Flying For Life - Summer 2017 Edition

Flying for Life Summer 2017

The quarterly magazine of MAF

2 Angola

Life after landmines

12 South Sudan

Healing the wounds of war

ANGOLA: pray for protection

Life after landmines MAF partner organisation the HALO Trust is steadily reclaiming huge areas of land in Angola blighted by millions of deadly explosives left over from its civil war Story Jez Simpson Photos Marijn Goud and Jez Simpson

A

Main The last deadly landmine in Huambo is safely detonated Above Since 1994, HALO teams have used detection equipment to clear an amazing 92,000 landmines from Angola

2 Flying for Life Summer 2017 www.maf-uk.org

huge explosion resounds in the distance as a plume of smoke rises above the tree line. From the smiles and camaraderie of the onlookers watching from a safe distance – over half a mile away – you can tell this is mostly spectacle.

But that exploding anti-tank device is real. HALO has just carried out a controlled detonation of the last landmine in Huambo City District.

Earlier in the day, an MAF aircraft descended into Huambo Airport to help HALO celebrate a special event. A group of ambassadorial staff, dignitaries and media personnel disembarked with the HALO team. MAF Pilots Brent Mudde and Nick Frey brought up the rear in their crisp white shirts.

Arriving shortly afterwards in a Cessna 182 flown by Marijn Gould were MAF Angola’s Country Director Jez Simpson and MAF Canada’s Vice President of Operations Lowell Deering.

‘HALO is simply brilliant at what it does,’ says an excited Jez. ‘Very professional and makes me proud to be British!’

Diana’s legacy It’s not Angola’s civil war that is the focus of today but the person who – in the face of censure and criticism – did most to bring the tragedy of landmines to the world’s attention.

It is 20 years to the day since Diana Princess of Wales bravely walked through a Huambo minefield. It’s her legacy people are here to remember.

The excitement is tangible as 150 people crowd into the library in Huambo to celebrate the incredible progress made by HALO. Since 1994, its staff have cleared 92,000 landmines and made safe 162,000 items of unexploded ordnance (bombs, shells and grenades).

Thanks to their dedication, there are

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

Luanda

A N G O L A

South Atlantic Ocean

Huambo Lubango

ZAMBIA

now 800 fewer minefields, 55,000 acres of reclaimed land and more than 4,700 miles of safe roads.

In the crowd outside the library, Domingos is enjoying the atmosphere. ‘I do not remember the war – but today is a great day!’ The 26-year-old is part of a new generation of Angolans growing up in relative safety, albeit without many of the basic services they desperately need.

This bitter earth Key to maps

NAMBIA

100 miles

— Capital city /

— MAF base — Location

After speeches, the dignitaries move on to an orthopaedic centre in Bomba Alta where Princess Diana inspired millions of television viewers with her gentle compassion for landmine victims.

One of those many victims is Julio, whose life was rent asunder by a landmine in 1989. Then just 19, the father of 4 has moved around on sticks ever since – only receiving his first prosthetic limb in 2010.

‘Statistics don’t give you the gutwrenching sense of landmines’ impact on ordinary people just like you and me,’ Jez reflects as he watches Julio navigate the therapeutic obstacles.

At the HALO training base, the guests look on as sappers scour the earth with metal detectors beyond the red tipped safety markers.

A vacillating detector stabilises into a steady tone – the first sign of a landmine.

Invaluable!

Later that week, Jez received an email from HALO Trust’s Deputy Programme Manager José Pedro Agostinho: ‘It was an honour to have MAF here for the event.

Over the years, HALO has benefited greatly from your services. We hope to continue doing so in the future.

‘Ultimately, your support for HALO does result in greater benefit, as it contributes to the demining efforts and therefore thousands of people benefit from HALO’s operation in different provinces’.

‘Your service is invaluable to us.’

Top MAF pilots were honoured to attend the HALO celebration Above Julio at the orthopaedic centre in Bomba Alta Right Artificial limbs in Angola tend to be rudimentary at best

Summer 2017 Flying for Life 3

ANGOLA: pray for protection

Sandy soil is swept away carefully to reveal the corner of a metal rectangle about the size of a lunchbox.

Angola is unique in that there are more than 20 types of explosive device beneath its soil, which increases the danger for those detecting and disarming landmines. Aside from flying visiting donors and dignitaries, MAF is also there to evacuate HALO staff to hospital in case of emergency.

