Flying for Life December 2012

Flying for Life December 2012

The quarterly magazine of MAF

4 South Sudan 6 Arnhem Land

As long as we’re needed

Outreach in Yilpara

CHAD: dental safaris

Making Him known Every year, we fly dental teams to remote villages in Chad.

Pastor Brian, who accompanies the teams and encourages missionaries in the area, reports on a recent trip Photos courtesy of Pastor Brian, Patrick Keller

S

Top centre Pilot Kalvin Hildebrandt Top right A remote community in Chad Bottom centre Dentist Kevin with a patient

ince 1998, MAF has been our partner in ministry when the Lord first led us to reach a specific people group in Chad.

The work has since expanded to several others.

Because access is difficult due to the distances involved, MAF enables us to make safe and efficient use of our time whenever we need to make ministry trips and visit our partners.

Last year, thanks to MAF, we performed 4 dental clinics in 4 separate locations – treating over 200 people, mainly extracting teeth. We also made pastoral visits to another 2 hard-toreach locations – all within 11 intensive days.

Not only did MAF help us achieve our objectives, but it also provided fantastic fellowship with pilot Kalvin Hildebrandt.

He told us what God is doing in other areas of Chad.

To arrive fresh and ready to enter into fellowship and ministry after time consuming road travel isn’t always practical. Travelling with MAF allows us to spend more time with our partners, learn about their ministry, visit key people and pray with them.

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An opening for the Gospel Ministry isn’t measured in terms of how much activity we can squeeze into the day. We work diligently with our partners to ensure that the dental clinics meet people’s physical needs as well as providing an opening for the Gospel.

While people wait for treatment, our field partners share why we are there and explain how God’s love meets both physical and spiritual needs.

Basic dental supplies, tracts and a cassette of GodStory, a chronological account from Creation to Christ’s ascension, are handed out.

God used these to touch a number of people’s lives, including a key leader in one of the villages.

A number also accepted an invitation to see the Jesus film. One man from a Christian background was treated, watched the film, and returned home with a Bible. Pray that many more people will be open to the Good News, and that entire communities accept Jesus.

Although words cannot adequately describe our time there, we had the privilege of seeing how God used it to reveal more of Christ’s nature to people traditionally resistant to the Gospel.

Encouraging believers At one village, a small group of indigenous believers forfeited the opportunity to receive dental treatment in favour of 30 non-Christian neighbours. It provided a great opportunity for outreach in a community that had originally shunned and victimised believers.

It was also special being able to encourage these dear brothers and sisters and to learn about their joys and challenges One man described how his family were without food. Wanting to encourage his unbelieving wife to trust God, he spent two days praying in the bush.

Eventually, after a small whirlwind had passed, the Lord drew his attention to some money blowing around. When the man picked it up, he saw it was more than he needed to buy a bowl of millet!

We also heard about a child who was ill and desperately needed treatment, but the family had no money to pay for this. The father prayed, stepped out in faith, and an unknown person appeared and gave him enough money to cover the costs.

Called by God When you think of MAF, picture the organisation, the national staff, the pilots, the managers, engineers and their families starting each day committing their work to the Lord. Their work, flying around the country and frequently dealing with difficult situations, is a very real encouragement to the national pastors, missionaries and believers.

For us, MAF is all about men and women who have been called by God and who, like you or me, desire Christ to be known, loved and worshipped by those who don’t yet know Him.

Building trust Pilot Kalvin Hildebrandt writes: ‘I fly for a church from central California which has adopted several key people groups in eastern Chad. For over ten years, they have sent out a number of new missionary families as well as supporting missionaries already established in the area.

‘Each year, Pastor Brian comes at least once to encourage teams and bring in a short-term dental team to support the church’s full-time missionaries.

‘While these visits bless the remotely-placed missionaries, the dental team seeks to provide personal care to the local communities. Through that, they build trust for the missionaries.

