Flying For Life Magazine - 75th Anniversary Edition

SPECIAL ANNIVERSARY EDITION 2020

02 THE VISION THAT STARTED MAF 04 A BOLD NEW VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF MAF NZ 08 STAFF WHO SERVED WITH MAF FOR OUR LATEST NEWS OR TO DONATE, VISIT MAF.ORG.NZ OR CALL US (TOLL-FREE) 0800 87 85 88

POSTPONEMENT NOTICE

THE Story edited by Tim Houghton/ Photos from MAF archive

IN LIGHT OF THE EVOLVING SITUATION WITH COVID-19, THE NEW DATES FOR OUR 75TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION WILL BE 6-8 NOVEMBER 2020.

VISION

THAT STARTED MAF

Photo: The Miles Gemini at Broxbourne Airport in 1947, preparing for a preliminary tour of the UK.

TODAY, MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP HAS 130 AIRCRAFTS IN 30 COUNTRIES AND 1400 STAFF. BUT HOW DID IT ALL BEGIN? WHAT WAS THE SPARK THAT CREATED WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS MAF? THIS IS THE STORY OF THE YOUNG NEW ZEALAND PILOT IN WORLD WAR II WHO FIRST HEARD FROM GOD—AND THE TENACITY AND DETERMINATION IT TOOK TO TURN A DREAM INTO REALITY.

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Born in Auckland in 1917, Murray Kendon says, “I was converted in 1933 at the age of 16. From then on I was working to bring others to the Lord”. With time, an urgency grew in Murray’s heart: “I wanted to find a way to get the message of the reality of true life in Jesus Christ to those living far away from a city or town, especially to the young people. So, in early 1937, a like-minded friend and I left our work and homes to sing and preach in small townships and scattered settlements throughout New Zealand”. They held evangelistic meetings into the early years of WW II, until they were no longer allowed to buy petrol for such work.

As war loomed heavy on the horizon, Murray was called up for military service in 1942, and entered the air force. He learned to fly in Christchurch, continued his training in Canada and completed his

qualifications in England.

During this time, Murray used weekends and leave to preach. It was at one such meeting that Murray met his future wife, Minnie, who was hungry to learn the Bible.

Murray’s active service was with 179 Squadron, flying as a Wellington co-pilot. They were armed with depth charges, machine guns, 22 million-candle power searchlights and powerful radar. Their brief was to comb the Atlantic to find and destroy the U-Boats which were sinking Allied ships.

We are so grateful to the team at Totara Springs Christian Centre, who have agreed to these new dates.

We realise this decision will be met with disappointment. As well as needing to keep the well-being of all attendees in mind. We want to make sure as many people as possible are able to join us for what will be a historic and significant occasion!

We are extremely excited about these new dates and the warmer weather of November in which to enjoy all that Totara Springs has to offer.

We continue to believe for God’s best and pray for our nation and global community.

LONG TIME AGO...

A Dream One Night Murray recalled, “One night, while flying over the Bay of Biscay on U-boat patrol, I could see in the distance the flak coming from the anti-aircraft guns as the searchlights scanned the sky over France, looking for a British ‘thousand-bomber raid’”. It stirred something in his heart. Murray later wrote down his thoughts: “How come thousands of planes can be found to kill and destroy, but only a handful to spread God’s amazing offer of free forgiveness and eternal life in glory?”

Years before, Murray had heard the story of a missionary team who set out to find a tribe deep in the jungle. They returned weeks later starving, worn out by incredible hardship and almost killed by a flash flood, which had destroyed their canoe. At the time, Murray was convinced that small aircraft would have been invaluable in rapidly providing mapping, transport and supplies. Now he was once again reminded about the potential of aircraft as a mission tool.

In 1944, not long before the end of WWII, Murray was joined by Trevor Strong, another Kiwi pilot who had spent nine months as a POW. Trevor had felt a call to missions, and also gained a vision of using aircraft for evangelism. So it was with great enthusiasm that he applied himself to the task of making Murray’s dream a reality.

The Dream Takes Shape With the dream these two men shared still in its fledgling stage, and many challenges facing them, Murray went to visit Dr Thomas Cochrane, president

Photo: "During the 3,600 mile promotional tour in the UK 20,000 people heard about the plans for MAF". (Murray on far right).

