Flying for Life - May 2013

Flying for Life May 2013

The quarterly magazine of MAF Australia

CMYK COLOURS C: 100 M: 57 Y: 0 K: 40 C: 5 M: 100 Y: 71 K: 22 C: 0 M: 1 Y: 0 K: 51

4 MAF Mums

Celebrating the unsung heroes

8 Timor-LestĂŠ Now more than ever

Flying for Life | May 2013

Flying for Life Welcome to another edition of ‘Flying for Life’! Thank you for the many positive comments we received after publishing our first new look ‘Flying for Life’ edition. I hope you are once again encouraged by the work the Lord is doing through the ministry of MAF and remember, you are just as much the heart and soul of MAF as are the pilots, engineers and planes!

Contact MAF Australia 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

We hope you enjoy this new edition. We have two particular focuses in this issue. In honour of Mother’s Day, we are looking at the often unsung heroes of MAF; the Mums (pp 4-7). They endure remoteness, isolation, a lack of modern conveniences and family support so we can fulfil our ministry with the most impact. Be inspired by their stories!

CRMF

The second main focus is the country of East Timor - officially Timor-Lesté. It is a country in desperate need of assistance. Changes are afoot in this povertyravaged country on our doorstep and MAF is playing a pivotal role in this healing. See pages 8-10 for more.

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

Flying for Life Editor: Rich Thompson Email: rich.thompson@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.

Privacy Statement MAF is committed to safeguarding 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 www.maf.org.au

Changes continue to be rolled out throughout our ministry and your enthusiasm for them is infectious! The launch of the annual Staff Prayer Handbook for MAF Australia staff members and the accompanying bi-monthly ‘Fuelled by Prayer’ update has been overwhelmingly well received – we hope it inspires you to pray regularly for us! The bi-monthly email updates (sent out as hard copy to those who do not have email and specifically request it) will closely tie in with the Handbook, inspire you to pray specifically and notify you of changes throughout the year.

The critical ministry of CRMF is also featured in this issue. As a vital part of MAF International’s ministry we hope you are inspired by the way CRMF is using technology and training to make a real and lasting impact on the country of Papua New Guinea.

Ministry Partnership is an incredibly important part of what we do. Prayer, financial, emotional and practical support are all critical for our international staff. We are entering a new, exciting era where we are focussing on establishing ‘Home Support Teams’ for everyone serving in MAF so as to ensure they receive all the support they need. Read more on page 11.

The excitement that currently surrounds MAF Australia is going to be felt at the upcoming MAF Australia Conference. The reinstitution of this annual event is the acknowledgement that we are a family! From our field staff, to our head office staff, to our volunteers and Board, we are joined in a common cause.

Read more on page 19 about this exciting event and the lunch you are invited to!

You will find these stories and many more as you turn the pages. Please share the message of our ministry with your friends and family (request additional copies if you would like them to pass on), join us on Facebook, keep up to date with our website and be excited as God uses us to ‘Fly for Life’!

Thanks for your partnership, Michelle Dorey CEO MAF Australia

Front cover: Young boys at Suai, Timor-Lesté with the GA8 Airvan.

Back cover: Cessna Caravan takes off from Nasir, South Sudan. Photo courtesy of Smiley Pool

Photos: Top right: Donor Services Supervisor Lolina Fernandez surrounded by the many returned surveys Bottom right: Harry Hartwig with his Auster Autocar. This photo was taken just before his accident.

2 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

MAF Australia survey

The results are in!

Recently we sent out a survey to help us better understand our supporters. The feedback was vast, fascinating and encouraging. Here are some of the highlights.

M

ore than 1,200 supporters filled out the survey (thank you!) and a little over half did so online. The ratio of those that filled it out via hard copy was 64% women and 36% men.

The email responses however were 63% men and 37% women!

One third of our supporters have seen our work personally, and at least three quarters have a personal connection to a current or former MAF staff member.

A whopping 87% pray for MAF regularly (again, thank you!) and 20% of respondents said they’d like to be more involved.

Committed Supporters It has been so humbling to be reminded of how long many of our supporters have been on the journey with MAF. Over 40 respondents mentioned that their first interaction with MAF came in the 1960s, over 20 in the 1950s and 9

people began the journey in the 1940s!

Of those that first came into contact with MAF in the 1940s, many were through personal contact with Harry Hartwig - the founding pilot of MAF Australia and the first to take MAF to PNG. One heard Harry Hartwig speak at a crusader meeting in 1948, another at a Bible College in 1949 and another knew Harry personally as a teenager.

Calendar It was wonderful to receive feedback on the various communications we send out. We have been encouraged by how many use the calendar and the many and varied ways it is being displayed.

One supporter said: “I happily display (& use) the annual MAF calendar on my office wall, & it has at times led to discussion of MAF with my co-workers.”

Another said, “I love your calendar and it reminds me daily of your work.”

Prayer Diary Many have asked for more structured prayer guides in order to continue to faithfully pray for MAF. We are hoping that the launch of our new prayer initiative, “Fuelled by Prayer”, that accompanies the 2013 Staff Prayer Handbook recently released, will help with that. We will also soon be sending out prayer resources for the upcoming MAF Day of Prayer in October.

Magazine The feedback about the magazine has been very encouraging. One in particular was especially heartening: “When I get the magazines I read them first, then... I give them away so others can read them or leave them for workmates to read works well”.

A few have expressed the desire to be able to read it online as a way of being able to share it with friends and family not on the mailing list. We will certainly make sure we do this for all future publications.

