Flying for Life Autumn 2018

Flying for Life Autumn 2018

The quarterly magazine of MAF

2 DRC

'I was hungry and you fed me'

6 Liberia Born to live

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: pray for peace

‘I was hungry and you fed me’ MAF Pilot Jon Cadd, MAF’s eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Country Director and Pilot, reports on its growing refugee crisis Story Jenny Davies Photos Jamie Dimon and Ashley Petersen

Main Bunia refugee settlement Below 'MAF! MAF! MAF!' Below right A delivery of rice is received with much gratitude Far right Juliet fixes a tarpaulin to her makeshift home

'A

touch says we’re all in this together,’ explains Jon Cadd.

‘It helps make people feel more at ease.

'We walked through the camp, greeting people in the African way – shaking hands, asking names, enquiring after their families, finding out where they came from and if they are well. Many had walked for four or five days to get to the camp on little or no food.’

A week prior to this visit in March 2018, Jon wrote in his blog of a crisis unfolding on MAF’s doorstep in eastern DRC. He shared news of violence escalating in Djugu, tens of thousands of IDPs (internally displaced people) arriving in Bunia, and the rapidly growing IDP settlement that ‘sparked us into immediate action.’

An immediate response Picking his way through the sea of makeshift tents, Jon surveyed the colossal crisis. In one of the largest countries in the world, 100,000 people were huddled – in small shelters – just inches from their neighbours on either side.

‘We were able to bring food to them within a few days,’ Jon recalls, ‘having found out what the local Christian

2 Flying for Life Autumn 2018 www.maf-uk.org

volunteers lacked. They were completely out of rice and in desperate need of a larger cooking pot.’

MAF duly purchased a 300-litre pot, along with cups, plates, and large quantities of firewood and rice. ‘It was so big that, when they were trying to get it out of the van, the door popped off!’ smiles Jon’s wife Cher.

There were shouts and whistles of joy when the huge pot was finally delivered.

The cooks began drumming on it, dancing and raising the sacks of rice in the air, chanting, ‘MAF! MAF! MAF!’

Djugu Bunia

Lake Victoria

D E M O C R A T I C R E P U B L I C O F C O N G O Kinshasa TANZA

ANGOLA 150 miles

Key to maps

— Capital city /

— MAF base — Location

In the following weeks, our staff bought many more bags of rice and distributed it – through the Church – to half-starved men, women and children.

Seeing a handful of local Christian women cook for thousands of refugees continued to inspire us as the weeks turned into months.

Comfort and care Ashley Petersen, wife of pilot David, was with Jon when they met Juliet. She and her three children were living in a flimsy, grass-framed structure without even a tarpaulin to keep them dry.

Later that day, Ashley returned with tarpaulins for Juliet and two other women who shared her plight.

‘In the tent that houses victims of violence, we saw many with machete wounds,’ Ashley recalls. 'That group hadn’t eaten in four days. So we headed to the local market and, when we returned with the supplies, I saw the first smiles on the faces of the wounded.

‘They would be able to eat that day and sleep under a tarpaulin instead of in the rain.’

Deep wounds On her visit to the settlement the following week, Cher heard about the appalling trauma of many other survivors.

One woman with machete wounds on her head and arms stared into space as though nothing could overcome her loss and sorrow.

‘As I was trying to comfort her,' Cher says, 'I noticed she had a very old scar across her head. It must have been from a previous attack. I am left wondering why I have been so blessed when she – and all these other innocent people – have suffered so much.

‘It saddens me that I couldn’t do more.

I was limited to smiling and reaching out to touch people to show them I care,’ she reflects later. ‘But now I see their faces as I pray.’

At the end of a long day, Jon came home, ‘thankful for the many blessings I so easily take for granted – a hot meal, a warm shower, a dry bed and the opportunity to help.'

Now the size of a large town, this immense IDP settlement remains uppermost in his thoughts.

‘It rained that night,' John concludes, 'and I couldn’t help thinking of all the people getting wet at the camp. But then I remembered there were at least ten more families who were sleeping dry under tarpaulins.

‘That, at least, was good.’

'As I was trying to comfort her, I noticed she had a very old scar across her head.

It must have been from a previous attack' Autumn 2018 Flying for Life 3

SOUTH SOUTH SUDAN: SUDAN: pray pray forfor new thepilots fleet

You helped us buy a plane!

