection.

We had an eventful day, talking with MSPs and public alike about MAF’s amazing ministry.

The main subject for this special day, Papua New Guinea, was brought into sharp focus by our meeting with MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, Kate Forbes.

www.maf-uk.org/scotland

She had previously flown with MAF and recently visited our PNG base.

As Kate said, ‘At a time of such uncertainty, it’s heartening to know that trustworthy organisations like MAF continue to carry out essential and life-saving work around the world. The work that MAF does to reach some of the most remote places on earth is inspiring.

‘MAF’s latest efforts to help deliver education to remote parts of Papua New Guinea is a cause we should all get behind, so that some of the most isolated children are given the life-changing chance to learn.’

One + one = a future The contrast between rudimentary education in a developing country like Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Scotland’s high-quality teaching remains stark. MAF supporters are helping to change that Story Andy Martin Photos Glenda Giles, Mandy Glass and Mathias Glass

I

never thought I’d reach the age where my bus pass was clearly visible on the horizon.

I still remember my schooldays as if they were yesterday. My boyhood memories of playing football, being the milk monitor and — to be honest — acting like a wee scallywag remain as sharp as ever.

And, in my mind’s eye, every summer holiday was full of sunshine and adventure.

Amid those romantic schoolboy memories is the recollection that I took my education entirely for granted.

School was just something we did as part of growing up — wallto-wall fun with your friends, interrupted only by the lessons themselves!

The work begins Main ‘If there had been no MAF aircraft, we would not have a proper education’ Top-left Glenda Giles Above Pencils, books and exam papers are changing lives in PNG Right Oksapmin High School is in the country’s top ten Inset right The cost of education is far beyond most families

In Scotland, our education is still a gateway to a good job, healthier lifestyle, and a better future in general. Sadly, this is not the case in the developing world, where the cost of even basic education is far beyond families who can’t be sure if

they’ll even eat tomorrow.

The need for education in PNG is desperate. Schools are inaccessible to many children due to mountainous terrain or sheer distance.

Nationally, enrolment to even the most basic primary schools is just 63%. Only a third of students will complete their education, which bodes ill for PNG’s future.

How can such a huge obstacle be overcome?

To God be the glory!

MAF began serving the nation of PNG in 1951. Today, thanks to Scottish supporters, we are fully engaged in tackling this fundamental, national problem.

MAF planes serve more than 200 primary schools and 10 high schools – flying over mountain tracks to deliver pencils, books and exam papers.

Transporting all this vital educational material also affords us the wonderful privilege of sharing the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.

MAF’s commitment to PNG over nearly six decades has seen

a steady increase in the number of people who’ve come to know Jesus personally. Testimonials from villagers really gladden the heart – proof positive that our work is not in vain, but to the glory of God.

Top ten Oksapmin High School in remote Tekin village is one of ‘ours’. Half of its 200 students are boarders — many of whom we fly to and from school. Outstanding exam results have placed it in the country’s top ten.

English teacher Glenda Giles asked students to write about the difference MAF makes to their lives. Their responses highlighted both the practical assistance we provide in transporting students

and supplies, and the Christian message brought by the missionaries we fly.

‘If there had been no MAF planes coming to our valley, we would be like a desert waiting for the rain to come,’ one student wrote.

‘We would be primitives, not knowing God and without civilisation. We would not know about modern technology and there would be no proper health facilities. We would not have a proper education.’

I find it particularly sobering that fewer than 20% of young girls who do receive primary education continue into secondary school.

This is partly due to very poor sanitary conditions. So, with MAF delivering building materials in addition to educational supplies, children can increasingly expect much better school facilities.

Labour of love God willing, much greater numbers of female students will be able to continue their education into — and beyond —

their teenage years.

This particular aspect of our ministry is not just a labour of love, but an absolute necessity.

More children need to be educated if they are to stand any chance of being released from ingrained poverty and set on a path to self-sufficiency.

We believe this is the best route — maybe even the only one — for a developing nation to realise its immense potential and take its proper place in the modern world.

Would you or your church like to contribute to this life-changing aspect of our ministry? If so, maybe you could hold a small fundraising event — a coffee morning, for example. Any gifts you make will be used to fund flights for the education of children who, unlike me, don’t take school for granted but embrace a golden chance to walk the path to freedom.