‘I have done around seven or eight of these dental safaris over the years, and they are always the highlight of my flying in Chad. It is during these trips that I see so clearly the blessing MAF is to Chad. And we are privileged to be a part of it!’

For us, MAF is all about men and women who have been called by God and who, like you or me, desire Christ to be known, loved and worshipped by those who don’t yet know Him December 2012 Flying for Life 3

SOUTH SUDAN: helping refugees

As long as we’re needed H

idden by its remoteness in South Sudan, this humanitarian crisis has emerged somewhat inaudibly, despite warnings.

Aid agencies became overwhelmed by the sheer scale of the need.

The rainy season swamps the boggy terrain, multiplying disease and death among the hungry and weak returnees who already lack adequate shelter, water and medical care. Conditions are dire and insecurity is an ongoing threat.

MAF is supporting relief agencies bravely seeking to help the refugees.

On board our aircraft are aid workers, food, medicines, water pumps, mosquito nets, camping equipment and building equipment for NGOs running the camps.

Off the beaten track

Above Young boy at a World Food Programme project Centre right Welcoming the plane in the north of the country Far right Medair installs a water pump at Renk

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Described by pilot Adrian Rose as ‘a long way off the beaten track’, Doro is home to more than 60,000 people in 3 camps.

The airstrip there is the only one in the area, and so also supports the camp in nearby Jamam, which holds more than 37,000 refugees.

Flying to Doro several times a month, our partners include WHO, Solidarités International, International Medical Corps, SIM Sudan, Oxfam, Save the Children, IMA World Health and Humanitarian Aid Relief Trust (HART).

From its base at Doro, Save the Children is working to keep children nourished, educated and protected from violence and abuse. On board some of

our flights for Save the Children are boxes of Plumpy’Nut which helps to alleviate malnutrition.

Burnt to the ground Further west, many flights carry tons of medicines to Yida. The refugee camp there is home to thousands who have fled from the Nuba Mountains in Sudan.

An average of 200 new arrivals every day is adding to the strain.

‘When our village was burnt to the ground, we decided to come to Yida,’ shares 43-year-old Fadela. ‘On the road, there was no food and, because of hunger, it took us eight days to walk here. There was some food when we arrived, but not enough.’

Food supplied by World Food Programme and medicines play an important part in refugees surviving in this camp.

With an estimated 300,000 displaced in the Nuba Mountains, which has a long history of civil unrest, there is a real danger of a prolonged crisis. ‘As a 13-year-old boy,’ shares a refugee at Yida, ‘I walked alone to Ethiopia because of the fighting in the Nuba Mountains.

Now the same is happening to my children.’

Drinking from the Nile On the barren landscape of the northern tip of South Sudan, Renk is 470 miles from Juba and home to several refugee camps. According to Medair, it is one of

Since South Sudan gained independence from the North in July 2011, more than 200,000 desperate refugees have fled from fighting in Sudan. Many have no home to go to Story Shaun Oliver Photos Smiley N Pool, courtesy of Medair

SUDAN Renk Nuba Mountains

Jamam

Yida

Doro Nile Dajo

SOUTH SUDAN

Juba

200 miles

the ‘most neglected and underserved counties in South Sudan.’ That was before the arrival of 20,000 refugees.

Most people come to the camps because of food and water shortages.

However, with existing water systems broken, many are compelled to drink untreated water from the Nile. We are flying Medair emergency response teams to install and run essential water and sanitation facilities, which provide safe water, and help improve hygiene conditions.

having been driven from their homes in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile districts. And with all ‘Southerners’ threatened with expulsion from the North, this all means that the refugee crisis in the South could intensify.

Accounts suggest increased military activity and insecurity intensifying in border areas, placing these already vulnerable people at even greater risk.

The threat of epidemics is arguably even more hazardous.

Expulsion and epidemics

The sheer remoteness of some of these camps, coupled with the challenges of overland travel in the rainy season, means that we are committed to being there as long as we are needed.