Photos LuAnne Cadd and Katie Machell

Ruth Whitaker takes this opportunity to give thanks to the MAF family for its commitment to South Sudan

I

Main Joy for South Sudan!

Top Ruth Whitaker Above The next generation will benefit from your generosity

’ve been privileged to spend over a decade in the role of Chief Executive, so this is not the first time I’ve found myself truly inspired by the actions of our supporters.

In 2017, we asked many of you to 'Help us buy a plane!' for our South Sudan programme.

And – as I’ve been privileged to witness before – thousands of you responded immediately with the heartfelt generosity which has been crucial to MAF's mission.

By May this year, more than 10,000 gifts had been made to this extra special appeal, and I’m delighted to confirm that we can now add another plane to the MAF fleet!

By any standards – even those set by MAF supporters – this was a remarkable response to a long-term need.

The aircraft in question – a Cessna 208 Grand Caravan – is known as ‘the workhorse of Africa’ because it’s adaptable, versatile and so very reliable.

Quite simply, it’s an essential part of our modern ministry.

As many of you know, South Sudan remains one of the world’s poorest countries. From its ‘birth’ in 2011, it has suffered from high rates of illiteracy, malnutrition and infant mortality – amid a backdrop of constant civil strife.

However, the partnerships MAF has established with dozens of organisations over many years mean that a brighter future is

4 Flying for Life Autumn 2018 www.maf-uk.org

already dawning in some of South Sudan's most remote communities.

You may recall Flying for Life articles about our work with partners such as Medair and Tearfund. You may have prayed for inspiring projects such as the Kuron Peace Village and the organisation Not Impossible Labs.

By helping us to add another Caravan to the fleet, you've ensured that people living in physical and spiritual poverty will know that God loves them.

It is with great joy that I take this opportunity to thank you for the countless prayers and gifts which have brought help, hope and healing to thousands across the globe.

Please continue to pray for lasting peace in South Sudan.

I’m delighted to confirm that we can now add another plane to the MAF fleet!

UGANDA: UK news: pray prayfor formissionaries partners

The hardest of landings

In the penultimate chapter of our four-part story, Stuart King, one of MAF’s founders, remembers the highs and lows of the early days Story Stuart King Photos MAF archive

S

ix months into MAF’s inaugural survey flight in The Mildmay Pathfinder, Jack Hemmings and I received a telegram from mission doctor Mark Poole.

‘My airstrip is ready but a little soft – come at your discretion.’

To create this airstrip at Bulapé – now part of the Democratic Republic of Congo – Mark and his helpers had cleared 6,000 trees, filled the resulting holes and levelled and rolled the surface!

From the air, the small sandy-coloured clearing stood out distinctly – hacked from the surrounding sea of green trees.

As we circled, hundreds of people converged on the edges of the clearing, Mark having warned them to stay off the airstrip itself.

On exiting the Pathfinder, we saw we’d sunk up to our axles in the recently dug earth. The return journey would require significant lightening of the load prior to take-off.

Surging crowds engulfed the plane as Mark called, ‘Welcome! Welcome!’ above the clamour. Throughout the weekend,

thousands emerged from the forest to marvel at the aircraft, and a crowded church listened to the ‘flying men’ preach through interpreters.

It was a landmark moment in MAF's history, but there was trouble ahead.

Flying over Burundi en route to Nairobi, we encountered a mountain ridge in the middle of our flight path.

With a strong headwind blowing towards us, we were confident it could be safely negotiated.

Then Jack said, ‘What’s happening?

We’re not gaining altitude!’ Even with fully open throttles, our altimeter

'What's happening?

We're not gaining altitude!'

displayed the horrifying fact that we were descending at 300 feet per minute.

The wind’s down currents were pushing us towards the valley floor – a situation we’d never encountered in all our years flying high-powered military aircraft.

Jack banked in a valiant attempt to escape, but we were still losing height.

Our starboard wing crashed into a banana tree, the wooden propellers shattered against the ground and the tail snapped.

By the grace of God, we emerged from the splinters of an aircraft which – mercifully – had not gone up in flames.

We were still alive. However, at that moment, it really felt like MAF’s mission had died.

Main The Pathfinder's final landing Inset A chief at Bulapé

Autumn 2018 Flying for Life 5

Liberia: pray for midwives

Born to live With the lowest doctor-to-patient ratio in the world, there is precious little access to health care in Liberia

P

regnant women are among those who suffer most in any hospital crisis. Poor working conditions, inadequate training, low pay and ingrained poverty cause many doctors in Liberia to search for better opportunities in other countries.