Left Progress has been incredible, yet there are still 620 minefields in Angola where death remains just beneath the earth’s surface Below HALO has reclaimed 55,000 acres of land en route to destroying all of Angola’s landmines witin the next decade

Free from mines in a decade?

The final ‘event’ of the day underlines the ever-present danger. The detonation of a landmine at Tchichala Tcholohanga leaves a lasting impression on everyone.

HALO’s Regional Director Chris Pym provides an emphatic assessment of the deadly weapon as the dust begins to settle. ‘It won’t just blow the doors off,’ he says.

The frontline in the war against landmines advances steadily as green dots replace red on the HALO map – one controlled explosion at a time.

But there are whole areas of Angola where clearance has not yet begun – 620 minefields across 8 provinces have been mapped but await the requisite manpower to progress.

With sufficient resources, Angola could be mine free in a decade. Without them, it will not.

AV I AT I O N

MISSION

A DV E N TU RE

MAF Youth challenges all Flying for Life readers to book a free session for their youth group.

AVIA

How? a. Find your church youth worker b. Hand him or her the enclosed flyer [pictured] c. Let them contact us to book an exciting and interactive session that will give your young people a unique taste of what mission has to offer them.

Thank you!

4 Flying for Life Summer 2017 www.maf-uk.org

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MADAGASCAR: pray for mechanics

‘By air or by road, let’s go!’

Malagasy pastor Parson Rakotonirina is MAF’s Garage Co-ordinator in Antananarivo. He supervises car maintenance for mission groups and NGOs Story and Photos LuAnne Cadd ‘When MAF gave me this job,’ Parson recalls, ‘I wondered, “How can I serve the Church?” But now I’m convinced that, by having their vehicles running well, I am helping NGOs and missionaries plant churches in my country.’

Chief Aviation Engineer Rob Barber believes the work is vital – a reliable vehicle is crucial on the ground.

‘I’m a mechanic. I’m gifted at fixing planes and cars,’ says Rob. ‘I’m not gifted at preaching and teaching. If we can help partners with their vehicles, it allows them more time to do what they’re gifted at – the preaching and teaching.’

A matter of trust Terrible roads take a heavy toll on vehicles, and maintenance can be problematic. ‘It takes a lot of time, but the other problem is finding a good garage,’ states Rob. ‘Dishonesty is rampant. When vehicles come in, we know right away if they’ve been maintained elsewhere – we see the evidence!’

Parson feels that for those who bring their cars to MAF’s vehicle workshop, it’s all about trust. ‘We have integrity when we fix cars. We won’t steal their parts or try to cheat them with the cost.’

About 30 organisations use the service, with up to 10 cars in for work each week. Recently, a Baptist mission

left 20 cars for repair while they attended a conference abroad.

Same team, same vision Although MAF’s flight and vehicle maintenance programmes are different, they are part of the same team.

‘We work with the same vision,’ Parson says, ‘to serve God through technology. You don’t have to be full-time in the pulpit to reach people.

There are a lot of unreached people, and a lot of places have no runway yet. So, by air or by road, let’s go! While we are waiting for His return, that’s the task we’ve been told to do.’

Main René inspects one of the many vehicles that depend upon MAF’s garage

High impact collaboration The garage is a large structure made almost entirely from shipping containers, and includes two vehicle lifts. Two experienced mechanics, René Rasolondramanitra and Hoshea Andrianaivo, work on the cars, while Remi Razakaharisoa builds and welds anything needed by MAF. This year, René completes 20 years of service with MAF.

Above Parson Rakotonirina

Summer 2017 Flying for Life 5

PAPUA NEW GUINEA: pray for peace

A change is coming

Two years after Anton and Nes helped prevent the murder of 4 women and 13 children, the Hewa people of Papua New Guinea (PNG) continue their struggle to end ‘witchcraft’ killings Story LuAnne Cadd Photos LuAnne Cadd and Anton Lutz Edited by Gary Clayton

I

‘ t’s 10pm. I’m shaking,’ writes Lutheran missionary Anton Lutz. Alongside these words, his Facebook page from PNG shows a picture of the painted tribal arrows ‘they use to slaughter one another.’