“I remember when Murray Kendon came to my home church known as the Thomas Cooper Memorial Church in Lincoln England and he flew his Miles Gemini plane into Scampton a few miles south of the city. It was a promotional weekend and I have been a member since then. I am now 87 years old, shortly to be 88. But I still remember that weekend.

I was a boy of 13 at that time.

—Long-time MAF friend and supporter Brian Mitchersonk.

of the Movement for World Evangelism at the Mildmay Centre in London. Murray poured out his passion and the possibility of using planes to enable missionary work, and Dr. Cochrane’s answer was swift and direct: “God has laid this on your heart, Murray, perhaps He wants you to do something about it yourself. You pray about it, write an article, and I will publish it.”

Thus, on 5th July 1945, the first recorded thoughts about a MAF-type operation were published in an English Christian newspaper, “A Christian Weekly”. This article was embraced by a number of Christian pilots including RAF engineer Stuart King, squadron leader Jack Hemmings, and others.

In 1946 Murray flew to America to connect with Christian Airmen’s Missionary Fellowship, which had begun with Betty Greene two years prior. Through this inter-continental meeting, the aviation group in the USA found their vision and names almost identical, and decided to work alongside Murray’s organisation. They later took on the common name of Missionary Aviation Fellowship.

Starting in 1945 MAF was promoted in New Zealand.

Prayer groups were formed and funds raised, initially to support the work of MAF in Africa. In 1946, Trevor Strong returned to New Zealand, setting up the MAF committee in 1947. By 1959, MAF New Zealand was officially incorporated as a society. The rest, as they say, is history.

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BOLD

NEW

VISION

FOR THE FUTURE OF MAF NZ “WE ARE ALL AWARE OF THE CURRENT CHALLENGES, BUT I KNOW THAT GOD IS STILL SOVEREIGN AND HIS PLANS AND PURPOSE FOR MAF NEW ZEALAND ARE STEADFAST. I WONDER IF WE SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE A BOLD STEP FORWARD—AS THE LORD LEADS—IN EXPANDING THE MINISTRY OF MAF IN NEW ZEALAND?” –IAN MCBRIDE,

CHAIR OF THE MAF NEW ZEALAND BOARD

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This year MAF celebrates 75 years as a global family of God’s people reaching the isolated. Here in Aotearoa we are looking forward to celebrating together when we gather at Totara Springs, with the new dates set for 6-8 November.

Throughout our 75 years MAF has had to overcome many challenges and today is no different—and we want to move forward with confidence.

Our history is marked by challenges, setbacks and sacrifice. I am reminded of the loss of our very first pilot Harry Hartwig and our only aircraft in PNG just three months after starting operations there in 1952. This could have spelt the end of a less determined group, but thanks be to God it did not.

It is clear that many things in the world are changing, and we will need to adapt to those changes. It is also clear that many things will not change, most notable of all being the clear call of God to go and make disciples of all nations. MAF is a ministry that above all is about people reaching people.

MAF New Zealand has always been a leading provider of people to the ministry of MAF globally, and this is one of our strengths as a nation.

We have a proud history of recruiting and sending highly capable and effective people. We have a vision to continue doing that even more.

Photo: Ian McBride, Chairman, with Jim Veitch, Board, sitting in one of the last Twin Otters to fly in PNG.

Service with MAF requires a range of skills, abilities and experience—but pathways to develop the necessary skills and experience needed by MAF are not as readily available as they once were.

As we have observed the changing landscape of recruiting and developing people for MAF ministry, we have seen an ever-increasing need to fill some of the gaps that exist for candidates. While the Lord leads people along many different pathways in their journey to MAF, we believe it’s time for MAF NZ to take a bold step forward and provide a much more effective platform to assist and support people towards service with MAF globally.

This is something we are wrestling with. How do we counsel a young man or woman who has a heart to serve with MAF about the best pathway for them to take? What strategic partnerships can we form with training providers and companies in New Zealand to help people jump that gap? What can we do to help people gain the training and experience they need?

