Flying for Life Magazine - Autumn 2019

AUTUMN 2019

FLYING FOR LIFE

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF

MAF AUSTRALIA 04 THE POWER OF LOVE 06 MOZAMBIQUE CYCLONE IDAI 08 MAF IN LIBERIA

Picture: bringing hope to the precious children of Liberia

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR W

e, the Board of MAF Australia, after much prayer and discussion, have decided to offer the vacated position of CEO to Ian McDougall.

FROM THE CEO W

e often talk about how our mission at MAF Australia is to encourage our partners to ‘Pray’, to ‘Give’ and to ‘Go’ in the service of the remote communities of the world. This past quarter has been a real example of the need for each of these callings to work together as part of this great commission.

Pray On March 14th, a devastating tropical cyclone hit Mozambique. The catastrophic storm displaced an estimated 17,000 people, and left a path of destruction in its wake. Thanks to the support of partners like you, our Mozambique programme and MAF’s Disaster Response team were able to support the aid effort immediately. In this issue, we explore the team’s response in the aftermath of the storm. Please continue to pray for the people of the Sofala Province of Mozambique, for their healing and for the long process of reconstruction ahead.

people of Uganda. We’re almost at our funding target, and look forward to breaking the news to the team that their existing workhorse can be retired after twenty years of faithful service.

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Our commitment at MAF Australia is to provide the highest level of service to all. With this announcement, we can move ahead with confidence and certainty, knowing that in our Lord’s strength, we are providing a professional service and real leadership through Ian.

It is with much excitement that we look forward to the amazing things our Lord has planned for MAF. Sincerely,

Leighton Pittendrigh-Smith Chair, MAF Australia

Go Only three years ago, MAF International’s programme in Liberia was established as the only humanitarian flight service in the country. Thanks to the support of partners like you, we’re encouraged to send out Steven and Margot Biggs and begin MAF Australia’s service in support of this programme!

We hope that this issue inspires you to take part in our mission to overcome the barrier of isolation, and to pray, give and go in support of the remote communities of the world.

In His Service,

Give We’ve been so encouraged by the response received to support the Ugandan team in purchasing a new tractor for the Kajjansi airfield! Thank you for your continued support and generosity, and for your commitment to enabling MAF operations to serve the

Ian McDougall has agreed to step up from the role of General Manager, to become the CEO of MAF Australia Group. This will take effect from the 1st April 2019. We ask that you pray with us for Ian as he continues to lead the Australian team to make a difference for Kingdom growth through the ministry of MAF.

Thank you for all your continued support over the years.

Ian McDougall CEO, MAF Australia

TAKE A MOMENT TO PRAY

Please pray that God would continue to raise up workers to serve at MAF. Please pray for the various critical vacancies - particularly engineering roles - that are currently open.

Please continue to pray for the people of Mozambique in the aftermath of Cyclone Idai. Pray for God’s healing over the city, and ask that God would sustain the MAF Disaster Relief Team and other organisations as they continue to provide assistance and aid.

Praise God for the new opportunity MAF Australia has to actively serve and support the MAF programme in Liberia. Please pray that God would bless this ministry, and that through it many would come to experience and know the love of Christ.

Praise God for the provision of two new staff members for MAF Australia, Kylie and Paul.

Please pray that God would bless and guide them as they settle into their new roles, and that fruit would be produced through their work.

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THE POWER OF LOVE Empower One’s vision is to reach the unreached with God’s love. In the refugee settlements of Northern Uganda, their partnership with MAF is transforming many lives.

Story by: Richard Chambers Images by: Rebecca Walker

‘M

AF is so incredible!’ beams Jackson Songa, Director of Operations of evangelism organisation Empower One. ‘I am very grateful that its aircraft came along at the right time for us. How else could we get to dangerous, hard-to-reach places without MAF?’ Empower One sends two teams a month from the USA to work alongside the growing number of Christians in the Rhino Camp refugee settlement in Northern Uganda.

The teams are active in evangelism, church planting and leadership training – the latter through its pastor training centres.

Furthermore, the teams provide programmes for women ranging from evangelism and poultry farming to soap making and tailoring.

The Gospel under fire Pastor Banja Benjamin is from South Sudan – just one refugee among tens of thousands from his town. His testimony is honest and direct.

‘I was lost in the world. I didn’t know Jesus and my life was one of drinking, smoking, fighting and spending my money on prostitutes.