Catching up Thank you to everyone who shared updated information and mailing preferences. We have been overwhelmed with the volume of replies, so staff and volunteers are working frantically to update our systems – please be patient if we haven’t been able to process your request yet.

May 2013 Flying for Life 3

Celebrating the MAF mums

Mums on a mission

They’ve taken on homeschooling, village life and creative cooking with Spam! Meet a few of the unsung heroes of the MAF mission: mums

Some people tell Red, “I could never do what you’re doing” “That’s irrelevant!” she replies, “You aren’t supposed Red Fulton: Arnhem Land to! You need to A Mongolian missionary changed Red’s life. do what God has She and her husband Craig had no plans to leave their lovely Sydney suburb, until a called you to missionary spoke at their church. Craig felt convicted to serve, but assumed Red would do.” refuse. When he asked her, she also felt called to go. She recalls Craig saying, “Oh no!”

Now, Red says, “I’m living in the middle of nowhere. The only way out is by plane.”

Red has courageously moved with her three young children to remote Arnhem Land to serve alongside Craig, a MAF pilot.

It’s a big move. Red and Craig’s son has allergies, which means they have to protect his health carefully. “But God is so faithful,”

4 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

Red tells us, “His health has actually been better since moving here, than it ever has been before!”

Nonetheless, Arnhem Land has its own unique challenges. There is a terrible sandfly problem, and you can’t swim in the water because of crocodiles. Sometimes Red asks herself, “What am I doing here with my precious children and crocodiles?!”

“A number of times God has told me, ‘the very best thing you can do as a mum is to obey the Lord’.” ”Before we came I could never have imagined how different the cultures are. The mothers and children here face a lot more challenges than we do. But although our lives are different, mums everywhere are the same.”

“We all want our kids to be safe,” she says, “We have that strong mother-love in common. Mums here are the same.”

Red takes every opportunity she can to share with local mothers, and be a living witness of what it means to love God as a wife and mother. “God can use our strengths and weaknesses to achieve His purposes,” she says.

Some people tell Red, “I could never do what you’re doing” “That’s irrelevant!” she replies, “You aren’t supposed to! You need to do what God has called you to do.”

Main Red Fulton and her adopted mother and grandmother in Yirrkala Left Centre The Fulton Family Top right The Fulton children in amongst the community of Dhipirri - only accessible by boat or plane Centre right The Axon Fmaily Bottom right Bernie and her children do some gardening in Wewak

Bernie Axon: PNG Bernie’s husband, Richie, always wanted to be a MAF pilot and, while Bernie never really thought of mission work before they met, she soon grew to share his vision. Seven years after they were married, they now live in Wewak, one of the more remote MAF bases in PNG. In Wewak, it’s hot and humid all year round. “I struggled with the heat a lot at first,” says Bernie, “I was running at 75% capacity all the time.” Thankfully she’s adjusting now, as her body and expectations of what she can get achieved have adapted to the new climate.

Richie flies high above the heat each day – even on weekends he is on call for medevacs.

Meanwhile Bernie spends her day caring for her children, three-year-old Emily and 1 year old Timothy. She spends her days in a compound to ensure their safety. So Bernie makes the most of the time she can spend with other missionary families in the area, “But you know it will be limited, there are always people coming and going.”

This is one of the biggest challenges for our MAF wives. With a husband working, and children to look after, they have few opportunities to socialise. It’s a big loss when you need a break from toddlers!

Her children also mean she has to be a bit extra cautious in PNG. “Going shopping is a major military operation!” she says. “I can’t go on my own anymore with the children – I have less freedom here than I do in Australia.

Everything is more complicated.”

Keeping healthy can also be more complicated in isolated regions. Thankfully, one of the blessings of having a MAF pilot for a husband, is that a medevac flight to hospital is easier to arrange. Although when little Emily had whooping cough the 1½ hour flight and 45 minute drive was still a long way to help.

Bernie has a positive approach to these challenges, “You learn to adjust to a new way of life.” And above all, she trusts the God who placed her and her family where they’re needed most.

As MAF knows well, the safest place in the world to be is where God wants you.

Want to hear about more the Mums on the MAF Mission?

We are very excited to launch our brand new blog “Mums on a Mission”.

This will form part of a wider blog series that will be designed to let you hear from the MAF staff serving around the globe.

Theirs is a truly inspiring story and we are looking forward to sharing it with you!

Our first entry on the “Mums on a Mission” blog gives a fascinating picture of what a day in the life of a mum is like.

Jump online and read about Mif Little and discover what her life is like on the remote outstation base of Kawito in Papua New Guinea.

Head to: maf.org.au/mums

May 2013 Flying for Life 5

Celebrating the MAF mums

Angela Lowe: Timor-Lesté When Angela met her husband, he was already training to fly with MAF. But things didn’t go to plan. They bought a house, had children, life got busy…

“Which I was secretly glad of,” Angela admits, “I did not want to be a missionary!”

Over a decade later, Jonathan began training at Bible College when their fifth child was just 5 months old. She’d often jokingly said that she wouldn’t go to the field until their youngest was out of nappies. “He trained himself out of nappies when we were doing our orientation training.”

They arrived in Timor-Lesté in 2011.

Like many MAF mums, Angela is homeschooling her children – something she’d never have imagined doing. The lack of social interaction for the children is “the biggest drawback”, so she joined a ‘home school support group’ with other expatriate mums.