For some time we have felt strongly that a key step will be the development of a “MAF hub”, preferably in a hangar at a New Zealand airport. This centre would provide office space, accommodation and training facilities as well as opportunities for all manner of aviation-based activities and enterprise, including flight training, maintenance, charter, logistics, and the list goes on. While a centre could be years in the making, we are wondering whether it’s time to take the first step by identifying a facility, which, over time would turn this dream into reality.

Funding would be a step of faith. Firstly, since the sale of the MAF hangar at Ardmore some years ago, funds designated for that purpose were set aside and retained as an investment, and can be made available. Secondly, we recently received a large one-off gift specifically given for this purpose. Thirdly, we would seek to fundraise further money towards the purchase.

There are many things for us to consider, including vision, strategic fit both for New Zealand and internationally, the location, finance and the usual due diligence that goes into the purchase of any building. With the current pandemic, we need wisdom and faith for such times. As we consider this step, we ask that you join us in seeking the Lord’s leading!

Photo: This former MAF hangar, purchased in 1989 at Ardmore airport, is the kind of hangar we would like to have again, as a Training Centre and hub for developing and preparing staff to serve with MAF.

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MAF NZ

HISTORY

1946

1945

Murray Kendon flew to America to connect with Christian Airmen’s Missionary Fellowship (CAMF). Through this inter-continental meeting, the aviation group in the USA found their vision and name almost identical, and decided to work alongside MAF in the UK. They took on the common name of Missionary Aviation Fellowship, a name which was later changed by all MAF T groups to Mission Aviation N Fellowship.

Murray Kendon, a New Zealander who flew in the RAF in World War II, published an article in the UK “A Christian Weekly”, asking for prayer, support and pilots for an aviation mission venture.

Murray Kendon and Trevor Strong “demobbed” at the end of World War II and began meeting with others for prayer, Bible study and discussion of using aircraft to aid mission work.

1979

1984

1962-63

MAF New Z ealand purchased a Cessna 172 for train ing, following th e vision of David Bro wn of Christian A viation.

Rod Peek took up full-time position as Executive Director of MAF NZ (1984– 1989)

1989

Official opening of newly constructed Flight Training Centre at Ardmore Airport on Saturday, 8 April.

Ted Crawford became General Manager of MAF NZ (1989–2001)

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MAF-Air Services, the engineering and training organisation for MAF, was established on the former RAAF base at Ballarat in 1961 by Alex & Mollie Jardine from New Zealand Doug & Glennis Hunt became MAF NZ’s first operational staff when they moved to PNG. MAF New Zealand operated out of its first office, above the Bible College at the top of Queen Street in Auckland.

2002 Rick Velvin became General Manager of MAF NZ (2002– 2008)

2001 Brian Caston became General Manager of MAF NZ (20012002)

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1961

More New Zealand staff head overseas, including Roger & Rose Young, Laurie & Dawn Darrington and Alan & Naomi Collecut.

2008

Mark Fox became CEO of MAF NZ (2008–present) Frank Carter (second from left) rode “DOT” (the motorbike in the photo below) 4,598 kilometres from Cape Reinga to Bluff in the “Ride To Fly” fundraiser. The event raised $50,000 for MAF.

1947

Trevor returned to New Zealand in 1946 where he formed the first MAF prayer and support communities, promoting MAF in New Zealand.

Trevor was the first chairman of the NZ Committee and, later, the Council that formed in the 1950s. WWII photo of Flight Lieutenant Trevor Strong (co-founder of MAF NZ).

1960

New Zealand farmers Trevor and Helen Bryant were moved by God to sell their property and give the entire proceeds to MAF, with the result that aircraft maintenance facilities at Ballarat were established.

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Murray stayed in the UK to promote MAF and help purchase the Miles Gemini (which was to make the first MAF survey flight in Africa). From left to right: pilot Jack Hemmings, Murray Kendon, Stuart King and Ken Ellis during the UK tour. During the tour 20,000 people heard about the plans for MAF.Â

1952

Vic Ambrose from MAF Australia came to New Zealand and gave the organisation a boost, as did Grady Parrot from USA a little later.

2016

AF 1917, M in n r ray Bo ry Mur visiona ssed away n pa Kendo esday, 27 on Tu y.

Ma

2015

Rick Velvin and John N (left) eal (right photo) ca rried out th in e thre day ferry fl ight from C eMark Fox, airns.