Every Friday, we fly to Dajo for Christian Mission Aid, where they have established a clinic – the only available healthcare in the area. Hundreds of refugees are now based there.

HART warns that a further 400,000 people are hiding in caves and forests,

Please pray for this fledgling nation.

For up-to-date needs, visit www.maf-uk.org/prayforsudan

December 2012 Flying for Life 5

ARNHEM LAND: sharing the Gospel

Outreach in Arnhem Land Stephanie Gidney joins local Christian Gerard Marika and a small MAF team for an outreach in Yilpara, Arnhem Land Photos LuAnne Cadd

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Top right Gerard preaching at Yilpara Bottom right Receiving a gift for good attendance at the outreach

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andwiched between the airstrip (named Stingray Airport) and the tropical turquoise waters of the Arafura Sea, Yilpara consists of a few single-storey, metal houses. Mangrove provides a little shade in the sweltering heat of the day. It feels very cut-off. A small group of children jump from rock flats into the waters, despite the risk of crocodiles and box jellyfish. The pace of life is very slow.

Once night falls, the team sets up its equipment on the playing field of the small school, including a large cross glowing with little lights in the pitch black night. I can hear children playing close by, though the darkness hides them. A makeshift PA system broadcasts worship music.

By the time the programme begins,

two small groups have gathered, sitting on the ground a few metres in front of the cross. At least half the gathering is children.

Bringing God’s message The event begins with prayer, followed by a worship song to which some children do actions. Brett Nel, who leads MAF’s outreach work, introduces himself and explains that MAF is here to bring God’s message and to help by flying planes – not for profit, but out of love for the people.

The atmosphere is relaxed. Nicolas, a local man, leads worship. People clap in time. Nothing is polished about the set-up – but there’s no problem with that. At times, there are pauses as Nicolas selects the right beat on the

keyboard for a new song.

Gerard then shares a message linked with Isaiah 44. Brett follows, and then Kevin, another Yolŋu Christian, preaches about how only God can change life, repeatedly referring to those gathered as family and wanting them to know Jesus.

A short film is projected showing how the Gospel has transformed the community of Almolonga in Guatemala.

(MAF’s Learning Technologies and Communications Officer Peter Higham holds the microphone over the laptop speaker so that it comes through the amplifier.) The meeting ends with prayer.

Reaching out Later, Gerard tells me, ‘MAF’s been the lifeline in Arnhem Land. Places like Yilpara, you can’t get here by vehicle because the road is too slippery and muddy, and you’ll get bogged if you travel – especially in the wet season.

The only way you’ll get here is by MAF, and MAF’s been helping me a lot, me and my [Christian] brother Kevin, getting

us places, sharing the Gospel.

‘The challenges in the communities are very big. People live in the traditional way and the beliefs are very strong. I am here to spread the Gospel as far as I can with the help of MAF. Arnhem Land is a very big place. That’s why we need help, we need support. MAF, myself and Kevin need to reach out to the Yolŋu people.’

Invited guest Arnhem Land, declared an Aboriginal reserve in 1931, is home to 20,000 indigenous people. Situated in the north-east of Australia’s Northern Territory, it is the most isolated and remote area in the country. Hot and humid, it’s a physically demanding place to live and work.

MAF’s flying here started in 1974 and has grown in response to the demand.

As Dean Giles, our Assistant Country Director in Gove, shares, ‘MAF is an invited “guest” of the indigenous people – and that’s how we approach every aspect of our life.’

MAF families are almost the only external Christian influence in the area.

This feeds into the operation’s vision.

The team seeks to provide a professional aviation service and an effective Christian witness to those they serve and live among.

Recognising MAF’s role in standing with local Christians and helping them share the Gospel with their own people has increased the job satisfaction for many staff here.

200 miles

Gove

Yirrkala Yilpara Arafura Sea

Australia

Arnhem Land

December 2012 Flying for Life 7

ARNHEM LAND: sharing the Gospel

‘God is doing something in Arnhem Land through MAF’

The flying is only possible in partnership with the indigenous people. MAF cannot remain without their agreement.