Initially they thought they’d meet once a week to do something educational for the kids. “But the kids just wanted to play and enjoy being with other kids!” So instead they’ve started doing something for the mums: craft, embroidery or crochet. And of course, they have a good chat – “Which we love” – and which has given Angela and the other mums some much-needed adult time.

Dear MAF mum!

Top Left The Lowe Family Bottom left Angela and her children at the markets in Dili Bottom right Angela buying her bread for the day from the local breadman. The bread doesn’t last more than a day - it gets very stale!

One of the benefits of being a long-term resident, is that Angela can give other missionary families support in their transition into Timor-Lesté life.

“Some mums are doing it really tough out in communities,” she says, “So just being available to talk with them is important.”

Despite the many challenges of family life in Timor-Lesté, Angela believes “this is where God wants us to be. So it’s just one of the things that you do. I can’t see my life any other way now.”

Bringing your children to remote communities has its own challenges too, as Angela has discovered. With different food options available, they rely on whatever is eaten locally. In TimorLesté, beans are a popular source of protein when meat is less available.

Unfortunately, Angela’s son finds them difficult to stomach (“he gags whenever he tries to eat them!”) so she’s had to look for alternatives.

“As the mum you are always concerned about the wellbeing of your kids, and it is hard to see them struggle,” she says. “We always wonder how the kids are affected. But we believe that if God calls us, He calls us with our family.”

Family is what MAF is all about. The families we serve rely on us for flights that literally save lives. And it’s work we simply couldn’t do without our faithful MAF wives.

“My husband says he wouldn’t be here without me and the family,” agrees Angela. “He could probably do the job, however the support is invaluable.”

As part of a recent mail-out we gave our supporters the opportunity to write a special note of encouragement to a MAF mum for this Mother’s Day. Here is just a few of the many notes we have received and will pass on...

• “I hope you are encouraged to know that someone far away is praying for you and thanking you for the sacrifices you make. May God’s love enfold you and his Spirit warm your heart in the tough times” • “We thank God for your willingness to serve Christ with your family in an isolated area.”

• “Thank you for your commitment to the work of Christ as you discharge the wonderful role of mother, wife and light to the world!”

• “Just wanted to let you know how much we appreciate your commitment to our Lord through your ministry with MAF. Our prayers are with you, your husband and family.”

• “We have worked alongside a number of MAF wives and know it is often a long, hard grind with minimal recognition. We honour you and pray that God will bless you and your family abundantly...”

6 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

Last minute gift ideas for

Mother’s Day This Mother’s Day, you can help us honour the MAF wives and mothers with a gift to support the work they’ve devoted their lives to.

3 steps to make a Mother’s Day:

sending Thank you for a mobile clinic

1

Jump online and visit www.maf.org.au/MothersDay

e our has been mad A gift in your hon saving ld deliver lifeto MAF that cou cation edu and care maternal health p clinics. You’ll kee through mobile t h with pregnan midwives in touc isk at-r tify iden women, help them women re they reach babies, and ensu ver safely. in time to deli

er’s Moth Day

UNIQUE GIFTS

Mother’s

A gift in your hon our has been mad e to MAF that coul d help fly urgently needed school supp lies to families in remote commun ities. In remote communities, ever ything comes by MAF plane – from scho ol supplies like boo ks and building mate rials, to teachers !

Day

Cover Image: Masa i children in the Loita Hills are the most isolated in all of Kenya, so your gift will help make sure children like these can attend school, and get an education that gives them a better future.

reach.

Choose which gift you’d like to give, to keep mothers and children healthy.

Your options are: - Fly in School Supplies ($30) - Send a Mobile Clinic ($60) - Medevac a Mum ($120) You can read more about each gift online.

3

Happy

S UNIQUE GIFT

girls have good These Sudanese Cover Image: emergency , after MAF flew s reason to smile – a place road to their village medical support cannot easily

2

y Happ

Thank you for flyi school supplies ng in

Fill in your details in the checkout and select the box if you would like a gift card sent out to you. We’ll send you out a card that will look like these (right). All that’s left to do is give it to that special mum in your life!

Send a mobile clinic

ically u for med Thank yo g a mum evacuatin ade

s been m nour ha nt your ho a pregna A gift in medevac at could for hospital to MAF th st are to the ne r goes ou lab mother en ra y care wh t of life fo emergenc ly the gif is literal baby. wrong. It r unborn e and he -b e -to du mum re almost

Fly in school supplies

y Happ

UNIQUE

GIFTS

’s therDay Mo

we ita’s twins oped. It age: Eliz psia devel Cover Im arest pre-eclam to the ne rn when journey to be bo vived. us 9 hour sur uo ve ard ha t , was an would no to safety w Elizita , and she hospital devac fle me her F d MA an lly, a mum Thankfu s young lives of thi saving the l babies. beautifu

inside text: “A Mother’s Day gift has been made in your honour”

Medevac a mum

A Mother’s Day gift

has been ma de in your hon our

In order for us to be able to get the card out to you in time, the latest we can receive an order is Tuesday the 7th of May. After that date we can email you a print-at-home version.

May 2013 Flying for Life 7

TIMOR-Lesté: reconciliation, food, healthcare

Saving time At the end of 2012, the UN and Australian Army withdrew their peacekeeping forces from TimorLesté. For MAF, now operating the only fixed-wing aircraft in the country, the life-saving work continues Story Gary Clayton Photos LuAnne Cadd

W

orking in partnership with the Ministry of Health, we provide a medical emergency service from Timor-Lesté’s outlying districts to the hospital in Dili, and transport medical personnel to remote communities. We also support education and development by flying a wide variety of Christian, government and non-government groups.