(M The Cessn AF NZ CEO) in centre. a 206 land ed at Ardm airport on ore Wednesda y, 11 Marc Over 50 p h. eople gath ered at the hangar of Christian A viation to be part of the Dedica tion of the airc raft.

Murray Kendon with th a e UK-bas long of Jack e d tea H King de emmings and m dicated Stuart th to the L ord’s se e Miles Gemin Airport i rv on 13 Ja ice at Croydo n n u ary, jus take-off t before to mission Africa on its first to surv areas o ey possible f minist ry.

1950-51

1959

MAF NZ became an Incorporated Society on 29 May, 1959, with Trevor serving as President for a number of years.

1948

Waihi Born in vor , Tre in 1914 sed pas Strong, 8 away on t ya Februar . age 101

Following their move to NZ late in 1949, Murray & Minnie and family, travelled around New Zealand promoting missions and MAF.

2020

MAF WORLDWIDE CELEBRATE 75 YEARS OF FLYING FOR LIFE!

2017 Flying for Life t Charitable Trus s ea rs gained Ove us Donee Stat from the NZ Government.

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1961

PAST & CURRENT STAFF Over the 75 years since MAF began, 107 staff have gone out from New Zealand.

We have endeavoured to source the best quality staff photos available to us, but acknowledge that we were unable to locate photographs of some staff and that others are of low quality. We appreciate your understanding.

We have tried to accurately provide locations and start dates of past staff, but due to old records (and fading memories), some may not be entirely correct.

PAST STAFF (with red box).

Many of our past staff worked in multiple locations, in which case we indicated where they spent the most time.

PNG - HUNT, Doug & Glennis

1963

1962

PNG - DARRINGTON, Laurie & Dawn

1965

PNG - HARVERSON, John & Joan

1967

PNG - COLLICUTT, Alan & Naomi

PNG - YOUNG, Roger & Rose

PNG - KATER, Bert & Bev vale Nellie

PNG - JOSLIN, Roy & Moya

Ballarat - CHISHOLM, Gordon

1966

PNG - CRAWFORD, Ted & Elsie

South Sudan GRAHAM, David & Helen

CURRENT STAFF (with blue box).

We have shown current staff in their present location.

Ballarat - JOHNSTON, Clive & Cora

Arnhem Land - WARD, Ross & Ngaire

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Indonesia - STEWART, David & Judith

1969 1971

1981

1982

PNG - DIXON, Grant & Sharon

PNG - BLACKFORD, Paul & Jan

PNG - AMOORE, Phil & Mary

1984 PNG - BLACK, Murray & Cathie

1980

1978

Arnhem Land MARTIS, Alan & Alrena

PNG - VELVIN, Rick & Lauryn

1979

1985 PNG - SUMMERFIELD, Paul & Sally

PNG - ALLETSON, Peter & Rosmund

PNG - ARCHER, Bryan and Valerie

1986

1977

Arnhem Land - WILLIS, Kevin & Nancy

PNG - SIMMONS, Colin & Jackie

PNG - HERUS, Valerie

1988 PNG - WOOD, Marjorie

1975 1972

PNG - HARCOURT, Tony & Liz

Indonesia - HUME, Leo & Glenys

PNG - FALCONER, Merv & Avril

PNG - DICKSON, Graeme & Karina

PNG - VAN BERKEL, Nick & Kathy

1976

NZ-based MCINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary

PNG - BRUCE, Chris & Dianne

1989 PNG - SCANLAN, Peter & Sheryl

PNG - DALEY, Alan & Robyn

Ballarat - SCOTT, Peter & Brenda

Central Australia STEVENS, David & Kay

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1990

PAST & CURRENT STAFF

1991

PNG - MILES, Doug & Yvonne

PNG - ANDERSON, Karl & Betsy

Mareeba LE POIDEVIN, Jonathan & Deborah

1994 Arnhem Land TAPSELL, Andrea

Arnhem Land MCBRIDE, Ian & Nikki

Cairns - HARDING, Bill & Angela

PNG - HANSEN, Chris & Janice

Arnhem Land - PRICE, Andrew & Jude

PNG - WEST, Richard & Cherie

2001 Arnhem Land KNIGHT, Brenton & Janice

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Arnhem Land MCLEAN, Stuart & Gillian

