Flying for Life February 2014
The quarterly magazine of MAF Australia
2 Ron’s Record
He’s done it!
6 Arnhem Land MicroSD cards
record attempt FlyingRon’s for Life | May 2013
Ron’s record At 4:32pm on Saturday the 2nd of November, 64-yearold Ron Watts finished his 140th flight, claiming the new record and an extraordinary amount of sponsorship. Story Ron Watts Photos Rich Thompson
M
y ‘Clear prop’ call was only heard by a couple of crows and a rabbit. It was 6.02 am as Barry Small (my safety pilot) and I taxied out onto a deserted Parkes, NSW, aerodrome on Saturday 2 November 2013 to commence our first session of 24 flights. I admit, despite committing the day to the Lord in prayer, I felt daunted by the prospect of doing this for six consecutive sessions – up to 11 hours of flying by my calculations.
Feeling the need I felt similarly daunted about 4 months earlier when it was decided the Record Attempt we were already planning (most flights in a day), should be our
2 Flying for Life February 2014
fundraiser for the much-anticipated second MAF aircraft for Timor-Leste. Although we had been able to buy this aircraft at a very good price, the total cost was still going to be in the region of half a million dollars! Thanks to our generous supporters, we had already raised around a third of that amount, which was a huge encouragement to us all as we prayerfully planned for 2nd November. I had tried something similar in May 2011 and we raised a modest $12,000. This time we were shooting for much more. However, as I look back now, the Apostle Paul’s words ring in my mind: “God is able to do immeasurably more than we could ask or imagine”.
In the air I took comfort in the steady beat of the Lycoming engine as it powered the small Beechcraft around the circuit pattern. Faith in God and faith in machine seem to go together in the world of MAF, and I thought of the many who would be flying in much more challenging conditions that day. Cloud, rain and unforgiving mountains would be their view out the window, not the clear blue sky and flat paddocks I was seeing. The day progressed well. With each session of 24 flights, I was accompanied by one of three rotating safety pilots. Barry Small, Keith Southcott and MAF pilot Matt Alcorn – visiting from the Arnhem Land programme.
National interest On one of the refuelling stops I was confronted by a TV crew wanting footage and an interview. Although this made my 20-minute break a little tight, I was glad to do it. In fact, by now I was getting used to this kind of attention! In the weeks prior to the event there had been plenty of media interest in what I was trying to do. ABC national radio, WIN and PRIME TV networks and various newspaper outlets were keen to get involved in reporting this record attempt.
During these weeks, as the story became circulated, the donations poured in for the new plane. It seemed that many were keen to see another MAF aircraft in Timor-Leste, a place with such need.
Coming in to land I had told the Mayor of Parkes, Ken Keith, that I hoped to finish the day’s flying by 4.30, as he wanted to be there at the conclusion. It was with some relief (and surprise on my part), that Matt, my final safety pilot for the day, signed off the last landing at 4.32. The 140 circuits (a new Australian record) had taken only 9 hours and 5 minutes of flying time. Naturally I was excited to hold the record, but I was perhaps even more excited when I heard the news of how much money had been received through the attempt – over $190K! I am humbled by the support and sponsorship. It is a great reminder of the body of Christ at work, each playing their part to serve the kingdom of God.
Main Ron and a GA8 Airvan Top left Ron shakes hand with Ken Keith, the Mayor of Parkes, on completion of his 140 flights Top right Ron’s crew (left to right): Barry Small, Matt Alcorn, Keith Southcott Middle CEO Michelle Dorey interviews for WIN news Right Ron’s trusty Beechcraft, coming into land Below The aircraft destined for Timor-Leste.
We’ve done it! In early February the final donation came in for the new aircraft! Praise God! We at MAF Australia want to thank everyone who contributed over the last year, through prayer and financial giving, to this aircraft. We can’t wait to send it over to Timor-Leste. Stay tuned for the next chapter in this story!
