MAF Australia Flying For Life Spring 2017

SPRING 2017

FLYING FOR LIFE

THE QUARTERLY MAGAZINE OF

MAF AUSTRALIA 04 TIMOR-LESTE: ALL IN A DAYS WORK 06 ARNHEM LAND: VISITING GÄWA 10 SOUTH SUDAN: BAKA BIBLE DEDICATION

FROM THE GM Welcome to the Spring edition of Flying for Life.

taking place in the isolated parts of the world as a result of it.

I have just returned from visiting the families serving with MAF in Africa and have spent precious days filled with mutual encouragement. It was great to have the chance to gain a better understanding of the effectiveness of the programs we serve in, in particular Kenya, South Sudan and Uganda.

Right now, we have a pressing need in Mareeba.

To that end, I want to thank you. Your partnership is transforming many lives day in and day out in very tangible ways.

This year alone your partnership has: • Fully funded a propeller for the new Amphibious Cessna Caravan to be sent to Bangladesh • Prayerfully and financially supported our 57 serving families • Funded over $200k of flights carrying emergency supplies to help tackle the famine in South Sudan • Equipped us to perform around 477 medical evacuations in PNG • Filled the equivalent of about 1,600 jerrycans of fuel through our Father’s Day campaign – that works out to be 32,000 minutes you’ve helped us fly for!

To say we are grateful for your partnership is an understatement.

We rejoice with you in the service that is

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The aircraft we use to train our pilots in Australia is out-of-date and in urgent need of replacement. Would you consider partnering with us once again to help acquire a Cessna 182 for the MAF Training School in Mareeba?

Your support will help ensure MAF pilots receive the most up-to-date training possible, so they can continue to transform lives and communities around the world.

Please enjoy this edition of Flying for Life. We pray that you continue to be encouraged by the work that you are enabling each and every day.

In His Service,

Ian McDougall General Manager MAF Australia

HELP TRAIN FUTURE MAF PILOTS INVEST IN A CRITICALLY NEEDED CESSNA 182 FOR THE MAF TRAINING SCHOOL IN MAREEBA.

Make your donation today and help get our pilots in the air: maf.org.au/trainingaircraft or 1800 650 169 Spring 2017 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 3

ALL IN A DAYS WORK Pilot Jason Job, serving in Timor-Leste, takes us with him on a day that’s full of flying for life.

Story Jason and Kim Job Photos Balz Kubli

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he phone rings at 9:07am. The Ambulance service has called requesting a medevac of two patients from Suai, about a half hour’s flight to the south of Dili. The other MAF Pilot, Daniel Moser, readies the plane while I submit a flight plan, check the weather report, notify authorities in Suai that we are coming, and generally prepare for the flight.

At 9:34am, I depart Dili airport in VH-MQO and climb to 5,500 feet, passing Mt. Ramelau, Timor-Leste’s highest peak (at almost 10,000ft) to the left. Landing in Suai, I find the ambulance already waiting. We load up a very sickly looking twenty month old girl who sits on her parent’s lap for the trip. Also loaded is an 18 year old male, who is unconscious.

I strap him into the stretcher and hang up the IV drip. Both patients are accompanied by family members and a medical staff member. We make the return journey back to Dili with no problems. I touch down at two minutes past eleven o’clock, making it around two hours since the call was received. There is now only a 20 minute ride via ambulance to the hospital for the patients. Typically, the trip from Suai to Dili would take 8-10 hours by road.

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Before the ambulance departs for the National Hospital we give a “care pack” to a family member of each patient for their stay in hospital. These packs consist of some food, water, mobile phone credit, a copy of Mark’s Gospel in Tetun, and some toiletries. The contents vary slightly depending on who is receiving the packs. The MAF Timor-Leste staff (specifically the MAF pilot’s wives) make up four different variations of the packs, tailored-made to serve the needs of either pregnant women (or those who have just given birth), adult men, adult women, or children. Each pack also contains a small card with a reminder that God loves them and the assurance that the MAF staff are praying for them at this time.

