Flying for Life Autumn 2016

Autumn 2016

The quarterly magazine of MAF Australia

Flying o Life

4 South Sudan

A Passion for Saving Lives

8 Arnhem Land Watering the Earth

South Sudan: A Passion for Saving Lives

A Passion For Saving Lives T

Ugandan midwife Mary on the plane to Kajo Keji.

here are many children named Irene and Mary in Kajo Keji, South Sudan.

Traditionally, a child might be named after someone special, and in this case, it’s the midwives who delivered or saved the mother or baby’s life. Irene and Mary have saved many. Thanks to them, their students are saving lives as well.

Irene Ewuzie and Mary Akotimolla are part of the “Deploying Midwives Project” from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), a group of 30 international midwives positioned around South Sudan to help strengthen the midwifery services across the country and contribute to the goal of reducing maternal deaths.

South Sudan desperately needs qualified midwives. A Ministry of Health report concluded that over 80 percent of births in South Sudan occur without the help of a skilled attendant, contributing to the country’s maternal mortality rate, which is the highest

42 Flying Flyingfor forLife LifeJuly2014 Autumn 2016 www.maf.org.au www.maf.org.au

in the world - 2,054 per 100,000 live births.

What this means to a South Sudanese woman is that she has a 1 in 7 chance of dying from pregnancy related causes in her lifetime.

Currently, there is only one qualified midwife per 39,000 people.

Not About the Money Irene and Mary are finishing their second year in South Sudan, planning to return in 2016. It has been enormously rewarding as they give practical training as well as mentor students who are part of a midwifery program.

They both say that they are not here for the money. Even a former student doesn’t care if she gets paid a pittance, which she probably does. They regularly save lives in their job. It’s the ultimate job satisfaction.

“Seeing a woman deliver, the baby cries, the woman is fine - it’s a fulfillment for me. It’s a joy, a passion,” Nigerian-born Irene declares.

Midwife Irene holds the child of former midwife student Alice Jaguru.

Irene helped deliver her.

“It’s not about the money. If it was about the money, with all the dangers around…” She shakes her head. No way.

But there’s a personal reason close to her heart as well. “I lost my first baby. It was traumatic for me. So each time I see a woman who is pregnant, who comes in labor, I try as much as I can to send her home with her baby because I know the pain I went through.

If we lose a baby, I feel so bad. People will be like, ‘don’t worry,’ and I say ‘no!’ It is only that woman who knows what she’s going through.

She just spent nine months for nothing. It’s not OK.” Mary, a Ugandan, finds fulfillment in helping people less fortunate than herself. “I’m always motivated by helping people at a time when they need it most. As a midwife, I feel fulfilled when at the end of the day I’ve supported a mother through her pregnancy and she has a normal healthy delivery. It brings me the most

joy to be able to give service to people who are less privileged.”

“I saved both lives!”

Alice Jaguru, 29, graduated from the midwifery school next door to the hospital in late 2013 as an ‘Enrolled Midwife’. Mary and Irene have mentored her through the last two years as she worked at the Kajo Keji hospital. Her eyes light up and a smile rounds out the look of joy on her face when she talks about her job as she holds the young son on her lap whom Irene helped deliver.

“I can manage emergencies now in the maternity ward because they added new knowledge to what I learned before,” Alice says, and proceeds to give two examples. In one she discovered a Cord Prolapse in time to call a doctor for an emergency cesarean. In another it was Placenta Previa, both dangerous conditions for mother and baby, both saved

Midwife Mary training Joyce Gamba

Mary teaches a new mother how to nurse

Autumn 2016 Flying for Life

3

South Sudan: A Passion for Saving Lives

Current 2nd year student, Regina Lodong with her trainers, Irene and Mary.

through the knowledge and mentoring passed on by the midwives.

“The baby is alive, the mother is alive.

