Flying For Life Magazine | Autumn 2024

www.maf.org.nz

info@maf.org.nz

0800 87 85 88

MAF (Mission Aviation Fellowship) is a Christian organisation reaching men, women and children in more than 25 countries. Operating 120 aircraft, MAF’s pilots overcome terrain that has become inaccessible due to derelict roads, natural disaster, or violent conflict. MAF aircraft service more than 1,000 destinations - transporting food, water, health professionals, medical supplies, emergency workers and Christian missionaries where they are needed most. Each flight brings practical help, spiritual hope and physical healing to thousands of isolated people in remote communities for whom flying is a lifeline not a luxury. MAF is flying for life.

IN THIS ISSUE OF FLYING FOR LIFE...

MAF RECRUITMENT FEATURE

Are you ready for the adventure of a lifetime? Learn more about what it takes to be a part of the MAF team on mission overseas.

BEYOND THE PLANE

How the ingenuity of MAF Kiwi’s Bridget and Jess brought new vision to PNG.

FAST TRACKING THE GOSPEL THROUGH HEART LANGUAGES

Technology is speeding up the process for translating the Bible into the native languages of Papua New Guinea.

MEET CAPTAIN PING

Ping’s adventure from his home in India to serving with MAF in Timor Leste.

INTRODUCING, CO-PILOT

Front cover

MAF is flying for life in Papua New Guinea

Svein-Robert Solberg

Back cover

MAF is flying for life in South Sudan

David Forney

Flying for Life Magazine NZ

Editor: Zoë Davies

Email: comms@maf.org.nz

Copy Editors: Zoë Davies, Jane Eddy

Designer: Zoë Davies

Printer: Roe Print Services

©MAF NZ Autumn 2024

MAF NZ

www.maf.org.nz

info@maf.org.nz

0800 87 85 88

Our vision to ignite the heart of mission in youth and young adults around New Zealand.

ASHLEY’S ADVENTURE

20-Year-Old Ashley’s story of leaving the comfort of home in Canada to serve as a communications assistant on a short-term mission in PNG.

PAPUA NEW GUINEA FUEL CRISIS

Important update on the PNG fuel crisis - the issue, the impact and MAF’s response.

MAF UPDATES

Our upcoming Inflight event with Dave Fyock & important updates regarding our Magazines and Calendar.

Every Wednesday, our office takes time out devoted to prayer and reflection on our purpose and responsibility to our chosen role within MAF. One of my constant prayers is for the well-being and safety of all those we have recruited and who fulfil their calling to serve God in various roles around the world.

They are not living in 5 star accommodations, nor eating out at various restaurants, do not have the convenience of uninterrupted internet, local supermarkets, department stores, choices of schools for their children, even safe streets to roam freely and safely.

What I have just described are the benefits of working with MAF, so you can imagine the challenges we face when recruiting for the large number of various positions we have vacant at any one time. There are many positions that ensure an airline can operate; pilots need engineers to maintain safety, our partners need communications to deliver calls for assistance, communications need I.T. specialists to provide connectivity, I think you get the picture.

Recruiting for mission life is a specialist area in itself, as we are not filling jobs, we are fulfilling callings! The first question we ask a potential candidate is “Where is God in this, for you, your partner, your family?”

HELLO FROM OUR CEO

Our recruitment process is long and rigorous, from multiple interviews, assessments, training, attendance to courses for orientation and transition, so it is with understanding and care that we develop deep relationships with our people.

Other challenges that face our pilots and engineers; their studies can leave them with heavy student debt, many pilot hours and ongoing study can take applicants years before they can begin onboarding with us. This is why we are introducing a new fund later this year to assist with the Ministry Partnership every candidate must complete before being sent overseas. Ministry Partnership in essence is the process of building a support team around the candidate to provide encouragement and prayer, to finance them in the field and to give them a continued sense of belonging at home.

We are blessed to have so many supporters for MAF NZ and to all those who have chosen to journey alongside one or more of our staff, we thank you. Without you, we cannot accomplish our mission providing help, hope and healing to people in the most remote communities of the world.

Mark Fox, CEO, MAF NZ

ARE YOU READY FOR THE ADVENTURE OF A LIFETIME?

