LIFETIMES OF SERVICE

All photos courtesy Ted and Elsie Crawford. Inset image of their wedding day, 4 March 1967.

TED & ELSIE’S STORY

Story by Ted Crawford. Edited by Tim Houghton.

For many years MAF New Zealand has “punched above its weight” in sending missionaries to serve overseas. But what has prepared so many Kiwis to successfully adapt to life on the mission field?

It is fascinating to see the foundations of family, church and hard work that were established in Ted Crawford’s life from the earliest years, and which helped prepare him for missionary service with MAF. Ted recalls: I can remember it as if it happened yesterday. I was nine years old. I had just cycled home when Dad asked me, “What do you want to become when you leave school?” Without thinking I answered, “Oh, either a farmer or a preacher.” I pondered my answer. Where on earth had that idea come from? My parents were both active Christians—but me, a preacher? Looking back, I can see that God was giving me a nudge in a direction that I had never ever considered.

I was born at home in Remuera, Auckland in 1936, just seven months after King Edward the VII came to the throne of England, but a small farm in Kumeu was home for the first 16 years of my life.

A strong family upbringing Both Mum and Dad were good examples for me in each and every way. Dad was a very skilled woodworker who worked hard to

take care of his family. He always set clear boundaries, and it was everybody’s expectation that we kept within them! Mum, in her quiet but strong way was a real example of humility, strength and spiritual guidance. Despite the pain from one hip that she endured for so long (she was house-bound for almost 20 years) she rarely complained. I enjoyed my upbringing on our little farm, but everything was pretty simple. In the early days we had electricity but no running hot water or inside toilet and certainly no refrigerator. Getting in firewood for the winter was both fun and hard work—with just a cart and our legs!

Exposure to missions Our Sunday School Superintendant was very overseas missionorientated. He was in touch with two missionaries who would always come and speak to us. One worked in China and the other amongst a pigmy tribe in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Both of these men would often stay in our home, so the concept of overseas mission was quite natural and normal for me. From a very young age, I can remember having Bible readings on Sunday mornings. As soon as I could walk to the Kumeu Sunday School, I was doing so, and put my hand up at the age of four in answer to the question “Who wants to go to heaven?” But it wasn’t until later that I fully gave my life to Jesus as my Saviour. Since then, it has been a time of continual growth—with a number of setbacks and downtimes!

A key step along the way When Doug Hunt, the very first MAF New Zealand missionary, was about to go overseas, a meeting was held. As it progressed it was as if a small voice said to me, “This is something you could do!” Doug held a “Field Day” at Ardmore airport where people could take a “joy ride.” I believe that the God we worship today is the same God that Gideon worshiped centuries ago, and so I asked God to give me a sign—that I would either be thrilled with the flight—or I’d be sick! I knew the latter would be embarrassing, but it would be a very clear indication! But when I arrived I was told, “Sorry, all the seats have been taken.” I was confused and wondered if God was shutting the door. You can imagine my delight and surprise when Trevor Strong, then Chairman of MAF NZ, came over and told me that he had heard of my desire to have a flight and had asked if someone would be willing to give up their seat! I was thrilled with the experience! I knelt by my bed for a number of nights after this, asking God if I had heard the message correctly—it would mean breaking up our family farming partnership. From the time I first started flying, I kept in contact with MAF through the Mission Aviation Youth Fellowship (MAYF), which met monthly in the home of Kiwis Mr. and Mrs. Ken Nobbs. These Sunday afternoon MAYF meetings were not only encouraging, but great preparation as missionaries home on furlough gave us invaluable insights into what made an effective MAF missionary.

Learning “bush flying” in New Zealand I had so many flying experiences in New Zealand that prepared me for “bush flying” in the challenging conditions of PNG. I well remember coming into land at the Milford Sound airstrip and having to move the throttles from full power to power right off to full power again a few times due to the whirling and turbulent winds on approach. Upon safely landing, a young American chap came up to me and said “I am a pilot based on an aircraft carrier, and what you did this afternoon was superb with the

Clockwise from top: Ted and Elsie in front of the Cessna 180 that Ted flew for MAF; Ted in front of the de Havilland Rapide he flew in Milford Sound; growing as a family, with Ann and Gwen as children.

Elsie spending time with the local women; Ted at his desk as Manager of MAF NZ; Ted with the Cessna 172 in front of the Flight Training Centre at Ardmore.

conditions you were contending with, well done!”

Working as a husband and wife team Elsie and I got married in the little Salvation Army church at Foxton on March 4th 1967.

Both of us are thankful that we were brought up on farms, as it meant that when we served in Papua New Guinea, some things weren’t too different from life in rural New Zealand. For instance, in PNG supplies were sometimes many weeks, or even months apart. Not too challenging for Elsie, after living in rural Manawatu with her parents going into town once a month for groceries! My work with MAF was only possible because of the fantastic support that Elsie gave me. Not only emotionally, but also in the very practical way in which she got loads made up for my aircraft. I would tell her where I was going to be flying next, the weight available and any priorities I knew of and she, with our wonderful cargo handler Byama, would have the load ready when I came back. In fact, she taught Byama so well that he was asked to go to our main base at Wewak where, after a short time, he became the head cargo handler.

Returning to New Zealand After we came back to New Zealand, MAF asked if we would take up leadership of the work here. However, we said we needed time to settle and give our two daughters, Ann and Gwen the opportunity to go to high school and get used to a culture so different from that of PNG.

We settled in Palmerston North and for the next seven years, I worked selling paint and wallpaper at a Guthrie Bowron shop, finally managing one of the stores. Then, once again I was invited to take up the role of Manager of MAF NZ. By now both of our daughters were working, so we accepted the challenge. General Manager of MAF New Zealand from 1989–2001 Rod and Cherry Peake had established a well-run office in Manurewa and helped make the transition into our new roles easy. Elsie was again my fantastic helper. The Ardmore airfield hanger had just been dedicated, so we moved the office there. This meant we had a close relationship with the newly established “Flight Training Centre” (FTC). Although the FTC did do initial flight training, the main focus was to extend the skills and capabilities of those preparing to go to the field. I was involved in taking meetings in churches, writing prayer notes, doing accounts and keeping an eye on the FTC. Both Elsie and I spent time encouraging, developing and following through on inquirers. We had monthly “MAF Associates” meetings, where young and old came together for mutual encouragement and up-dates from the field. All staff were encouraged to come to one of these when on furlough. Having been on the field, we knew just how important wives were to any staff member being successful, so Elsie held “women’s days” to introduce wives and girl-friends to the challenges they might face overseas.

For multiple reasons both the faithful Cessna 172 and the hanger were sold during this time. I trust that the “Kendon-Strong MAF Centre” in Tauranga will more than adequately fill the gap!

Today Today Ted is one of our most faithful volunteers in the Auckland office, always available to help with mailings or anything else that needs to get done. Ted and Elsie attend our InFlight events and are active at our AGMs. At the 75th Celebration in Matamata in November 2020, Ted and Elsie were made “Life Members” in recognition of their long years of service. We are grateful for Ted and Elsie’s contribution to MAF—and their example to those just starting on their journey towards MAF!