Prayer Briefing | Nov - Dec 2023

PRAYER BRIEFING

NOVEMBER DECEMBER 2023

Find out more about our people, planes and remote places at www.maf.org.nz

NOVEMBER 1 - 7 WEDNESDAY, NOV 1

MONDAY, NOV 6

MILES, Doug & Yvonne.

Executive and Special Projects Officer, PNG. Yvonne had cataract surgery on both eyes in October. Pray for a trouble-free recovery and for Doug as he continues to tour to PNG until the end of this year. All going to plan we will both return to PNG in January.

MAF NEW ZEALAND. This week we are starting our biggest mailout of the year. This is the first time it is being fully done in the new Kendon-Strong centre.

Pray for our admin assistant, Abigail, as she organizes this and figures out how it will work in the new location.

Please also thank God for the people who have volunteered their time for this.

THURSDAY, NOV 2 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Continue to pray for the crisis in Sudan and for those who have fled the conflict. Pray for renewed strength for the team in South Sudan as they respond to the need.

SATURDAY, NOV 4 HUNT, Benji & Jess; Elliott.

Maintenance Operations Supervisor, PNG. Please pray for our safe travels and praise the Lord with us as we head to the Philippines for two weeks to celebrate decades of translation work

by Benji’s parents at the dedication of the entire Bible in the Matigsalug language!

FRIDAY, NOV 3 HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth; Benji, Samuel and Eddie.

Pilot and Country Director, Timor-Leste. We are grateful for the safe arrival of Ruth and Benji in Cairns, where they will be based for Benji’s final high school exams.

Nick, Sam, and Eddie will join them soon when Nick comes over for the International Managers’ Conference.

Please pray that this can be a time of encouragement and meaningful connections.

Mid-November, we all head to Brisbane to connect with close friends, and for Benji’s graduation, prior to heading to NZ for Home Assignment.

This will be our first time back in 4 years!

1

TUESDAY, NOV 7

SUNDAY, NOV 5 BREWER, Renee. Pilot, PNG. This month I will have my line check. Please pray that I would have learned everything necessary to pass it as I advance my flying skills in PNG. Please thank God for being there for me and getting me this far.

www.maf.org.nz

WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary; Ryan. Executive Officer and Director, Global Disaster Response & HR Advisor, Cairns.

Praise God for the recent leadership meetings held in Cairns during October, and the opportunity to meet face to face for many in leadership.

Pray for the Lord’s leading and guidance for the initiatives that have come from those meetings for strength and wisdom as Phil leads this.

NOVEMBER 8 - 16 WEDNESDAY, NOV 8

TUESDAY, NOV 14

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Continue to pray for Ryan Koher, Willem, and Eric as they wait for the legal process of their case to conclude completely. Give thanks that the Koher family have been able to go to the US and spend time with family after their trying year.

POUND, Jonathan & Michele; Abby, Daniel, Joseph, and Benjamin. Pilot, South Sudan.

Praise the Lord for the training Jono received in October to become a Check Pilot, and for God’s protection and provision over the family who remained in South Sudan while he was in Uganda for two weeks. Please pray for wisdom and guidance as we plan and prepare for our first home assignment in New Zealand, in February and March 2024!

THURSDAY, NOV 9 DIXON, Grant & Sharon.

Aircraft Engineer & Member Care, Mareeba.

Sharon and I will be concluding our pastoral visit to PNG assisting with the pilot’s meeting at Ukarumpa, returning to Cairns tomorrow.

Grant will then have only two more visits to Mareeba at the end of the month before also completing the engineering assignment for the year.

Continue in prayer for both the PNG team and the engineering teams as both are very short of qualified people.

SATURDAY, NOV 11 INGHAM, Bridget. Pilot, PNG. The ministry partnership side of my home assignment is drawing to a close. Give thanks for all the presentations I was able to give to churches, home groups, public events, schools, youth groups etc.

I now have two weeks of annual leave before heading back to PNG. Pray that I can be fully rested and refreshed.

SUNDAY, NOV 12 VINCENT, Fiona. Finance Manager, Asia-Pacific Region, (NZ based).

Grateful thanks goes to all those who prayed for the release of guarantee funds in the Bangladesh programme.