For more information visit www.maf-uk.org/fundraise

For me, it has to be MAF!

Hear the latest news!

MAF Area Representative Iain Neilson shares his passion for aviation

Meet MAF team members at an event near you

Photo Iain Neilson

Paisley. Tuesday 7 January Hopehall Evangelical Church, 25 Alice Street, Paisley PA2 6DR

7 January 2020 – 1 March 2020

Kirkwall. Saturday 18 January, 7pm Community Quiz Night Kirkwall East Church of Scotland, 4 King Street, Kirkwall, Orkney KW15 1JF To enter a team of up to six people, contact JMeason@churchofscotland.org.uk Shapinsay. Wednesday 22 January, 7.30pm End of the Spear film night North Church of Scotland, Club Rooms, Shapinsay Community Centre, Shapinsay, Orkney KW17 2DX An offering for MAF will be taken. See local advertising for further information Stromness. Thursday 23 January, 7.30pm End of the Spear film night Grace Church Orkney, John Street, Stromness, Orkney KW16 3AE An offering for MAF will be taken. See local advertising for further information

Okay, I’ll happily admit it — I’m plane mad, as anyone who follows my Facebook posts would agree!

My passion for aviation began as a boy when I realised how it was able to connect people around the world.

That was a time when airports were ‘spectator friendly’. I fondly remember standing on open viewing galleries, listening to the Air Traffic Control chatter on the approach frequencies and taking in a multitude of sights and sounds.

I can even recall the smell of kerosene in the crosswinds!

While my boyhood dreams of becoming a pilot were not to be, my passion for aviation has remained undiminished. So, after 39 years and countless miles on the roads in the service of banking, it was finally time for me to ‘fly’ — in my case, to take up a new opportunity as an MAF volunteer Area Representative.

Throughout my life, I’ve found that the best way to articulate life’s experiences is often through Scripture. The Voice translation of Psalm 33:20 says, ‘We live with hope in the Eternal. We wait for Him, for He is our Divine Help.’

At this point in my life, I feel truly blessed to have some involvement in aviation. And, for me, it had to be MAF! Over the past year, it’s been my privilege to share something of what God is doing through MAF’s ministry — to articulate how He’s able to change the ending for people living in isolation.

And how He’s using planes to do it.

I get a real buzz from being involved in work which makes a measurable difference for good in so many people’s lives. Our supporters have encouraged and challenged me, and I’ve been genuinely touched by Christians engaged in amazing ministries elsewhere who are still committed to supporting MAF through their prayers.

I look forward to meeting many more MAF supporters.

Scotland Office Challenge House 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD T 0141 332 5222 E scottishoffice@maf-uk.org

www.maf-uk.org MAF Scotland

@MAFScotland

@mafscotland

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Finstown. Friday 24 January, 7pm MAF missions evening Firth Church of Scotland, Heddle Road, Finstown, Orkney KW17 2EG An offering for MAF will be ttaken. See local advertising for further information Stromness. Saturday 25 January, 12-3pm Mission focus afternoon Grace Church Orkney, John Street, Stromness, Orkney Isles KW16 3AE See local advertising for further information Erskine. Wednesday 29 January, 7pm Erskine Parish Church Guild, 1 Rashielee Drive, Erskine PA8 6EY North Berwick. Tuesday 4 February, 7.30pm St Andrew Blackadder Church Guild, St Andrew Street, North Berwick EH39 4NU Nairn. Wednesday 5 February, 2pm St Ninian’s Church, High Street, Nairn, Highland IV12 4RB Drumchapel. Sunday 23 February, 11am Drumchapel United Free Church, 135 Dunkenny Road, Drumchapel, Glasgow G15 8BJ Largs. Sunday 1 March, 11.15am and 6.30pm Brisbane Evangelical Church, 34 School Street, Largs KA30 8BB

This is just a small number of events that MAF will attend over the next few months.

If you would like a visit from us, or to have your MAF event featured, please phone Andy Martin on 0141 332 5222 or email him at andy.martin@maf-uk.org