Our MAF team is full of everyday people who said YES to adventure. They’re people just like you - men, women,young adults, married couples, families, empty-nesters - who have said YES to using their unique skills to make an impact on a global scale. As the largest humanitarian air operator in the world, we have over 1,300 staff who work to bring help, hope and healing to the world’s most isolated people. We have pilots and engineers who make sure our planes can answer the call of desperate need in hard-to-reach places. But behind the planes is also an army of Administrators, Managers, Finance gurus, Communications Officers, Maintenance workers, IT Managers and many more who enable MAF’s lifesaving flights.

So now we put the call to you. Will you say YES to the adventure of a lifetime by joining the MAF team? You could be the very person we are looking for to fill crucial roles around the world.

Find out more about the recruitment process and our current vacancies on the following page.

Jane Eddy Recruitment Manager MAF New Zealand

WE’RE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE MISSION-READY

MAF LOOKS FOR THE FOLLOWING QUALITIES IN THEIR TEAM MEMBERS...

THE MAF RECRUITMENT PROCESS

The process is an in-depth journey of discernment and reflection of the call God has on your life.

1 2 3 4 5

Getting to know you

• Expressions of interest

• Resume

• References & application

• Skills & experience

• Technical Evaluation

Country Directors

Locations:

• Papua New Guinea

• South Sudan

• Liberia

Finance Managers

Various locations

Residential Housing Managers

Location: Papua New Guinea

Key Responsibility: Manage a boarding-style house to provide interim parental care for MAF children aged 12-17. This boarding house enables students to attend Ukarumpa International School while their parents serve with MAF across PNG.

Maintenance

Locations: Australia & Timor Leste

• Medical & psychological assessment

Further training & preparation for role

• Technical MAF specific assessments and preparation for pilots and engineers.

• Cross-cultural training; resource and equpping for transition.

• Requirement to partner with Churches and engage in fundraising activities

The adventure begins! Assessment Ministry Partnership

• Orientation as you commence service

• Induction when starting in program

• Support as you begin and throughout your new adventure/career with MAF

We are looking for a Head of Maintenance to join our AMO (Australian Aircraft Maintenance Organisation) which covers operations in Mareeba, Arnhem Land & Timor Leste. We are also looking for two Maintenance Operations Supervisors to join the Technical Operations teams in Mareeba and Arnhem Land.

Experienced Pilots

Various locations

To see more vacancies, learn more about these roles and apply, scan this QR code.

“SO MUCH OF OUR MINISTRY AS MISSION PILOTS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH FLYING AEROPLANES!”

- BRIDGET INGHAM

BEYOND

THE PLANE:

MAF Kiwi’s, pilot Bridget Ingham and nurse Jessica Hunt, worked together to bring reading glasses to rural PNG communities like Hesalibi to enable people to read God’s word.

MAF regularly flies newspapers to those living in remote locations so they can stay connected to life outside their villages.

On this occasion during a visit, Bridget had taken a photo of some of the men in the village reading the newspaper. This picture had made it on the cover of the next newspaper edition, and so Bridget was eager to show them their photo.

A local community member from Hesalibi was visiting the airstrip when Bridget arrived.

After showing the newspaper and recreating the photo, the local visitor told Bridget that he could not actually read the newspaper.

HOW

TWO KIWI WOMEN WENT ABOVE & BEYOND, BRINGING NEW VISION TO THE PEOPLE OF PNG

He followed this by asking her the question; “Do you have any reading glasses?”

In many of the rural areas, reading glasses are not readily available, and many people struggle to read the Bibles or newspapers they receive. When back in Mount Hagen, Bridget mentioned this issue to Jessica Hunt, a nurse married to MAF engineer Benjamin Hunt.

Together Jessica and Bridget were able to find affordable reading glasses and get them through MAF in Cairns, Australia.

Following their arrival, Bridget returned to Hesalibi and brought the reading glasses with her. After landing she sought the previous visitor out. “Do you remember that you asked me about reading glasses?” asked Bridget. “Today I have some.”

Bridget was able to gift the funds that went towards purchasing

reading glasses for the community member.

“Ahh, my friend! My best friend!” exclaimed the visitor.

With these glasses, those in Hesalibi will be able to grow in their understanding of the gospel as well. MAF has been able to provide Bibles through the Bible Box project, but now many more can read and understand the Word of God because of Bridget and Jessica.