‘God is doing something’ One of the largest Aboriginal groups is the Yolŋu. The challenges they face relate to being a ‘fourth world’ culture, where their strong ethnic culture exists and operates within a dominant ‘first world’ system. There is very little common ground, with huge differences in world view and value systems.

Of the 15 aircraft MAF flies here, 7 are owned by the Yolŋu themselves and operated

by MAF on their behalf. The people pooled subsidies they receive from the Australian government to buy the planes. In contrast to isolated people we serve in other countries, the Yolŋu are not financially poor – though it’s not visibly evident when visiting the Yolŋu homelands.

So why is MAF in Arnhem Land? For Gerard, the answer is clear: ‘God is doing something in Arnhem Land through MAF.’ In the 1990s, Gerard was touring the world as part of an indigenous rock band. Heavily into drugs and alcohol, he was also depressed and aggressive: ‘I used to chase people with a spear. Nobody would muck around with me.’

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But in 2009, he found himself on his knees giving his life to Jesus.

MAF staff have been a huge support to Gerard, particularly in helping him stand firm.

‘As the eldest son of my father, I was the one responsible for doing all the sacred stuff within our culture. People still want me to take that responsibility, to do ceremonial stuff. But I keep telling them no.’

Traditional beliefs Gerard explains how their traditional beliefs are linked to worshipping trees, fish, spiritual ancestors – ‘all of creation but not the Creator’, and ‘those things which the Bible clearly says is an abomination to God’s Name.’

How can I pray?

• Pray for the community at Yirrkala and Yilpara • Pray the Lord brings more children and young people to the weekly outreach • Pray for more labourers • Pray that young people leave drinking and drugs and accept Jesus • Pray the Lord sends more helpers • Pray for prayer warriors to stand against traditional beliefs.

Gerard heard God’s call to share the Gospel with his people. While willing to be obedient, ‘I didn’t know how to do it, and I didn’t know anyone. But the Lord sent Grant Sims [former MAF pilot] to walk with me and help me to understand the Bible. And then came Brett, Peter and all the other MAF staff. So I’ve got all these people who support me and help me go to places in Arnhem Land to share the Gospel.

‘It’s important that Yolŋu go out and preach the Gospel, because a Yolŋu understands the spiritual side of the area.’

Passionate preachers Gerard originates from Yirrkala, which is a small Aboriginal community near Gove. A number of MAF families live here and are as passionate about reaching people within their immediate environment as reaching others by plane. Here, I attended the weekly children’s outreach led by Brett, Peter and a number of other MAF staff.

Again, once darkness falls, the programme begins. Games are followed by worship, the air full of laughter, music and a lot of fun. A Bible story is projected, then the boys and girls separate for discussion. After the meeting, sausages, bread and bananas are eagerly consumed, while others receive prayer in small groups.

While I watched the activities, I spoke with Eunice, an elderly lady who turned out to be Gerard’s grandmother. She shares, ‘We have to pray hard and work hard to preach the Gospel, because people here have forgotten Jesus [after the missionaries were forced to leave].

It’s the desire of my heart that all will know who Jesus is – King of Kings, Lord of Lords.’

Learning about God The Christian women in Yirrkala meet with Peter and Tiina Higham every week to pray for the people of Arnhem Land, to worship and learn more about God. Their women’s ministry includes cooking, weaving and gardening to raise money so that they can go and preach the Gospel, women to women.

Eunice expresses her enthusiasm for our ministry: ‘MAF is so beautiful, so fine, so awesome because they love the people here in Arnhem Land.’

I asked Gerard what encourages him. He paused and then replied: ‘You, you people!

Seeing that you come from the other side of the world to a slow place like this, it gives us encouragement that we’ve got brothers and sisters out there praying for us, supporting us, and supporting MAF. ‘I want people in Europe and wherever MAF is based to pray for us, and pray that a lot of men will stand for Jesus here in Arnhem Land.