February 2014 Flying for Life 3
PNG: End of an era
The end of an era
Very early in the morning, on the 19th of December, 3 Cessna 206s took off from Mt Hagen, PNG. This was indeed a significant and historic moment in the history of MAF. Story Glen Sim Photos Glen and Godfrey Sim, Rick Velvin, Michael Duncalfe
“Although they are only chunks of metal, they have been tools given to us by the Lord for His work, and He has blessed them for His Kingdom”
Main Pilot Rick Velvin and the long-serving Cessna 206 Bottom left Missionaries are dropped at Lumi in 1985 in MFJ. Far right top Pilots Brad Ballin, Harold Hall and Rick Velvin Far right middle Final taxi from the apron Far right bottom Final take-off just before 6:30am
T
he morning sun was just peeping over the mountains and shedding its golden rays on the low cloud around the airport. It was a familiar and tranquil scene outside the MAF Mt. Hagen Base.
The Workhorse For over 46 years, MAF Cessna 206s have served the remote people of PNG. Throughout this time they’ve been involved in delivering medical and education staff to isolated communities, transporting building materials to places roads can’t reach, performing medical evacuations, and taking out produce from market gardens and other cash crops. These planes have played a major part in transforming remote communities all over PNG. Now that era is coming to an end.
Final Farewell At around 06:30, pilots Brad Ballin, Harold Hall and Rick Velvin (right) joked about the weather being “just bad enough to take off”. Soon after, three Cessna 206s revved into life and lined up on the taxi-way ready for take -off. The tower had given them approval to play follow the leader down to the end of the runway and take off in succession.
4 Flying for Life February 2014 www.maf.org.au
After each one took to the air, they re-grouped at the east end of the airfield and did a commemorative ‘fly-by’ over the airport before heading to Mt. Hagen town. And with that they were gone, leaving the few dedicated MAF staff waving to distant dots in the sky! They continued the low fly-over of Mt. Hagen town as they headed south to Australia.
One of the Family MAF purchased their first Cessna 206 in 1967. It had two main advantages over the Cessna 185s that they replaced. They were turbocharged which made a huge difference in carrying capacity as well as safety in highlands operations. They were also a lot easier to load, boasting a big side cargo door, and carried more than the 185 tail-dragger. In 1987 MAF reached the maximum number of 206s at one time. There were 15 aircraft.
A lot of hours Several of our 206s have done 20,000 hours of flying in PNG. P2-MFG is a good example of this. It was purchased brand new from Cessna in 1975 and was prepared for service at MAF’s original Engineering base at Ballarat. It then started its service in PNG in January 1976. This plane went on to fly 21,230 hours over 30 years in PNG without an accident. Larry Nicholson, MAF’s Chief Engineer, knows this plane well. He notes that “it had at least 50,000 landings on it and probably has more MAF hours on it than any other MAF aircraft in the world!” These aircraft have served the missions and churches well for many years and are now being withdrawn from service in PNG, mainly due to maintenance issues that come with aging aircraft.
A day to remember Our three pilots, conscious that history was being made, flew in formation all the way to Horn Island where they stopped for Australian Customs checks. From there they made their way to Cairns and Mareeba. Many prayers followed them as the three
were tracked during the day on MAF’s satellite tracker, ‘IndigoTrack’. We watched as P2-MFO branched off to land in Cairns while the other two (MAI & MFN) headed to Mareeba. By 3:30 pm, all three were safely on the ground.
“Chunks of metal” Rick Velvin achieved a repeat performance on Monday 30th December when he flew the last Cessna 206 (P2-MFD) to Mareeba. Chatting in the early light of dawn that day, Rick and Michael Duncalfe remarked how it was both a sad day for MAF and the many passengers who had spent time in the old workhorses, but a significant one in the history of MAF-PNG. “Although they are only chunks of metal”, Rick said before his take-off, “they have been tools given to us by the Lord for His work, and He has blessed them for His Kingdom. His work has not finished, so we pick up different tools and keep going.” MAF-PNG has a different workhorse in the GippsAero GA8 Airvan, so herein begins a new episode, but we have definitely seen the end of an era.
