News Brief

Update On Ryan Koher

New Aircraft In Arnhem Land

A new Cessna 208 Caravan (VHMFD) touched down in Arnhem Land in January 2023. VH-MFD was added to the MAF family of aircraft after the generous support of MAF donors supported the purchase of the aircraft. The team of engineers at the hangar in Mareeba, Far North Queensland, did extensive work and modifications to get the plane ready for service, including repainting it in MAF colours.

“We are grateful to the supporters of MAF who helped fund the purchase of VH-MFD and for the skills of all the people who prepared the plane to enter service with us. We celebrate the arrival of this new aircraft and we know that it will be a great blessing to the people of Arnhem Land that we serve,”

- Matthew Henderson,

MAF Arnhem Land programme director (Pictured)

Maf Partnership With Rotarians Against Malaria In Png

In a partnership with Rotarians against Malaria MAF in PNG transported 20,000 mosquito nets to 7 remote communities accessible only by air between the end of February and Easter 2023. “Malaria is a serious concern. 70% of deaths in PNG are caused by malaria. “Rotarians Against Malaria aims to reduce these unnecessary deaths.” Says Jerry Randel, RAM Officer.

Ryan Koher, MAF Pilot in Mozambique, was wrongly imprisoned on the 4th of November 2022.

Ryan was conducting a routine MAF flight bringing supplies for orphanages in the northern part of the country known as Ambassador Aviation Ltd. Before the airplane was loaded, police conducted a normal scan of the goods and had concerns about some vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and food preservative supplies that were going to staff at the orphanages.

Ryan and two South African volunteers with him were detained that day on an accusation that quickly escalated to “supporting terrorism.” After four months incarcerated in a high-security prison, Ryan was given a provisional release and reunited with his family.

Currently, the legal process is ongoing for Ryan’s full release. Please join us in prayer that all wrongful charges against Ryan will be dropped. Pray for the health and wellbeing of Ryan and his wife, Annabelle and kids. Pray that his passport will be returned so that him and his family can return home for some much needed rest and recovery.

(Update as of May 18, 2023)

Malaria deaths have decreased in PNG in the last few years, but PNG still has the highest rate of malaria infection in the Asia-Pacific region. “On behalf of RAM,” he said, “I would like to thank MAF for transporting the nets. If it wasn’t for MAF, I don’t know what transport system we could have used to get our supplies here as there is no road connection. So, thank you, MAF. Thank you for delivering the nets here to Lapalama!”

MAF PNG serves nearly 200 bush airstrips. For many target areas in RAM ‘s net distribution program, MAF is the cheapest, most reliable, fastest, and safest transport option to reach vulnerable rural communities. MAF and RAM have been working together for over ten years. In 2022, MAF helped distribute nearly 35,000 mosquito nets for RAM to 26 airstrips in Western Province, West Sepik, and Hela Province.

New Maf Australia Ceo Dr Chris Barnes

Chris comes to MAF after a lifetime career within the corporate world of BOC and Linde, where God has been sharpening his transformational leadership skills and growing his capacity to lead people and process across multiple geographies in ANZ, Asia and Europe to deliver sustainable growth.

He is a people leader who enjoys building, coaching, empowering and developing people at their best, and this investment into people has led to strong organisational performance. Chris is a deeply committed Christian, active in his local church. He is married to Carol, with three adult children, all living in Sydney.