‘Keep us up in prayer. We really need your support, and MAF in Arnhem Land really needs support so they can take us out, take the Gospel out to places. Not only here, but Papua New Guinea as well, and other places that indigenous people live around the world.’

Flight facts Our Arnhem Land operation has grown with the great need, and is now MAF’s largest operation. Last year, we flew: • 19,000 flights • 1.25 million miles • 9,500 flight hours • more than 37,000 passengers.

We landed at 82 locations, and supported 74 different organisations. It’s a major partnership with the local people, and one we pray will open more and more people to Christ.

Main Stingray airstrip near Yilpara Far left Gerard Centre left Ministry Development Co-ordinator Brett Nel Top centre Fishing at Yilpara Top right Children’s outreach at Yirrkala Centre Eunice

For more information, please visit www.maf-uk.org/extrafeature December 2012 Flying for Life 9

TANZANIA: supporting education

Making disciples Our aircraft in Tanzania help the Church to grow and society to be transformed, thanks to partnership with the Malambo Discipleship Training Centre. Partnership and Development Manager Angela Schramm recalls a special occasion Photos Angela Schramm

I

was recently invited to represent MAF at a graduation ceremony for students of the Malambo Discipleship Training Centre (MDTC) in Tanzania – a joyous, lively, colourful event.

This was the third such graduation since the centre was built in 2011, and it was a real pleasure to celebrate with the Maasai Church.

Because of a slight technical fault with the plane, pilot Andrew Parker and I arrived a little late, and only just had time to sit down before I was called upon to speak on behalf of MAF. We were followed by the guest of honour, Pastor Daniel, District Pastor under the Arusha Diocese of the Lutheran Church of Tanzania.

He said the job of the Church is to grow

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numerically and to transform society. He explained that his work in the parish ‘has become much easier because there is already so much light here.’

Changing society Daniel thanked Head Teacher Elisha Ole Moita and the great contribution made by MDTC’s Bible school, saying, ‘People know their Bibles and have begun to follow Jesus. Whole families have begun to change. We can see the impact of the faith of believers. It is visible in their families and in changes to society as a whole.

‘Even non-believers profit from it. It is an amazing thing that Malambo now has an

MDTC began its second two-year Bible course and fourth discipleship training course on 29 August with 15 students

English school – a Christian one! Even outsiders are impressed to see so many blessings in Malambo. The way believers live is a good model for others to follow, and the work of the Church is having a remarkable impact.’

One of the ways this can be seen is through MDTC evangelists distributing food to 19 of the neediest villages.

Overjoyed During the ceremony, 24 students were presented with awards. The 19 graduates of the 3-month discipleship course and the 5 students who completed the month-long Sunday School teachers’ course received certificates. Colourful chains and beaded Maasai crosses were hung around their necks by relatives or by members of the local congregation for those with no family present.

Eight of the graduates were women.

Pastor Daniel also honoured the female graduates for their commitment, and asked their husbands to come forward so we could thank them for allowing their wives to study for three months – possibly one of the greatest changes in a culture that still struggles with letting girls attend school!

Standing next to Elisha, I was overjoyed to discover the different places the students had

come from. Many were from areas MAF has been flying to for many years, which shows how our work is helping the Maasai Church grow and bear fruit.

Eager to serve The service ended with prayer and – as one would expect – a big, tasty meal. When it was over, Andrew prepared the plane to fly many of the attendees home. Some had come from as far away as Kenya to attend the discipleship course – a programme that, according to Elisha, isn’t meant to be heavily theological, but is practical, profound and solidly biblical.

Escorting some of the evangelists to the plane enabled me to learn a little more about the course. Evangelist Daniel from Lemugur said he was very proud of his wife Rebekka, an elder in their church, for completing the course and receiving her certificate. She is now eager to use her new training as part of her ministry.

Although we offered Kimaasai Bibles as a special gift to any graduates who didn’t yet have a copy, only five took us up on the offer – all the others had their own.