February 2014 Flying for Life 5
Arnhem Land: A different kind of Christmas card
An unusual Christmas card Just imagine the possibilities when you combine mobile technology and the ability to reach remote locations in a MAF plane. That’s what Peter did. Story and photos Peter Higham
S Peter Higham Technology Services
Main A happy recipient of a MicroSD card Bottom left A big job indeed. All the MicroSD cards ready to be loaded up with resources Top Right One MicroSD card can have an impact on a whole community Far Right The bible being listened to on a mobile phone
adly, so many around the world choose to not have anything to do with Jesus at Christmas. That is certainly true for many up here in Arnhem Land. As I was walking through the community of Yirrkala last November, I had a conviction in my heart that I needed to do something extra at Christmas time to create another opportunity for Yolngu to hear the good news of Jesus Christ. But what could I do? What skills or gifts do I have to help spread the incredible truth of Christmas? Unsurprisingly, ‘Technology Services’ came to mind! After all, nearly everyone in Arnhem Land has a mobile phone. Why not use this device to share the Christmas message? An idea began to form in my mind.
A Christmas Project Throughout the year, staff from the MAF Technology Services team in Arnhem Land
6 Flying for Life February 2014 www.maf.org.au
have been working with local translators to put Bible stories into various media forms. One of the projects has been creating the Christmas story in one of the local languages. This was a collection of images and audio put together in a format that can be viewed on a mobile phone. With this Christmas content in mind, it was decided to purchase 20 MicroSD cards and pre-load them with these Christmas videos. We would then make them available for distribution to the major Aboriginal
homelands. It was no surprise that within a short space of time - after people caught wind of what we were doing – the project grew in size and scope!
Hunting around We needed more digital Christian resources. Many hours were spent searching online for suitable English Christmas videos, music and images and obtaining copyright for all the material that was used. The demand for the MicroSD cards increased and so a further 120 cards were purchased with express shipping. A special Christmas card with Yolngu scripture on it was made and printed so that the MicroSD card could be attached to the back.
Putting it all together The project received an added boost when, thanks to ‘Faith comes by hearing’ and ‘Campus Crusade for Christ’, the ‘Jesus Film series’ and an ‘Audio Bible’ were also made available for this project. After a nervous wait for the physical MicroSD cards to arrive in the mail, they were loaded one by one with the material, put into plastic cases and glued to the back of the Christmas Cards. This process took many long nights to complete! With a sigh of relief, the first card was given out to the homeland of Gurrumurru three
weeks before Christmas. Staff from the three main MAF bases of Lake Evella, Elcho Island and Milingimbi joined in with the project and acted as distributors for the MicroSD cards. In their respective communities the MicroSD cards proved to be very popular. In Milingimbi the demand was very great and so a second lot needed to be sent out. More importantly however, the cards inspired the local ladies to get involved with recording more local language Bible stories!
Worthwhile In Lake Evella, MAF pilot Matt Roediger recalls the night he saw someone who had purchased a MicroSD card, setting up a video projector in the basketball court. He was getting ready to show the videos on the card! “Its like a movie night Yolngu style”, Matt wrote, “This was their own idea and initiative! The only thing that I provided was an extension lead. Sooo encouraging!” This project required much energy and time, but it was time well spent. It has brought me great joy and satisfaction to work on this project and I truly believe that MAF will continue to see evidence of the impact of this project as time goes on! Already in the planning is an Easter Edition MicroSD card. The production of Easter stories in local language is underway!
In the MicroSD cards: Audio Bible, Christmas Audio messages (Yolngu Matha and English), Christmas Videos (Yolngu Matha and English), Jesus Film, Christmas images, Christmas music and a video message from a MAF staff member encouraging people to remember Jesus at Christmas and sharing how to give one’s life to Jesus.