‘Two hours ago,’ Anton explains, ‘a man called Michael climbed into the bush house with a pistol in his hand, trying to kill his stepsister because he believes she’s the reason his wife is dead.

‘Michael believes that a sanguma, an abhorrent invisible little creature, lives inside his trembling stepsister; something sinister that emerges to cause cancer and malaria and measles in others.’

Fortunately, the stepsister Tabitha is not alone. Villagers grab a highly distraught Michael, wrestle the gun from him and force him from the house. In the providence of God, Tabitha is spared – for the second time.

Attacked

It may seem a surprise that attacks like these still continue in a rapidly developing country like PNG.

6 Flying for Life Summer 2017 www.maf-uk.org

People living in even the most isolated communities have mobile phones, wear modern clothing and attend church on Sundays. Yet the belief in sanguma remains powerful and deep-rooted and causes huge problems for the Hewa people.

But, with help from MAF, Christians are doing all they can to end these killings.

Two years ago, Nes Mark, a young woman from Wanakipa, confronted Hewa sanguma violence head on.

Nes persuaded the local sanguma ‘expert’ to retract her false allegations publicly. Following Nes’ urgent request, Anton flew to the village with an intervention team including missionaries, pastors, public servants and a Christian police commander.

Thanks to this bold intervention, disaster was averted when the communities renounced their tradition of attacking and killing those believed to be sanguma.

Struck dead

Despite the people’s confession of sin and vow to change, centuries-old beliefs didn’t go away

overnight. Sadly, in May 2015, Mifila, one of the accused women, was murdered – struck dead by an axe.

Mifila’s murder sparked a series of revenge attacks and eight people died before the violence finally subsided.

Michael’s first attempt

In January 2016, Nes’ cousin Michael, lost his wife to cancer. He’d been part of the intervention team and now shocked Anton and Nes by accusing his stepsister Tabitha of killing his wife.

Angry with grief, he stormed off through the jungle to find Tabitha. However, while Anton and Nes made frantic calls to contact Michael, a Christian woman met him before he reached Tabitha’s home, gently turned Michael around and took him home to grieve with his family.

‘She should’ve been killed,’ says Nes, who’s witnessed a number of violent killings throughout her short life and is amazed and encouraged that death was averted.

‘We’re with you!’

Anton agrees, and says that changing a culture takes time. ‘Looking back, it was a bit ambitious to say, “The Hewa people have a new future from this point on!” It has to keep being reinforced, month by month, year by year.

‘Change makers such as Nes are out there already, and they need support. They need friends to come and say, “It matters what you’re doing. Keep doing it. We’re with you!”

‘If MAF pilots say, “I heard that you guys are saying ‘no’ to sanguma violence – and you’re sticking to it – and it’s fantastic!” this kind of thing will really encourage people to change.’

Nes, who shares Anton’s enthusiasm, believes the sanguma killings will eventually end. ‘If not in my generation, then in the next,’ she concludes hopefully. (The names of some people have been changed.)

Main MAF is fundamental to the way God works in PNG Top left Nes speaks out against the tradition of ‘witchcraft’ killings Below left Our planes will return to help Christians continue this spiritual battle

Airstrips and aircraft ‘After several years of positive input,’ says Anton, ‘change is taking place. But you can’t have that input without airstrips and aircraft – and MAF operates the only aircraft here.

‘MAF is fundamental to the way God works in PNG.’

Pray for PNG There is a spiritual battle raging for the hearts, minds, souls and lives of the Hewa people of Fiyawena and Wanakipa. Pray for Anton, Nes, Police Commander Nili, the pastors and the pilots and personnel of MAF PNG as they speak out in favour of change.

Our prayers are vital if lives are to continue being saved and hearts turned from belief in sanguma to following Jesus.

Summer 2017 Flying for Life 7

ARNHEM LAND: pray for personnel

‘This is the future MAF Technology Services and Communications Officer Peter Higham shares how ‘two special men’ are bringing a fresh perspective to MAF’s work in Arnhem Land Story Peter Higham Photos Simon Heusler and Peter Higham

J

amie Buralatjpi Wanambi and James Ngulpurr Marawilli are the only two Yolŋu staff who currently work for MAF. Their testimonies are powerful evidence that when God works, people and things change!

For Jamie, life in a community such as Yirrkala presents many struggles and challenges. An artist, hunter and bushman at heart, he is never happier than when he is at home in his homeland community, hunting, fishing, working the land and spending quality time with his family.