Cairns - WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary

Arnhem Land HANSEN, Richard & Melinie

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Ballarat - SMITH, Murray & Kathy

PNG - WILKINSON, Dave & Jenny

1998 Cairns - NICOL, William & Meryl

2000

2002 Mareeba - JONES, Paul & Connie

PNG - HITCHING, Mark

Arnhem Land PRENTICE, Gavin & Joanna

Tanzania - HIGHAM, Frank & Jenny

1997

Arnhem Land-BURT, Peter & Robyn

PNG - SHORE, Jan & Derek

1993

Arnhem Land MUIR, Leon & Lynn

1996

PNG - KEANE, Nigel & Adele

PNG - TURRELL, Callum & Grace

PNG - HARVEY, Don & Esther

Central Australia HALL, Robin & Rhyl

1995

1992

Kenya-BORLASE, Kevin & Liz

Central AustraliaGARWOOD, Scott & Cate

1999 Central Australia LINDSEY, Wayne & Rosie

PNG - HAY, Stewart & Debbie,

Arnhem Land SIMPSON, Richard & Fiona

2003

2004

2005

South Sudan - TIPPER, John & Kristina

Arnhem Land FILIMOEKAVA, Malakai & Hina

Madagascar - RAMSEY, Carl & Michelle

2007

Arnhem Land FALCONER, Andre & Caroline

Cairns - SMYTHE, Campbell & Janine

2009

2010 Arnhem Land CURRAN, Lisa

PNG - SIM, Godfrey & Glen

2008 Arnhem Land VAN EERTEN, Neville & Christine

Arnhem Land GOODFELLOW, Rachel

2011

Cairns - DICK, Andrew & Nadia

Arnhem Land DIPROSE, Kylan & Julianne

Arnhem Land - KOCH, Eric & Adriana

2015 PNG - PATTEN, Dallas

Arnhem Land - NEL, Brett & Michelle

Arnhem Land - SIMS, Grant & Diane

PNG - BLAND, Gordon & Janine

Arnhem Land HIGHAM, Peter & Tiina

Tree Tops - SCHWASS, Gavin & Sue

2014

Arnhem Land VAUTIER, Des & Emily

NZ-based - MATHEWS, Ken & Erica

2013 PNG - REYNOLDS, Craig & Sharon

Timor Leste MACDONALD, Andrew

Arnhem Land CARADUS, David & Kimberley

Mareeba - GARWOOD, Jon & Carla

2017

2018

Arnhem Land - DE'ATH, Chris & Ruth

Arnhem Land - LAIRD, Mel

Kenya - CAMERON, Ryan

Cairns - NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela

2012

2016 PNG - MCGEORGE, Emma

Arnhem Land HOBSON, Paul & Abby

Tree Tops - AUSTIN, Peter & Avrienne

Kenya - JOHNSTON, Sam

Mareeba -HASTIE, Kerry & Marie

2020 PNG - CAMPBELL, Andy

PNG - WATSON, Jonny & Glenys

Arnhem Land POTHULA, Prabhu & Christina

2019 PNG - HUNT, Benji & Jess

Mareeba - INGHAM, Bridget

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“God has laid this on your heart, Murray, perhaps He wants you to do something about it yourself”

in

2019

This is the challenge Dr. Thomas Cochrane of the Mildmay Centre in London laid before a young Murray Kendon 75 years ago. All of the staff who have gone out from New Zealand since then, no matter whether long or short term, or to which country they were sent, have heard this same challenge and responded.

alone:

40,000 flight hours

For the 75th Celebration I had wondered if it would be possible to calculate the total number of flights, the kilometers flown, the amount of cargo and the number of passengers carried since 1945. This, of course, quickly proved to be overwhelming. I can tell you, however, that last year alone, MAF aircraft flew 40,000 hours, covering 7,271,490 kilometers, transporting 5,168,291 kgs of urgently needed cargo and were supported by 1308 dedicated staff. Can you imagine what these figures would look like extrapulated over a 75-year period?

7M more than

kms

Yet even these amazing figures might not mean much, because in reality it’s always been the lives touched and communities transformed that really matters, and which make all of the commitment and hard work worthwhile.