Without our solitary GA8 Airvan, many of the organisations we partner with wouldn’t be able to carry out their work.

Enabling healthcare St John of God Health Care provides analytical and confirmatory laboratory services in Dili and the surrounding districts by doing routine and specialist testing. Their work supports lab services across the country and helps develop healthcare.

‘The biggest problem,’ Country Manager Lionel Rudd says, ‘is currently an influx of patients with dengue fever. There are also

8 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

problems with malaria, accidents due to poor roads, and people with burns. MAF makes a significant difference because reaching the various districts by car would be exorbitant in terms of man hours. MAF enabled us to reach all the referral hospitals in a matter of days so we could audit their status.

‘Then, when we had installed laboratory equipment, MAF flew our trainers and pathology scientists to the districts. After they’d done their work, MAF brought them back again.

It was just brilliant in terms of using people’s time more effectively. MAF also transports delicate equipment, which helps us no end.’

Helping malnourished people Lionel’s enthusiasm for MAF is echoed by Steve Herbert, a World Vision food security specialist.

The organisation is working to reduce malnutrition, help farmers grow better and more varied crops, and assist mothers in providing their children with a better balanced diet. Other projects include water, sanitation

Main Stephen Burrett, a specialist nurse with St John of God healthcare in Dili Far left St John of God healthcare work in the hospital in Dili Left GA8 Airvan at Maliana in the Bobonaro district Lower left Peace education workshop in Oecusse Above Jonathan Lowe Below World Vision Food Security Technical Specialist Steve Herbert discusses plans with MAF pilot Jonathan Lowe

Timor-Lesté

and hygiene.

‘One of the problems,’ Steve agrees, ‘is transport. The roads are bad and it takes five hours to drive from Bobonaro to Dili and another five to drive back – which wipes out two days.’ MAF aircraft take only 20 minutes.

‘Bridges go down,’ Steve continues, ‘and there are landslides, so the plane is ideal for us to get in and out quickly to monitor projects.

And it saves the backs of old fellows like me, because the roads are so bumpy! MAF also transports supplies and sick people.’

Bringing reconciliation Canossa Foundation provides peace education workshops – helping people avoid violent conflict when attempting to resolve issues. In Oecusse, a group of late teens and 20-yearolds has been split into 3 small groups to discuss potential solutions.

Trainer and counsellor Erika Trojer says, ‘Timor-Lesté is a post-conflict society with many outbreaks of domestic violence. If there is conflict, it’s normal for families, friends and neighbours to beat each other.

The youth group here wants peace, but they don’t know what to do to get it. We provide training and strategies so they can listen to each other, not just react.’

Erika says she’s grateful to MAF ‘because

there’s no access to the villages if there is heavy rain. We cannot rely on our car because it doesn’t have big wheels. Even if it did, we’d probably still get stuck, which is quite common in Timor-Lesté.

‘MAF helps us avoid the strain of a full day’s trip. We can leave in the morning, are there in the afternoon ready to start the training, and not be exhausted. It saves lots of time and energy. So I’m very thankful we’re able to use MAF. It avoids headaches.’

A nation in need For many people living in this comparatively new nation, ‘headaches’ are caused by a variety of problems. Malnutrition, an insecure food supply, alcohol abuse, violence, prostitution and people trafficking all mar the quality of people’s lives – lives made even harder due to poor infrastructure and a healthcare system that’s reliant on outside help.

With the UN and Australian Army pulling out last year, Timor-Lesté needs MAF, our partners and our prayers more than ever.

• Population: 1.1 million • Highest level of malnutrition in south- eastern Asia • Suffered serious conflict after the UN-administered referendum in 1999, resulting in the destruction of its infrastructure • In 2002, with stability eventually restored, the country gained independence from Indonesia.

MAF in Timor-Lesté MAF has been in Timor-Lesté since 2007, serving partners like Caritas Australia, The Leprosy Mission International, Oxfam, Health Alliance International, PRADET, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Save the Children, Seeds of Life and WaterAid.

Feeling Inspired?

The Lowe family has recently been joined by Michael and Jenni Bottrell to bolster our efforts in this fledgling country. If you visit our website, check out their family pages and consider supporting them prayerfully and financially.

May 2013 Flying for Life 9

TIMOR-Lesté: The long way home

The long way home The best way to learn how important a MAF flight is to the people of Timor-Lesté is to fly out to a remote village and then drive back Story Rich Thompson Photos Rich Thompson and Jonathan Lowe

T

he day started off as we had planned.

Pilot Jonathan Lowe flew Michelle Dorey (CEO) and I the 20 minute flight to the remote village of Same. We were to visit some of the NGOs that MAF enables the work of, collect stories, photos and videos and then fly back with Jonathan to Dili in the afternoon.

About half way through the scheduled interviews, Jonathan got a phone call – an urgent medevac. He explained to me that he couldn’t fit us in the plane (due to a stretcher being needed) but would be back at 3pm to take us home. As unnerving as that was, we had no choice but to let him go.

Throughout our conversations in this village, we came to realise that a common thread existed between the organisations, both large and small; they all deeply depended on MAF to achieve their mission. They kept telling us how bad the roads were. Little did we know that we were about to find out exactly what they were talking about.