Elisha’s last words were a plea to, ‘Please pray for these new graduates and their families as they are now starting their ministry. We thank MAF so much for all your help.’

Main Pilot Andrew Parker (left) with Elisha (centre) and Church Elder Emanuel (right) Far left Angela Schramm Top right Rebekka honoured by women Centre Rebekka receives her certifcate Centre right Elisha, Pastor Daniel and Andrew Parker

December 2012 Flying for Life 11

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: reopened base

Answering the call After six years without MAF, we now have two families based at Kawito, bringing much-needed services back to this forgotten corner of Papua New Guinea (PNG) Story Gary Clayton Photos Paula Swalm

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MAP Our Kawito base opens up a vast area of south-western PNG Main and top right The dedication service for the reopening Top centre The passenger terminal Centre right Nick Swalm receives a warm welcome

t’s no great exaggeration,’ says pilot Brad Ballin, ‘to describe Kawito in PNG’s remote Western Province as being at the ends of the earth. A former mission station, it’s located in the largest, yet least populated and poorest province of PNG.’ Brad and his wife Nikolai are one of two MAF families now living at the reopened base, which was closed six years ago because of a shortage of pilots.

Although reopening an old base might seem simple now the number of pilots has stabilised, it took considerable effort and determination. But thanks to Project Manager David Wilkinson, who surmounted many difficulties to get materials and contractors to carry out work on two rundown houses, they

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were ready to move into.

‘I never thought I’d have the privilege,’ says David, ‘of opening the door to a whole area of potential ministry and support for people in such remote locations.’

Camping for the Kingdom Mike and Jenni Bottrell, the last residents before Kawito’s closure, initially joined Brad and Nikolai to help re-establish relationships and welcome groups of villagers who wanted to meet the new family. The Ballin girls, Cherith (5) and Mekelle (3), ‘love their new home which,’ Nikolai admits, ‘is much better than expected.’

Brad agrees, ‘Since the houses were empty for a long time, a lot of work had to be done

hera

to get them liveable again. A friend, who knew the condition of the houses, described it as, “Camping for the Kingdom!”

‘Many villagers have expressed their thanks for coming back, and have been praying for this day for many years. Pray we will shine Christ’s light in the air and on the ground, bringing hope and healing to isolated people.’

New friends

O

NEW GUINEA

Wewak

200 miles

Their new friends, pilot Andrew Little and his

N wife E Mif,Soriginally I A served in Australia but felt

called to move to PNG. ‘It was with great excitement that Mif, Theo (2) and I learnt we were going to Kawito.’

Having settled Aru into their newly renovated home, they look forward to serving the local Tanimbar community and building close relationships.

Telefomin Rumginae

Mount Hagen Goroka

Port Moresby

Guard of honour

A R A Fthe U R Abase SEA On 30 June 2012, was officially reopened at a dedication service held at the airstrip. Eighteen staff and children were flown from Mount Hagen to Kawito – passing over mile upon mile of steamy jungle, swamp and swollen rivers.

When the plane arrived, flower garlands were draped round the visitors’ necks and 100 Gogodala people played guitars and sang songs of welcome. Hundreds of people turned up, happy to see MAF return. Cut banana trees lined the walk between the airstrip and the houses, forming a floral guard of honour.

After Operations Manager Patrick Williams thanked everyone for their warm welcome, chairs were set up for tea, and games of volleyball, golf and football kicked off.

Later, as the players cooled off in the water, the children enjoyed a makeshift waterslide of lengths of packing plastic, with soapy water running downhill to the river. After a campfire dinner, everyone went inside.

Excited by God The next day, the singers led the way to the hangar where Andrew began the service for the 400 people who had gathered to welcome MAF back to Kawito.

Pastor Wame gave a short welcome speech. Then Patrick thanked him, explained why we had left Kawito, and described how the Ballin and Little families, along with MAF

SOLO ISLA

UA NEW GU PAP IN EA Kawito

Traffic Officer Bowa Bayama who has been there through the years, had answered God’s call to return.