Last year we allowed 2,145 organisations, including pastors, teachers, aid workers, doctors, missions and medical teams to get to where God had called them. Can you imagine the positive impact that MAF has been able to have on people isolated from the resources they need to build a better life for them and their families?

From the time Dr. Cochrane spoke those words, MAF has grown from a handful of World War Two pilots to 138 aircraft. I am so grateful for all those who have obeyed His call and used their gifts, training and experience to contribute to the service of others. I thank God for the thousands of men, women and families who have gone out with MAF, as well as for all those who have served on the Board, volunteered, prayed and given over the last seven decades to help keep MAF “Flying for Life”!

My thanks to everyone who has contributed to MAF New Zealand over the last 75 years!

MARK FOX, MAF NZ CEO

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covered

more than

5M

kgs of urgent cargo

supported by

1,308 dedicated staff

GIVING IT

ALL

Over the 75 years of its history, MAF has established an outstanding record of safe flying, despite operating in some of the most remote places on the planet. There are, however, also stories of sacrifice in the service of MAF.

Amongst the earliest was Nate Saint, one of the first MAF missionary pilots. Along with Jim Elliot and three others, Nate was martyred in Ecuador on Jan 8, 1956. Before he was killed, Jim Elliott famously asserted, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose”.

Four pilots from New Zealand have also "gained what they cannot lose" directly as a result of serving God with MAF. For these men—and for their wives and families—we are forever grateful.

JOHN HARVERSON On the morning of 23 June 1967, John Harverson took off from his home base of Wewak in PNG and flew to Telefomin, where he picked up two Baptist Bible College students before heading for Olsobip. Radio contact was lost along the way and they were never heard from again. A massive search followed for weeks over rugged terrain, but nothing was ever found of the plane or passengers.

Fifty years later family members in New Zealand felt a need to set up a permanent memorial for John. They contacted Mark Fox, MAF NZ CEO, who started to organise a memorial service to be held in PNG. MAF PNG wanted to honour all of the MAF pilots lost while serving God and the people of PNG. They consequently designed and built a permanent memorial at Mt Hagen HQ where the memorial service took place on 22 June 2018. Many of the Harverson family were present to honour John and a plaque in his memory was installed.

Plaque made by MAF PNG. Four of the eleven names are from New Zealand.

PAUL SUMMERFIELD Karl, the eldest son of Paul Summerfield recalls, “On the 28th of November 1985 my Dad got up before dawn, had breakfast and took off in his trusty Cessna 206. He never came home. Nobody's sure exactly why. He was a senior and very experienced missionary pilot flying with MAF in Papua New Guinea. Both my Dad and his passenger were killed instantly. My Mum received a phone call and managed, through her tears, to tell her little kids that ‘Daddy's gone missing’. Even at age 10, I knew what that meant. And, just like that, my Mum was all by herself, in Papua New Guinea, with four kids aged between 10 and 4”.

CHRIS HANSEN AND RICHARD WEST On 22 February 2005, two New Zealand pilots Chris Hansen, 37, and Richard West, 40, who shared a passion for missionary work and aviation, were killed when the Twin Otter turbo-prop aircraft they were co-piloting crashed.

They had been flying villagers back from Tabubil to Wobegon. All the others on board survived.

Chris and Janice, from Rotorua, joined MAF in 1994, flying first in central Australia. Richard and Cherie, from Auckland, joined MAF in Arnhem Land in 1996. Later both families moved to Telefomin in the Western Province of PNG. At the time of the accident, Chris had been flying in PNG for six years and Richard for three.

In response to his son’s death, Reg set up the Richard West Memorial Fund to raise money to help potential pilots overcome the hurdles in their training for service overseas. (Go to the Donate page of our website if you would like to give towards this fund).

PHOTO: John Harverson, a few days before he disappeared in 1967.

PHOTO: Paul Summerfield with his Cessna 206.