On the move I go into the office to complete my post flight paperwork, and have some morning tea. With a break in the day I take the opportunity to continue my reading of the new MAF Operations Manual.

However, it’s not long before the Ambulance calls again.

This time the patient is a 10 year old boy from Baucau

L to R: Jason preparing the plane for the day ahead; On a landing strip in Timor-Leste; The MAF team serving in Timor-Leste (about 30mins east of Dili) with severe head trauma from a motor vehicle accident. Most people here don’t wear seat belts in cars, and traveling in the tray of a truck or ute is also common. Less than twenty minutes later, I am airborne in VH-MQO again. The flight was rather straight forward. However, when I returned to Dili this time, I was told two pieces of information within two minutes of each other: the patient from Baucau had been air sick during the flight, so inside the plane was a bit of a mess and that I had another medevac flight now to Los Palos.

After a 32 minute turn-around I was back in the air again for the 50 minute flight to the eastern end of the island. The patient this time was an old man. It was a smooth flight and we arrived back in Dili with two accompanying family members, at 5pm. We don’t always know what is wrong with the patients, even when we try reading the copy of the referrals that we keep in the office. They are usually written in Spanish and in Doctor’s hand writing (this phenomenon crosses cultures apparently).

Serving together It’s times like this when I’m glad we have extra help, another MAF pilot Daniel and a local Timorese employee, Aldo, to work with. I had to (fortunately) go into the office to submit another flight plan and do more paperwork (and to have a break for a few minutes). Meanwhile Daniel and Aldo refuelled the plane, cleaned up the mess and installed a clean stretcher. This time a nurse would accompany us from Dili.

Prepared to serve God Working for MAF in Timor-Leste, no day is the same! This was a busy day for medevac flights, not every day is like this. Part of the challenge of working in this place is to be prepared to serve God in whatever the day presents, whether that be cleaning out a messy plane or flying the plane to transport sick people to hospital. God requires our love for neighbours and diligence in our work whatever the task.

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Gäwa and the Gäwa Christian School from the air

VISITING GÄWA In East Arnhem Land, MAF is partnering with Gäwa Christian School to bring a full education to the remote homelands.

Story Rebekah Somandin Photos Cameron Herweynen

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s our MAF plane circled over Gäwa, a small community located on the tip of Elcho Island, I couldn’t help feeling excited. Living in Arnhem Land, I’d often heard of this homeland and the wonderful Christian school based there and now I was finally getting to see it for myself.

them.” Having the traditional knowledge passed on by the elders in partnership with the school makes for rich learning. The teachers are able to present concepts from the non-indigenous perspective, but using the traditional knowledge and culture. This is called “both ways learning”.

Soon after arriving we met the school Principal, Rachel Herweynen, and it didn’t take long to feel how much love and hope she has for the people in this community.

“School is home. Home is school.” — James Bukulatjpi, elder of Gäwa community

“Both ways learning” “Having the school on the traditional land is significant,” Rachel said. “The elders have thousands of years of knowledge and skills that can only be passed on by being on their own land.”

Made by God “It is wonderful when the MAF pilots come here,” Rachel continued. “They see the people as we see them. Not as clients, but as beautiful people wonderfully made by God.”

“But they also recognise the importance of being able to navigate the “Balanda” (or non-indigenous) world, so it’s important to them that the teachers work alongside

“Apart from the practical side of getting staff in and out, the pilots are also great role models. The interaction with MAF helps the kids to dream and see opportunities. Two

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of our littles ones even want to be co-pilots one day!”

“MAF has also shared lots of resources in local languages with us, which allows us to reach the students in their own language that speaks to their hearts,” Rachel added gratefully.

Teaching what’s important “I am passionate about seeing the students know their identity in Christ, and to have strength and security in that,” Rachel explained. “When you know who you are in Jesus, you’re free from the limitations that systems the government and other people have set on you.”

She also explained how important it is that the children learn “Warramiri” in class, the “language of the land”.

More than the skills they learn, a highlight is seeing them value their own culture and their own language. Students themselves have said, “It’s important to learn to speak Warramiri.”