Plan B It was sometime near the end of the interviews that thick, dark clouds enveloped our little village and heavy rain descended on us. This, as you can imagine, was not good news as our ride home needed to be able see clearly in order to make the landing in Same.

We arrived at the airstrip at 3pm and began waiting, hoping to see that little dot of a plane coming in. I wondered how many other people all around the world, in far more desperate situations, were at that very moment also looking longingly up at the sky for the MAF plane.

One of the slowest hours of my life had MAF has two Australian families currently serving in Timor-Lesté - the Lowes and the Bottrells.

They are on page 20 of the Staff Prayer Handbook Top left Jonathan looks out at the airstip at Same Middle left Our ride home: Suprit Bottom left Rich Thompson happy to be in the plane Bottom right An aerial view of the passage from Dili to Same

10 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

passed when my phone started ringing. It was Jonathan calling from Dili. He had tried and tried to collect us, but couldn’t do so safely. He then explained that one of the other passengers he was meant to collect, a man named Suprit - the Projects Director at a nearby power plant, might have access to a vehicle that we could try and get a ride home in. After some thinly veiled begging, Suprit agreed to take us in the back of his company’s four-wheel drive.

Timor-Lesté’s roads What started off as rejoicing, quickly turned to despair as it dawned on Michelle and I just what this drive would involve; mountainous, constantly-winding, mud-filled, dangerous roads. We didn’t really drive in a straight line for more than about 20 metres at a time.

I remember thinking to myself how safe and easy that 20 minute flight in had been and how rotten I felt after the 6 hours drive home.

I kept imagining how much worse it would be in the back of an ambulance, especially if I was already in pain or my life was in jeopardy.

As unwelcomed as the journey home was, I don’t think we could have gotten a better understanding of the importance of MAF in Timor-Lesté.

The following day while visiting Dili hospital I met a man by the name of Jon Moores.

Jon had spent the past year and a half as the advisor to the Ministry of Health for Ambulance Services. His take on MAF summed it up well, “It’s a simple service and it is one the country has come to rely on, and I often think, ‘If Jonathan and the plane weren’t available, what would we do?’”

MAF Australia: volunteers

Part of the team

Being a part of a Home Support Team means you play a crucial role in the ministry of MAF. Ministry Partnership Manager Ian McDougall shares about a new and exciting way to find a MAF missionary to support

I Ian McDougall Ministry Partnership Manager

n the February 2013 edition of Flying for Life we shared the new vision of building Home Support Teams across Australia. Our goal is to see all of our International Staff build vibrant, caring, loving Home Support Teams to nurture and value them as they work on the field sharing God’s unconditional love to all locally and globally.

To assist you with what to pray about and consider who you would be interested in partnering with, we are very excited to announce the launch of a new section of the MAF Australia website. Here you will be able to read the profiles of each International Staff member who has been called by God to serve as his hands and feet in many and various roles and locations.

The body at work

Top The Arnhem Land team. Photo: Richard Logan Right The Lydeamores

It could be perceived by some that MAF is only about pilots and engineers in places like PNG. While this is certainly an important part of our ministry, the vital work of MAF is carried out by the whole body, which requires a wide range of skilled professionals to make it a reality.

One such example is Darren Lydeamore, the Regional Maintenance Support Manager, based in Cairns. With more than 25 years’ experience in MAF, some have struggled to

see how strategic his role is. The reality is, without Darren’s oversight, we simply could not operate safely in Asia Pacific. It is therefore crucial that everyone serving with MAF receives support from home.

Getting involved We ask you to log on (maf.org.au) and link in with one of the many missionaries doing His work on the field. Never underestimate what your support can do in enhancing the MAF ministry. Their stories are your stories when, as a part of the body of Christ, you unite with them to do more, be more and make more of a difference to those MAF serves. We look forward to you joining us on this journey. For more information or call 1800 650 169 or email maf@maf.org.au

May 2013 Flying for Life 11

MAF Australia: volunteers

In your own back yard

MAF Australia’s volunteers play a vital role in the ministry of MAF. With the launch of the MAF Advocate Wing, the opportunities are even greater Story Tom Teale-Sinclair Photos Rich Thompson and Tom Teale-Sinclair

M

Main Over 100 volunteers came together for MAF’s Discovery Day in Camden, NSW Left National Representations Manager Tom Teale-Sinclair at EasterFest, QLD Centre right The crowd around the MAF plane at Avalon Airshow, VIC Top far right Volunteer Gail face-painting at Discovery Day Bottom centre Ed Hawthorn at Avalon Airshow

12 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

AF Australia is embarking on an exciting new journey with the launch of the MAF Advocate Wing.

MAF has always been grateful for the support of many volunteers. Volunteers have been instrumental in the formation of MAF State Councils and prayer groups as well as the running of events like Discovery Days. For supporters right across Australia, the MAF Advocate Wing will open the possibility of having a real MAF ministry to the people of the remote places MAF serves.

While ’your own backyard’ may seem a long way from the steep, bumpy runways of Papua New Guinea or the winding rivers of Bangladesh, this is a ministry that will help transform the lives of isolated people. We want you to be involved.

There is no ‘hierarchy’ amongst the ministry opportunities available to MAF Advocates – they are all important and strategic tasks that help our field staff do what they have been called by God to do. However, some of the tasks are more demanding on time and effort than others.

Opportunities The four main roles available to Advocates are: • Church Advocate – keeping your own church informed and engaged.