“The reading glasses have already been delivered to the other (MAF) bases and put in Bible Boxes,” said Jessica.

Throughout MAF PNG there are many people who play many roles and work together in a team effort to go the extra mile. MAF employees use the resources that God has provided them to assist in any way they can.

STORY BY ASHLEY LEVENHORST & BRIDGET INGHAM

Fast Tracking The Gospel Through Heart Languages

Technology is speeding up the process for translating the Bible into the native languages of Papua New Guinea.

Communities in Papua New Guinea are receiving the Bible in their heart language for the first time, thanks to innovations that are speeding up the work of Bible translators.

This exciting new era means MAF Technologies can help organisations like Wycliffe Associates by updating software and apps on their computers and mobile phones translators use in their work.

MAF Technologies Ministry Partnership officer Caine Ruruk revealed that so far MAF Technologies has supplied over four hundred translation kits to Wycliffe translation teams across the country, allowing them to translate various local language Bibles.

“Basically, for MAF Technologies, we are helping the process of Bible Translations by lending hands to the Bible translators through supplying appropriate Technology for National Translators or (TNTs) for efficient and accurate Bible translations,” he said.

MAF Technologies, based in Goroka, is known to be the Asia Pacific region’s sole media centre that sells audio Bible devices. MAF Technologies has Bible programs that are already translated into multiple heart languages as audio versions.

With the initiative, many people who only speak local languages, are blessed to listen to God’s word. The audio Bibles also reach people who are unable to read.

Thompson Luke, a spokesman from the Kenain village in the Simbai area of Madang Province said that the initiative has enabled many older people who do not understand English and Tok Pisin to hear the word of God in their heart language via audio Bibles.

“Even though many of our elderly individuals are illiterate, they are fortunate to hear God’s word through translations of our native Kalam language via audio Bibles. And we see that it has strengthened their faith as they daily listen to, and meditate on God’s word,” Luke said.

Meanwhile, Wycliffe Associates Highlands Regional Coordinator, Misson Ayabe, in a report reveals that seven (7) translation projects in PNG were successfully completed in a considerably faster and shorter period of time with the help of technology. “One of the notable achievements is the completion of our Tok Pisin Unlocked Literal Bible (ULB) version project and its completion as a gateway language serves as a pivotal source text for ongoing and subsequent mother tongue translation projects in PNG,” he said.

Working under the guidance and authority of local churches, Bible translation organisations such as Papua New Guinea Bible Translation Association (PNGBTA), Summer Institute of Linguistics International (SIL) and Wycliffe Associates liaise with MAF Technologies to create a pathway for the gospel to reach thousands of lives. Through the use of modern technologies, the work of translating the Bible into PNG’s many heart languages is being completed at a faster pace.

STORY BY KOWARA BELL, EDITED BY SEAN ATKINS, PHOTO BY LANDEN KELLY

Why not try reading this famous verse, John 3:16 in the Kalam language of Simbai in PNG’s Madang Province.

Meet Captain Ping

Lungpinglak Domtta has travelled a long way from his home in India, via a spell in Africa, to Timor-Leste.

But the energetic pilot, known as Captain Ping, feels at home in the country and has found a sense of family within the Mission Aviation Fellowship and the community.

He is making a big impact in Timor-Leste, where medical flights make up a large proportion of MAF’s work, flying over 200 medevacs since arrival to this country.

“I’m excited and blessed to be part of the amazing service we do here. And in over two years, I have flown more than 200 medevacs. I have flown 2300 hours so far, and in 2023, I flew 300 hours,” he said.

“It’s a very proud moment because 200 medical evacuations mean 200 families were given hope through our aircraft operation here in Timor-Leste.”

Ping comes from Nagaland, a small state in the north-east of India, and his career as a pilot began when he was working for a charter company in Kolkata, but his transition to MAF led him to the stage where he could combine his passion for flying and serve God’s people in remote places.

“Growing up, I never heard about any such organisation where you can combine your passion for flying with your desire to serve God,” said Ping.

Ping’s transition to MAF started when he was introduced to the organisation by a workmate from Bangladesh. He started with MAF in 2016 in Arnhem Land, then moved to Africa.

Ping shares a brief highlight from his time in Uganda during COVID where he had a chance to fly vaccines.