PHOTO: Chris Hansen From left: Chris, Jessica, Rochelle, Simeon and Janice

PHOTO: Richard West From left; Cherie, Marcus, Richard and Larissa

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A NEW START DOUBLE

Story and photos by Jessica Hunt

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IS MAF ALL ABOUT PLANES AND AVIATION? YOU MAY BE SURPRISED TO KNOW THAT PLANES ARE JUST THE TOOLS THAT WE USE TO HELP BRING TRANSFORMATION TO LIVES AND COMMUNITIES. MOST OF OUR STAFF—EVEN THOSE WHO DON’T FLY—THINK OF THEMSELVES AS MISSIONARIES. EACH YEAR MANY LIVES ARE TRANSFORMED ON THE GROUND, AS MAF FAMILIES LIVE AND WORK IN THEIR COMMUNITIES. THIS IS JUST ONE SUCH STORY, BY JESSICA HUNT IN PNG. HER HUSBAND BENJI IS AN AIRCRAFT ENGINEER AT THE MT HAGEN BASE. In February, our four-year old son Elliott started at the local school across the road from us. This was a huge step because, as far as we know, Elliott is the first white child to attend this particular school of over 1000 children! We are so proud of him for his bravery and friendliness to his classmates.

WE SPECIFICALLY CHOSE TO SEND ELLIOTT TO A LOCAL SCHOOL FOR THREE REASONS:

1) We wanted Elliott to be fully immersed in the language as we feel this is an important part of making PNG feel like home for him.

2) We felt this was a great way for him to meet local, national friends and develop life-long relationships.

3) This helps Benji and I get to know our local community and for them to know us, so we aren’t just the “strange white people behind the fences”. We will have an outreach through our local day-today life as well as MAF.

little street stalls would start calling for Timon until he came running. He was always very protective of Elliott, knew that he didn’t like having his hair touched, so would go ahead of him saying, “Don’t touch him”. He was always on the lookout for pickpockets or trouble in the market and would tell me which areas to avoid.

A few months ago Benji and I decided Timon had looked after us long enough. It was our turn to return the favour! We offered to send him to school with Elliott.

The first time I mentioned this to Timon, his face lit up and he looked so excited.

However, what followed was a roller coaster of disappointments, repeatedly being told there was no room in the school, trying another school, going back to Elliott’s school, being told we’d have to bribe our way in, then working out how to avoid giving in to the corruption.

Finally, we found out that both Elliott and Timon would start school together! God has definitely had the situation in hand—I don’t know how any of this could have happened otherwise!

But there is more to the story. We met Timon, a local boy, not long after we arrived in PNG. He’d stopped going to school two years before for family and financial reasons. Since then, he’d hung out at the huge, local veggie market, hoping for a few Kina to carry sacks of veggies for people. The “market boys” are known for drinking, smoking and causing trouble in the market.

Most of them live together under a crude shelter, the bigger boys picking on or beating up the little boys.

Timon was our “market boy”—and he stood out to us in lots of little ways. I would always try to find him among the crowds of young boys fighting to earn their $1 for the day. Whenever I arrived at the market, people in the

Now Timon has a completely new routine. He walks 1km to our house in the morning and has breakfast with us. He has learnt to brush his teeth, use a facecloth and take a hot shower (he was afraid to use hot water at first). He often asks to use the washing machine to wash his one other set of clothes while he is at school.

He takes healthy food to school and a bottle of filtered water. He works hard, sits down after a full day of school to do his homework and his English is improving.

We don’t know what Timon will be doing in 20 years, but we do know that he will have a much better chance with an education. We are praying that this will be an amazing new start to a young boy’s life!

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AN UPDATE ON THE IMPACT OF

From Mark Fox, CEO

COVID-19 ON MAF’S WORK I would like to update you on how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting MAF’s ministry, both here in New Zealand and around the world.

Internationally, about 85% of our overseas staff have remained in the country where they work and our aircraft are in position and ready to respond as needed. With due regard for potential risks, MAF is maintaining flight operations to provide urgently needed supplies to isolated people.

A Crisis Management Team (CMT) meets regularly to provide overall guidance and support for staff and programmes.

From around the world, stories are coming in about MAF’s role in

Donation via Cheques

the fight against COVID-19. In his national address, South Sudan’s Prime Minister Salva Kiir Mayardit, publicly thanked MAF for their support.

Meanwhile, in Bangladesh, MAF flew a medical team into several remote areas to enable their work among communities vulnerable to COVID-19.

Here in New Zealand we are following the NZ Government’s current advice.

To this end, our 75th Celebration has been postponed until 6-8 November 2020. The MAF New Zealand office staff are working from home, but we are available via phone at 0800 87 85 88 and email at info@maf.org.nz and would love to hear from you. We are looking forward to returning to the office when permitted!