Practical to the core, Jamie has been busy with his hands since joining MAF’s team in 2016, working with Maintenance Manager Derek Veale to keep our homes and buildings in tip-top condition. Derek says the opportunity to work alongside and share life with Jamie is ‘a privilege and a joy.’

Before joining MAF, Jamie worked in a team that cared for people in Arnhem Land’s remote homelands. He also used his practical and cultural skills to install power meter boxes for a local utilities company and explain their use to Yolŋu residents in their own languages.

Jamie came to know the Lord early on

8 Flying for Life Summer 2017 www.maf-uk.org

in life. He is quick to say that God has saved him from deep troubles on numerous occasions and that he owes his life to Him. These days, he is committed to deepening his relationship with the Lord, and is often heard singing Gospel songs around the community.

James

You’ll probably find James at the beach spearing fish, in fellowship with homeland residents under a tree or passing the time with his grandchildren – a beaming smile on his face! You may also hear him sharing the Gospel over the loudspeaker, or see him liaising with customers in the local bookings office at Gove Airport.

James joined MAF in February 2016 with a vision and heart to see people transformed in Jesus’ name. He believed in MAF’s work, saw an opportunity to get involved, and responded.

James remembers the days when people attended churches regularly and there were many more Pacific Island missionaries in Yirrkala.

He has memories of learning about Jesus in Sunday School – eventually

Church!’

flying regularly to the homelands with MAF pilots; visiting two homelands on a Sunday to share God’s Word and encourage the residents.

James admits that, later in life, he struggled to remain strong in the Lord.

But MAF staff came alongside him, got him through the low points and encouraged him to pursue his relationship with Jesus.

The future Church

Towards the end of 2015, an outreach event occurred in the homeland of Gurrumurru. MAF’s Ministry and Outreach Co-ordinator, Pilot Brett Nel, James and a small number of men sat down to talk.

As the conversation turned to spiritual matters, God spoke to Brett and said, ‘This is the future Church!’

The men remain in contact with one another and MAF, and are committed to increasing their understanding of God’s ways. Since then, it has been on James’ heart to gather together people with a serious passion and desire to follow Jesus.

Having grown steadily in confidence over the past year, James has played a major part in our outreach trips.

However, having James and Jamie around – explains MAF Operations Manager Roland VanDerVelde – has also helped our team gain confidence.

‘MAF staff,’ Roland says, ‘have grown in their understanding of how to work with and serve the Yolŋu people. James brings knowledge of language, culture and geography to the operations office that many of us don’t have. He also has a rich faith in God and a sound knowledge of the peace, hope and joy found in Jesus.

It’s good to have him here.’

It is a privilege for our personnel to work alongside these two men who are a real blessing to MAF!

Main Milingimbi Airport, East Arnhem Land Top left James plays a vital role in outreach trips to the Yolŋu homelands which are needed more than ever

James joined MAF in February 2016 with a vision to see people transformed in Jesus’ name

Below left Derek says the opportunity to share life with Jamie is a ‘privilege and a joy’

Summer 2017 Flying for Life 9

CHAD: pray for transformation

We’re sticking with Chad Story Richard Chambers Photos MAF archive and Stephen Rayner

Your courage and faithfulness have been an inspiration to me Stuart King

Last September, we asked you to send a special message to the staff of MAF Chad to mark the 50th anniversary of that programme. Your response was magnificent!

W

hen we wrote a letter to our supporters entitled, ‘Life in the Dead Heart of Africa’, we enclosed a sticker for them to return with their very best wishes for the Chad team.

The response was overwhelming – we received more than 2,000 stickers and email messages to fill not one but two 50th anniversary commemorative books!

We presented the books to Chad Country Director Sam Baguma during his family’s home assignment.

Murderous opposition

The letter we sent you emphasised the sacrifices made by MAF Chad’s staff during half a century spent battling a harsh environment, political instability and even – in the early years – murderous opposition to the Gospel.

Your admiration, respect and love for the dedicated work of the MAF staff – and the courage of Chad’s Christians – was evident in the weeks that followed as the stickers kept pouring in, many with generous gifts attached.

Your messages reflected every aspect of the lifeline that opened in 1966 – whether recalling in detail a supporter’s personal involvement in our Chad programme or expressing a simple, heartfelt blessing.