“During peak COVID time, I was in Uganda. The whole country was in lockdown, but I had the opportunity to fly vaccines to Congo. I recall how I was not allowed even to step out of the aircraft in Congo. It was a good experience and a blessing to me,” he said.

“In 2020, the western part of Uganda experienced flooding. I was part of the team there and did seven relief supplies flights, and as a MAF programme in Uganda, we did around 28 flights.”

“I could see MAF as an organisation and me as an individual being able to reach out to the isolated communities in that way.”

Moving to Timor-Leste in 2021, Ping feels at home in this young nation. “After I moved to this country, from the very first month, I already love this country and it made me feel like home. And I believe this is where God has called me.”

“Timor-Leste reminds me of home, the landscape, people, food, and culture. I come from Nagaland, from the north-eastern part of India, and I believe our cultures are alike in so many ways.”

“I like to play futsal, hike around Dili, and go to the beach. But there are days I just like to rest at home, recovering from work. I also like catching up and hosting people.”

“It’s been almost eight years since I’ve been with MAF, and whenever I meet people or sometimes when I share, I say that since I first joined MAF, it has always made me feel like family,” Ping said.

STORY BY LOBITOS DE JESUS ALVES

PHOTOS BY LOBITOS DE JESUS ALVES, LUNGPINGLAK DOMTTA

TIMOR-LESTE Country Profile

MAF Kiwi’s in Timor-Leste:

The Hitchin’s Family - Nick (Country Director), Ruth (Hospital Chaplain), Samuel (14) and Eddie (14), with Benji (18) recenty starting medical school at James Cook University in Cairns.

2023 stats:

• 545 hours flown

• 3,412 passengers flown

• 1,098 kg cargo flown

Programme Focus:

Serving the isolated people of Timor-Leste by providing a reliable medevac service as well as supporting the local economy with tourism support flights.

Frequent Flyers:

• Ministry of Health (Medevacs)

• ATKOMA (Atauro Tourism)

Barriers:

There are 20 national roads (1400km), which are often damaged by heavy rain, landslides and flooding. At best, there are approximately 300km of adequate roads that approaches ‘western’ standards. Traveling around Timor-Leste is hard, the drive from Viqueque to Dili takes six hours on poor mountain roads and accessing the islands like Atauro is impossible at times by boat due to the seasonal winds. MAF enables organisations to get to their destinations quickly and safely. Accessing health care is hard for the 76.1% of the population who live in rural areas. MAF assists by providing flights to remote communities so NGOs can implement their vital relief and development work where it matters most.

Welcome to Co-Pilot!

Co-Pilot is a network of youth and young adults who want to partner with the work of MAF through prayer, finances, local representation and maybe even as MAF missionaries. Co- Pilot is here to create a community for mission oriented young people in NZ to connect and explore the never ending opportunities to serve our world. So there is plenty of room for those who are interested in missions outside of MAF as well.

The goal is to create community through local Co-Pilot communities around New Zealand who meet quarterly. Together, Stephen and these local Co-Pilot groups will run and host events throughout the year including camping trips, worship nights, international speakers, flights in the MAF plane, game nights and short term overseas outreaches.

Our hope is that Co-Pilot will be a community that ignites the hearts of young Kiwi’s to answer the call of missions locally and internationally.

NEXT GENERATION IN TRAINING

JOIN US ONBOARD AT @MAFCOPILOT_NZ

STEPHEN WOOD, MAF YOUTH ENGAGEMENT DIRECTOR

Ashley’s Adventure

Ashley Leyenhorst explains why she took time out from university and the comforts of home for a short-term volunteer role with MAF.

Could you be the next young person to take this life-changing experience?

As a 20-year-old university student from Canada, Ashley Leyenhorst has a world of opportunities ahead of her. But she chose to put it all on hold for six months to test herself in the beautiful but challenging environment of Papua New Guinea.

The business and marketing student joined Mission Aviation Fellowship’s communications team on a Mission Experience Placement which has allowed her to experience a different way of life, engage in mission work, and undergo personal growth.

Ashley admits that it felt a big step moving across the world, but she has acquired new skills and learned a lot about herself.