This is why there is only 1 doctor for every 71,000 Liberians – undoubtedly the root cause of the country’s high maternal and neonatal mortality rates.

In partnership with WHO and the Liberian Ministry of Health, Maternal and Child Advocacy International (MCAI) is establishing an innovative programme to upskill midwives.

Its vision is to improve maternal and neonatal care through a hospital-based approach where experienced midwives are trained in advanced obstetrics procedures that are normally undertaken by doctors.

Main MAF's flights to Zwedru help bring new lives safely into the world Above The new midwife programme reduces mortality rates Right Mothers-to-be now enjoy expert care Far right Dr Dolo, Sarah Newnham and MAF Country Director Emil Kündig

Welcome to the jungle In September 2015, nine midwives began a two-year apprenticeship under the supervision of obstetrics trainer Dr Obed Dolo. These trainee obstetrics clinicians learnt basic surgical skills, pelvic anatomy and ultrasound scanning.

They were also taught to respond to a major haemorrhage and carry out advanced surgical procedures such as caesarian sections.

In November 2017, MAF flew MCAI’s senior staff to assess the facilities of two rural hospitals

6 Flying for Life Autumn 2018 www.maf-uk.org

in Fish Town and Zwedru – ensuring they had the necessary equipment for advanced maternity care.

The flight from the capital Monrovia takes around an hour – saving the team spending an entire day travelling by road and enabling them to visit both hospitals in one day!

I accompanied Dr Dolo and MCAI Director Professor David Southall on the flight.

Approaching Fish Town, the plane turned sharply and I spotted the airstrip nestled in the surrounding jungle.

‘Because I love it!’

Most of Dr Dolo’s counterparts have moved to other countries and better paid jobs, so I was curious as to his reasons for staying in Liberia.

‘Because I love it!’ was the doctor's instant, enthusiastic reply. ‘There’s a great feeling when you know you’ve made a difference. There are times when you’re frustrated and things don’t work out – especially when the loss of life is preventable. But, by improving practices, you can reduce mortality rates and see a positive outcome.’

At the start of this year, those nine midwives – now newly-qualified obstetrics clinicians – began their internship across three rural hospitals.

From the beginning of this phase, the clinicians have been working hard to organise

SIERRA LEONE

GUINEA

CÔTE D'IVOIRE Monrovia

L I B E R I A Zwedru

South Atlantic Ocean

Fish Town

20 miles

Story Sarah Newnham Photos LuAnne Cadd and Kelly and Mark Hewes

the maternity department in Zwedru. A more hygienic and spacious area for medical staff to deliver babies and care for patients has been established.

Hospital staff were so excited at the prospect of more skilled practitioners coming to assist them. With an average of four babies being born daily, the arrival of these extra obstetrics

clinicians was long overdue.

‘The difference is huge!’ reports Medical Director Dr Obasi. ‘Before the new staff came, I was the only available doctor, so I was on the clock for 24 hours. I had little time for myself or to go outside the hospital.’

Saving time, saving lives The expectation is for a significant increase in women coming to the hospital once word gets around that more midwives have arrived.

‘Now we are at the hospital, the number of caesarean sections has been reduced,’ says one midwife Jonathan. ‘We have been able to perform vacuum deliveries, too, thanks to our training. In general, women should have safer pregnancies.’

Another midwife Emmanuel, shares that they also travel to rural clinics. ‘We call mothers-tobe to the clinics so they’re aware we’re here to help them – particularly if they suffer any complications.’

MAF flies a weekly shuttle to Zwedru, delivering medical supplies and providing fast, reliable transport for staff and patients to other hospitals.

‘MAF will help us because the road condition here is ugly,’ Jonathan concludes. ‘In the rainy season, it is very, very difficult to get anywhere.

So, with MAF services in place, it will be a great relief for us.’

Did you like this story?

There are many more stories online. For the latest MAF news, visit www.maf-uk.org/ stories or visit our Facebook page.

Autumn 2018 Flying for Life 7

WORLDWIDE: pray for disaster victims

W

hen a disaster occurs, MAF responds quickly with air transportation, emergency communications, logistics support, and experienced personnel.