I feel proud because I saved both the lives,” Alice says, beaming. “The second one happened Sunday morning. I was just raising my hand up to God. I said, really God, you are taking care of me!”

‘Irene and Mary are now clapping, all smiles. “You saved two mothers!”’

Rigina Lodong is calm and speaks quietly about her studies to become a midwife, a contrast to the exuberant Alice, but she is no less passionate.

She’s now in her second year of training and Irene and Mary say that she can be found day and night volunteering at the hospital on her time off, absorbing all the lessons and experience of hands-on work.

She tells a story of an emergency that she caught in time – a mother showing

4 Flying for Life Autumn 2016 www.maf.org.au

respiration problems, low blood pressure, and eyes indicating anemia.

After a lab test, she discovered that the hemoglobin had reduced to just four grams (a minimum of 12 is normal). She caught the problem in time for a blood transfusion.

Irene and Mary listen and look just like proud parents.

Rigina tells another story of a mother who was hemorrhaging (PPH), a leading cause of death in countries like South Sudan. Again, she managed to save the mother.

Irene and Mary are now clapping, all smiles. “You saved two mothers!”

“Yes, but still I need guidance from you,” Rigina responds.

“But we are proud of you!” they both say.

MAF Irene arrived in South Sudan just seven days before the explosion of violence on the 16th of December 2013. She stayed safely in a hotel with other new

midwife recruits, listening to the gunfire outside. UNFPA evacuated her before she could even begin, returning in February. “I’m a survivor. When we got to the field you actually see people who need your help. And you just have to give.”

Every eight weeks MAF flies Irene, Mary, and the other international midwives back to Juba where they catch commercial flights to their homes in various countries for rest, recuperation and leave. For many, it’s all they ever see of their own young children.

“MAF is wonderful,” Mary says. “When we first came, we didn’t have any flights to Kajo Keji, so we always traveled by road in a convoy. When eventually we were told that we were going to be traveling by MAF, it was very exciting. We were so happy. We were like, ‘finally!’

The staff are so kind. The pilots are good. But what touches me most is the prayer. They always make a prayer before the flight. There’s nothing more beautiful than that. I’m a Christian, so whenever a pilot says a prayer, I feel like it’s OK. Everything is fine.”

798 and Counting The UNFPA project that began in 2013, has focused on building and strengthening the midwifery workforce

in the public health care system, supervising and mentoring local health workers, traditional birth attendants and community midwives in basic emergency obstetric, neonatal care, and new-born care. Since the beginning of the project, the midwives have contributed to reaching over 150,000 pregnant women at antenatal clinics, conducted over 30,000 safe births, and given emergency obstetric and newborn care to more than 10,000 women with complications in pregnancy and childbirth. They have also initiated family planning programs at health facilities, assisting over 8,000 women to access those services.

In Kajo Keji, from January through September of 2015, the hospital saw 798 live births. “I think we’ve lost eight babies and one mother,” Irene adds. “It’s far lower than what it used to be. I think we are really making an impact.”

For Alice, Regina, and the women of South Sudan whom they serve, the reward is life.

“You know, our profession is a call from God,” Alice says. “Mine is just to save lives, and God will be there to reward me, even if I’m getting only a little amount just for buying soap for washing my hands. That is why it is making me very proud of my profession.

I feel very happy! It’s a passion.”

Fleeing for Life appeal: thank you!

Recently we’ve been raising money for a particular type of MAF flight in South Sudan, for the organisation Medair.

These flights deliver food, medicine, sanitation items, clean water and shelter to various IDP* settlements in the North East of the country.

It is giving those fleeing starvation and warfare somewhere to run to. It’s giving them hope.