Praise be to God, the money, which was unjustly withheld

by Authorities, has been given back to MAF and we can now work towards the complete closure of our operations in Dhaka.

FRIDAY, NOV 10

MONDAY, NOV 13

MAF NEW ZEALAND. Pray for the MAF NZ Board meeting which is happening in Tauranga today. Pray for wisdom and God’s clear guidance as they make plans for 2024.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Praise God for the safety of our pilots and planes as they go about their work.

Pray that this will continue as they serve the Lord in their respective programmes around the world.

www.maf.org.nz

WEDNESDAY, NOV 15 McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary.

MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist–Turbine Aircraft, NZ based. Preparations are underway for the transfer of the Cessna Caravan floatplane from Mareeba to Papua New Guinea next year.

Please pray for Colin as he helps produce some of the maintenance documentation ready for PNG Civil Aviation approval prior to the aircraft’s arrival.

THURSDAY, NOV 16 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for our Disaster Response team who are ready to provide aid to those affected by crises through supporting other humanitarian organisations in their work.

2

NOVEMBER 17 - 25

FRIDAY, NOV 17 HARDING, Bill & Angela.

International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

Please pray for energy for Bill and also for favour as he attends a board meeting and helps run a youth event in Singapore. He will also be part of a legal services conference in Cairns so please pray for all those events to go smoothly.

SATURDAY, NOV 18 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie, Jesse, and Ethan. Quality and Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Please pray for Ethan as he looks to find accommodation in Brisbane before he starts University in February 2024.

Please also pray for Jesse as he is now completing year 11 exams.

SUNDAY, NOV 19 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan as both nations approach election. Pray for whoever is elected. Pray that they would lead with wisdom and care for the people.

3

MONDAY, NOV 20

THURSDAY, NOV 23

SPROUL, Phil & Tania.

Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

At the end of this year there are transitions of senior positions in the Australian Maintenance Team, please pray for the provision of a new Head of Maintenance to oversee the Arnhem Land, Mareeba, and Timor-Leste work. We give thanks too for the safe arrival of our grandson and the opportunity to meet him last month.

FOX, Mark. CEO MAF NZ. MAF NZ’s event programme has started again. Mark goes to most of these events, which often involves being away from home. Please pray for the effectiveness and success of these events as we tell people about MAF.

TUESDAY, NOV 21 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for our leaders across MAF Worldwide, whether they are leading fundraising groups or programmes, we ask God to bless them. Pray that they would lead with wisdom, understanding, and a sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

FRIDAY, NOV 24 MAF NEW ZEALAND. We are going to Wings Over Wairarapa which starts today. Please pray for many connections and interest in our time there. Pray also for all the volunteers who are helping out on the stand.

SATURDAY, NOV 25

WEDNESDAY, NOV 22 MACDONALD, Andrew. Pilot, South Sudan.

Pray for the situation of the people in South Sudan, inflation has exceeded 100% in the last 18 months, and corruption as a result of this makes our jobs very difficult.

Pray for strength, wisdom, and comfort for all the MAF staff members here.

www.maf.org.nz

CAMPBELL, Andrew & Sharon.

Maintenance Controller, PNG. Our PNG Country Director position is now being advertised. Please pray for the family of whoever God appoints for this challenging and important role. Pray for both the victims and perpetrators of ongoing tribal conflicts that have been occurring in various Highland locations. Please pray that God works, by His Holy Spirit, through Christians in the affected communities to address root causes.

NOVEMBER 26 - DECEMBER 4 SATURDAY, DEC 2

SUNDAY, NOV 26 NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela.

Regional Quality Manager, NZ based. Give thanks that the initial design work for the new Quality and Safety reporting database has gone well and we have started the roll out in two locations.

MONDAY, NOV 27 VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel; Isaac, Jana, and Karlien. Candidate.

Please pray for open doors as we need to get more bookings to do our presentation for ministry partnership. Please pray for safety on the road as we travel to different places in New Zealand. Please pray for open hearts and the right people to join us on our MAF journey via prayer or financial support and that the Lord will continue to strengthen and guide us in the last few months before we go out into the field.

TUESDAY, NOV 28 MAF INTERNATIONAL. MAF International has several finance roles vacant, both in programmes and support offices. Pray for the right people to feel called to use their skills for mission.