We use our skills to get the right people and the right cargo to the right place at the right time, enabling our partners to respond well in remote, insecure and inhospitable locations.

We are the missing piece that enables agencies to bring whatever is needed – medicine, shelter, food – to disaster victims.

8 Flying for Life Autumn 2018 www.maf-uk.org

The end result is that people who have felt the devastation can be saved and helped. MAF is a critical partner that allows disaster response to happen.

When disaster strikes

Following a career in United Airlines, John felt a strong sense of calling to use his gifts and abilities in service to the Lord. He joined MAF in 1993 as a pilot/ mechanic in Kalimantan, Indonesia. Later, he was asked to take on the Global Disaster Response role in 2006 following a tsunami in Indonesia two years before.

Responding to disasters around the world is a key part of MAF’s mission to share God's love through aviation so that isolated people will be physically and spiritually transformed.

Over many decades, MAF aircraft have responded to numerous disasters – from famine in Ethiopia and genocide in Rwanda to more recent major emergencies including earthquakes in Haiti and Nepal and hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean.

This year, we’ve been there to help the relief efforts for remote communities when an earthquake devastated parts of

Emergency services MAF’s Global Manager of Disaster Response John Woodberry has spent more than 12 years responding to disasters around the world

Story Lesley Miller Photos Anthony Cece, Nick Frey and John Woodberry

Papua New Guinea and another outbreak of Ebola occurred in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

First on the scene

With experience over 70 years, programmes in 27 countries and a fleet of 128 aircraft, MAF is strategically positioned as a first responder to assist in transportation and communication needs immediately following a disaster.

As the world's largest humanitarian airline, many of the 2,000 organisations we serve depend on us as a crucial partner in rapid disaster response.

One of the key services MAF can offer is aerial survey. Our planes fly over an area of disaster, taking photos with embedded GPS information which we then pass on to relief agencies. This enables them to assess the scale of the need and make informed decisions as to the immediate action needed.

John explains more about how MAF gets involved in responding to a disaster.

‘We pay attention to what’s going on in the news and follow disaster websites.

'MAF is blessed to have a worldwide network of partners sharing information

from the ground and working together when a disaster happens.

‘We’re able to get people and aircraft moving within 24 hours. Flight, logistic and communication support can then be provided rapidly to agencies preparing to travel to remote areas where life-saving operations are needed.’

‘How can I help these people?’

Faith underpins all that John and the Disaster Response Team do.

‘The greatest challenge is coming into an unknown situation. You’re in a new environment, with new challenges and new needs. So, the first thing you’re going to do is pray and ask God to give you wisdom.

‘You’re seeing people with urgent needs and the question on your heart is “How can I help these people?” God give me the strength to love, care and do the right actions in a rapid way.’

And this, with God's help, is what MAF is doing.

You can hear more about MAF Disaster Response from John at www.maf-uk.org/emergency

Main Indonesia tsunami aftermath, 2004 Above Democratic Republic of Congo Ebola outbreak, 2018 Above left John Woodberry Below left Ethiopia famine victims, 1984 Autumn 2018 Flying for Life 9

TIMOR-LESTE: pray for teachers

Class of 2018

Story Kim Job Photos TX Foundation

Thanks to MAF, a school in a remote area of Timor-Leste is no longer likely to collapse on those studying there

S

Main A ceremonial beginning for the new school Above A special performance for special visitors

tories of what happens when people get off the plane inspire me and keep me going whenever I feel life as an MAF Communications Officer is getting tough. Here is a story I'm privileged to share with you.

In February, Freda Miriklis flew to Baucau with MAF, then drove on some of the roughest roads she’d ever travelled to reach Saint Magdalene of Canossa High School.

‘We were on a very tight schedule,’ explains Freda, the TX Foundation’s International Development Adviser, ‘as our mission was for one day only. We were driven to the village of Ossu de Cima to begin the much-needed rebuilding of a school.'

This is a remote area of the world where three-quarters of the population are subsistence farmers.

There’s no public transport, so many of the children walk six miles to get to school, live with relatives nearby, or attend a local boarding school – doing whatever it takes to get there.

‘When we arrived,’ Freda continues, ‘we were greeted with songs of joy and specially choreographed performances by the students.

10 Flying for Life Autumn 2018 www.maf-uk.org

Our team inspected the buildings that were in disrepair, conducted a groundbreaking ceremony, and met with school authorities and the contractor to discuss the rebuilding plans.’