Christianity and culture together Rachel shared a story with us about some visitors who came to the school for just a few days. At the end of the trip their visitor said, “I always wondered how Christianity

and culture could work together or if it was even possible.

But after being here for a few days, I can see how well it can and does work.”

Rachel explained to her visitor that it’s only possible if Jesus is the centre. Lives are transformed by God and not by people’s agenda. This has allowed the partnership between the community and the school to grow and be sustained all these years, and hopefully for many more years into the future.

Daphne Dhamarrandji, a long-term Yolŋu staff member, hopes for the students to one day have a job they can take pride in. “I want to see them become a doctor, pilot, teacher, mother or principal. But number one, that they can know God’s way.”

Partnership It surprised me how, after just a few short hours together in Gäwa, I felt a strong connection with this school in its community of only 10 houses. MAF’s passion and vision is the same as the Gäwa Christian School: to see isolated people transformed in Christ’s name.

What a privilege it is to be partners.

L to R: Principal Rachel Herweynen in the classroom; Children of Gäwa playing on the beach; Cameron and James Bukulatjpi, an elder of Gäwa; MAF pilot Piet Muilwijk chatting with the students on what it’s like to be a pilot.

Spring 2017 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 7

FROM THE

VAULT: APRIL 1980

We came across this article in an MAF News archive folder.

We hope you are as encouraged by it as we were!

E

ver since mankind first gazed toward the horizon, he has been searching, drawn by a quest for his place in the universe. He has reached and probed and climbed the heights. He has crossed the mighty oceans, and tamed the wilderness. Beyond the misty mountains, from valley to valley, he has sought new life, a new start, his grand opportunity.

Ever probing, seeking that final frontier.

You and I are of such a generation. We have sought and found the riches of the ocean depths. We have explored the innards of the atom, and harnessed its mighty power. We have conquered the wind, and made travel upon it so commonplace, that after only 75 years of powered flight, we can scarcely imagine a world without wings. Even space feels our thrust, as our craft brave her measureless domain.

One final frontier lies virtually within our grasp. It is a frontier not noticed... not acknowledged... by significant numbers of the human race, but it is a frontier dear to the heart of God, and to the hearts of his children. Across one last mountain range, in one final almost hidden village, one last person in the one remaining tribe will hear the gospel of the kingdom. The final frontier.

That last group of persons to hear the call is close at hand... The combined thrill of 1,000 explorers awaits us. No doubt, the voices of 1,000 angels will be raised in adoration of the God who planned it all. By the grace of God, and through the gifts and prayers of many, Mission Aviation Fellowship has had a vital role in reaching toward that final frontier.

We expect that MAF’s role in the future will be even more significant than it has been in the past, not only toward reaching this final frontier, but in the process of making disciples in all nations, and through deeds of human concern, which are equally central to the nature of the gospel...

There must be something special about men and women who seek new horizons.

Imagination, faith, dedication and perseverance must characterize our worldwide team, of which you are a part.

Believing all things are possible, we will find all things are possible.

The final frontier, the frontier dear to the heart of God, is on the horizon. The new horizon. That frontier is a challenge, a challenge to Mission Aviation Fellowship, a challenge to you and me.

NB – this article has been shortened from its original version

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THANK YOU FOR HELPING US STRIVE TO REACH THE FINAL FRONTIER. In the 37 years since this article was written, thousands upon thousands of people have experienced the love of God through MAF flights. Countless lives have been transformed because of the partnership between MAF and people like you. Thank you!

But we still have much work to do.

Have you considered leaving a gift to MAF in your Will?

A gift to MAF in your Will, whatever the size, will make a real difference to remote and isolated people. It will help transform lives for many years to come.

For more information, please contact our Relationship Manager, Edgar Voigts, on 02 8014-6450.

BRINGING GOD’S WORD TO THE BAKA PEOPLE The history of the Baka translation project has been filled with numerous struggles and victories. So many people, both missionaries and Baka men and women, have worked tirelessly on the translation efforts.