‘But my brother is a Christian and he told me the story of Joseph’s brothers selling him into slavery and him going to prison on the false testimony of Potiphar’s wife. That story went straight to my heart and so I gave my life to Jesus in 2007!’

Seven years later, having trained at theological college, Pastor Banja flew with MAF to Yambio in South Sudan on a mission to spread God’s love. But Yambio had become a lethal place for Christians – several who preached the Gospel were tortured and murdered.

When soldiers shot and killed some of his neighbours, the church arranged for an emergency MAF flight to get Pastor Banja to Uganda and safety.

‘I am very grateful that its aircraft came along at the right time for us. How else could we get to dangerous, hard-toreach places without MAF?’

I will hear from heaven Everything is relative in Rhino Camp. While the refugees who’ve survived the horrors of South Sudan are grateful to be alive, suicide has been a major problem. It will take years for many to overcome the traumatic effects of the civil wars that have torn their lives asunder.

However, Pastor Banja’s arrival in Rhino Camp has sparked a Christian revival among the exiled people of Yei. He helped open the first church in Rhino Camp, preaching that day from 2 Chronicles 7:14.

‘People wept,’ Banja recalls, ‘because they knew in their hearts they had to repent and come to Jesus Christ. At first, that church had just a few born-again Christians – now there are 117!’

Rhino Camp

The Gospel is reaching places it’s never previously been. In 2017, 124 people were baptised while more than 800 people attended youth conferences organised by the churches and co-ordinated by Empower One. There are now 12 churches in Rhino Camp. Praise God for the incredible number of people who are accepting Christ into their hearts through this powerful ministry.

Women sewing at Rhino Camp

THANK YO U FOR YOUR GENEROSITY Recently the Ugandan team raised an urgent need. Their 20-year old tractor, crucial to the functioning of the airstrip in Kajjansi was in need of replacement.

We want to say a huge thank you.

Through the funding of this tractor, Kajjansi airfield can continue to play a vital role in reaching and serving the refugees in Northern Uganda, in settlements just like Rhino Camp.

Help us reach our target at: maf.org.au/tractor/

Women at Rhino Camp Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 4

Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 5

Day 4: Rooftops and trees MAF conducts an aerial survey flight with the INGC (Mozambique’s disaster response agency) and World Food Program along the road from Beira to the Buzi River. The survey reveals significant damage to the roadway, with entire sections washed out by floodwater and bridges damaged or destroyed.

‘It was a heart-breaking flight,’ reports Rick Emenaker, ‘as we flew over many miles of flooded land. We saw people stranded on rooftops surrounded by kilometres of water. It was difficult to comprehend and think that many have perished.’ Tomorrow we will partner with Mercy Air to conduct food drops to areas completely cut off by the flooding.

MOZAMBIQUE Cyclone Idai

Day 7: One week on

Cyclone Idai struck Mozambique on March 14-15, 2019, causing severe flooding and destruction. The MAF team from Nampua, Mozambique, along with MAF Disaster Response staff, provided aid.

MAF flights continue to bring tents, hygiene kits, supplies and other items to internally displaced persons camps in Beira. Pilot Dave Holmes flew 2 flights with more than 110 family shelter kits and food.

Brad Ballin, another member of the Disaster Response team, continues to support Mercy Air helicopter food delivery flights. They complete 17 food drops (36 boxes of high energy biscuits) to various locations north of the N6 road as well as another drop of 40 boxes to the village of Grudja.

14 March: Disaster strikes Tropical Cyclone Idai makes landfall on the evening of 14 March in the city of Beira, located in Mozambique’s Sofala province. Winds of 106 miles per hour batter the coastal city that’s home to 500,000 people, knocking down buildings, cutting off roads and triggering flooding. The area, which lies below sea level, is vulnerable to flooding and had been affected by heavy rains even before the storm struck, causing 66 deaths and displacing an estimated 17,000 people. It quickly becomes apparent that 90% of the city had been destroyed.

Day 15: Two weeks on Two weeks after the cyclone hit, the need has changed to preventing the spread of waterborne diseases including cholera. MAF are helping medical teams to access rural areas where there are people with medical needs.

‘We’re facilitating other medical teams to get out to those areas,’ tells Rick Emenaker ‘and as more teams come in and roads open up, more of those medical teams and organizations are starting to get out there and provide the medical care that’s needed.’