The school, which has only four permanent classrooms, is made up of five sections.

The TX Foundation – which runs 57 projects in 43 of the world’s poorest countries – agreed to fund urgent repairs to the classrooms, canteen, laboratory, roofs, children’s toilets and teachers’ room.

An additional 200 students will be able to attend classes once the work is finished – enabling vulnerable families to escape crippling poverty through access to education.

‘Some parents,’ Freda explains, ‘don’t send their children to school because they’re afraid of the buildings collapsing. And, if it wasn't for the pilots and planes of MAF, we wouldn’t have been able to visit this remote school or help in the reconstruction.’

Our pilots look forward to flying TX personnel back to Ossu once the project is completed.

Thanks to flights like these, I have the best job in MAF!

WORLDWIDE: pray for staff

Can you help us spread the word?

Joey Redhead recalls some highlights from his time with MAF and asks the next generation of mission staff to step forward!

Photos LuAnne Cadd

I 'Before joining, I had no idea there were roles for people like me at MAF'

Main Electronics engineer is one of many jobs on offer at MAF Above A whole new world awaits you Inset Joey Redhead

was an electronics engineer repairing and maintaining very specific medical equipment. I’d long assumed that everyone at MAF was either a pilot or an aircraft engineer.

But, when I took a closer look at the various jobs on offer, God called me to a new life – one where I could use my technical skills and touch people's lives directly.

I served with the MAF Technology Services team in Papua New Guinea.

Our work included installing lifesaving radio communications and solar power in remote communities, repairing broken equipment and producing audio Bibles in local languages.

Two unforgettable memories spring to mind when I think of MAF. First, watching people gather in an isolated village after hours of walking just to watch the Jesus film.

Secondly, the joyful feeling knowing the repairs we’d just made to some hospital equipment would save many lives in the future.

It’s these unique experiences that working for MAF can offer you. And MAF needs your help today to tell the Christians you know we're waiting for their call!

For more than 70 years, MAF has used the power of flight to bring physical and spiritual transformation to the world’s poorest and most remote people.

To continue its amazing ministry, MAF needs to find a new generation willing to use its skills and expertise in one of 27 developing countries.

Please hand or post the enclosed flier to family or friends who you think may be willing to roll up their sleeves and embark on the adventure of a lifetime.

We’re looking for men and women across a wide range of roles: pilots, aircraft maintenance engineers, avionics technicians, electrical technicians and ground operations staff.

We also have support roles in programme management, IT, human resources, financial management, quality control, safety and facilities management.

I promise you that this is an incredible opportunity to improve the lives of some of the world’s most isolated and vulnerable people!

For more information, please contact the HR team on 01303 850950 or email hr@maf-uk.org Autumn 2018 Flying for Life 11

SOUTH SUDAN: pray for refugees

Lulu, come home!

Story Lesley Miller Photos Kelly and Mark Hewes

W

Main The four-legged refugee Above Lulu (left) and Eivind – reunited!

Right The Lindtjoern family is complete again

hen fighting broke out in Juba, South Sudan, in July 2016, MAF was forced to evacuate its team of international staff and families.

Leaving at short notice, they had to say goodbye to friends and colleagues – not knowing if they would ever return to this war-torn country.

For MAF Pilot Eivind Lindtjoern and his family, this meant waving a sad farewell to their dog Lulu, whom they'd had since she was a puppy.

A kind friend agreed to re-home Lulu, but they lived on the other side of Juba in a neighbourhood unfamiliar to her. Lulu didn’t settle well and, after a couple of months, she tunnelled out of her new home to roam the tense streets of Juba.

The Lindtjoerns feared the worst – that their four-legged friend had become another casualty of the ongoing instability in the world’s newest country.

Eivind continued to fly in and out of South Sudan from his temporary base in Kenya.

Sometimes, he would stay overnight in Juba, returning to the old MAF compound for food and sleep.

One night, Eivind was walking down the street outside the compound when suddenly he felt a nibbling at his leg. He turned around and staring up at him were Lulu's familiar brown eyes.

‘I was so happy! What is extraordinary is that

12 Flying for Life Autumn 2018 www.maf-uk.org

Lulu had grown up in the compound and never left it before, so I really don’t know how she made it back here. She must have been roaming around the city for weeks. How amazing she should find me.’