Despite the many interruptions and setbacks over the past thirty plus years, the Baka New Testament and Genesis was printed at the end of 2016 and a Bible Dedication service in Maridi was planned for 2017.

Spring 2017 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 10

Story and photos Karyn Ball

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n 1979, Bukulu Edward Mandeson helped SIL International (originally known as Summer Institute of Linguistics) with the very beginnings of their translation of the Bible into the Baka language.

Today Bukulu holds the position of political advisor to the State Governor of Maridi, South Sudan. But more importantly to Bukulu, today he holds a Bible in his own language, thanks to the special partnership between SIL and MAF. Three hundred boxes of Baka Bibles were delivered to the SIL compound on December 28, 2016. Each box held 40 Baka Bibles, resulting in

12,000 brand new Bibles for the Baka people.

David Masua, a leader in the Baka Christian community, was in charge of arranging the logistics for the transport of the Bibles from Juba to their home area of Maridi. “I really wondered how to get all these Bibles to Maridi!”

“I first inquired about hiring a truck to join a UN convoy by road. But I was informed that the road from Juba to Maridi is so dangerous that there hasn’t been a UN convoy since 2014. The road is basically closed. Next I looked into commercial flights, but they were either non-existent or extremely unreliable and expensive. It simply wasn’t an option. And then I thought of MAF. When

Spring 2017 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 11

L to R: Elderly Baka woman receiving the Bible for the first time; 12,000 new Bibles delivered to the community; MAF pilot Chris Ball passing on the many boxes of Bibles; The Baka People reading God’s word in their mother tongue I called MAF operations, they quickly agreed and said ‘Bring the Bibles over!’ I was very pleased with their positive response.” MAF stored the Bibles immediately for SIL in their freight room and offered to fly the Bibles up as free freight on standby. MAF flies to Maridi on a weekly basis, so whenever there was a bit of space available on the plane, the Bibles were flown at no cost.

coming to purchase their Baka Bible. Bishops and church elders, well dressed community members, and struggling young mothers carrying their little ones on their hips. It was truly an amazing sight to see so many people have access to God’s word in their mother tongue.

Stephen Kempsell, MAF South Sudan’s Operations Manager explains, “This type of flying is the heart of MAF, this is what we love to do. MAF South Sudan is pleased to be able to partner with SIL and the Baka church and community in the delivery of the Baka Bibles”.

This changes everything As I sat in my seat and looked to my left and right, I saw men and women eagerly soaking in the Word of God in their heart language for the very first time. With their fingers tracking the words, they enthusiastically read the Bible in Baka. Everyone was excited to see, touch and read the Baka Bible; even the teenage boy selling the Bibles couldn’t wait to flip open the pages.

A day of celebration The celebration service saw over seven thousand people in attendance. There was singing, prayers, speeches, sermons and of course the dedication of the Baka Bible.

As the Bishop opened the first box of Baka Bibles, one of the many boxes MAF had flown up, the congregation cheered in their traditional way with yips and ululations from the people.

Mama Eunice, an elderly Baka lady, sat on my left. When she got her Baka Bible, she couldn’t keep her eyes off the pages. After the service, through the help of a translator, I was able to ask her how she felt when she got her own Baka Bible. “I was so very happy, as I held my own Baka Bible I felt the Holy Spirit blow over me. I have a Muro Bible, and yet I am not a Muro. Finally now, I am able to read and understand God’s Word in my own language.”

When the people were invited to come up and purchase their very own Bible for the equivalent of less than one US dollar, crowds excitedly came forward. What impressed me the most was the variety of people

“Jesus will speak to us in Baka” The Governor of Maridi State, Africano Mande Gedima is a strong believer and a solid witness within the Baka community. In his message to the congregation he shared

Spring 2017 / FLYING FOR LIFE / 12

“Now Jesus Christ speaks Baka too, from now on Jesus will speak to us in Baka.” He is a driving force in the community and it is exciting to see where the governor can lead his community. Not only was he grateful to SIL for the translation work, but he was also very thankful to MAF. “Thanks to MAF, from the work they started back in Sudan and all the good things they have done up to now with delivering these Bibles for the Baka Bible dedication.