To get involved, please call 1800 650 169 or visit maf.org.au/FleeingForLife IDP = Internally Displaced Person

Autumn 2016 Flying for Life 5

PNG: A box of delights

Oksapmin High School has depended upon MAF flights for many years

A box of delights

Mandy Glass, our PNG Communications Officer, shows how her love of reading helped 80 students from a remote high school Story Mandy Glass Photos Mandy Glass and Richard Hanson

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Mathias and Mandy Glass

Franko delves into his new science book

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learnt about BookEnds International through a missionary’s Facebook post,’ Mandy explains. The ministry is run by a book-lover called Jeanne who sends books to isolated missionary kids in remote corners of the world.

‘We don’t have children of our own,’ says Mandy, ‘so I decided to request some books for Oksapmin High School in Tekin, located in a remote region of PNG. The school library is really just a row of shelves with some very old, well-read books.

‘Jeanne helped me compile a list of titles from her online catalogue – from biographies to books about science, history, geography, culture and art. We chose books that would inspire and educate.

‘When the box arrived ten days later, my husband Mathias, who’s a pilot, was a bit jealous – the selection included three aviation books that explained the physics and techniques of flying with colourful drawings. But we repacked the books ready to be flown by MAF to Tekin, where they were enthusiastically received by the students.’

6 Flying for Life Autumn 2016 www.maf.org.au

‘Books on scientific topics were particularly popular,’ explains Glenda Giles, Oksapmin’s Head Teacher.

A student called Kasi chose The Visual Dictionary of the Universe, saying, ‘I’m very interested in reading the book because it fed me with knowledge of the universe.’

He liked the pictures and was particularly interested in the clothing astronauts wear.

Franko, another student, said, ‘I’m interested in reading Isaac Newton’s book because it contains a lot of facts that bring unsolved scientific problems to a solution. It tells me that anyone with an intelligent brain can develop something new.’

The reaction of the school’s excited, inquisitive students was thanks enough for Mandy, who was happy to support the school this way.

MAF aircraft regularly fly to Tekin with teachers and essential school supplies, so it was great for our pilots to transport what the teachers delightedly described as ‘the best selected little set of books that we have ever received!’

Bangladesh: pray for sustainability

Aiming high in Bangladesh In 2016, our amphibious aircraft will continue playing a leading role in the country’s long journey towards attaining the UN’s Development Goals Story Richard Chambers Photos LuAnne Cadd and USAID

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angladesh has been hailed by the UN for achieving several Millennium Development Goals (MDG) targets in school enrolment, immunisation and infant mortality rates. The MDGs expired in 2015 to be replaced by Sustainable Development Goals – a more detailed, more ambitious version of the original eight goals.

MAF assists many projects aiming to achieve these goals by flying funders to and from the people who need their assistance. One example is the USAID-sponsored Farmer Nutrition School. The school provides training in planting vegetables, breeding chickens and harnessing community resources, thereby boosting nutrition and combating problems arising from an inadequate diet.

This training has improved life for Aporna Shikder. She uses previously fallow land to grow vegetables and raise chickens. Her two-year-old daughter now eats five eggs a week, and Aporna sells the surplus produce. In terms of improved diet and increased income, these seemingly small changes make a monumental difference to people like her.

Char Mudafot, in the northern district of Kurhigram, is a prime example of the dire poverty afflicting Bangladesh’s island communities. Residents cannot sell their surplus goat milk for profit because it’s almost impossible to reach the mainland.

Fortunately, the Char Livelihood Programme (CLP) has established a central collection point for excess milk, making it more attractive to mainland suppliers. It also supervises a savings and loans group providing finance ordinarily

denied to impoverished river island dwellers by the mainland financial institutions.

Last year, we flew Desmond Swayne, UK Minister of State at the Department for International Development, to witness the success of the CLP. ‘It has been a tremendous privilege to see how this programme has made a difference by providing people with sustainable livelihoods,’ he reported.

MAF’s floatplane – the only one in Bangladesh serving humanitarian organisations – enables over 80 agencies and NGOs to continue aiming high to meet those big goals that will help save and improve countless lives.

