Flying for Life- Autumn 2015

Flying for LifeThe quarterly magazine of MAF Australia

Autumn 2015

Through the storm4 Peace flightsWhatever it takesTwo cyclones in four weeks

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2 Flying for Life Autumn 2015 www.maf.org.au

Timor-Leste: MQO

A flying start

On Thursday the 12th of February the MAF Timor-Leste team watched excitedly as MQO landed on Timor-Leste soil for the first time. This

aircraft, funded by Australian donors, has been long anticipated by the team here. In the first month alone, many lives have been saved, communities developed and churches equipped through the blessing of this little GA8 aircraft.

First FlightMQO’s first operational flight was to Atauro Island, a 15 minute hop across the water from the capital Dili. The airstrip at Atauro Island lay disused from 1975 until 2014 when it was re-opened by MAF. Since then it has been a frequent port of call for MAF, responding to many medevac requests. However, this time Michael wasn’t flying across to collect a patient needing medical evacuation, but rather to take a team of Ministry of Health workers to service and repair the only 4WD ambulance on the island.

Pilot Michael Bottrell noted that “MQO performed really well... it was a credit to the team of professionals who prepared it for

Timor-Leste.” He added, “Even though it has new seats and a beautiful new interior, it was fitting that the first flight was not for VIPs, but was exactly the kind of service flight we exist to provide.”

And since that first flight, MQO has been busy continuing this essential service.

700th medevacIt was 8.30am on Sunday the 22nd of March. Pilot Jonathan Lowe was getting ready for church when he received the call. Maria, a 39 year old local woman from Suai, who was in the late stages of pregnancy, was having complications and the Ministry of Health needed MAF to transport her to Dili hospital urgently.

Jonathan responded immediately. He changed into his pilot’s uniform, left his wife Angela and the children to go on to church alone, and headed for the airport. Once at the MAF hangar, Jonathan prepared the aircraft and installed the stretcher in case it was needed, then with the flight plan submitted and MAF’s agent at Suai alerted, Jonathan was airborne.

When he landed at Suai 27 minutes later,

Story Angela Harding Photos Jenni Bottrell, Wendy Smith, Jonathan Lowe

MQO begins operational flying in Timor-Leste bringing great hope and transformation to many isolated people.

700th medevac in Timor-Leste

MQO on Timor-Leste soil for the first time

Dr Nunu Vitar Soares, National Ambulance Service

Autumn 2015 Flying for Life 3

a large crowd had already started to gather. Many knew Maria personally. The group, together with Jonathan, waited about 20 minutes for the ambulance to arrive. Patient Maria, together with her husband, mother and midwife, was then transferred to the MAF plane for the flight to Dili. As Jonathan took to the skies a little later, he reflected that “this was our 700th patient we have transferred from the districts to Dili since we started in flight operations in Timor-Leste in 2007.”

701But that number was quickly surpassed. The following day pilot Michael Bottrell was called on to provide another medical evacuation flight.

Michael had a busy day planned when mid-morning on Monday, a request came in advising that two more pregnant women required urgent evacuation to Dili hospital from Suai – one needing a caesarean and the other haemorrhaging.

This meant that the scheduled flights had to be disrupted. Those we fly are understanding about disruptions to their flights. And generally, by the grace of God, everything

works out.As it did on Monday. After collecting

and transporting the two pregnant women to Dili, Michael was still able to refuel, load his scheduled passengers, departing Dili for Oecusse and complete his last flight, landing in Dili with daylight to spare.

And moreThe following day Michael’s schedule was interrupted again to medevac another pregnant woman from Atauro Island, as well as a six-day-old baby. The disrupted passengers were very patient and most appreciative when Michael returned to collect them later in the day. They of all people knew the value of the service MAF is providing to remote communities and the desperate need that these communities have for access to good medical care. It was once again a team of Ministry of Health ambulance service mechanics.

Ron Watts and Brad Ballin made the ferry flight on the 12th February. Watch Ron’s video journal at www.maf.org.au/ferryflight

6-day old baby medevaced from Atauro Island

4 Flying for Life July2014 www.maf.org.au

Through the

stormA

lthough I had been through cyclones before, this time was different. In Ma-reeba I always felt fairly sheltered be-ing inland and up the mountain range,

but here we were exposed, right on the coast.

New to Arnhem LandTwo months earlier, my husband Pascal and I, along with our 9 month old baby, moved to Arnhem Land. Pascal was asked to take on the role of Chief Engineer, and although it was hard to pack up and leave Mareeba - our home for the last four years - we began to look forward to what God had planned for us.

We arrived in January, and set about the process of ‘making home’. Soon after, Pas-cal had to go to Brisbane for training and I was left on my own with our baby for a week. The week after he got back, Cyclone Lam hit Arnhem Land.

PreparationsThe weather reports were extremely daunting

and by Tuesday 17th February we knew we had to be ready for the worst. Pascal helped secure some of the aircraft into the hangar.

Due to a shortage of housing safe enough to withstand the Category 4 cyclone predicted to pass over us, two MAF families were flown inland to Ramingining. They only had 2 short hours to prepare their houses, pack their belongings and get their children ready and into the MAF planes.

The following day, as the weather worsened, all 8 families from the communities of Ramingining, Milingimbi, Lake Evella and Elcho Island evacuated in 6 MAF planes to Darwin. The small aircraft were shaken by rough winds and many of the children and parents were sick during the flight.

There was a short meeting at the hangar in Gove, and before we all separated to prepare our homes, we stopped to pray for the Lord’s protection over us all.

I hardly slept that night. The wind howled eerily around our old house and the rain poured down heavier than I’ve ever heard

Story Rebekah Somandin Photos Peter Higham, Rebekah Somandin

Rebekah Somandin moved to Arnhem Land with husband Pascal and baby Aletheia in January. Little did they know they would soon face two cyclones.


Arnhem Land: Through the storm

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it before. I was so grateful my baby slept soundly!

Cyclone Lam hits Elcho IslandBy Thursday the cyclone started to head further west, missing Nhulunbuy and Yirrkala. I was so relieved, and then instantly felt guilty. Although I was spared from the worst of it, the remote communities on Elcho Island were in line to be struck by the storm’s full force.

Cyclone Lam made landfall on Friday. All four MAF bases were affected. Power and communications were down, but sporadically news appeared on Facebook. Despite lots of trees down and damage to power and water, we heard that Milingimbi and Lake Evella were ok.

Then a photo appeared from Ramingining of a huge tree on the house of one of the MAF families that had evacuated!

The news from Elcho was that 6 houses had been completely destroyed and around 50 were damaged, which included a fallen tree on one of the MAF houses, piercing a hole through the roof. Power and water was out for nearly three days on Elcho Island. We praised God that there was no loss of life!

RecoverySteadily things returned to normal. Cleanup teams were sent to the communities, power and water were restored, families relaxed again after the strain of evacuation. The MAF women gathered together to share their different experiences and encourage and strengthen one another.

Another Cyclone!But the peace wasn’t to last. After less than 4 weeks, Cyclone Nathan crossed the Queensland Coast, regained intensity and headed straight for Nhulunbuy and the already limping Elcho Island.

Dozens of tents had been erected for all the families who lost their homes on Elcho Island. These had to be torn down as the community took shelter from the second cyclone in a month. All the aircraft were flown in from the communities and secured again in the hangar.

Although only reaching a Category 2, Cyclone Nathan actually frightened me more. It was the closest I’ve been to a cyclone. Power and water went out. Three trees fell around our house, one landed on the roof of our carport. We had almost 300mm of rain in just two days after the cyclone passed.

Prayers and protectionThankfully it only took 24 hours for power and water to be restored. In some communities there were many large trees down, damaged property and flooding.

We thank God that these two cyclones were not as devastating as they could have been. I am sure it’s because we were covered in so much prayer. It’s so wonderful to be part of the body of Christ at times like this.

Help us get back on our feet!MAF Arnhem Land has faced unexpected expenses during these cyclones, impacting our operational budget.

To help us meet these costs, please phone 1800 650 169 or visit: www.maf.org.au/CycloneLam

House badly damaged in Galiwinku, Elcho Island

The MAF cleanup team heading out to Elcho Island. From left: Peter Higham, Matt Roediger, Lincoln Haines, Dean Giles, Rachel Goodfellow, Charley Stockley

Car crushed by a falling tree in Galiwinku, Elcho Island

Ian Purdey helps clean out a swimming pool at the MAF house

Flooded rivers and hundreds of fallen trees approaching Elcho

Massive tidal flooding surges over the coast near Elcho Island

The MAF and Laynha aircraft secured in the Gove hangar, as another prepares to evacuate to Ramingining.


South Sudan: Flying for Peace


In 1983, when Bernard Suwa was a young man of 27, civil war broke out in Sudan. In the ensuing chaos, he was unable to find his mother for 14 days. When he did, all that was left were her bones. The rest had

been eaten by wild animals.It’s a heart-wrenching story, but Bernard’s grief is

not unique. Not even close. As he writes, “There is not one family in this country that has not lost someone. The war has been far-reaching. Everyone, at one point or another, has shed tears for the loss of a loved one”.

I had the privilege of meeting Bernard in South Sudan. When he shared his story, it left such an impression. There has been so much indiscriminate pain, inflicted on this nation. It seems so far from us here in Australia. Such stories can easily leave you wondering how the people of South Sudan could ever recover from this violent and tragic past. How can they ever heal?

So much of the devastation in South Sudan has been caused by deep-seated hatred and internal vengeance amongst the 60 tribal groups. CEO Michelle Dorey explains how a new movement that begins with forgiveness, is - with the help of MAF - becoming the catalyst for healing and peace.

Flying for peace

Story Michelle Dorey Photos LuAnne Cadd

Rev Bernard Suwa

together was a miracle in itself. Here they were to spend 4 weeks together to receive peace and reconciliation training.

Anxious beginningsRev. Bernard was full of anxiety, wondering how he “would keep the Dinkas and Nuers, and other tribes, together for four weeks without any problems”! But outside of their normal context, they were able to receive healing and learn forgiveness. As Rev. Bernard put it, they were able to “become human again”.

From the reports we received, the conference was life-changing. It inspired a vision of a united South Sudan marked by peace and harmony.

A month later, MAF flew these 73 participants home. They have been equipped with skills to train and guide a further 40 to 50 leaders in their states in reconciliation. This, they pray, will reach the very heart of the country, “to the farthest villages, to the grassroots”.

“Greatest opportunity”The plan for 2015 is to send 550 ‘Peace Mobilisers’ right throughout South Sudan. They will follow up on the work of the conference as well as hold consultations with each community. It’s an extremely ambitious project and one that requires MAF to make it all possible.

Travelling overland in South Sudan presents massive challenges: flooded roads, serious insecurity, and unbearably long travel times. These are all overcome by our aircraft.

MAF Pilot Mike DuPuis is extremely excited by the prospect. “This may be the greatest opportunity that has ever existed in this part of the world... to reach every person with the message of Christ’s love and bring about a transformation within each community right up to the national level.”

The planIn April 2013, the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation (CNHPR) was formed by presidential decree. It is led by Christian church leaders at national and state levels. Bernard Suwa – now a Reverend – was one of the committees initial leaders.

This committee has come up with quite a bold plan to bring healing to this nation. And the early signs are very exciting! Even more exciting for us is that the plan relies greatly on MAF to be made a reality.

True forgivenessSome 30 years after her death, Rev. Bernard still doesn’t

know who murdered his mother. But, as he said to us through tear-filled eyes, “that doesn’t mean that I cannot forgive and move on.”

For me, having to forgive like this is unfathomable. The command of Jesus to love and forgive your enemies takes on a whole new meaning in South Sudan.

Bernard has discovered how to forgive. He has journeyed with God to learn true reconciliation. Now forming key parts of the CNHPR, they are determined to see the same reconciliation come to South Sudan.

The gatheringIn October of 2014, MAF used 3 aircraft over 2 days to deliver 73 people to a Reconciliation Conference in Yei, run by CNHPR. What was most remarkable about these flights was that many of the 73 passengers came from waring tribal groups.

They were representatives from the 10 states of South Sudan. Being so divided by tribal warfare, and the 50-year history of violent betrayal and unspeakable cruelty, coming

11 of the 73 delegates for the Peace and Reconciliation conference

Flying for Life Autumn 2015 www.maf.org.au8

South Sudan: Flying for Peace

This photo shows Pilot Reinier Kwantes briefing the second group of delegates headed to the Peace and Reconciliation Conference. This is just one of the many flights that he and other MAF pilots in South Sudan are performing in order to

bring hope and healing to this nation.

The stats for the devastation in South Sudan are hard to grasp. 1.95 million people displaced, 235,000 children severely malnourished, 6.4 million people in need of humanitarian assistance.

It’s overwhelming.

We often need to be reminded of two things… that behind these stats are real people, and that together we must do whatever it takes to bring them help.

Help us fly in hope and peace. Pray or give today.

Phone 1800 650 169 or visit www.maf.org.au/WhateverItTakes



WIFIBible:The

broadening the reach of the Gospel in PNG

The WIFIBible is a little box that transmits an open wireless signal which anyone with a wireless mobile phone, tablet or laptop can connect

to and download biblical resources from for free. The small but powerful box contains Bibles, including audio ones, movies, including the Jesus film, Christian songs and apps in 9 different Tokples languages - over 12GB of Good News!

The demandIn 2013, Lukas Schadegg arrived in PNG to join the staff of Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF), the technology services section of MAF in PNG. He soon heard about the demand for Bibles in the country. ‘In

the western world there are always more Bibles than interest,’ Lukas comments. But in PNG he was stirred by the reality that ‘there are more people in remote places who would like a Bible than CRMF can supply. How can CRMF distribute more Bibles to remote people who would like to have one?’

‘At the beginning of 2014, I talked with an MAF pilot who shared about a long existing idea to share digital resources on the plane via Bluetooth. I started to research different hardware and possibilities. We heard from MAF US about the Librarybox project - created to share resources via WIFI.

That seemed to be exactly the right device to share Biblical resources for free.’

In December, the new WIFIBible hit the airwaves in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Lukas Schadegg shares the vision behind this new way to spread the Gospel.

Story: Stephanie Gidney Photos: Lukas Schadegg

CRMF: WIFIBible


PMVs‘The CRMF team programmed a new website for the box and modified the software, to make it as easy as possible to access and consume the content. We decided to field test the WIFIBible project on the public motor vehicles (PMVs), or buses, as they cover a lot of people. The PMVs travel up and down route 100, the main highway connecting Lae, Madang and the Highlands as far as Enga province. Once we see that it works we will expand the project into remote places.’

‘There are now WIFIBibles placed in three PMVs, but more are confirmed - we ordered 50 boxes for this first test release. A lot of drivers are really interested to have one. Ten WIFIBibles have been delivered to Christian bookstores, and one is positioned in a remote bush hospital.’

Looking forward‘The mobile market is growing worldwide. The increasing use of mobile phones and even smart phones is also a trend in PNG. We want to use this trend to spread the word of God. Everywhere people are sitting and waiting. People close to the device can get a free copy of the TokPisin Bible for their mobile phone and have the opportunity to

explore the content while they travel. A lot of people can't read so the audio Bible is a real blessing to them.’

The next stage will be to install devices in additional places, like MAF Bases, MAF planes and market places. ‘In the end we hope to have the WIFIBible even out in the bush. We are convinced that in the near feature even the bushman will own a smart phone.’ Not only will people be able to hear the Gospel for themselves, but the resource will also challenge and hopefully reduce the issue of false teaching, which is a concern reported by many pastors.

800 files a dayThe CRMF team are working on a way to monitor the uptake of the service, but early feedback suggests people really like it. Users are already asking for more resources - more songs, a Bible dictionary and concordances. As Lukas reports, ‘One guy who I showed how to download the Bible said: "That's what I have been looking so long for, to get the Bible on my mobile."

Lukas estimates that once all 50 WIFIBibles are in place, CRMF could be distributing 800 files of Good News a day. ‘That is exciting, and it's just the beginning!’

‘The WIFIBible is providing free and

healthy content for the mobile phones in PNG. Like in the West, a lot of people use their mobiles to consume pornography and other bad stuff. We pray that this project will glorify God and that the word of God will change people’s lives!’

The next time you travel by PMV look out for the buses with the WIFIBible sticker!

Find out more: www.wifibible.org


A look inside the new MAF Training Centre

We are overflowing with thanks to the 671 donors who came alongside MAF International to make this Training Centre happen!

This picture, hanging behind the reception, is made up of the names of those donors. Because of their generosity, many pilots and engineers will be trained and many communities will be transformed in Jesus’ name.

Photos: Balz Kubli, Julie Grey

Lunch room

One of the two lecture rooms One of two Instructor offices

Student study nook

Corridor looking towards the foyer. Student lockers (lecture room through the door)

Photos Mandy Glass

July 2014 Flying for Life

The 20-minute flight home took us over lush green river valleys, dense rainforests and isolated villages. As we looked out of the

window, we realised how difficult it must be for the thousands of villagers below, with no roads and no easy way out.

During our time in Kompiam, I looked after the administration at Kompiam Hospital in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG), and my wife Wendy taught at Kompiam International School.

Last year, we spent a week at Megau – one of the hospital’s 10 remote aid posts and health centres that meets the needs of roughly 60,000 people. It was an eye-opening experience to see how isolated this part of PNG is and how people live without roads, phones, electricity, proper schools or healthcare.

A critical serviceOver the last few years, we’ve seen MAF make several flights to and from Kompiam each week from our remote aid posts. Patients include pregnant mothers, sick children, people with TB, HIV and malaria, and those injured through tribal or domestic violence.

But it wasn’t until we flew with MAF that we realised how critical this service is to those living in inaccessible areas without access to proper health services. MAF is their only option, and is the only way the hospital can function and support isolated health clinics.

Giving backInspired by their service, we decided to help by raising people’s awareness of MAF’s work, and get people praying.

Running the RaceRussell Conwell explains why his friends and family went the extra miles and ran 30 marathons for MAF

In 2014 our family, along with children from Kompiam International School, dedicated the whole of November to running an MAF Prayer Marathon – one of our final events in PNG.

Kompiam airstrip is about half a mile long, so we got people from the school, Baptist Church and local community to run up and down the strip once every day in November – just over 30 full marathons!

Twelve children completed a marathon (a full 26 miles), a record 136 runners took part in the final run, and Kompiam International School raised $1100 for MAF at its annual jumble sale.

Although we’ve stopped running, MAF pilots continue their race to save lives and livelihoods in PNG – a place with no other access to the outside world.

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Photos: Balz Kubli, Julie Grey

Photos: Mandy Glass


MAF Australia

Help us

tell our story!MAF has a rich history spanning some 70 years. It’s a history full of adventure, transformation and trust in God as He expanded the ministry out into the world.

We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Dallas Clarnette has volunteered as an archivist to help tell our story.

If you can contribute to the MAF story in some way, through photos, videos, newspaper clippings, stories (and anything else we have missed!), please either phone us on 1800 650 169 or send your contributions in.

You can send them in to us via email: [email protected] or if you would like to get them to us in hard copy, please contact us and we’ll make arrangements .

Photo: MAF New Guinea Conference, Wewak, 1959


Staff movements

Dan and Shannon Perrett From CRMF PNG to Aircraft Engineer apprentice Mareeba

Pascal and Rebekah Somandin from Mareeba to Arnhem Land as Chief Engineer

Tony and Jill Lohmeyer from Mareeba to Mongolia as Chief Engineer

Neil and Cheryl Alexander Pilot Arnhem Land

John and Helena Hermanus from Arnhem Land to Mareeba as Engineer

David and Naomi Walmsley from PNG to Mareeba as Engineer

Aaron and Katie Rigg Pilot Arnhem Land

Jonathan Edwards from PNG to Arnhem Land as Engineer

New to the field in 2015

Recent internal movements

ContactMAF Australia and CRMFABN 26 134 583 887

PO Box 7187 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153Phone: 1800 650 169Email: [email protected]: www.maf.org.au

Flying for LifeISSN: 2202-0365Editor: Rich ThompsonEmail: [email protected]: BHB PrintingFlying for Life is the official magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship and CRMF in Australia. Articles may be printed with acknowledgment.Flying for Life is a member publication of the Australasian Religious Press Association.If you no longer wish to receive Flying for Life (MAF News), please advise us at: MAF Australia 1800 650 169 and your name and details will be removed from our distribution list.

Front cover courtesy: Balz Kubli

Privacy StatementMAF is committed to your privacy. We will only disclose your information in accordance with our Privacy Statement and/or with your permission. Our Privacy Statement explains what information we collect from you and how we intend to use it. You can view our Privacy Statement at maf.org.au

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Flying for Life- Autumn 2015