“I have been able to learn a lot of different skills while being here,” says Ashley. “Some of the skills I knew back home were able to apply. “But there’s been a lot of things that have been pushing me out of my comfort zone in the best way. “I was able to learn a lot in regards to communicating and interviewing people.”

Ashley’s connection with MAF dates back to her childhood when the organisation’s work was introduced in her church. The dream of becoming a pilot lingered briefly, but her fascination with MAF persisted, driving her to explore voluntary opportunities overseas.

PNG, she describes, is a visually stunning land with friendly people. However, beneath the surface lies the need for economic growth and infrastructure development, highlighting the crucial role of MAF’s air services in connecting remote villages.

“The flight ops here are very necessary because there is a lot of isolation, and many villages are only accessible by flight since there are no roads. Walking to a health centre or the nearest city would take days,” explains Ashley.

Capturing stories is Ashley’s day-to-day work, joining flights to report on MAF’s impact, managing social media posts and crafting engaging content. This also involves mastering software like Photoshop and InDesign. However, the highlight of Ashley’s learning journey was embracing the local language.

“I’ve been able to learn a lot of Tok Pisin. It has been an awesome skill to be able to pick up, to be able to communicate with those around you. And it provides a certain level of comfort knowing that whatever situation you’re in, you can communicate with those around you,” said Ashley.

Ashley’s journey in PNG not only shaped her professional skills but also deepened her faith. The isolation from family and friends, coupled with limited freedom of movement for safety reasons, led to a stronger reliance on God.

“It has shaped a greater dependence on God and appreciation for what God provides. There’s an atmosphere of faith and Christian support here in MAF. A new family is found through God’s family,” reflects Ashley.

Her advice for young adults is to consider whether a placement could be the right next step for you. “This is a life-changing experience. I strongly recommend it. God had it all in his hands, and he brought it all together,” says Ashley.

STORY BY MANDY GLASS, PHOTOS BY ASHLEY LEYENHORST, GLENYS WATSON & MANDY GLASS

Find out more about Short-Term Experiences at www.maf.org.nz/short-term

PAPUA NEW GUINEA FUEL CRISIS

THE ISSUE

PNG’s only fuel supplier advised in mid-February 2024 that they would be unable to continue to supply fuel to the wider aviation community. This has lead to country-wide disruption in fuel supply, with only weeks of supply left.

THE IMAPCT

The ramifications of this fuel shortage extend far beyond MAF’s operations. It affects the livelihoods and well-being of the people in remote communities who depend on our air service

OUR RESPONSE

MAF is diligently working to minimise disruptions to our operations, including reducing flying hours, prioritising critical flights, and optimising routes. We have also introduced a fuel surcharge and are calling on our global partners to provide assistance while a long term solution is developed.

While MAF Papua New Guinea’s team works hard to find solutions to an ongoing fuel crisis, the impact of necessary fuel surcharges is felt far and wide when normal community service flights must be constrained.

A recent shortage of JETA1 aviation fuel in Papua New Guinea has affected all aviation operators including MAF’s fleet of Cessna Caravans based at various locations across the country.

“We’ve recently had to say ‘no’ to some flights due to restricted fuel availability,” Wilfred Knigge of MAF’s Booking and Operation Centre explained. “We are asking all flight enquirers for their reason to travel and then using a ‘mission impact flight programming list’ to help us prioritise flights that are medevacs, or church and mission, education or health related.

“Unfortunately, when fuel is limited we have to say ‘no’ to flying vegetables and coffee to market, which means that isolated people are missing out on revenue that they use for their children’s school fees. We also have to say ‘no’ to body charters that return deceased persons to their families in the bush, and also to shuttle flights for general persons just wanting to get from A to B.”

A 200-litre drum of fuel that previously cost around USD 350 will now cost over USD 700 if MAF has to import drum stock from New Zealand. Whilst there has been some signs of progress with the local supplier in recent days, supply is still insecure and fuel costs will remain high as the crisis continues. Wilfred highlighted that “it is the continuation of the supply that concerns us.”

Nancy Ikate, also from the Booking and Operation Centre, explained that “while a fuel surcharge is in place, we’re seeing that people are not able to afford to travel to or from places like Simbai, Kiunga, Telefomin, Balimo and Wewak. Agents in the bush are telling us that the people cannot afford to fly anymore.”