Aporna’s daughter benefits from a greatly improved diet thanks to USAID

USAID’s project has been a great success

Aporna now raises chickens

Autumn 2016 Flying for Life 7

Arnhem Land: Watering the Earth

Watering the earth “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,and do not return to it without watering the earth. . .so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11

Rebekah Somandin, wife of MAF Arnhem Land’s Chief Engineer, accompanies the team on a Homeland Outreach to the remote community in Mirrnatja.

Pilots Rene Don and Michael Beath enjoy the downpour

8 Flying for Life Autumn 2016 www.maf.org.au

Story Rebekah Somandin photos Rich Thompson

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nyone who has lived here knows what it’s like. The buildup before the wet season in Arnhem Land is oppressive.

So, as a huge storm passed over the Gove airbase bringing with it an almighty downpour, a few of us stood in the hangar and watched the rain, basking in the relief it brought to the otherwise constant humidity.

I was reminded of the verses in Isaiah 55:811, which promise us that God’s Word is like the rain. It never returns to Him empty without fulfilling the purpose for which He sent it.

For us in MAF Arnhem Land, this is a very important promise to remember. We’ve been given an incredible opportunity to help homeland communities engage with God’s word.

Having served the people of Arnhem Land for over 40 years, the Yolngu communities

Autumn 2016 Flying for Life 9

Arnhem Land: Watering the earth

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Rebekah looks out her window at the Mirrnatja, a remote homeland in Arnhem Land

Fellowship. Brett and the team visit the community under the shade of a tree.

10 Flying for Life Autumn 2016 www.maf.org.au

are now inviting MAF staff to visit them regularly to teach and encourage them in the Lord.

There are some places we haven’t been able to visit for years, but thanks to funding from an MAF Australia appeal in 2013, along with new initiatives that have been put in place, MAF staff are now able to take the time to visit these remote communities. We are able to simply sit with them and build relationships.

An early start It was only 8am and the sweat was already dripping down my legs. Finally, loaded up with water, sunscreen, sunnies and Bible, we were on our way.

It was a stunning flight. The clear blue water, distinct against the striking red dirt, is something so unique to this part of the world. Off in the distance I could see dark rain clouds, and wondered if they were going to get any closer.

We were headed to Mirrnatja, one of the most remote communities we fly into. Alistair Youren from the UK and Prabhu Pothula from India, both pilots living on Elcho Island, have volunteered to regularly visit this homeland. This was their first outreach trip there. Ministry

Coordinator, Brett Nel, came along to introduce them to the community.

We had been invited to go to Mirrnatja by a prominent couple. Although they were away at the time of our visit, a number of women and children welcomed us warmly. We sat on a tarpaulin in the shade of a beautiful big tree, and Brett began by introducing us all, and then shared the story of Easter.

Opening up As there were a few different languages spoken in the group, most seemed too shy to talk. Eventually one lady began to share, and told us that some people in the community believe in Jesus and some do not. That is why they are keen for us to return. She shared the difference Jesus had made in her life, and how

“Even though I may not always see the difference we make... I know His promise is true.” she was away in Darwin and was being harassed by a demon, so she prayed and it went away and left her. We were able to encourage her in the power of the

The airstrip at Mirnatja

name of Jesus.

After we talked they sang some of their favourite songs (“Jesus loves me this I know”, “This is the day that the Lord has made”) and a number of them asked for prayer. With lots of thanks and warm handshakes, we piled in the old ute and headed back to the aircraft.

Just as we were preparing to leave, another huge thunderstorm rolled overhead. I could see the rain pouring down in the distance, and God gave me confidence in His word. Even though I may not always see the difference we make, even though I may not immediately see how lives are impacted, I know without doubt that His promise in Isaiah 55 is true.

MAF Miyalk Here’s something fun...

Naomi Beath, wife of pilot Michael Beath in Arnhem Land has created a stunning coffee table book that contains stories written by MAF women, accompanied by beautiful imagery from this country.

