A MESSAGE FROM OUR CEO

During May, accompanied with my wife Philippa, I had the privilege to visit three MAF programmes where Kiwis serve. We visited PNG and Cairns together, and I visited Timor Leste.

Here at MAF New Zealand we prioritise visiting our staff overseas to see their work and life, hear their stories and challenges, and hopefully be an encouragement to them. As this was my first time to Timor Leste it was an opportunity to get to know the Hitchins family better but also to see first-hand the important work that we do there.

One of the projects MAF NZ gets involved with in Timor Leste is called “Closing the Loop.” Following medical evacs MAF sponsored chaplain, Ruth Hitchins, regularly visits the patients in hospital. She gives supplies, encouragement and prayer, then advocates for their medical care and provides a return ticket for their return home. I was privileged to accompany Ruth on one such visit to a very needy hospital environment.

This is just one example of MAF, not only providing aviation services to remote peoples, but ministering to the poor and needy in the communities where we work. This is what Jesus tells us do Mathew 25:35.

Our staff make huge sacrifices to go and serve where most of us would not choose to go. I applaud and thank the Lord for their service. Let’s ensure we pray and encourage our overseas team.

We pray that you are inspired and encouraged by the stories of what God is doing through MAF included in this edition of our Flying for Life Magazine.