D ay 1: MAF’s disaster response efforts begin Survey flights are planned using a Cessna 208 Caravan from MAF’s Mozambique programme (MAF operates as ‘Ambassador Aviation’ in Mozambique from a base in Nampula) and key partners including Mercy Air, a Christian relief organisation operating helicopters in Mozambique. Rick Emenaker, the Manager heading up MAF’s Disaster Response, reports that the worsening flooding is becoming a bigger concern than the damage caused by the storm.

Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 6

Please pray for the many men, women and children who have been affected by this crisis. Please also pray for the MAF team and aid organizations as they continue to provide aid and assistance.

The magnitude of this disaster is hard to comprehend, and we are glad we are able to be here to help. Please keep the people of Mozambique in your prayers as they struggle in a difficult situation that has no short-term end in sight.

Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 7

LIBERIA:

PRAY

NOW SUPPORTED

BY MAF AUSTRALIA

FOR THE BIGGS FAMILY

In 2015 MAF began operations in Liberia as the only humanitarian flight service in the country.

This year MAF Australia has the privilege of supporting Steven and Margot Biggs who will be returning to the field and joining the MAF programme in Liberia.

This marks the beginning of MAF Australia’s active service and support of the programme in Liberia.

Why Liberia?

There is currently a significant need for the service MAF can provide in Liberia.

F

rom early in life Steven and Margot have felt the call of God to missions and specifically MAF.

Political upheaval, civil war and Ebola has left a large portion of the population living in extreme poverty.

Steven will be flying and Margot is excited to utilise her extensive nursing experience in service to God in Liberia.

To add to this, annual monsoon rainfalls cause erosion of rural roads, making access in or out of rural villages near impossible at certain times throughout the year. This leaves many people isolated and without critical support.

Stop and pray for a moment: • P raise God for Steven and Margot's safe arrival in Africa.

MAF is in a unique position to work alongside local authorities and other NGOs to reach and serve these isolated communities across the country.

• P ray that God would bless their time in Liberia, and provide opportunities to share His love with those around them.

LI B E RI A AT A G L A N CE

• P lease continue to pray for the Liberian people as they struggle to get themselves back on their feet after civil war and Ebola.

Population: 4,900,000 Size: 96,320sq km (slightly larger than Scotland)

• A large number of airstrips in Liberia are debilitated and unused following the civil war, and one of MAF’s priorities is to prepare and reopen as many as possible so that more communities can have a lifeline.

Religions: 86% Christian, 12% Islam (2008 census) Rain fall: Monrovia rainfall Ave. 4624 mm (182 inches) per year Comparison Sydney 700 mm (27.56 inches) per year

Photo: A 360 aerial view of an airstrip at Tapeta, Liberia

School, Eat, Play and Pray The orphanage currently cares for 19 girls and 16 boys, plus the pastor’s own five children. Some lost both parents, some only one with the remaining parent unable to care for all the children. Some of the children contracted and survived Ebola, like little Junior who lost his mother and father to the virus.

HEALING A CHILD’S GRIEVING HEART A small orphanage in northeastern Liberia cares for children who lost their parents during the Ebola crisis.

Story and Images by LuAnne Cadd

I

t was an innocent enough first question. “Do you like living here,” I asked 12-year-old Bobo, an orphan living at the Christ Our Hope North orphanage in Liberia.

“Yes,” he responded. I followed with the obvious. “Why?” He stared blankly for a moment. Then his face slowly twisted in pain as tears began to roll down his cheeks, and hands made an attempt to cover the emotion-filled face.

It wasn’t this question that upset him. Unintentionally within hearing distance of Bobo, I had asked Pastor Abraham Howard, who started the orphanage with his wife Agnes, for a little background on Bobo. He explained that Bobo’s father died before Ebola and his mother died during the Ebola crisis. His baby brother died as well last year. He had been living with his grandmother, but he had taken to the streets to steal. His grandmother and uncle, his only relatives, couldn’t manage him so Abraham and Agnes took him in. By the time I asked the harmless question, Bobo was already on the edge of painful memories.

Over two years have passed since the end of the Ebola crisis and the death of Bobo’s mother. Abraham explained that though she didn’t die from the Ebola virus, she became seriously ill, and it was impossible to get medical help even for non-Ebola conditions. Fear reigned. The sick were untouchable and many died unnecessarily; collateral damage from the most widespread outbreak of Ebola in history.

Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 10

The Orphanage Abraham Howard is the pastor of Abide In The Vine Disciples Church (AVDC) in Lofa County; the area of Liberia hardest hit by the epidemic. In late 2014, Abraham and Agnes became aware of many Ebola-related orphans in the area. The first group of orphans Abraham encountered included 15 children from an extended family who had lost nine members.

The orphans’ home is basic with the children sleeping on mattresses laid out each evening on the floor and piled against the walls during the day. Each child’s meager possessions fit into a rectangle plastic bag. They are fed, attend school, and join prayer and daily devotions that include scripture memorization. According to Abraham and Agnes, the children’s favorite part of the day is eating and playing. “They eat a lot,” Abraham notes.

They also play hard. One favorite, all-age-inclusive game is called Awana, taught by a visiting group of Americans.

Teams compete in relays, running around a center circle in a race to grab the plastic bottle in the center. The cheering, the screaming, the bottle raised in triumph while the team hoots and claps – all create the illusion of a normal childhood with the specter of loss vanquished.

Bobo’s tears have disappeared and after the games he talks unemotionally about his mother’s death, life at the orphanage, favorite school subject – math, favorite sport – football, favorite food – rice, and how happy he was to come here.

Another concern is transporting food to the area, particularly rice that is more affordable and available in the capital. “It’s very difficult to get food in the rainy season when the road is damaged from Monrovia. It’s going to be tough on us. We are praying to see how best we can get our food for the children. If we go by road it takes almost two days. When it comes April, it soon starts to be a mess, because they haven’t worked on the road this year. I’ve flown with MAF twice. It was so nice. If we are fortunate to fly with MAF, it can be so very good for us because just one hour and you’re here.”

MAF’s bi-weekly passenger shuttle from Monrovia to Lofa County is able to help Pastor Abraham and his team in their travels, including visitors from One Body One Hope, and to carry supplies for the orphanage if needed.

It’s a small blessing MAF can give for these children who have lost so much.

Needs and Support “Our major need now is food,” Abraham explained, “But we thank God for Pastor Baart with One Body One Hope because the Lord is using him.”

“I’m an orphan,” Abraham explained. “My father and mother died by the time I was eight and I suffered a lot.

So if I see anybody in that condition…I know what it is to suffer.” He couldn’t ignore the need and asked for help.

MAF pilot Emil Kündig and wife Margrit at the local airstrip in Liberia

Abraham’s church is part of a larger group of churches led by Rev. Bimba, Abraham’s youngest brother, and includes two other orphanages close to the capital of Monrovia, all supported by the US non-profit One Body One Hope (OBOH). By the end of 2014, Emmanuel and Abraham had surveyed the town and the surrounding villages documenting 60 orphans, three times more than they anticipated or could care for. Fully convinced of the great need to establish an orphanage, the brothers partnered with One Body One Hope in the new endeavor, which raised funds for the startup and eventually found sponsorship for each child.

I keep talking to them. I tell them to trust God. We teach them the Word of God.”

The children from Christ Our Hope North orphanage

Abraham and Agnes Howard Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 11

PRECIOUS IN GOD’S SIGHT

“Every year MAF PNG does somewhere in the region of 400 medevacs. Each person has their story; each one is a life; each one is precious in God's sight.“

Story and Photos by Nicki and Michael Duncalfe

“

W

hat could be more special than walking through the front door of your house and being leapt on by a nine year old girl and given a great big hug? Especially when that nine year old girl probably wouldn’t have survived if you hadn’t done a medical evacuation flight nine years ago,“ shares Michael Duncalfe. Michael is our most senior pilot with almost 25 years’ experience of flying a MAF aircraft to bring help and hope to a people of remote Papua New Guinea.

Peggy and Nicki together The picture above shows Peggy and Nicki on a recent visit to town. Peggy was supporting her father who was waiting for an operation. Nicki is living with Peggy’s sister so that she can go to a better school than would be possible in her home village. What if Michael hadn’t been able to do that flight nine years ago?

He continues, “Nine years ago, Peggy was in trouble with a difficult birth. I flew her to Mount Hagen from her home village of Koinambe, and she gave birth to Nicki - named for my wife Nicki who visited and helped Peggy while she was in hospital.”

Every year MAF PNG does somewhere in the region of 400 medevacs. Each person has their own story; each one is a life; each one is precious in God’s sight.

Peggy in labour pains 9 years ago

THE POWER OF A JERRYCAN!