We’re selling this book for $80 as a way to raise money for these Homeland Outreach Flights - all profits go to this wonderful ministry!

To order your copy, visit www. maf.org.au/Miyalk or call 1800 650 169

Autumn 2016 Flying for Life 11

PNG: Bush biking to Birem

Facing Famine

In 1997, drought and frost caused hundreds of deaths throughout Papua New Guinea. Today, an even worse crisis threatens

Story Gary Clayton photos Richie Axon, Michael Duncalfe and Michael Vogel

‘All the people who came to watch the food being unloaded were so excited, and nearly the whole community arrived to watch at Sisamin’

E

ven today, 19 years after the last drought, ‘the rainforest,’ says Flight Operations Manager Michael Duncalfe, ‘has a haze of grey-brown from the skeletons of thousands of dead trees.’

In PNG, roughly 85% of the population is involved in agricultural production – the country producing nearly all its own food.

Many of the farmers live in isolated areas served by MAF. Sadly, PNG is one of several countries suffering from droughts caused by the El Niño weather phenomenon. Warnings of an impending crisis that would affect an estimated two million people occurred in August 2015, when drought and frost decimated the sweet potato crop in the food growing highland areas.

PNG’s people, who weren’t prepared for this, are afraid there could be a famine even worse than that caused by the drought of 1997. Once again, crop failure, school closures due to water supplies running dry, and outbreaks of diarrhoea, malaria and typhoid are widespread.

12 Flying for Life Autumn 2016 www.maf.org.au

Desperation The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says, ‘As many as 4.7 million people in 11 Pacific countries (2.4 million of them in PNG) are at risk of water shortages, food insecurity and disease. It is anticipated that the current situation will become devastating if the drought continues.’

‘With so little rain falling over the western part of the country,’ writes PNG Communications Officer Glen Sim, ‘people in remote areas became increasingly desperate for food and water. The Member of Parliament for Telefomin appealed directly to the National Disaster Relief Office.’

‘The result,’ says Michael Duncalfe, ‘is that the MP arranged for food to be flown to Tabubil, and from there MAF distributed it to local communities.

‘The first load of relief food, which our staff in Mount Hagen helped load on to the PNG Defence Force aircraft, was flown out and relief flights continued right up until Christmas.’

By early November, the Defence Force’s Mini-Hercules aircraft had flown 9 loads

Food reaches hungry villagers

A Mini-Hercules at Mount Hagen Airport

amounting to 27.5 tonnes of rice and tinned fish out of MAF’s base in Mount Hagen into Tabubil, the launching strip for our distribution programme.

God’s goodness Through the goodness of God and the large cargo carrying capacity of our Twin Otter aircraft, we’ve already flown emergency food supplies to Sisamin, Edwaki, Oksapmin, Bak and Fiyakin.

MAF Pilot Richie Axon recalls, ‘All the people who came to watch the food being unloaded were so excited, and nearly the whole community arrived to watch at Sisamin.’

The distribution of food aid was carefully controlled. Each receiving family was listed and instructions given to the waiting crowd to ensure fair distribution.

‘Unfortunately,’ says Glen, ‘at some of the other centres, greed and desperation caused fights among those waiting for food, resulting in many being slashed with bush knives.’

Michael concurs. ‘When rice was distributed at one community in the Eastern Highlands, some local people took all the supplies for themselves. Neighbouring villages were left with nothing.’

MAF has flown relief flights to several villages already

He gives thanks that similar problems didn’t occur in the Telefomin/Tabubil region.

‘At last, food has come’ However, distribution is not easy. Michael says when villagers take advantage of dry weather spells to burn vegetation and clear the land around their communities, the thick, lingering smoke makes it impossible for our pilots to land.

But, in January, flight became possible again.

An MAF Twin Otter aircraft departed Mount Hagen Airport with 880kg of food, on a long day’s flying schedule to Tifalmin, Telefomin, Tari and Tekin.