Spotlight: South Sudan
Serving South Sudan Around 650,000 people were displaced in the recent conflict. This devestated country, only 2 years old, needs MAF now more than ever.
South Sudan: Total area: 619,745 km² Capital: Juba Population: 11.09 million People living with HIV/AIDS: 3.1% of the population Age structure: 46% 0-14 years (median age 16.6 years) Infant mortality: 70/1,000 deaths (18th in the world) Maternal mortality: 2,054/100,000 (highest in the world)
Source: CIA Word Factbook 2013 Photos: Smiley N. Pool
8 Flying for Life February 2014 www.maf.org.au
Languages: >7
Our operation: Country Director: Bastiaan de Waal Staff: 30 (6 international, 24 national) MAF flights legs last year: 3,255 Fleet (Cessna): 2 x C208B Caravans Started serving this region: 1950 Passengers last year: 8540 Partners we serve: More than 200 Key organisations who fly with MAF: Tearfund, Christian Mission Aid, Medair, SIM Sudan, Sudan Evangelical Alliance Partners, Save the Children
Turn over to read about one example of how MAF is making a difference to the people of South Sudan
November February 2014 2013 Flying for Life 9
SOUTH SUDAN: delivering wheelchairs
When God leaps in MAF helps two South Sudanese orphans to get moving Story Jill Vine Photos Jill Vine and Achim Appel
T
he day we delivered the promised wheelchairs to two teenage orphans in Kajo Keji, South Sudan, was one I shall never forget. Back in February, when I first visited St Bartholomew’s Orphanage, I noticed two rusting wheelchair frames discarded under a shelter. One belonged to Matthais Jackson, whom I saw crawling in the dirt. He had to drag himself five miles to school and back every day. The other belonged to Josephine, whose legs and knees were covered in dirt from having to do the same. Surely there was something we could do to help? I called MAF Uganda Operations Manager Dave Rogers, who agreed to fly the rusty frames back to Kampala. We arranged for them
10 Flying for Life February 2014 www.maf.org.au
to be collected by a group called Katalemwa, who had helped me provide a wheelchair before for another disabled child.
Just in time My friend from Katalemwa called two weeks later with news that she had found funding for Matthais’ three-wheeled chair to be rebuilt! This still left Josephine’s wheelchair. We were short of money and time, as my visa was running out – quite aside from the fact that the orphans had to struggle on each day without their chairs. I also secretly hoped I would be able to return the chairs myself so I could photograph Matthais and Josephine receiving them. Then, through God’s orchestration, I met a man at church who linked me with someone
Jill Vine greets Matthais and Josephine
who imports wheelchairs to give to people in need. I emailed him an application form and he promptly replied, saying he had a brand new wheelchair ready for us to collect. We had been successful – just before my visa expired! MAF agreed to fly the two wheelchairs back to Kajo Keji free of charge, and Katalemwa delivered Matthais’ three-wheeler to Kajansi airfield the night before the shuttle flight. We had trouble contacting our partners to request a large vehicle to transport the wheelchairs. But when we stepped off the plane, a message from Pastor David Kaya said he would be there with a huge bus!
Explosive joy MAF pilot Achim Appel, Pastor David and I then travelled to the orphanage with the threewheeler strapped to the roof of the bus. We only had an hour on the ground to locate Matthais and Josephine. Josephine was at the orphanage, and was surrounded by hundreds of children that I remembered from my previous visit. She made her way towards us with two sticks, hardly able to manoeuvre on her severely crippled legs. When she collapsed onto the ground just as she reached the chair, we lifted her into it. As she looked up, the sight of her smile was so lovely. It made all the complicated details of this trip completely worthwhile! Then we asked for Matthais. The orphanage staff explained that he was at school, which was close to the runway. With only 20 minutes before our departure time, we set off in search of the young man whose positive outlook on
life has left a mark on me forever. When we found him, Matthais looked a lot smaller and thinner than I remembered. When he’s on all fours, Matthais looks extremely disfigured, but seeing him in his new threewheeled chair gave me an explosive joy – he looked like a dignified king! His smile was beaming as we flew out of Kajo Keji that day.