Peggy gave birth to Nicki 9 years ago Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 12

9 years later, Nicki is going to school and loves to read

Isn’t it a joy to see Nicki thriving? The medevac that saved her mother’s life was fuelled by a little over two jerrycan’s worth of fuel. Each jerrycan holds 20 litres of fuel and keeps flights in the air for about 20 minutes. We’ve calculated the cost of each jerrycan to be around AUD$50. When you consider the lives that are saved as a result, I’m sure you’ll agree it’s money well spent! If you’d like to donate a jerrycan of fuel, head to maf.org.au/donate and click on the big jerrycan!

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COMMUNITY NEWS C

CALLING ALL MAF AUSTRALIA ALUMNI!

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FLYING FOR LIFE MAGAZINE IS NOW IN AUDIO

To access the audio version, head over to the ‘Latest Magazine’ section of the MAF Australia website.

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TRANSFORM LIVES WITH A GIFT IN YOUR WILL If and when the time is right for you to include a gift to a charity in your Will, please remember MAF. After you have provided for your family, a gift to MAF in your Will, whatever size, will make a real difference to the remote and isolated people.

For further information and resources, please contact Edgar Voigts (Relationship Manager) on 1800 650 169 or e-mail: edgar.voigts@maf.org.au

• Anton Zhang to serve in Arnhem Land • T im and Anna Southcott (children William and Lily) to serve in Timor-Leste We continue to trust God for His provision as we reflect on all the vacancies that still need to be filled.

Please head over to our current vacancies page on the website to see how you can get involved.

This year has also seen God provide us with the opportunity to expand our on-field staff as we welcomed several new faces to our international team:

An audio version of the Summer 2019 Flying for Life Magazine is now available! Thanks to Clem Fechner, every new edition of MAF Flying for Life will now be available in an audio format, as well as print and digital.

AGES THE : ION UGH EDIT THRO Tour IAL AF the UK bark on SPEC OK AT M ut to em A LO

Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 14

• Steven and Margot Biggs to serve in Liberia

At MAF we champion a cause that projects light into the darkness. It is our vision to see many more communities powerfully impacted by the ministry of MAF and since the beginning of this year, we have been blessed with the opportunity to grow our team. In February, we had two new staff members join our MAF Australia office team. Paul Kenny and Kylie McGillivray have taken up roles as Relationship Coordinators as we look to expand on this area of work.

Join now at: www.facebook.com/groups/mafaustralia.alumni

NG FLYI LIFE FOR

• I an and Ashlee Rudduck (children Amelia and Malakai) to serve in Arnhem Land

.S. Lewis once said “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

MAF has a Facebook group especially for the Alumni of MAF Australia. No matter when, where or how you served, this platform seeks to build a community of men and women who have previously shared in the work of MAF. Use the page to reconnect, share memories, share information and start meaningful and insightful discussions.

FLY FORING LIFE

SERVE WITH US

Sincerely, Kuren Galant Recruitment Manager

CURRENT VACANCIES ENGINEERING

OPERATIONS

• Licenced Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Arnhem Land, Australia

• Building Maintenance Manager – Arnhem Land, Australia

• Aircraft Engineer - Training Specialist – Bangladesh

• Short Term Building Maintenance Tradesperson – Arnhem Land, Australia

FINANCE • Head of Finance – PNG

Flying for Life

(ISSN: 2202-0365) Design/Editor: Cadence Media (cadencemedia.com.au) Printer: The Camerons Group Flying for Life is the official magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship in Australia and MAF Technology Services in Australasia. Articles may be printed with acknowledgment. Flying for Life is a member publication of the Australasian Religious Press Association.

If you no longer wish to receive Flying for Life (MAF News), please advise us at: MAF Australia 1800 650 169 and your name and details will be removed from our distribution list.

Front Cover Image: Nathan Jones

To see a complete list of vacancies, head to: maf.org.au/current-vacancies

MAF Australia ABN 26 134 583 887 PO Box 7187 Baulkham Hills NSW 2153 Contact: 1800 650 169 | 02 8014 6450 maf@maf.org.au | 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

Autumn 2019 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 15

CLIMB HILLS AND DESCEND VALLEYS SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO Join us in 2019 as we mix things up with a slightly shorter 4 day ride through the South Coast in October and for the first time, a 4 day off-road ride through the Snowy Mountains in December.

For more details: rideforfuel.maf.org.au

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