Chris Bubb, one of the last pilots to fly out when Kawito was closed six years ago, sent a message which Patrick read out: ‘One of the most memorable moments I had in the last days at Kawito, was of an old man at Kondobal falling to his knees as I was about to leave for the last time, begging me not to take the aeroplane away from the Western Province. He knew that without it, their women would die in childbirth, kids couldn’t get to school and pastors couldn’t go to conferences. So to hear that it is opening again is fantastic.’

Patrick concluded, ‘As excited as we are about dedicating the families to serve God in Kawito, we get more excited about the Spirit of God moving among His people.’ After the families were prayed for, Nikolai gave the benediction, then 200 children came forward for ice cream.

PNG’s Western Province • Estimated population 180,455 people, spread over 37,857 square miles • The large landmass creates access problems to remote regions where the swamps, rivers and forests make overland travel difficult • Though resource-rich, it’s PNG’s poorest region, ranking below the Democratic Republic of Congo in terms of human development • Over 36% of the population survive on an annual income of less than £5.

Emergency airlift The reopening turned out to be timely. Soon after the celebrations, Brad flew a snakebite victim to Balimo Hospital in ten minutes – avoiding a two-hour canoe ride that would probably have proved fatal.

December 2012 Flying for Life 13

KENYA: maintaining aircraft

Unfinished business Instead of choosing a comfortable retirement in the UK, Rob Pryce returned to Nairobi, Kenya, as Engineering Director, carrying on the work he first started 20 years ago Story Gary Clayton Photos LuAnne Cadd

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rom 1988-1989,’ explains Rob, ‘I worked for MAF in Kenya certifying and keeping a twin-engined Beech 1999 aircraft airworthy. We went home for our children’s education. But then Kath and I were able to return.’

Training as an aircraft maintenance engineer with the RAF, Rob shares, ‘I resigned my commission because I felt God calling me. Everyone thought I was mad. The group captain didn’t understand but said, “I respect what you’re doing.”’

Over the years, Rob served with MAF in a number of operations, maintaining, overseeing and modifying aircraft in Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the USA and Kenya.

Rob says God honoured their decision to leave Nairobi for the sake of the children – providing him with a job, a house and a bursary that enabled son Michael to obtain the education he needed at a fee-paying school. ‘The Lord,’

he remarks, ‘really provided.’

After 20 years working on the Boeing and Airbus fleet in Manchester and Stansted, Rob retired. By then, Michael, Ruth and Bethan had good degrees and jobs.

‘When I retired, I asked the Lord, “What next?” Then MAF got in touch and asked if I’d return to Kenya to oversee the 20 Kenyans maintaining the aircraft so the pilots can fly them safely! We’ve been here since 2009, and I’ve been happy to stay until someone else could be found.’

As Engineering Director, Rob was responsible for the leadership of the aircraft maintenance team in conjunction with Chief Engineer Henry Okech.

‘It was really enjoyable leaving my office and going round the hangar to talk to people and keep on top of what’s happening. I didn’t get my hands dirty, but everyone respected me as an

engineer because I worked as one for 30 years. My role was that of a kind of mentor, a father or grandfather to them – something I really valued.

‘It was a real privilege returning to Kenya,’ he concludes, ‘serving God and carrying on the work we felt we hadn’t finished when we came home 20 years ago.’

This is MAF is an international Christian aviation organisation serving around 30 developing countries to reach people living in some of the world’s most isolated communities.

Operating more than 135 light aircraft, MAF flies into 2,500 remote destinations, transporting essential medical care, food and water supplies, relief teams and church workers ­enabling physical and spiritual care to reach countless thousands of people cut off due to formidable geographical barriers, natural disasters and political unrest.

Each flight carries help and hope to men, women and children for whom flying is not a luxury but a lifeline. Transforming lives through enabling access, MAF is flying for life.