WEDNESDAY, NOV 29 WATSON, Jonny & Glenys; Katie, Alana, Danielle, and Lucy. Pilot, PNG. Give thanks for an improved financial situation at the Rural Airstrip Agency that has enabled more support to restore rural airstrips in PNG. Give thanks also for the recent opening of two brand new airstrips and the reopening of other airstrips that have been closed for a number of years.

THURSDAY, NOV 30 MACRAE, Leigh & Inneke; Cameron, Levi, Mikaela.

Residential House Managers, PNG. Give thanks to God that we have had peace in the Valley for a long time. I pray for continued peace. Pray for all the students as the term becomes really busy with all the activities and that they have time for rest. Please pray that God will continue to keep us all healthy.

FRIDAY, DEC 1 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for the recent Runway Run fundraising events that were held in Switzerland and the Netherlands over the last couple of months. Praise God for all the runners and people who were involved.

www.maf.org.nz

HITCHINS, Nick & Ruth; Benji, Samuel and Eddie.

Pilot and Country Director, Timor-Leste.

Praise Jesus that one of our team’s spouses has stepped into Ruth’s shoes for the hospital-based chaplaincy, liaison, and advocacy work for our medevac families. Pray for safety and courage for our team as this vital role continues in an abridged version during our home assignment. Please continue to hold our medevac families whose relatives have recently died in your prayers.

Please pray for an absence of judgment and blame towards those who have been closest to the ones who have died.

SUNDAY, DEC 3 HUNT, Benji & Jess; Elliott.

Maintenance Operations Supervisor, PNG. Please pray for our team this month as family feels especially far away before Christmas celebrations.

Pray we have a special kind of unity and that we can create many great memories together as we celebrate the birth of Jesus.

MONDAY, DEC 4 INGHAM, Bridget. Pilot, PNG. I have just arrived back in PNG from home assignment. Give thanks for the opportunity to connect with family, friends, and supporters, old and new.

Pray for the training planned for me this month - more airstrip checks and flying an aircraft with different instrumentation.

4

DECEMBER 5 - 14 TUESDAY, DEC 5

SATURDAY, DEC 9

TUESDAY, DEC 12

NICHOLLS, Kevin & Angela.

Regional Quality Manager, NZ based.

Please pray for continued wisdom for the quality and safety team as we introduce the new Quality and Safety reporting database to the rest of MAFI over the next month.

WOODWARD, Vaughan & Rosemary; Ryan. Executive Officer and Director, Global Disaster Response & HR Advisor, Cairns.

Please pray for the families who have recently moved to take up roles in new locations with MAF. Ask the Lord to help them feel settled quickly and take in all the new information. Pray also for our son Matthew as he completes his degree and looks for fulltime roles in the IT field in Cairns this October.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for our work amongst Indigenous people in Arnhem Land, particularly as we partner with Pioneers to support Christians there.

Praise God for the work that we are able to do there.

SUNDAY, DEC 10

SPROUL, Phil & Tania. Director of Technical Operations, Cairns.

Please pray for Tania’s involvement with Mum and children outreach work at church. As this draws to a close for the year please pray that these mums will come to know Christ. Please pray that during Christmas celebrations the hope we have because of Christ will be the focus of our families during this season. Pray that we will make the most of every opportunity to share this message with those the Lord brings across our paths. with supporting the refugees.

WEDNESDAY, DEC 6 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Praise God for the new southwestern shuttle in Uganda. Pray this will be a successful initiative and provide a valuable service.

THURSDAY, DEC 7 MILES, Doug & Yvonne.

Executive and Special Projects Officer, PNG. During our recent 10-week Country Director relief coverage in PNG, Todd and Connie Aebischer announced they would not be returning to the PNG programme due to ongoing medical needs and care required for both their elderly parents. Yvonne and I have agreed to continue in the role of Interim PNG Country Director until end of June. Please pray a suitable candidate will be appointed in the near future.

FRIDAY, DEC 8 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for several individuals from MAF Germany as they take next steps toward international service.

5

VAN DER MERWE, Cobus & Tronel; Isaac, Jana, and Karlien. Candidate.

Please pray for us and our families in South Africa to have great fellowship during the holidays and over Christmas. Please pray that the Lord will continue to add more people that will support us with prayer or finances on our MAF journey and that the Lord will continue to strengthen and guide us in the last few months before we go out into the field.