MAF PNG’s Fuel Coordinator, Paul Kaia, continues to help look for solutions to the crisis.

Due to the essential nature of MAF flights, the programme has recently secured agreement with the national energy company Puma to receive fuel directly from tanker trucks, but that provision does not include drum fuel.

MAF uses outlying bases and refuelling stops at Telefomin, Tabubil, Balimo and Tari to effectively reach isolated communities in those regions of PNG. With no access to drum fuel to supply those sites during the current crisis, MAF needs to import drums from New Zealand at a higher cost.

“I like to serve the people through our MAF ministry,” Paul said. “Serving people is the heartbeat of God, I would like to work hard and keep my focus and vision doing what is best for our people’s sake to see services reach the isolated people through our ministry. If you love your God, your will serve your people because they are God’s image, suffering in the remotest places.

“I wake up every morning seeking God’s wisdom and strength to keep me working hard. I want to be on top of everything regarding the fuel issue.

“People in the remote areas depend heavily on our aircraft. If we do not have fuel to go into the remote areas, lots of people will be affected, like Health Centres will close, due to no medicine. Schools will close due to no school material, teachers and medical officers not present in the remote places. Very sick people won’t make it to nearest hospitals, basic services won’t reach people and missionaries and church pastors won’t reach remote places. For us, the people in these remote areas, MAF is our lifeline.”

This lifeline is illustrated in a message MAF recently received from a school in a remote mountainous area between Telefomin and Tari.

The message said they are “very very honoured with tearful heart for your kind hearts of serving the people in rural and rugged areas of Papua New Guinea, specifically here in such a time like this.

“Therefore, with my deepest broken heart, I now thank you for your kindness in delivering my teacher’s rations today… at this time of suffering. Because no other third-party airlines were willing to provide such service at this very point of country’s fuel crisis time but only you MAF have done this to hear our cry of help. Thank you MAF for serving the rural people through the name of God which accomplish your real mission and vision of MAF operations in Papua New Guinea.”

MAF’s interim Country Director in PNG Doug Miles said the agreement with Puma had eased the immediate pressure on the programme, but it was still essential to source drum fuel to enable flights to reach remote areas.

“It has lessened, but the crisis is still very real,” he said. “The programme has already faced significant costs to import fuel due to the uncertainty caused by the crisis.

“Even with the improved supply at airports served by tankers, we still need to bring in drum fuel to areas such as Balimo, Tari, Telefomin and Tabubil.

“These refuelling stops allow our aircraft to access a spider’s web of other remote communities – they are important hubs for us. If we were to carry enough fuel from places like Mount Hagen, the extra weight would mean we would have to significantly reduce the supplies that those communities need.”

STORY BY MATT PAINTER

A 200L drum of fuel that previously cost $580NZD, now costs over $1000 NZD.

MAF PNG needs 500 drums of fuel per month to keep our planes in the sky. TO DONATE TOWARDS THE PNG FUEL CRISIS SCAN THE QR OR GO TO

MAF INFLIGHT EVENT WITH MAF INT CEO

7:30PM, FRIDAY 17TH MAY, 2024 FAITH CITY JUNXION CHURCH, 18 AMERSHAM WAY, MANUKAU, AUCKLAND

(Building next door to MAF office) Entrance is from Osterley Way, or from rear of building. Free parking is available across the road (after 6pm)

We are privileged to have the MAF International CEO, Dave Fyock speaking. Dave and wife Hilda have enjoyed over 25 years with MAF serving in Albania, Costa Rica and the US home office in Idaho. They currently serve in the UK with MAF International. Dave has a degree in aviation technology and is a licensed airframe and power plant mechanic as well as a commercial pilot.

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We are excited to announce that our Flying For Life magazines will be more frequent. We have made the decision to have our 2025 calendar on a pre-order basis from now on. We believe the best stewardship to reach more people with our work is through the magazine rather than the calendar.

To subcribe, please scan the QR code or go to www.maf.org.nz/connect

LEAVE A LEGACY

Leave your own legacy by remembering MAF in your Will. By doing so, you will provide a lifeline beyond your lifetime to those who really need it - a promise of a better life for the isolated people MAF serves everyday.

Talk to your solicitor, or if you would like more information or a brochure, scan the QR or visit www.maf.org.nz/legacy