When the family moved to serve in Uganda, they were keen for Lulu to join them. A lucky free space on an MAF flight from Juba meant Lulu earnt her wings to a new life in a new country.

For this canine refugee there was a happy ending – unlike so many of those South Sudanese people who have been forced to flee their homes and leave their families. Please continue to pray that they too will soon find their way home.

Watch the video of Lulu’s amazing story at www.maf-uk.org/lulu

KENYA: pray for the Gospel

Treasured words

Story Katie Machell Photos Rachel Andersen and Melvin Peters

Thanks to a solar-powered audio device, 'Treasure' is no longer buried in Dukana, northern Kenya

E

ddie and Rachel Andersen serve the nomadic Gabbra tribe in northern Kenya.

Based in the remote village of Dukana – population 20,000 – they repair cars, provide basic medical care, and study the Bible with the constantly moving Gabbra.

Last year, volunteers Dale and Issac decided to support this work. Having travelled by road from Nairobi to Loglogo, a short journey by MAF plane saved them an uncomfortable six-hour trip on top of a freight truck.

‘They came on the night bus and arrived here at 3.30am,’ explains Loglogo-based pilot Melvin Peters. ‘They slept for three hours and then we headed out. One volunteer said he was always sick on small planes. I’d just made a big breakfast of eggs and sausages – so I distracted him by chatting about God! ‘It was very special to spend time with Eddie Andersen,’ continues Melvin, who stayed in Dukana overnight, ‘because his grandfather Dick started the Loglogo mission station back in the 1960s.’

Today, the Gospel is beginning to take root, with a few faithful members of the community attending church and studying the Bible.

But it isn’t easy. Rachel says that raising six children in such an isolated and challenging environment is extremely demanding. ‘Our children have had various illnesses, with little or no medical care available.’

Main Rachel, Eddie and family are the latest generation of the Andersen family to serve in northern Kenya Left Volunteers Dale and Isaac with MAF Pilot Melvin Peters

As part of their outreach, Eddie and Rachel use the ‘Treasure’ – a solar-powered audio device loaded with 800 hours of Christian material. Designed to withstand hostile environments, it’s an excellent way to bring the Good News to the Gabbra.

‘The Treasure,’ Rachel explains, ‘has opened up doors and led to a growing number of Gabbra seeking Christ. Every day, people come to our door asking for Treasures.

'We often watch helplessly as friends suffer from cycles of drought and famine, and feel a sense of urgency to reach the Gabbra – knowing that they live on the edge of disaster and possibly death.’

Did you like this story?

There are many more stories online. For the latest MAF news, visit www.maf-uk.org/ stories or visit our Facebook page.

Autumn 2018 Flying for Life 13

UK news

A passion for isolated people Gordon Landreth first encountered MAF during his family's 14 years in Malawi, where he became District Commissioner Born in West Kensington in 1926, Gordon read geography at Jesus College, Oxford, before serving in the Royal Engineers.

After World War II, he studied further at Oxford, then trained at Cambridge University for the Colonial Service.

Gordon became a Christian through a local Crusader class and was extremely active in Christian Unions at both Oxford and Cambridge.

Posted to Malawi in 1950, Gordon, his wife Rosemary and their two children lived for several years in an isolated area where they depended on regular flights in a Beaver aircraft.

In 1964, the family returned to the UK where Gordon worked for Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship and the Evangelical Alliance.

Gordon continued his faithful prayer and financial support for Christian missions – MAF’s commitment to the world’s most remote people being a particular passion.

On 3 March 2017, Gordon was reunited with Rosemary – who had died four years previously – when he passed away peacefully and went to be with the Lord.

Now, because of the gift Gordon left to MAF in his Will, remote communities can continue to experience the joy of God’s help, hope and healing.

If you would like to know more about leaving a legacy to MAF, please phone Miriam Wheeler on 01303 851958 or email miriam.wheeler@maf-uk.org

The next MAF generation The theme for this issue’s Prayer Diary is ‘unity in diversity’ – a phrase that could easily be used to sum up MAF in the 21st century!

From playing our part in the mighty effort to feed, clothe and shelter the world’s growing refugee population (page 2) to spreading God’s Word by solar power (page 13), our aircraft are involved in a wide variety of partnerships.

We trust you continue to enjoy the way in which Flying for Life reports both the larger scale work of our Disaster Response Team (page 8) while relaying how a passion for homemade sausages (page 15) also plays its unique part in MAF’s mission!