• Prayer Advocate – forming a prayer group for MAF, or introducing MAF as a

focus to an already existing group.

• Event Advocate – helping run MAF displays and exhibits at Christian and community events.

• MAF Advocates – giving MAF presentations to churches, Bible study groups, schools, clubs - wherever an opportunity presents – in your own district.

Training is available for each area of advocacy.

Hard at work Recently MAF Advocates have been busy with several major events: • MAF had two displays at the Australian International Airshow (Avalon), where we distributed over 1,500 show-bags with MAF information and made many new contacts for MAF. • The MAF Discovery Day, an event organised by the NSW State Council with the assistance of around a hundred volunteers and MAF Australia. For about 40% of the people attending, this was their very first contact with MAF! • Over the Easter weekend, we took the MAF Display Trailer to Easterfest in Toowoomba. A team of volunteer Advocates helped keep the trailer pumping from 8am to 10pm each day, making contact with hundreds of young people, most of whom hadn’t heard of MAF before.

As well as events, MAF Advocates have given presentations in churches and to youth and seniors groups in Adelaide,

Sydney, Melbourne and Holbrook.

Moving forward There is no doubt than MAF needs to become much better known than we are. I believe that MAF Advocates will be the key to having every Christian in Australia hearing about who we are and what we do… and why! That’s the first vital step in people becoming inspired to get involved, either as supporters or full time missionaries.

If the Lord is prompting you to give some of your time to this important and strategic ministry, please contact me for a “no obligation” discussion about how you can develop your own MAF ministry in your own back yard Email: tom.teale-sinclair@maf.org.au or phone 0400405152

An opportunity to find out more...

On Sunday the 19th of May, MAF Australia is hosting a lunch as a part of its conference in NSW that weekend. The lunch is open to anyone who would like to attend and will be a wonderful time to hear about the work of MAF, meet staff serving all over the world and find out more about getting involved as a volunteer in the MAF Advocate Wing. See page 19 for more details.

May 2013 Flying for Life 13

CRMF: HF Radio

Doctors and Teachers Trained by CRMF Not only does CRMF provide the essential service of HF radio in PNG, but through training, they are equipping others to sustain it Story and Photos Shannon Perrett

I

n November and again in March, CRMF ran training courses focusing on HF Radio and Solar Installation and Trouble Shooting. Participants on these courses came from a variety of backgrounds, including school teachers employed by the Baptist Union of Papua New Guinea (BUPNG), technical staff from the Evangelical Brotherhood Church (EBC), doctors completing a Masters in Rural Health and two staff from Faith Mission Health.

Given the lack of school teachers and doctors in the rural areas of Papua New Guinea, one would think that they would have their hands full teaching students or dealing with medical emergencies. However, because of their level of education, they are also often called upon to assist with technical issues that arise in their schools and hospitals.

HF Radio HF radio still remains one of the primary forms of communication for many people living and working in remote communities. CRMF has provided this HF radio network for over 60 years, which also provides the link to HF radio email.

CRMF has two Australian families currently serving in PNG - the Wakefields and the Perretts. They are on page 18 of the Staff Prayer Handbook

Top A student climbs an antenna Lower Dan demonstrating to some students the ‘art’ of soldering Far Right Frank and his precious Ambassador Envoy Audio Bible

14 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

Training for life Upon successful completion of the course, the students are able to carry out basic repairs to their own radios, without having to wait for a CRMF technician to come and do the work, which means lives can be saved in the meantime.

As one of the doctors stated in their feedback, “I am very happy and satisfied (with this course), because at my health facility, I am often the person who faces up to problems when all other means fail. So if any problems occur with solar or radio I would be at least able to be of help.” This course has been so successful that it has now been included as a subject in the Masters of Rural Health Degree offered by the University of Papua New Guinea (UPNG).

Passing it on Another highlight of the recent courses was the fact that David Feka (CRMF trainee technician) was able to assist Training Coordinator, Dan Perrett, with a number of sessions. This enabled him to see just how much he had progressed and learnt since he himself completed the course three years ago.

CRMF: Learning Technologies

Old Frank CRMF’s ministry involves the distribution of “Audio Bibles”.

Missionary Glenda Giles shares just how important this has been to one man living in remote PNG Story Sheila Stewart Photos Glenda Giles

H

igh up in the mountains, east of Telefomin is Oksapmin High School run by a lady 69 years young Glenda Giles. Originally from New Zealand, she has lived in PNG for 42 years dedicating her life to educating the young people of this area.

The airstrip used by MAF is at nearby Tekin and is well known as it has a fairly steep incline and is “stepped” with two distinct levels separated by an even steeper middle section.

Remote and Relient Like many schools, hospitals and clinics in the remote areas of PNG, she has relied totally on the services of CRMF for her communication needs for many years.

She contacted CRMF in Goroka to tell us this story…

It’s Easter Monday afternoon here and I have just been on a walk across the Tekin River (on a log bridge!) to visit an old man who has one of the ‘radio Bibles’ you gave me.

Old Frank lives in a little camp across the river and part way up the mountain wall to the north of the school. Recently some young boys broke into his house and stole his food,

his cats and his little player. He never got the food or cats back but they gave back the playing device.

He didn’t know that Vince (one of our teachers) and I were visiting him today, but there was the little player sitting on the roof of his house charging up in the sun. When he took it down and played it, it was just as clear as ever.

His wife informed us that old Frank carries it everywhere with him and listens all the time.