10 Flying for Life Summer 2017 www.maf-uk.org

‘I thank God for each of you’

During the same period, President Emeritus and Chad ‘veteran’ Stuart King assisted MAF UK staff in archiving film footage and photographs from those formative years.

He also composed a special introduction for the commemorative books which now have pride of place in the N’Djaména office, including his own personal message for MAF Chad: ‘Your courage and faithfulness have been an inspiration to me… I thank God for each of you and pray He will strengthen and encourage you in your lives and work.’

Stuart’s message is one of a multitude that speak eloquently and movingly of the MAF family’s steadfast, faithful prayer support for an impoverished nation.

Thank you very much indeed for sticking with Chad and continuing to be part of the mission to transform a country through the unchanging, unfailing love of Christ.

Main In the early days, MAF staff worked hard to establish what is now a vital lifeline in the ‘Dead Heart of Africa’ Left Your heartfelt prayers and blessings filled two commemorative books for MAF Chad!

KENYA: pray for provision

ETHIOPIA

SOMALIA

UGANDA

K E N Y A Lake Victoria

Nairobi Olorte

My God shall supply all your needs TANZANIA

Indian Ocean

200 miles

Starfish Clinic Project International (SCPI) is one of more than 1,500 partner organisations that depend upon MAF providing regular flights to remote communities Story Katie Machell Photos Katie Machell and RedTribe

D

entist, doctor and Christian philanthropist Fadi Barrak regularly travels with MAF from Nairobi to south-western Kenya, but this visit was unique. In addition to 4 colleagues, he had brought his 13-year-old twins Carl and Daniel to the small, Maasai village of Olorte.

Olorte is home to long-term MAF mission partners RedTribe. Its ministries include partnership with the local primary school, a beadwork project for widows and a clinic that Fadi has supported passionately for ten years, founding SCPI in the process.

Over five days, his team trained Clinic Manager Florence to carry out fillings and extractions – enabling all the schoolchildren to have dental check-ups and hundreds of adults to receive treatment.

Changing a culture

Fadi also encourages Florence to record patients’ health data and, for nearly six years, has been analysing this information with a particular focus on air pollution.

‘Lower respiratory tract infections are very common,’ he explains, ‘and 66% of these are suffered by children. A contributory factor is the Maasai tradition of using open stoves in unventilated huts.’

Local RedTribe employee Pelua Ole Siloma built a separate, ventilated cooking area in his own home. This act represents a very encouraging, counter-cultural step towards improving the health of his family and that of the wider community.

None of us wanted to leave!

Being fully aware of their dad’s love for the people of Olorte, Fadi’s sons were delighted to be able to join him on this visit.

‘It was an incredible experience to see the way the Maasai live in the isolation of Olorte,’ Daniel comments. ‘One of my favourite parts was building a shed for the clinic motorbike with the help of Titus, one of the Maasai,’ Carl adds.

‘This trip was the most emotional one yet,’ Fadi concludes, ‘because we all experienced God’s love first hand! We were blessed greatly by the generous welcome from the community. None of us wanted to leave!’

‘I am so grateful for MAF and the amazing support they provide,’ Fadi tells us effusively.

‘Now we reach our destination in 45 minutes feeling exhilarated – not exhausted after 8 hours’ driving. I would like to thank MAF for their professionalism and for making what we do possible.’

Main Dr Barrak’s commitment to Olorte is a huge blessing to the people of this remote village Top Florence is now trained to carry out fillings and extractions Above All the schoolchildren receive dental check-ups

Summer 2017 Flying for Life 11

SOUTH SUDAN: pray for refugees

Healing the wounds of war Story Karyn Ball and Nadia Low Photos Chris Low, Nadia Low and Lesley Onstott

It’s a privilege and pleasure to fly the Not Impossible Labs team and to enable missionaries Chris and Nadia Low to transform refugees’ lives in troubled South Sudan

I Main One of many refugees from the Nuba bombings Inset Chris and Nadia with baby Manny Below Prosthetic limbs can restore some normality to the lives of war victims

magine creating prosthetic arms in the middle of a remote village in Africa! Thanks to not-for-profit organisation Not Impossible Labs – a high-tech company helping victims of war and violence in South Sudan – the world’s first 3D printing prosthetic laboratory was established in the unlikely location of Sudan’s Nuba Mountains.