Yes, MAF NZ are still able to accept cheques for donations, but since most banks are now phasing out this method of payment, here are some ways to ensure your donation still comes through to MAF.

It is vitally important that we are able to maintain our financial base so that, as soon as possible, MAF can fully resume our crucial services to those in need. If you are able to help keep MAF planes in the air and continue our life-saving work, your financial assistance would be welcomed and appreciated. The easiest way to make donations is online at: www.maf.org.nz.

Please contact us if you need any help with this.

In the midst of this storm, the task of sharing the good news of Jesus remains unchanged. In fact, it is more urgent than ever! We deeply appreciate your continued prayers for protection of the people we serve and for our staff around the world.

› Setup an automatic payment (contact the office for more information) › Pay via credit card (contact the MAF office Ph. 0800 87 85 88) › Pay via secure online donation on our website (www.maf.org.nz) › By internet banking to Bank Account: 06 0583 0528842 01 (be sure to let us know your name, and ID number if you know it).

We would like to help you transition to digital payment options so please call Mandy on Freephone 0800 87 85 88 between 8.30am and 3.30pm (Monday - Friday).

LEAVING A LEGACY

for Generations to Come

Just as Murray Kendon left a legacy that continues today, by remembering MAF in your Will, you too can provide a “lifeline beyond your lifetime” to those who really need it. Your legacy is a promise of a better life to the isolated people who MAF serve every day!

Regardless of its size, each bequest will help change lives for the better.

Many MAF flights are made possible by gifts left in Wills. Legacies are a very important part of keeping MAF flying.

Chat to your Solicitor or, if you would like more information or a brochure, email us at info@maf.org.nz or go to our website: maf.org.nz/page/bequests.

WE ARE RAISING AS MUCH AS WE CAN TO SUPPORT MAF’S LIFE-SAVING WORK IN OVER 30 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD AND WE NEED YOUR HELP! ORDER YOUR NEW ALL-DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT BOOK FOR 2020 AND RECEIVE HUNDREDS OF VALUABLE OFFERS FOR EVERYTHING YOU LOVE TO DO —AND HELP OUR FUNDRAISING AT THE SAME TIME!

maf.org.nz

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FAREWELL THANKS

GRANT AND SHARON DIXON

started serving with MAF in 1981 and continued for 39 years! Well done! Grant was an aircraft engineer and used these skills in Papua New Guinea, Ballarat, Mareeba and Cairns. In 2013, after 6 years in Recruitment, Grant and Sharon took on the role of providing Member Care to Asia/Pacific based staff living and working in hard places. This included visiting families in MAF programmes each year to support them. They also assisted with the two Orientation courses held each year, helping with facilitation and forming relationships with new staff.

PHOTO: Members of the Board praying for Grant and Sharon.

GORDON AND JANINE BLAND

were both born and raised in Wanganui New Zealand and served MAF for 5 years in Papua New Guinea and most recently, just over two months in Arnhem Land.

Gordon worked as the MAF Property and Vehicle Maintenance Manager.

He was responsible to make sure the staff housing and bases were in good repair and that all vehicles used by MAF ran smoothly. Gordon supervised up to 15 staff.

Janine was always willing to lend a hand and help out where needed. Her projects included teaching sewing at an orphanage in Mt Hagen (a skill that young girls could use to start a business in) and fitting out MAF houses for newly arriving families so everything was ready when they moved in.

MAF is an international Christian aviation organisation serving around 30 developing countries to reach people living in some of the world’s most isolated communities Operating more than 135 light aircraft, MAF flies into 2,500 remote destinations, transporting essential medical care, food and water supplies, relief teams and church workers enabling physical and spiritual care to reach countless thousands of people cut off due to formidable geographical barriers, natural disasters and political unrest.

FLYING FOR LIFE is the official magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship NZ. Articles may be reprinted with acknowledgment.

MAF New Zealand PO Box 76502 Manukau City, Auckland 2241 PHONE 0800 87 85 88 EMAIL info@maf.org.nz WEB maf.org.nz EDITOR Tim Houghton LAYOUT & DESIGN WindsorCreative PRINTING Roe Print Services