Our supporters are a vital part of that mission and we are asking you to pass on our need for the next generation of overseas staff to anyone you think has the skills and the attitude we need (page 11 and the enclosed flier).

Hopefully, the few stories contained in this issue – and the many more available online – will provide the inspiration for Christians in the UK to ask God if He is calling them to mission.

Your commitment to supporting our work in any way you can is of the utmost importance to our plans for the future.

Thank you for all you do for MAF.

Ruth Whitaker Chief Executive, MAF UK

This is Mission Aviation Fellowship is a Christian organisation serving 27 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 around 128 light aircraft, MAF’s pilots fly into some 1,400 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 2017 2018 www.maf-uk.org

MAF UK Castle House, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone Kent CT20 2TQ 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD FREEPOST ADM4164, PORTRUSH BT56 8ZY Dept AA1818, PO Box 4214, FREEPOST Dublin 2 T 01303 852819 E supporter.relations@maf-uk.org W www.maf-uk.org Registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107) ® Registered trademark 3026860, 3026908, 3026915

Flying for Life Editor: Richard Chambers Email: editor@maf-uk.org Copy Editor: Gary Clayton Designer: Oak Creative Printer: Fretwell Print and Design Ltd Printed on sustainable paper produced from a managed forest © MAF UK Autumn 2018 ffmr It costs us no more than 65p to produce and send you this magazine and prayer diary

Faith, action, sausages!

In the 1980s, my wife Lynn and I were introduced to MAF by a friend with close ties to the charity Story Andrew Steele Photos Kevin Hartley

S

he was a midwife at an Elim hospital near Lake Tanganyika – a location to which only MAF aircraft flew. Lynn and I soon learnt there were many, many places worldwide in the same situation.

From that time on, my business supported MAF with a monthly donation. In 2003, illness forced me into an early retirement and I had to cancel that regular gift.

However, a letter from Kevin Crook, Head of MAF in the Community, would soon be winging its way to me asking if I’d like to become an Area Representative.

The words of James 2:14-19 ran through my mind and I felt as if God was tapping me on the shoulder saying, ‘This is for you!’

Suffice it to say, I have thoroughly enjoyed visiting many churches and organisations over

the years, spreading the good news about MAF. After one presentation in a tiny Somerset chapel, a charming young lady approached me. About to take part in the Bournemouth fun run, she said MAF would receive her sponsorship funds because it was the first charity to inspire her.

My colleague Allyson Edwards sent her an MAF T-shirt and the lady’s employers doubled the sponsorship money she raised!

My most abiding church relationship involves St John The Evangelist, Upper Studley – just over the road from my home. After one speaking engagement there, the summer fete committee decided to make MAF one of its beneficiaries.

In recent years, I’ve been able to return their kindness by running the fete’s barbecue. This is also an outlet for my homemade sausages – a retirement hobby that has branched out into burgers and ice-cream. (Our grandchildren always ensure their sleepovers coincide with a sausage-making session!)

Every summer, I spend an afternoon cooking while enthusiastic parishioner Liz Foster serves the fete faithful.

This regular fixture in St John’s calendar – and a generous donation to MAF – are preceded by weeks of me cluttering up our kitchen. So I hereby give thanks to Lynn for her crucial part in fundraising through her patient tolerance of the entire, messy process!

Main Andrew, flanked by the Mayor of Trowbridge (left) and the dynamic Liz! Below Grandchildren Megan and Max on the fundraising production line

We’d love to share our latest news with you so, if you’d like an MAF representative to speak at your church or youth group, please phone 01303 851955 or visit www.maf-uk.org/ speaker

Autumn 2018 Flying for Life 15

A MISSION FOCUSED PRAYER CONFERENCE Bethel Convention Centre, Birmingham

SPEAKERS

Rev Betty King

James Aladiran

Betty King Ministries

Prayer Storm

Paul Hudson Dr Harvey Kwiyani Elim Missions

Missio Africanus

Mike Fagg MAF

WORSHIP LEADERS

Noel Robinson

Helen Yousaf

Rebecca Aladiran

TICKETS £15 / £5 CONCESSION

Doors open 9.45am, event ends 9pm. Breakout workshops with leaders in their field.

LIMITED TICKETS so book tickets now at:

WWW.FORTHESAKEOFTHEWORLD.COM Sponsored by:

In Partnership with: Organised by: