Flying for Life December 2011 Magazine

December 2011

Literacy and learning 10

The quarterly magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship

Help reaches the Turkana 8 4Meeting

many needs

In 2009, AFD Software from the Isle of Man gave a precious gift to MAF and the people of East Kalimantan – a Kodiak 100. Pilot Dave Forney reports on a day’s flying in this revolutionary aircraftPhotos Dave Forney, Jonathan Binnie

2 Flying for Life December 2011 www.maf-uk.org

The Kodiak heralds a new era

It’s impossible to describe an average day in the Kodiak 100. It usually involves transporting lots of people and hauling loads of resources – the only thing you

can expect is the unexpected!Take Friday 24 June. I spent a busy day

flying a pastor and his family to a remote area for ministry. Then, having ferried a whole bunch of folk to and from various villages, I got an urgent call to pick up a lady who was about to give birth to twins. Unfortunately, complications had developed.

Seriously injuredThe following day is equally busy. I have my schedule but, before I take off from our home base in Tarakan, everything changes. A man in

KALIMANTAN: brand new plane

December 2011 Flying for Life 3

Main: Flying supplies to Mahak BaruFar left: Pilot Dave Forney Above left: Medical flight for injured patient from MalinauTop: Airlifting two ladies to hospitalAbove: Unloading supplies at Binuang

Dave Forney’s experiences are not unusual. Pilot Paul College responded to a call from Mahak Baru. A heavily pregnant woman was in labour and bleeding.

While waiting to load her on to the Kodiak, another lady, suffering from chest pains and clearly in a bad way, was carried in on a stretcher. The two patients were placed side by side in the plane and arrived in Tarakan an hour later.

Time was of the essence – it was Friday, the Muslim day of prayer. The first lady was carried to an MAF truck and rushed to hospital. A little while later, the official ambulance arrived for the second patient – yet another successful conclusion to a not untypical day in the life of an MAF pilot.

Paul shares his thoughts about the work: ‘The people are great, and are grateful for what we do. Nearly every day, we hear stories of the impact MAF has on their lives. Without MAF in north-eastern Kalimantan, I’d say around 25,000 people would be stuck in the jungle. The need is clear – meeting that need gives you a good feeling at the end of the day.’

You can see a short film of Paul’s flight by visitingwww.maf-uk.org/malinau

Medical emergency

Malinau has fallen from a roof and sustained serious injuries.

Fortunately, the passengers are already loaded up to go there and, within an hour of receiving the call, we’re putting the man into a waiting ambulance at the MAF hangar in Tarakan.

Having reconfigured the aircraft, we then transported three drums of jet fuel to Malinau for use in the future. (Malinau is a hub for passengers, loading and fuel.) The drums unloaded, we reinstall the seats and transport eight people plus barang (stuff) to Mahak Baru, a one-hour flight.

A short flight to Long SuleOnce the passengers get off, we pull out the seats and fill the plane with 760kg of food – more than twice what a Cessna 206 could take. We’re taking the supplies to Long Sule.

Although Mahak Baru is accessible by land, getting there involves several days of arduous boat and dangerous 4x4 travel. Long Sule, however, can only be reached on foot or by air. Not surprisingly, the people rely heavily on us.

The new Kodiak makes short work of the flight. What takes less than ten minutes by air would take four days to walk. Once we have landed at Long Sule, we unload the 760kg of barang – thankfully with the help of the village ‘agents’, many of whom serve as local pastors.

Fortunately, a number of other helpers show up, shove an unbelievable amount of food into their woven backpacks and heft the supplies down the steep slope to their village, all the while wearing big, happy smiles!

Back to BaruThen we fly back to Mahak Baru, where we reinstall the seats and load seven adults and a child for the flight back to Malinau. Once there, we pump one of the drums of jet fuel that I’d brought in earlier into my wing tanks and rearrange the seats to carry four men and 283kg of supplies.

This time, we go to Binuang – another village that’s otherwise unreachable unless you walk or fly. The children rush out in droves to carry the supplies from the plane, laughing and giggling as they wrestle the heavy boxes to their houses.

Starry nightIt’s 4pm and I’d normally be on my way home by now. But today, I head for Pa’Upan, less than five minutes by air but a day-and-a-half’s walk from Binuang. My wife and children went to Pa’Upan on Wednesday for a five-day vacation Bible school with the village kids. I’ll spend the night in Binuang and fly them to Tarakan tomorrow.

So after a very long, full day of flying and serving the people of East Kalimantan, I secure the Kodiak 100 on the grassy parking area at the side of the airstrip, and await another clear and starry night.


Nelson-Houdan and Gerry, two of our national staff in Kalimantan, share about their work. Nelson-Houdan beginsPhotos Layton Thompson, Tripp Flythe

Serving their countrymen

I help the mechanics, load planes, and help follow flights on the radio.

MAF’s ministry is great because it helps people in Kalimantan’s interior,

especially in medical emergencies involving people who’ve had a motorcycle accident or women who are experiencing difficulty in childbirth. Because it’s not possible for them to get help in the interior, we fly them to the hospital here in Tarakan.

The pilots not only bring the patients, but visit them in hospital and pray with them. Once they are better, we fly them back to their village.

Another really big part of our ministry is transporting essential food supplies into the interior – supplies can’t be carried overland. If MAF wasn’t in Kalimantan, it would be very difficult for people in the interior because they rely on our planes to meet many of their needs. We’re so thankful that the Kodiak has come because now we’re able to carry a lot more cargo. Before that, we were limited by how much the Cessna 206 could take.

Before I joined MAF, I was in high school, and was given a job by one of the pilots. I helped out by cutting the grass and cleaning up around the staff houses. I eventually

joined MAF, worked here for 11 years, but stopped to finish my degree.

Struggling I really wanted to return to MAF, but then I heard about a project to build a new public hospital in Tarakan. ‘Wow, how many souls will be affected by that?’ I wondered, so I spent four years working on the project as Head of Security.

But then the man who ran the MAF office in Kalimantan died, and David Holsten (then Country Director) asked if I could return. The team was struggling because they didn’t have the help they needed in the hangar now that they had three different types of aircraft. I was happy to go back.

When I’ve helped load the plane and it’s ready to depart from the hangar, I lead the passengers in prayer. It doesn’t matter at all whether they’re Muslim or Christian, they can see that we care and that we want to minister to them.

Because we help everyone, there’s great interest in what we do. People from the Post Office are really impressed that we prioritise mail going into the interior. The people there rely on the letters they receive to get the latest news from kids who are going to school and living away from their homes. I’m so blessed whenever I hear what a positive impact MAF’s ministry has on Post Office workers. But I also want to help them to understand Who we’re doing this for.

KALIMANTAN: meeting many needs

Above: Nelson-Houdan at work in the hangarRight: RefuellingAbove right: GerryFar right: Loading riceMain: Rice supplies at Long Padi


Feel the prayerThe churches in Tarakan are very diligent when it comes to praying for our ministry. We feel those prayers and are aware of them. But we also need to provide the churches with evidence that their prayer is working. Not long ago, David did a church presentation and showed a film of what MAF does. Everyone who was there was really enthusiastic about our work.

Gerry’s storyI’ve been with MAF for four years and am now a flight operator. I like the guys who work

here and get on well with them. My work is my mission, so working with MAF makes me very happy.

Because I studied at Bible school, I help others to know about God and mission. It’s very interesting helping people in the villages and working with planes.

I think it’s really great that Christians come from countries like America and Canada to serve God in Kalimantan, even though it can be difficult adapting to different situations and weather. The people here know that MAF will help them whatever they believe, but it’s important to tell them why we do this.

n MAF has been working here since 1969

n We have 7 planes, 14 international staff and 18 national workers.

MAF in Kalimantan

‘My work is my mission’

We have to fly on Saturday!’ Six simple words send chills down my spine. There are only two main reasons we fly on Saturdays.

One, the governor needs a special charter. Two, the LRA.

The LRA. The Lord’s Resistance Army. One simple acronym whispered in north-eastern DRC and an entire village will flee in terror. Mentioning the LRA makes stomachs churn, blood run cold and silences conversation.

Some time ago, this rebel group originally from northern Uganda had a political agenda. But since they came to the DRC, their sole reason for existence seems to be terror.

They descend on a village and rape, burn, kidnap and kill. Victims of the LRA are maimed and mutilated, their lips and ears cut off.

I’m not really sure what the significance of Saturday is, but a blood-chilling phone call comes through nearly every weekend: ‘Please come to Dingila, Ngilima and Doruma, the LRA was here last night.’ Or: ‘The LRA is coming, please evacuate us from Aba and Faradje!’


DRC: conflict past and present

The phone ringsOne of the NGOs that we work with provides health professionals, logistics experts and administrative staff to mobile bush clinics and hospitals in some of the most difficult corners of the earth. Here, they spend much of their time repairing LRA victims. But then the LRA marches in and they have to evacuate. As soon as the rebels leave, the NGO calls and we fly them back in.

It’s Saturday! The phone rings. Our game of volleyball will have to wait a while. It’s time to get the plane ready; to get my heart and my head ready.

These flights are always hard. Charred villages. Eerie silence. The greeting at the airstrip is inevitably muted. Those who help unload relief supplies, or put victims on board, are probably wondering if they or their families will be next. I can’t even imagine the terror that these precious people live with every day.

Sometimes the silence is broken by a simple ‘God bless you’. I have given up my Saturday to do this, but I don’t really feel that I deserve their thanks. I just hope that, in some small way, MAF is bringing God’s blessing and that, even in the senseless terror, His Name might be glorified.

Rescuing victims of violenceJoey Lincoln, pilot in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), explains why Saturday phone calls make him shudderPhotos Jon Cadd, Geoff Crawford

n As you go about your Saturday, pray for courage and for God’s love to shine through our pilots serving in eastern DRC: Dave Jacobsson, Joey Lincoln, Joey Martin, Jon Cadd, Lary Strietzel and Rodney Dyrud

n That members of the LRA will be convicted by the Holy Spirit and stop the violence

n For salvation, peace and healing for those affected by the ongoing crisis

n For the MAF team as it looks for more ways to help bring the Good News to this area of the DRC, particularly through the Jesus film.

Please pray

‘I can’t even imagine the terror these precious people live with every day’Below: LRA victim on board MAF planeRight: Medical staff at work


Half a century of challenging serviceMAF has been providing access to medical care in the DRC for 50 yearsStory Gary Clayton Photos Dan Carlson, Sandy Jo Thompson

We began serving in the DRC in 1961 when Protestant Relief Agency (PRA) requested help. Revolt and tribal warfare had

engulfed the country in 1960 and the medical situation was really dire. There were only 200 doctors in the entire country, with millions of people to care for.

With MAF’s help, PRA initiated ‘Operation Doctor’ to bring healthcare to remote villages. Initially using two planes, we flew five teams of doctors between remote clinics where hundreds of people were waiting for the physicians.

Through the years, our presence in the DRC has been marked by unique challenges. Political unrest and threatening bush warfare caused several evacuations of MAF personnel. In 2002, our base at Nyankunde in eastern DRC was destroyed during fighting between two tribal factions. Thankfully, none of our staff were killed, and MAF still serves eastern DRC from its Bunia base.

During Ebola epidemics in 1995 and 2007, MAF was the only aviation organisation to fly international medical personnel and a mobile

laboratory into the epidemics’ hot zones, and to fly workers out of the area. In more recent outbreaks of measles and cholera this spring and summer, we were able to transport vital vaccines to areas that had been badly affected but were difficult to reach.

Today, operating from bases at Kinshasa, Bunia and Lubumbashi, we carry out medical emergency flights and provide support to missions, churches, refugee camp workers and those helping victims of violence. Fifty years on, our work continues and is as important as ever.

Main: Loading Red Cross supplies to treat Ebola patientsAbove: Reviewing patient records

With MAF’s help, PRA initiated

‘Operation Doctor’

8 Flying for Life December www.maf-uk.org

Help reaches the forgotten Turkana‘Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me’ Story Shaun Oliver Photos Ryan Cuthel, Judith Dupuis

EAST AFRICA: drought and famine

These words from Matthew’s Gospel inspired our software specialist Anthony Chege to take action as his fellow Kenyans further north faced

starvation.More than 12 million people are affected by

the East Africa food crisis, which has been caused by prolonged drought and, in some parts, conflict. But Anthony knew he could make a small difference.

With the help of his family and friends, Anthony raised more than three tons of food donations in just two days. Gifts from MAF Supporters made it possible to fly the food to Lodwar and Korr.

Lodwar has developed a reputation as an isolated outpost removed from the rest of Kenya. Travelling there from Nairobi takes at

least two days – if the roads are passable. And to reach outlying Turkana villagers – labelled as the ‘forgotten victims’ of the food crisis – is even more challenging.

The Grand Caravan’s arrival was greeted by

pastors of Lodwar Pastors’ Fellowship, who helped distribute the food – large sacks of Unimix (enriched maize and bean flour designed and used to fight malnutrition) and maize flour, along with green grams and beans – among people in the two nearby villages of Nabulon and Dodos.

Pastor Charles reports that the people experienced great joy when they heard that MAF was on its way. Their prayers had been

‘It’s one thing to hear about statistics in the news, but to go there and actually see it was quite shocking. I felt depressed about the situation, and helpless. It’s a peculiar feeling because things are only going to get worse and worse.

‘We got a chance to speak with one lady who arrived with her six kids. Her eldest daughter, aged eight and paralysed, was in a wheelbarrow. She walked for 20 days to get to the camp, pushing her daughter.

‘It was heartbreaking to see children of 6-12 months old severely malnourished at the hospital, especially since I have a young child of my own. But the care there is quite good. As soon as the people arrive, they go through medical screening and are checked.’

We are truly grateful for the immense generosity of our Supporters, which is still enabling frequent flights to the drought-affected area, along with support desperately needed in newly-independent South Sudan. Thank you for all your prayers and gifts at such a critical time.


answered. It had been four months since food aid last reached the Turkana area.

Many villages do not have road access and fuel is expensive and scarce, so the challenges of getting supplies are clear.

Love in actionMAF Information Co-ordinator Judith Dupuis reports from Turkana:

‘Our arrival is met with smiling faces. Yet looking beyond the smiles, I cannot help but notice the telltale signs of malnourishment. Skinny arms and sagging skin hanging from frail bodies are hidden under the traditional Turkana clothing.

‘It is with mixed emotions that I take some photos. Somehow, it doesn’t seem right to take pictures of people who are suffering. However, I finally decide it will help to send a message to more people who can help.

‘I watch as people carry their food portion, fading away into the distance as they walk for miles to their huts and shelters. My mind turns to Scripture: “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat.”

‘God-willing, more food will arrive before supplies run out. The headlines may inspire action. People do care, here in Kenya and around the world. I thank God for placing me here to see His love in action.’

Feeling helplessFrequent flights support the agencies working at the swollen Dadaab refugee camp in the north-east. Pilot Ryan Cuthel reports:

From August, we flew a twice-weekly shuttle service from Nairobi to Dadaab to serve several missions, churches, NGOs and agencies involved in relief and development projects.

Relief pilot Derek Moores flew a team of staff of Kenya Assemblies of God and their relief arm, Convoy of Hope, to Wajir. They then travelled another 2½ hours by road to visit a borehole project to see whether it could be expanded. While in the area, they also distributed some food.

We took the opportunity to fill an empty flight to Korr, to collect a Korean team from Health and Education, with 900kg of food for distribution among the local people.

Flights for Save the Children delivered five tons of food and supplies to remote villages in the north-east of South Sudan. The charity estimates that 45% of children in that country are suffering from malnutrition.

To find out more about MAF’s involvement, visit www.maf-uk.org/eastafrica

Famine flying

More than 12 million people are affected by the East Africa food crisis

Main: Smiling faces greet the team at Lodwar Inset left: Anthony ChegeFar left: Distributing Unimix maizeLeft: Family arrives at Dadaab after 20-day walkTop: Pilot Ryan Cuthel at Dadaab


‘You can stay forever’‘For over 30 wonderful but difficult years’ Nick and Lynne Swanepoel have been in Korr, Kenya, first with Wycliffe Bible Translators, then Africa Inland MissionStory Gary Clayton Photos LuAnne Cadd

When they arrived in 1980, Nick and Lynne were warned that the Rendille wanted nothing to do with outsiders. ‘Leave them alone,’

they were advised, ‘just work with the other people.’ Yet they persevered, even though their first attempt at getting to know people was met with women throwing rocks at them and yelling: ‘Go away!’

But in 1984, there was a terrible drought. Lynne says of that time, ‘Fortunately, God helped us to access food, and we were able to save many lives. After that, these lively, warm-hearted people opened their hearts to us. “You are Rendille,” they said. “You can stay forever.” It turned out that, although the land was arid, grey and inhospitable, the hearty, brightly-clothed, outgoing Rendille were not.’

Explosive church growthNick, who does outreach and assists the local church leadership, takes up the story: ‘When we first came to Korr, Rendille was spoken not written. So there were no grammar books or dictionaries. We had to learn the language from the people, write it down phonetically and then develop an alphabet and writing system. It took a while but was great fun.’

Although a predominantly oral society, the Rendille who did learn to read and write did so with gusto. As Nick provided them with

the bits of the Bible he’d translated – ‘We’re now 88% through the New Testament,’ he says – the enthusiastic Rendille greedily devoured it.

This proved to be the catalyst for explosive church growth. By 2000, because many of the Rendille could now read the Gospels, the message was having an incredible effect.

‘The believers just love it,’ says Lynne, ‘and read everything that’s been translated till they know it by heart. Then those involved in the literacy programme asked us to give their children a good education and teach them about Jesus. The pleading grew and grew. So in 2004, we finally took the plunge and started the first nursery school in Korr. It was attached to the church here. Once again, the growth was explosive.’

Locating leadersFurther nursery schools followed, with a huge number of children now coming to church as a result of the school programme, Sunday School and vacation Bible school.

Although Lynne’s primary responsibility was originally literacy training, this is now in the hands of the Rendille people themselves. ‘It’s so exciting seeing the growth,’ says Nick, ‘identifying leaders and handing the work over so they can run it in ways we’d never thought of.’ Lynne’s new role includes looking after the finances and doing medical work.

KENYA: literacy and learning

n The Rendille are a Cushitic speaking ethnic group – a branch of the Afro-asiatic language family named after Cush, who was identified as an ancestor of the speakers around AD 947

n The 60,000 Rendille live in the south-eastern and southern regions of Mount Marsabit in north-eastern Kenya

n The men are mainly nomadic camel herders

n The terrain is tough, so they can’t plant crops, but are totally dependent on their camels, sheep and goats. It is said that a Rendille man’s camel comes first, followed by his wife and children

n They are the only non-Muslim group in the area, and believe the desert is their ‘promised land’. Many are now Christian

n The Rendille now have most of the Bible in their own language, with only 2 Corinthians, 1 and 2 Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, 2 Peter and Titus still to be completed

n The Jesus film script has now been translated and will soon be dubbed into Rendille.

Sons of Cush


Severe droughtBecause the small eastern part of Kenya is a difficult area for people to reach, the Rendille were the last group in Kenya to get a secondary school. The church there was desperate for help but, thanks to Nick’s and Lynne’s hard work and stick-ability, the people can now read and write, study the Bible and go to school.

‘We couldn’t do any of this without MAF,’ says Lynne, ‘It’s our lifeline. We have 10 schools and a population of 20,000 Rendille currently going through severe drought. And because everyone’s so malnourished, they get hit by

every disease under the sun. Without MAF taking people to hospital, we’d be making a 14-hour roundtrip in the blazing heat.’

Nick agrees: ‘MAF planes deliver medicines and supplies. You know that, if you’re carrying salaries or stuff for the school in the car, you are opening yourself up to huge danger. The last time we drove to Nairobi, we came across a truck that had been shot at. So to get the money in through MAF, along with essential medicines for people and cattle, parts for our terrain-battered car and teaching supplies is a huge help.’

Bottom left: Lynne teaches literacy classLeft: Nick and Lynne Swanepoel Above left: Rendille literatureMain/above: Women’s literacy class

‘The believers just love it and read everything that’s been translated till they know it by heart’


Main: MAF aircraft at MototInset: Lucy YoungRight: A child being weighed through Tearfund’s nutrition programmeFar right: Mothers waiting to see the health worker at the clinicBelow right: Crowds greet the plane

SOUTH SUDAN: Tearfund in Motot

There’s something about the low drone of an aeroplane that can galvanise even the quietest village into action. Quick glances at the sky, trying to

ascertain where the plane’s coming from. Then excited shouts when someone finally spots it. Drivers are summoned, cars revved, bags grabbed and meals left half-eaten as children rush to see it.

The arrival of the monthly MAF flight is a real cause for celebration, not only for the Tearfund staff in our compound but also for the community.

Motot is a small village in Jonglei state, South Sudan. For five months of the year, during and after the rains, the roads and airstrips are washed out. The only way to get in or out is to walk six miles to the nearest serviceable airstrip, while praying that it also doesn’t get flooded before you get there.

Thankfully, MAF’s pilots are dedicated and do their utmost to land. During the months that the sun dries up the water and the air shimmers in the scorching heat, the planes land on the airstrip next to the Tearfund compound.

Passing in a blurLooking back on my year in Motot, everything seems to have passed by in a soaking wet or oppressively hot blur. Various episodes stick in my mind: wondering about whether to organise an evacuation during a potential security incident; walking through water to get to an airstrip; working late into the night to complete a report deadline; enjoying the jubilant celebrations in the village during the wedding season.

But I can also recall the harsher realities of life there: seeing malnourished children with distended stomachs being fed fortified food by mothers desperate for them to eat; rushing a woman to the clinic who had complications in childbirth; being saddened by the fact that one in eight women dies during pregnancy or childbirth in South Sudan.

Although it sometimes feels as though Tearfund’s work is just scratching the surface, we need to have faith that what we’re doing is making a difference.

Someone asked when I returned home what we did for fun in Motot. The simple answer was that we had to make it ourselves.

Scratching the surfaceLucy Young reports on a year working as Tearfund Programme Support Co-ordinator in Motot, South SudanPhotos Lucy Young, LuAnne Cadd

South Sudan is a desperately underdeveloped country, and remote areas like Motot suffer the most. With no electricity or running water, life is extremely basic.

Relying on MAFBecause of its very remote location, nearly everything has to be flown in. The first flight I saw after a six-month period when planes were unable to land was an MAF flight from Nairobi. Because our supplies had dwindled down to just rice and goat, seeing MAF arrive with a load of good food was a real boost to morale.

Tearfund’s programmes couldn’t exist without MAF’s help. A ton of drugs for our health clinic was delivered before breakfast one morning. Hundreds of people helped

unload bandages, antibiotics, mosquito nets, syringes, medicines and two birthing tables.

They also delivered seeds and essential equipment, along with samples of water from newly dug boreholes. The samples were then flown to Nairobi to test the water quality.

Amazing placeMotot is an intense place to work, and yet an incredible one, with stories of hope, success and faith coming through every day from people who had benefited from Tearfund’s programme. Living there was an amazing experience.

Because MAF flew me there in June 2010, it was fitting that they picked me up a year later. I love MAF. Its pilots are friendly and reliable, and they always go the extra mile.


n Tearfund’s work includes immunisation against measles, diphtheria, polio and typhoid, drilling boreholes to provide clean water, promoting hygiene and providing basic healthcare

n There are four field sites, each served by one MAF flight a month which brings food and essential medical supplies

n The Motot site has 15 international staff and 70-80 local workers

n Tearfund’s primary healthcare centre helps 800 women a year to give birth.

Tearfund in South Sudan

This is MAF

60 years in Papua New GuineaMAF’s ministry in Papua New Guinea (PNG) began in 1951. With the growth of a strong national Church, our role has developed from supporting expatriate missionaries to providing air transport for people living in rugged or isolated communities. Without road access, they are totally dependent on MAF to fly in medical workers, schoolteachers and essential supplies. They also need us to carry vegetables and coffee to market to generate income for school fees and to support local pastors.

MAF also serves people like Ally who, in May 2011, needed urgent medical treatment when she was bitten by a snake and almost completely paralysed.

As soon as the radio call went out, pilot Matt Painter took off. He loaded Ally on to the plane and took her to a hospital in Rumginae, where she eventually recovered.

An hour later, Matt and Dr Daniel Priest picked up a young lady in Balimo who needed a Caesarean section. Her baby boy was delivered close to midnight. ‘Three lives,’ says Dr Priest, ‘saved with one plane in one day, thanks to MAF.’

We operate from 6 bases across PNG, our 16 aircraft reaching deep into the interior to bring the Gospel and improve life for over 250 ethnic groups, 65 agencies and hundreds of churches ministering throughout rainforests, mountains and swamps.

In addition to our flying operation, 35 international staff and 88 national workers make a real difference in their local communities by parenting street children, teaching child-rearing, running marriage relationship and literacy courses, leading church worship and Bible studies, visiting patients, counselling believers and providing medical care.

Sixty years on, the need for MAF’s help is as great as ever.

FAITHFUL SERVICE: hope for the future


Nothing is impossible

I once heard it said that it is good to have an attitude of gratitude.

Reflecting on the anniversary of 60 years of

MAF service in Papua New Guinea and 50 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo, I am grateful to the Lord for all He has done over so many years.

While I look back and rejoice, I am also amazed at God’s goodness in what He is doing today, and look to the future with hope in Him. Although situations and locations in some of the world’s most remote places can often look mountainous – remembering that, with God, nothing is impossible is a great encouragement!

The Word of God tells us that His word shall not return void. This is both a comfort and an assurance as we continue our work in the new nation of South Sudan. Although independence can be linked with peace and freedom, the changes in Sudan during this past year bring the heightened risk of instability, and our support there remains vital.

As we celebrate the birth of Jesus this Christmastime, I want to thank you for your support, which enables us to introduce those living in isolated places to the One who came to bring great joy to all people (Luke 2:10, NLT).

I wish you a Happy Christmas and a blessed New Year.

Ruth WhitakerChief Executive, MAF UK

Mission Aviation Fellowship is a worldwide Christian organisation operating over 135 light aircraft in more than 30 countries. Around 280 flights every day transport patients, relief teams, medical supplies and Christian workers in the world’s remotest regions and places of deepest human need. Places where flying is not a luxury but a lifeline.

Normally, passengers contribute a highly-subsidised fare towards the true cost. The balance comes from people concerned that others should have a better life spiritually and physically.

In the UK, MAF is a registered charity funded by voluntary gifts which help finance MAF’s operational work and support services.

Mission Aviation FellowshipCastle Hill Avenue, Folkestone CT20 2TN29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0ADFREEPOST ADM4164, PORTRUSH BT56 8ZYDept AA1818, PO Box 4214, FREEPOST Dublin 2Telephone: 0845 850 9505Email: [email protected]: www.maf-uk.org

Registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107)

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Please debit my card account (please circle card type) CharityCard, Delta, Maestro, MasterCard, Visa

You can also make a gift by telephoning our Supporter Relations team on 0845 850 9505 or by visiting www.maf-uk.org/flyingforlife

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Barbara’s bearsBarbara and Mike Sculthorp met at a London church. Barbara had become a Christian in her late teens after seeing a Billy Graham film, and moved to London to work for Church Army. Mike grew up in Walthamstow and went to a good Sunday school. Although he drifted during his teens, he returned to church when he was working as a policeman at Paddington Green.

The year after they married, Mike and Barbara moved to Edenbridge, Kent,

where they trained as counsellors and worked with alcoholics at a Christian rehabilitation centre.

Coming across MAF at an Assemblies of God conference, Barbara and Mike were immediately impressed by the practical outworking of faith and also the huge benefits to the people we reach. So they adopted MAF as their favourite charity.

Barbara has always been a collector by nature, and built up a huge collection of teddy bears, some of which are over 100 years old. She made plans to leave the bears to MAF as a way of helping the work to continue. However, hearing about the impact on MAF because of increased fuel costs, Barbara decided to sell many of them now, thus providing a legacy during her lifetime. She can also continue collecting teddies with a clear conscience!

To learn more about supporting MAF in this way, please contact our Legacy Co-ordinator on 0845 850 9505 or email [email protected]

opportunity of giving to MAF at the same time?

We have joined with Just Cards to offer you handmade greetings cards from Africa as well as printed cards from around the world. Just Cards supports charities like us, offering 10% of sales back to the charity.

When you choose your cards, you simply go to the check out and select MAF as your charity.

You’ll be helping MAF as well as many of the communities where we work. So why not go online and buy not only your Christmas cards but also other types of handmade cards from www.justcardsdirect.com, or check out the MAF website for a link to Just Cards – www.maf-uk.org/justcards

Just cardsAre you thinking of buying your Christmas cards and would love the

Joining our TrusteesMAF UK is delighted to welcome two new Trustees to the Board, who bring specialist knowledge and skills which will help provide strategic direction and guidance for MAF.

Linda Trew has a range of experience in fundraising and marketing. She is Head of Fundraising at a Kent hospice and a certified member of The Institute of

Fundraising. As an active member of St Luke’s

Church in Ramsgate, Linda is chair of its mission committee and her husband David is churchwarden. They have two teenage children.

Phil Bland has a background in engineering. After many years working in the utility sector, he now runs a small consultancy firm. Phil is chairman of the UK-based charity Hope Through Action and its affiliated South African aid delivery organisation.

Phil’s experience of working in townships in the Western Cape has enabled him to develop a great understanding of the difficulties facing people in the world’s

poorer nations. He is married to Judy, and they worship at Knutsford Methodist Church in Cheshire.

MAF UK NEWS

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Flying for Life December 2011 Magazine