Mission Aviation Fellowship UK Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone CT20 2TN 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD FREEPOST ADM4164, PORTRUSH BT56 8ZY Dept AA1818, PO Box 4214, FREEPOST Dublin 2 Telephone: 0845 850 9505 Email: supporter.relations@maf-uk.org Website: www.maf-uk.org Registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107)

14 Flying for Life December 2012 www.maf-uk.org

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 © MAF UK December 2012 fflp

UK News Looking forward Here in the UK, 2012 has been a year of celebrations – the Queen’s diamond jubilee, the Olympic Games in London, and specifically for MAF, Stuart King’s 90th birthday and the launch of our new logo.

Many celebrations are in recognition of heritage, dedication and faithfulness.

When we have experienced God’s faithfulness in our achievements, our faith grows, propelling us to do more. And so it is when we receive an award. While we acknowledge what has been done, we look forward to what we can do next.

And this is how God is – He is constantly looking for those who have yet to hear His Name.

When Jesus healed one person, He moved on to the next. After preaching in one town, He went on to another.

Passionate about spreading the Good News, MAF is always looking to open new bases and new airstrips to reach more people living in remote places.

Isaiah 43:19 says that God is doing a new thing – not has or will, but is. There is always action with God. With this Scripture in mind, I am delighted that we have been able to reopen the MAF base at Kawito in PNG. We rejoice at the many thousands of lives that have been transformed through MAF flights, but there remain many more still to reach.

Thank you for your faithfulness to MAF’s work, and for looking to the future with us.

Together, we are taking help and hope to those living in remote and isolated places.

Ruth Whitaker Chief Executive, MAF UK

A faithful partner Margaret Beddow was a devout Christian. Thoroughly familiar with her Bible, all her life she demonstrated her faith by her generosity, both to people she knew were in need, as well as to charities.

Margaret worked as a nurse in local hospitals and prison infirmaries, as well as a district nurse, health visitor and midwife. It was her happy and compassionate nature that made her so good at caring for people, as well as her positive sense of humour.

After retiring, Margaret went as a three-week replacement to Mission for Military Garrisons in Cyprus. At the end of the placement, instead of returning home, she worked as a volunteer and stayed three years. Upon her return to the UK, she cared for her mother at home.

Brought up a Baptist, Margaret

attended various different types of churches throughout her life, depending on where she was working. Her easy-going and happy nature meant she was always very involved with whichever church she was attending – she had a smile and a joke for everyone.

Margaret began supporting MAF in her later years and was a faithful partner throughout that time. She also generously chose to remember MAF in her Will. Margaret was devoted to her family, spending her last years caring for her sister, before she herself suffered a short illness and died at the age of 90.

To learn more about supporting MAF in this way, please contact our Legacy Co-ordinator Miriam Wheeler on 0845 850 9505, or email miriam.wheeler@maf-uk.org

Bake off to Take off Buttery biscuits, tasty tarts, creamy cakes and spectacular savoury scones! If you have a favourite, tried and tested baking recipe, then we need your help We are launching our new Coffee Morning pack in the spring, and we would love to include some of our Supporters’ most mouth-watering recipes.

Please send your recipes, accompanying photos, and name and address to: bake@maf-uk.org by 31 January 2013, or post them to: MAF UK, Castle Hill Avenue, FOLKESTONE CT20 2TN

For our latest news and to give a gift, please visit www.maf-uk.org/flyingforlife or call our Supporter Relations team on 0845 850 9505

Connected through prayer Travel with us across the miles to pray for our overseas staff and the work of MAF around the world Every fortnight, News for Prayer highlights our most immediate operational needs via email.

News for Praye r 457 - FFL Dec 2012.pdf

News for Prayer

To receive News for Prayer and see how the Lord answers prayer as the months unfold, please email your full name and postcode with News for Prayer in the subject line to supporter.relations@maf-uk.org

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If you would prefer to receive News for Prayer by post, please telephone our Supporter Relations team on 0845 850 9505 or write to us using the reply envelope.