The old couple have a very simple camp where they live and look after their three grandchildren. They are active gardeners and I wobbled my way back over the bridge with a nice supply of ripe bananas that they gave me!

I was amazed at how well the devices stand up to wear and tear. He said he left it on his roof once while he went to fellowship and rain came but it survived OK!

Learning Technologies The audibibles are just one small part of the creative way CRMF’s Learning Technologies is thinking about getting the Gospel into the hands (and ears) of the remote people of PNG. Check out crmf.org to find out more.

What is an Audio Bible?

Good question. An audio Bible is a small, solar-powered digital audio player capable of holding up to 80, 160, or even 320 hours of Scripture content.

The one Old Frank is using is called an Envoy (made by MegaVoice). It’s smaller than an iPhone, weighs just 65 grams and thanks to its built in solar panel and replaceable battery, is not reliant on external power sources.

In summary, it is perfect for remote, oral cultures.

May 2013 Flying for Life 15

CRMF: Learning Technologies

Not so dry water

Despite relentless rain, the CRMF outreach team shows Good News to the remote villages of the Morobe Province, PNG Story Sheila Stewart Photos Caine Rurak

E “To see the film of ‘Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke’ was the highlight of our Easter celebrations”

aster weekend saw the CRMF outreach team of 5 ladies and 5 men, including Caine Ruruk of CRMF Learning Technologies, heading to a place commonly known as ‘Dri Wara’ (Dry Water).

Here the team was to show the Jesus DVD to people in four different villages around Markham, in the Morobe Province.

They all travelled in a hired bus, Caine dropping members of the team off at the different locations, while he himself travelled between them presenting messages to the people before and after the showing of the DVD.

Here comes the rain Contrary to it’s name, this place proved to be anything but dry!

Caine shares “Hardly had we arrived when a heavy downpour meant my teams were busy

16 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

keeping equipment dry while the movie played in the cover of the church buildings.”

Despite the rain, dancers were out as the team arrived in one location. The celebration dance was marking the closure of the Easter season Bible studies and welcoming the team who were to show the Jesus video.

A reminder This downpour was also quite a reminder to one of these communities. Some years ago, the current community at Garim had been displaced by a massive landslide which took lives and buried houses and gardens. As a result, they moved away from the mountains and settled into the Markham grasslands, about 3km off the main Highlands Highway.

An elder commented, “We were helpless as we saw our land being taken away by water.

Therefore, the only person we could turn to

was the Lord God. He is our land, our garden, our coconut palms and our source of livelihood. I cannot see how we can survive if the Lord God is removed from our community” As Caine listened to the president of the Garim Lutheran Renewal Church community, he understood why the community was able to freely praise God. They knew who they worshipped and what it meant to have the Lord as their provider.

Not so dry water Caine continues, “By the time the show was over, the ‘dry water’ place was immersed in a foot of water. Packing for the return trip to Goroka, the water was still pouring down.

After just three minutes on the main highway the pipes running under the road, designed to take away flood waters, were filled with debris.”

“As two logs floated down towards me, narrowly missing my bus, I realised I would be unable to pick up the rest of team who were waiting for me with the Waritsian people” said Caine.

Thank God for technology. Caine had his mobile phone with him and was able to let them know that he would not be able to reach them until the next morning. So that night the team enjoyed the hospitality of the Waritsian people, eating food provided for them out of the earthenware pots.

A trip worthwhile Despite the weather, the visit had been a huge success, many people had watched in amazement as the story of Jesus was portrayed in front of them, actors even speaking in their own language.

What Jesus had done for each one of them became real, even the children sitting still, awed by what they were witnessing.

One elder commented, “Since it is in a language we can understand, we do not need

to add more but reflect on message the film gives.” He explained that it clearly shows who Jesus is and why he had to die on the cross.

One lady asked Caine if they could go straight to her village even though by this time it was around 11pm. She said “I want my people to be ministered to just as I was ministered to by the DVD.” She explained that reading or hearing the Bible was different from actually seeing it being acted out.

Caine’s messages at these various locations challenged the people on whether or not they personally were friends of Jesus, re-enforcing the message in the DVD: “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:13 One Pastor told Caine that it was the first time for this community to see a video on a large screen. “To see the film of ‘Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke’ was the highlight of our Easter celebrations”, he said.

Caine can see there is a demand for a fulltime Jesus DVD ministry that will saturate communities with the gospel of Christ via the video.

Main Standing outside the church building just before the heavy rain started. Despite the rain the people gave a long round of applause at the end of the show.

Top right Garim dancers Lower left Some of the team members of CRMF’s outreach Below Flooded main highway after 7 hours of rain.

What is CRMF? Christian Radio Missionary Fellowship (CRMF) works under the umbrella of MAF in Papua New Guinea.

Reaching out with Christ’s love to help people in remote communities, CRMF provides a reliable means of HF radio communication as well as IT and technical expertise.

Approximately 85% of the PNG population live in small villages, high up in the mountains, in swampy areas, or on remote islands.

The ministry of CRMF bridges these gaps providing hope and help to the isolated.

CRMF’s Learning Technologies is also partnering with existing ministries to bring theological training and resources to remote communities.

For more info check out www.maf.org.au/crmf

May 2013 Flying for Life 17

From the Field

Will Power

In 2012 alone, the gifts of bequestors kept an aircraft like this Airvan in operation for a whole year Story Ron Watts Photo Rich Thompson

T

hrough their powerful hymns, preaching and writing, the Wesley brothers, John and Charles, are revered across the Christian world. Nearly three centuries on, their influence is still felt. They were practical men, and at one point John wrote “Reader, if you have not done it already, make your Will before you sleep”.