‘Not Impossible Labs,’ says founder Mick Ebeling, ‘is working on a wide array of different projects – from ways to help deaf people, to

Top right, clockwise from map A basic prosthetic limb is created; the limb’s new owner tries it on for size; ‘lucky’ children not crippled by war; education can now continue for this refugee Below right Not Impossible Labs is providing people with a hope and a future 12 Flying for Life Summer 2017 www.maf-uk.org

equipment for people with cerebral palsy.’

His team first came here three years ago – flying with MAF to Yida, then travelling overland to the Nuba Mountains in neighbouring Sudan to work alongside Dr Tom Catena, one of the region’s few physicians.

When the team arrived, 14-year-old Daniel, who lost both arms when his Nuba village was bombed, said he was so depressed he wished he’d died. But when the team made him a prosthetic arm, Daniel was again able to feed himself, throw a ball and play with all the other children.

Not Impossible Labs also provided ten villagers with printers, laptops, supplies and training so they could continue printing prosthetic arms when the team left.

Training refugees

Recently, Not Impossible Labs personnel flew again with MAF to help provide prosthetics in Yida and the Nuba Mountains, where ongoing conflict has left large numbers of amputees.

‘The prosthetic arm,’ says Mick, ‘has

SUDAN

Nuba Mountains

Yida

improved greatly and the process has been refined. A fully wearable arm now takes as little as four hours to produce. Before that, it took up to 20 hours – electricity permitting!’

During the trip, they printed a new prosthetic arm for Daniel, distributed a further five limbs, and trained two more people to use the printer.

‘Our goal,’ smiles Mick, ‘is to go into refugee camps and train people to make prosthetics on their own.’

Thanks to MAF, that goal is closer to being achieved.

S O U T H

S U D A N Juba

DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO

UGANDA 50 miles

Sharing Jesus in a tent

Missionary Chris Low knows Not Impossible Labs well, having worked with them to develop a model for prosthetic hands from locally available materials.

Chris and his wife Nadia work for Pioneers Australia. They moved to Yida in May 2016 to serve a settlement hosting 70,000 refugees from the Nuba Mountains. On arrival, the intense heat in the middle of the day made their tent feel like an oven, so they depend on God’s strength as they go through their daily routines.

‘We partner with Nuban pastors, teachers and healthcare workers,’ explains Nadia – a qualified doctor – ‘to show the love of Jesus to unreached people now living in Yida. We’re developing relationships, learning the language and learning to be part of the community here.’

Nadia uses her skills and experience to teach nurses at the Samaritan’s Purse malnutrition centre, train midwives using three donated ultrasound machines, and provide health

evangelism training for the community.

Chris also helps Samaritan’s Purse to convert the camp’s water pumps to solar power.

The couple disciples a group of young people who lead outreach in their local high school. ‘Our son Manny,’ Nadia says, ‘is our most effective missionary, as he plays, smiles and does his baby thing to bring joy to others.

‘As we settle here, I realise I’m so blessed to have help and friendship from the women around me. They invite me into their homes and teach me how to prepare local dishes.

One even said to me, as she helped in the kitchen, “Us women, we need each other. We need to share the work.”

‘Reflecting on the love I feel as they share their life with me, I recall the words of 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT): “We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too.”’

Travelling by road is unthinkable due to the insecurity, but Nadia says our new Cessna 182 makes a perfect alternative. ‘Our flight on MAF’s C182 was awesome,’ grins Nadia. ‘Our pilot was lovely. We felt extremely blessed to be able to fly in it.’

Thanks to MAF, God’s glory is being proclaimed among the nations.

Pray for peace Pray for an end to the war raging in South Sudan, where more than 50% of the population is said to follow Christ, and that the unrest blighting the lives of those in Sudan – South Sudan’s largely Muslim neighbour – will also end peacefully.

Summer 2017 Flying for Life 13

UK news

Highlights from 2016 MAF UK Chief Executive Ruth Whitaker reflects on God’s peace, protection and provision

When disaster strikes or someone in a remote and isolated place needs help, hope or healing, an MAF plane sets off on its life-saving mission.

Last year, we rejoiced at our first scheduled flight in Liberia – a country suffering from one of the world’s poorest levels of health provision.