Happy ending With the help of MAF and others, God brought things together beautifully to make this story such a happy one. It was a delight to witness the elation of Josephine and Matthais when they saw their gleaming wheelchairs. It seems that, as we take one small step, perhaps even make a couple of phone calls, God leaps in and helps co-ordinate everything else. Praise His Name!
Above Josephine in her new wheelchair
February 2014 Flying for Life 11
CRMF: The pocket money bible
The pocket money bible CRMF’s Shannon Perrett tells how one boy’s pocket money, changes one woman’s life. Main Pilot Brad Ballin selling bibles carried on the MAF plane Right A changed woman: Ruth
12 Flying for Life February 2014 www.maf.org.au
Story and photos Shannon Perrett
W
hen most kids receive pocket money, they usually start thinking about the first item they would like to save for – a new Lego kit or perhaps the latest Barbie.
Saving up When a young mission kid in PNG received his first bit of pocket money, he knew exactly what he was going to save for, a Bible. Not just any Bible, but a Bible to be sent to someone in a remote location in PNG. One that would be given to someone who couldn’t just go down to the local Christian bookstore and buy one. So he saved for over a month and finally had enough money to purchase a Bible to be given to an MAF pilot to take out to a village.
God’s leading This Bible landed in the hands of an MAF wife (Nikolai Ballin) based in Kawito, who then began to pray about who she should give it to. Soon she knew just the right person. Nikolai said “When I handed Ruth the Bible, a surprised look came across her face as she explained that since living at Rumginae (a couple of years ago) she had been praying for an English Bible - but there were none available in Rumginae at that time and we haven’t had any in our stocks here at Kawito -
so she just kept praying for one. Both Ruth and her husband are fluent in English and wanted another Bible to crossreference with their Gogodala and Tok Pisin versions as they teach at the Gogodala ECPNG Bible College and preach. Her husband was leaving for a one-week outreach trip the next day and wanted to take the English Bible with him. But Ruth wasn’t ready to let it go yet - she was too busy reading it herself!”
Playing our part God used the pocket money of a young boy to answer the prayers of this woman, through the ministry of Learning Technologies. In a remote place where there are no shops or bookstores, Ruth was able to receive a Bible to assist her in her teaching and her ministry. Who could you help? There are many people living in remote communities who have no opportunity to purchase a Bible. But now the MAF pilots carry a box of Bibles (purchased by CRMF Learning Technologies) with them wherever they fly. You can buy bibles and audibibles as gifts by visitng www.mafgifts.org.au
Blessed to give These Bibles are ‘sold’ at subsidised prices so that villagers can afford this precious book. For those who cannot read (this is quite common in remote communities) there is the Audibible, a small solar powered audio player loaded with the Bible in Tok Pisin. What a wonderful gift this is - to be able to supply God’s Word to people who are desperate to hear!
Visit mafgifts.org.au to send a bible or an audibile on an MAF plane!
Stay in ‘Contact’ This story was also featured in the recent release of CRMF’s annual ‘Contact’ magazine. You may have noticed that whereas we’d normally have 2 double-page spreads focusing on the work of CRMF, in this magazine we only have one. This is to entice you to grab your FREE copy of ‘Contact’! The ministry of CRMF is both unique and incredibly exciting. This special edition magazine gives a deeper insight into the life-changing work that is happening everyday in PNG. Getting your copy is simple! Either call our office on 1800 650 169 or send a quick email, with your address, to info@maf.org.au.
