CEO'S REPORT

Mark Fox

Isaiah 30:23,25

“Then the Lord will bless you with rain at planting time. There will be wonderful harvests and plenty of pastureland for your livestock.

In that day, when your enemies are slaughtered and the towers fall, there will be streams of water flowing down every mountain and hill.”

As one year finishes and another one begins, I have been pondering how the Lord might lead us this year. The task before us seems huge at times and feelings of inadequacy and the lack of inspiration and clarity creep in. But then the Lord encourages us with promises of wonderful harvests and plentifulness. It is like the streams of the river of life are following down the mountain to provide the resources we need

For those who have renovated your house will understand some of the issues we faced in 2022 The renovation of the new MAF Centre at Tauranga airport certainly did dominate our workflow. However, through the Lord’s grace, we have completed the building work and now our focus shifts My prayer is that as we have now built the barn, we can fill it.

Many people have been involved with the renovation of the KendonStrong MAF Centre, both paid and voluntary. Special thanks to our project manager Richard Burne and our builder, Paul Hofsteede. Thanks also goes to MMM (Mobile Mission Maintenance) for their partnership with us on this project Their team was led by Richard Crawford from Te Puke, who also brought onboard Curate Cares from Curate Church. Of course, in addition to this were many others who came and helped for maybe one day to a few weeks This was particularly the case for our painters.

Renovations were complete and furniture moved in before Christmas, and the office team were able to spend the month of December in the new facility before we broke up for the Christmas holidays. The building dedication and opening took place on 2 April 2023 where a huge crowd came together to celebrate and to thank the Lord for his provision. A special thanks to both the Kendon and Strong families for their partnership with this project, for allowing us to use their family name.

Russell and Philippa McLachlan gave 2022 as a year to serve in Mt Hagen, Papua New Guinea, where Philippa was the Principal of Mt Hagen Grammar School. In early October, during an aerial medical evacuation, Russell went to be with the Lord following a heart attack. Several people travelled to Wanaka to represent MAF at his funeral. During 2022 we have been able to relaunch our event programme following the hiatus from the COVID pandemic.

Richard West Foundation

The value of the Foundation at the end of the year is $411,639. One scholarship was granted during 2022 to Renée Brewer who spent time in our Cessna 206, ZK-MAF building currency in preparation for her departure for MAF service. It is the goal of the Board and the West family to raise the value of the Foundation to over one million dollars. We are looking for partners to help provide a lasting legacy to help pilots be prepared for MAF’s service.

2023 sees a strategy to grow the local organisation now that the building development is complete. There is considerable need within the MAF International ministry for more pilots, aircraft engineers and managers Along with this, is the need for funding for the ongoing work of MAF across the world, including the redevelopment and updating of various aspects of the plant in PNG MAF NZ has an obligation to increase its resourcing for MAF International ministry, to do this, we need to grow. Without growth we would be unable to achieve any further resources apart from our current levels It is our goal to build capacity within MAF NZ so that we can fulfil our obligations to the MAF International family.

During 2023 there are a number of encouraging new opportunities including an Intern from Eastwest College, to grow our youth ministry here in NZ. We have also made application to the Manaaki Fund (Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade), on behalf of MAFI and Timor-Leste, to support a project ministering to those who are affected through domestic violence. If we are successful, this will require significant input, as we support this flying programme.

Philippa and I would like to thank the MAF family for the support you gave us, especially through prayer, during Philippa’s cancer journey. Philippa has made a full recovery and your prayers have been answered, so thank you!

We encourage everyone to come and visit us at the MAF Centre at 7 De Havilland Way, Tauranga Airport. We are open for business and are keen to meet with you and show you the wonderful things that God is doing through MAF ministry.

Mark Fox CEO MAF NZ

To see isolated people changed by the love of Christ.