‘At last, food has come’ is a phrase pilots are getting used to hearing.

Please cry out to God for those facing hunger on a frightening scale. Pray that our aircraft won’t have any problems taking off or landing, that remote communities can start growing crops again, and that food will reach drought-stricken areas struggling to survive.

Finally, please pray that the PNG Government will provide effective relief to the worst hit areas of the country, and that those who need food most will receive it without incident.

An answer to the prayers of hungry people

Autumn 2016 Flying for Life 13

MAF Australia

From the interim CEO

You’re invited to:

MAF Australia Conference 2016 “Celebrating our rich heritage - anticipating a transformative future!”

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 In many ways, what we are able to do together is as simple as that. We ‘shine our light’ by serving isolated communities, day in and day out.

Our desire is to see these communities transformed, both physically and spiritually, in Jesus’ name.

This is the core vision of MAF, it always has been. It is by your prayers and support that we are equipped to serve like this on the field. As you read this magazine, take the time to reflect upon how good God is and how He continues to direct all of our paths to be where we need to be.

Thank you for being part of the MAF story and we look forward to seeing you at one of the many events coming up this year. To keep in touch ensure you have registered for our e-news on our website: www.maf.org.au Whilst Michelle Dorey is off on extended sick leave, please pray with us that she will be healed from all pain and sickness, that the team in the office can continue to work together in the shared vision, and that all of our work is kingdom focused and successful in His sight.

Come and celebrate the 65th Anniversary of Harry Hartwig’s first flight for MAF in PNG. The night includes dinner and a book launch: “Liberator, The Harry Hartwig Story” by Ron Watts

Location: Melbourne School of Theology (MST) 5 Burwood Highway, Wantirna VIC 3152 Date: Saturday 21st May 2016, 6:30pm for dinner Tickets $30 RSVP: 2nd May. Spaces are limited so please book 1800 650 169 or maf@maf.org.au

BORDER RANGES RAMPAGE 3rd to 8th July 2016

rideforfuel.maf.org.au Interim CEO Ian McDougall

14 Flying for Life Autumn 2016 www.maf.org.au

Support the cyclists here!

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Dave and Allegra Rogers

Hudson Jasper

Michael and Jenni Bottrell

Pilot, PNG (from Mareeba)

Pilot, Arnhem Land

Pilot & Logistics Manager (respectively) from Timor Leste to Nepal in April

We farewell

Take the online journey We understand that getting to know a mission organisation - and the part that you can play in it - can be a daunting process. So we’ve put together a 5 part email series that will help unpack what it means to serve with MAF. Email 3 Who’s sitting next to you:

Bob and Pam Robertson retired 3rd March

Email 2 Look out the window:

Meet some of the families serving with MAF

Email 4 Your flight crew: The team at MAF Australia and how they can help you

MAF’s operations around the world

Email 1 Pre-flight brief: Your guide to MAF

Email 5 Coming in to land: What’s next?

https://www.maf.org.au/workwithus

Craig and Red Fulton retires 30 June 2016

Flying for Life ISSN: 2202-0365 Design/Editor: Cadence Media (Rich Thompson) Email: info@maf.org.au Printer: BHB Printing 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 and CRMF 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 Privacy Statement MAF 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

Front cover: Rich Thompson

Autumn 2016 Flying for Life 15

e f i L r o f Fleeing You may have recently received in the mail a little booklet we put together of amazing stories collected from a Medair camp in the far north of South Sudan. They tell of the incredible impact you are making to the lives of women fleeing danger in this country.

We called it “Fleeing for Life: Short stories of hope, strength and survival from women in South Sudan”.

If you didn’t receive the booklet and would like to, please phone 1800 650 169 or email maf@maf.org.au (Stocks are limited)

MAF Australia

MAF_Australia

MAFvideosAustralia | www.maf.org.au | maf@maf.org.au | 1800 650 169