February 2014 Flying for Life 13
MAF Australia
Come and celebrate what God is doing through aviation
y a D y l i m Fa 2014
Joy Flights • Trial Instructional Flights • Flight Simulator • Rescue Scenario Experience • Static Aircraft Displays • Missionary Displays BBQ • Coffee & Book Stalls • Key Speakers & Forums • More family fun activities!
Saturday 29th March - 10am - 4pm
Check out www.maf.org.au/events for more info
Camden Airport, Camden, NSW
Come & Celebrate
what God is doing through Aviation
Calling serious cyclists Joy Flights • Trial Instructional Flights Flight Simulator • Rescue Scenario Experience Static Aircraft Displays • Missionary Displays
We’re planning anStallsevent that is not for the BBQ • Coffee & Book • Key Speakers & Forums Theatre & more family fun activities! faint-hearted. For further details contact Chris Keough: 0418 436 331 “MAF is a not-for-profit team of aviation professionals providing air transport in places of Starting on thehuman 28th of June, a group of cyclists are going to ride deepest need - remote places where flying is not a luxury, but a lifeline. For over 60 years, NSW MAF has flownup over jungles, mountains, swamps and deserts to bring thousands ofNSW. men, from Manly, the coast to Byron Bay, women and children medical care, emergency relief, long-term development and Christian hope.” This 6 day ride will cover 1000kms and an altitude gain of 12000m. Why? Put simply, fuel. It may sound obvious, but this is what we need to fly. Every $50 raised is the equivelant of a jerrycan of fuel (20 litres). This is enough to power a life-saving flight in a place like PNG. At the moment we’re looking to recruit more cyclists for the event. This may be you, or it maybe someone you know - please pass it on!
More details, along with an expression of interest form, can be found at www.maf.org.au/RideForFuel
Flying for Life
Contact
ISSN: 2202-0365 Editor: Rich Thompson Email: info@maf.org.au Printer: Dominion Print Group Flying 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.
MAF Australia
Front cover: Photo courtesy: Gareth Barton
14 Flying for Life February 2014 www.maf.org.au
ABN 26 134 583 887
PO Box 7187 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Phone: 1800 650 169 Email: maf@maf.org.au Website: www.maf.org.au
CRMF PO Box 7187 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Phone: 1800 650 169 Donations: support@maf.org.au Email: maf@maf.org.au Website: www.maf.org.au/CRMF
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Movements in the field Praying for labourers As I look to the year ahead and the increasing staffing shortages that MAF is facing all around the world, I am once again reminded of these words from Jesus: “The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest.” (Luke 10:2) Right now, there is more demand than ever for the help, hope and healing that MAF can bring to remote communities. As we go out this year to find new ‘labourers’, will you join with us in praying earnestly that the Lord will provide them for us?
David and Jenny Pett
Pilot David has taken on Operations Manager for Arnhem Land.
Michelle Dorey CEO MAF Australia Mat and Jo Thomson
Transfer from Mareeba to MAF Africa for 12 month avionics upgrade
We farewell
Brad and Nikolai Ballin
Engineer Brad and family moving to Mareeba from Kawito, PNG
Otto and Jenny Wichert
Ben and Jazlie Grygoruk
Ministry Opportunities MAF’s most urgent needs: • Mission Pilots with appropriate qualifications (PNG, Africa and Arnhem Land) • Aircraft Engineers (Arnhem Land, Africa, PNG, Bangladesh and Mareeba, Qld) • Finance Manager (PNG, Cairns, South Sudan, Arnhem Land)
CRMF’s needs: • Administration/Bookeeping Manager (PNG) • CRMF Advocate (Sydney). This is a paid position for one/two days per week.
Volunteer needs: • We need help running the stall at this year’s Easterfest (QLD)
For further details of MAF positions please visit www.maf.org.au/workwithus or email personnel@maf.org.au Successful applicants for the non-volunteer positions will need to meet the requirements for MAF International staff membership including raising prayer and financial support. February 2014 Flying for Life 15
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