Our new lifeline in Nepal moved from a disaster response role to rebuilding an earthquake-battered nation. We were also delighted to see our Myanmar team [pictured] surveying potential MAF airstrips and making progress that – until very recently – was only a distant dream.

It was with thanksgiving that we celebrated three milestones: 65 years of MAF service in Papua New Guinea, 50 years in Chad and 15 years in Mongolia.

And when renewed fighting erupted in Juba, MAF lifelines in South Sudan, Kenya and Uganda worked to co-ordinate the large number of requests for emergency evacuations in the country we’ve served since 1950. The arrival of our new Cessna 182 SMA aircraft in East Africa could not have been better timed.

We also responded quickly to hurricane Matthew when it struck Haiti with devastating force. Aided by a grant from UK Aid from the Department of International Development and the arrival of additional personnel, our lifeline there was central to relief efforts [pictured].

Our pilots’ ability to land our 135 light aircraft on rugged mountains, unforgiving deserts, dirt roads, lakes and rivers saved entire communities from days of struggling through dense undergrowth, traversing treacherous roads or crossing dangerous rivers to receive urgently needed assistance.

We praise God for the following during 2016: • Three new staff members/staff families going out on their first assignment • Over 1,000 MAF Day of Prayer packs requested • Over 900 presentations given by volunteers at churches and events • Nearly 9,000 new enquirers and supporters • Nearly 600 new regular givers • More than £13 million of income, including over £3 million in legacy gifts towards our life-saving mission.

Our love and thanks go to the thousands of generous supporters and volunteers who enable our planes to keep bringing Christ to the world – in many cases, making a difference for eternity.

The arrival of our new Cessna 182 SMA aircraft in East Africa could not have been better timed

This is Mission Aviation Fellowship is a Christian organisation serving 26 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 135 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 Summer 2017 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 Summer 2017 ffmj It costs us no more than 65p to produce and send you this magazine and prayer diary

2016 financial summary The purpose of this summary is to present simply and concisely the sources and uses of funds during the year. The charts are based on information contained in the MAF UK 2016 accounts, ended 31 December 2016 and approved by the Board of Trustees on 22 March 2017.

These charts highlight a selection of specific areas of our work. However, copies of the full accounts are available from MAF’s office or at www.maf-uk.org/accounts Signed on behalf of the Trustees

Income £13,002,000 Individuals 50.5% Legacies 24.4% Churches 6.6% Governments 6.5% Trusts 10.1% Companies 0.8% Other 0.5% Investment income 0.6%

Expenditure £13,485,000 Infrastructure developments 12.3% Flights and other services 52.8% Aircraft 3.1% Nepal disaster relief 4% Overseas staff costs 12.4% Cost of raising funds 15.4%

Roger Mitty, Chairman MAF UK

A full life committed to Christ When he offered MAF his services as a pilot, Hugh Sansom found that God didn’t want him to fly for us – He wanted Hugh to pray for us!

Hugh joined the Royal Air Force during World War II and, towards the end of the war, trained to be a flying instructor.

Following his unsuccessful application to work with MAF in 1950, Hugh joined the Overseas Colonial Services as a meteorologist in Nairobi, Kenya.

Then – during their time in Uganda – Hugh, his wife Susan and their four daughters became involved with MAF staff, particularly those flying in and out of Entebbe airport.

An active Christian and lifelong MAF supporter, Hugh served as an Anglican Lay Reader for over 60 years. He led an MAF prayer group in Tunbridge Wells and prayed daily for MAF workers worldwide.

Hugh was called to Heaven on 1 December 2016 – his and Susan’s 65th wedding anniversary. On that very day, Hugh was still reading out email messages and prayer items from MAF to Susan, who is partially sighted. We are extremely thankful for Hugh’s support during his lifetime, the gift he left us in his Will and the life-changing impact this legacy will have around the world.

If you would like to know more about leaving a legacy to MAF through a gift in your Will, please phone Miriam Wheeler on 01303 851958 or email miriam.wheeler@maf-uk.org Summer 2017 Flying for Life 15

The MAF Week of Prayer 30 October – 5 November 2017

His perfect peace To receive a Week of Prayer pack for you or your church, please phone Supporter Relations on 01303 852819 or visit www.maf-uk.org/weekofprayer

Partner with us in prayer

Partner with us in prayer www.maf-uk.org/weekofprayer