Ron Watts Bequests Manager

Top GA8 Airvan in Timor-Lesté Right John Wesley by William Hamilton

Way back then, the urgency of this important matter was obvious to this wise and godly man and hopefully most of you reading this already have an up-to-date Will. However, most of us underestimate the power our Will can have once it is executed. It’s intriguing that the largest distribution of gifts we ever make is after we die!

This highlights the importance of carefully deciding where those gifts should go. Clearly, family are the priority, and they should be front of mind in the Will writing process. But a Will also allows us a great opportunity to support the work of organisations like MAF, that have been so meaningful to us in our lifetimes.

aircraft. That would mean fully funding a oneaircraft base like Kawito in the Sepik district of Papua New Guinea. That is very significant indeed.

For this reason we would love to see an increasing number of people deciding to support MAF’s work in this very special way. Adding a codicil to an existing Will is not a difficult thing to do; if you have been putting off writing your Will, then maybe John Wesley’s reminder above may be just what you need!

In 2012, the generosity of our bequestors meant that $325,000 was available to MAF for the frontline services our people provide in so many remote places. That equates to roughly 550 hours operation of a MAF Airvan or Cessna 206, so in reality, a full year’s flying for one

How can I get involved?

Resources for writing or amending your Will, or adding a codicil are available on the MAF website, or freecall on 1800 650 169. Our Bequests Manager, Ron Watts, has a lifetime’s experience in MAF, and would love to answer any questions you have about the power that is in your hands to support MAF in this way. You can contact Ron on 0414 759 067 or at ron.watts@maf.org.au

18 Flying for Life May 2013 www.maf.org.au

MAF Australia Conference heralds new era!

In the last year I have loved getting to know the many members of the MAF Australia family! We are all a part of the body of Christ committed to bringing help, hope and healing to the remote communities of the world! The MAF Australia family is a wonderful, diverse family who rely on one another!

Our donors, prayer warriors and passionate supporters of international staff are vital – without your support we simply could not ‘Fly for Life’! The ‘hands and feet’ of MAF include international staff members, head office staff, Board members and volunteers spread right around Australia.

There will be reports from each delegate and a wonderful time of celebration of all God is doing through the ministry of MAF.

I have discovered that the MAF Australia family has not been as united as we would like. Our family has gone through many significant changes over the last decade – most significantly when MAF Australia was restructured and the operations side of MAF came under the new umbrella of MAF International.

When this restructure and refocus took place we lost some of the cooperation of times past.

MAF Australia Conference - Running the Race –Celebration Service and Lunch Where: Carlingford Baptist Church (Corner of Pennant Hills Road and Alamein Avenue, Carlingford NSW) When: Sunday May 19 – 12:30pm Cost: $20 RSVP: maf@maf.org.au or Phone 02 80148450

The MAF Australia conference (May 18-19 in Sydney) will include the MAF Australia AGM and the new membership of MAF Australia will include not only the MAF Australia Board members, but a representative from each state and representatives from the programmes.

I am excited about making sure our stakeholders have a voice in how we operate! Please pray with us as we make these important changes – it is an exciting new era!

On the Sunday of the conference weekend we will be holding an open event that we would love you to attend if you are able. We will recognise the service of all involved, commission those in attendance who serve in roles with MAF as well as provide inspiring updates of our worldwide ministry – we would love to see you there!

Michelle Dorey, CEO

Changes in staff

Lisanne Holthaus

Joined MAF as the Executive Officer in the National Office in February 2013.

Kuren Galant

Joining MAF as the Recruitment Manager in the National Office in May 2013.

Silke Roth

Administration Assistant in Mareeba. She began her role in March 2013.

Ministry Opportunities There is currently a serious shortage of pilots and engineers in both PNG and Arnhem Land - can you help?

Current staff opportunities:

Current volunteer opportunities:

• Pilots with appropriate qualifications (PNG, Africa and Arnhem Land • Engineers (Arnhem Land, Africa, PNG and Mareeba, Qld) • Program Manager (PNG) • Operations Manager (PNG) • Quality Manager (PNG)

• Calling all those with culinary skills! Volunteer cooks urgently needed for MAF’s Orientation Day in Cairns, QLD (July 24th - Aug 7th). Please contact Jonathan on 07 4046 1300 • Volunteers also urgently needed for a variety of administration tasks in the Sydney office - no experience necessary!

Successful applicants for the non-volunteer positions will need to meet the requirements for MAF International staff membership including raising some prayer and financial support.

For further details of MAF positions please visit www.maf.org.au/positionsvacant or email personnel@maf.org.au

May 2013 Flying for Life 19

Fuelled

By Prayer We are excited to have launched a brand new prayer initiative to assist you in praying for the MAF Australian staff serving all around the world. We call it Fuelled by Prayer.

Every 2 months, Fuelled by Prayer highlights our prayer requests and points of thanksgiving via email. It also directly compliments our newly released Staff Prayer Handbook which features information on each Australian family.

To receive Fuelled by Prayer and/or the Staff Prayer Handbook, please sign up at www.maf.org.au/prayformaf

There is an option to receive the bi-monthly Fuelled by Prayer updates by post.

Please telephone our Donor Services team on 1800 650 169 to find out how.

MAF Australia

MAF_Australia

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