MAF really made it possible. Many thanks to the pilots and the entire MAF team, their names may not be written down in the history books, but they have brought Baka Bibles to us and we are grateful.”

No longer ‘passed by’ As the congregation sang from SIL produced Baka hymnals, I couldn’t help but reflect on the importance of this day. For so long the people had lived without a Bible in their heart language, but today they were finally receiving a Bible in their mother tongue. Today, they finally felt like they were not being “passed by”. Bishop Justin Badi opened the service with these words, “We rejoice and thank God for His Bible in Baka, it is truly a gift from God.” It is the hope and prayer of all involved with the translation that the Baka Bible will change the lives of the Baka people. David Masua explains “Language is

“I used to be jealous of white people; they were blessed by having the Word of God in their own language. The Bible says that God loves all, but we had no Bible in Baka. We were envious of those who had a Bible in their own language. Now I am happy because I have a Baka Bible. God did not forget us.”

- Bukulu Edward Mandeson, Advisor to the State Governor of Maridi, South Sudan our identity, we learn best in our own language. When we read the Bible in our mother tongue, we will understand it best.” Bishop Justin Badi summed up in the importance of the Baka Bible as he spoke humbly about his own experience. “When I read the Bible in English the understanding isn’t deep. But if I read it in Baka, I can understand it better, deeper and fully.”

“Having the Bible written in Baka enables me to really understand God’s words. In English, I can’t even pronounce some of the words and I skip over the big words. Sometimes I can only explain to my congregation the small words. Now when I preach, I can preach the whole message, not just the small words.”

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

DID YOU KNOW? MAF Australia holds DGR status Item 1 for Domestic and Overseas distributions through its controlled entity MAF Assist and DGR 2 distributions to other DGR funds and entities through MAF Aid Fund.

All donors who sponsor or donate funds over AUD$2 to approved DGR projects/programs and sponsorships of MAF through MAF Australia can receive a tax-deductible receipt and/or an annualised statement.

DO YOU HAVE THE GIFT OF HOSPITALITY?

HAVE YOU RECEIVED YOUR CALENDAR?

When our staff come home from the mission field on home assignment, they are often in need of accommodation for short periods of time. If you might be in a position to help with this, please get in touch via maf@maf.org.au or on 1800 650 169.

Our new MAF calendar is out! By now it should have landed in your letterbox. If you haven’t received one, but would like one for your wall, please get in touch with our team on 1800 650 169 or email maf@maf.org.au

SERVE WITH US Featured vacancy: Deputy-Program Manager, Arnhem Land My name is Chris De-Ath and I’m the Program Manager at Arnhem Land.

Currently we’re looking for someone to come and help me lead our incredible team of dedicated professionals up here.

If you’re somebody who thrives on leadership, who thrives on being a part of a high-functioning team, and you’re currently using your management skills in the secular world, I want to invite you to come and use those skills to benefit the kingdom.

Every day presents new challenges. We have a team of 40 staff. We have 13 aircraft. We have over 60 different homeland communities to serve. The opportunities and the challenges are endless.

What’s more, every day is different.

You’ll be able to use your leadership skills in a fast paced, challenging environment, but better than that, you’ll be a part of bringing transformation to the people up here, in East Arnhem Land.

If this is something that you think you’d like to explore some more, get in touch with our recruitment team, now. We’d love you to come and join us.

OTHER CRITICAL VACANCIES: PILOTS

FINANCE

Experienced Aircraft Engineers, (Arnhem Land)

Finance Manager, (PNG)

Mission Pilots, (South Sudan)

ENGINEERS

Chief Engineer, (Bangladesh)

Flying for Life

(ISSN: 2202-0365) Design/Editor: Cadence Media (cadencemedia.com.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.

FRONT COVER: Courtesy Balz Kubli

Head of Finance, (PNG)

Finance Manager, (Uganda)

OPERATIONS

Security Manager, (South Sudan)

MAF Australia and CRMF 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

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