MONDAY, DEC 11 MACDONALD, Andrew. Pilot, South Sudan.

Praise God for a return to full pilot team after the home assignment season, it makes the workload more manageable. Pray that the returning pilots would feel refreshed and ready to start flying again.

www.maf.org.nz

WEDNESDAY, DEC 13

THURSDAY, DEC 14 BREWER, Renee. Pilot, PNG. This month I will continue to fly with a pilot in the righthand seat. They are there to give advice, guide, and help me through the next couple of months of flying. Please pray that I would make good and safe decisions while I fly here in PNG.

DECEMBER 15 - 22 FRIDAY, DEC 15

MONDAY, DEC 18

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for the advances that have been made on Ryan Koher’s case. Continue to pray for his case to be resolved as we have passed the anniversary of his arrest last year.

DIXON, Grant & Sharon.

Aircraft Engineer & Member Care, Mareeba.

We depart for Ballarat midmonth to have Christmas and New Year with family. We would once again like to thank you for your prayers through this brief period of our reengagement with the New MAF People Care department and continue to pray for a suitable replacement in this pastoral care area. Have a blessed Christmas and praying you will experience God’s presence into the New Year.

SATURDAY, DEC 16 VINCENT, Fiona. Finance Manager, Asia-Pacific Region, (NZ based).

As we look back over 2023, we give thanks for the Lord’s bountiful provision towards us.

With strategic plans presented and budgets prepared for 2024 we ask for His favour and blessing to enable us to undertake our mission of serving together to bring help, hope, and healing through aviation.

WEDNESDAY, DEC 20

FOX, Mark. CEO MAF NZ. The MAF NZ office will be closed from today for a couple of weeks. Philippa and I won’t be going away for holidays this year, so pray for quality rest and relaxation in preparation for the year ahead.

THURSDAY, DEC 21 MAF INTERNATIONAL. Praise God for the production of printed bibles distributed by the MAF Technologies team. Pray that there will be no obstacles to the further production of these bibles in Tok Pisin.

SUNDAY, DEC 17

TUESDAY, DEC 19

CAMPBELL, Andrew & Sharon.

Maintenance Controller, PNG. Sharon has a primary interest in supporting Balimo hospital in Western Province where there is no full-time doctor but also gets many requests to provide relief coverage in other locations. Pray for wisdom in working out how to respond to this, good leadership and staff culture at Balimo Hospital, and that God provides His answer to the gaps in areas of great healthcare need.

POUND, Jonathan & Michele; Abby, Daniel, Joseph, and Benjamin. Pilot, South Sudan.

Praise the Lord for the work MAF is able to do around the world, fueled by prayers and support of faithful believers!

Please pray for the good health and well-being of all our staff, and for the long life and good serviceability of all our machines and equipment, especially the aircraft.

www.maf.org.nz

FRIDAY, DEC 22 HASTIE, Kerry & Marie, Jesse, and Ethan. Quality and Safety Manager, Mareeba.

Please pray for Marie and Kerry as they prepare for Ethan to leave and attend University in Brisbane starting next year. Kerry is becoming an engineer again in Mareeba, so please pray for him in this time of transition.

6

DECEMBER 23 - 31 SATURDAY, DEC 23

TUESDAY, DEC 26

FRIDAY, DEC 29

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for all our MAF teachers across the world, as well as those teaching our MAF kids. Please also pray for more teachers to come forward to fill the critical vacancies.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for our MAF People Care team as they support the wellbeing of our MAF staff and families around the world.

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Pray for the vacancies in Guinea to be filled. Please pray for support for the small team as they work to establish this new programme.

WEDNESDAY, DEC 27 WATSON, Jonny & Glenys; Katie, Alana, Danielle, and Lucy. Pilot, PNG. Please pray for God to call teachers to fill a critical need for the school year beginning in August 2024 at the mission school, Numonohi Christian Academy, that our children attend near Goroka, PNG.

MONDAY, DEC 25 MAF NEW ZEALAND. A very Merry Christmas to you from the team here in New Zealand. Pray for all our staff members around the world who are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Thank God for the amazing work of salvation that He did 2000 years ago when He sent His Son to be our Saviour.

7

HARDING, Bill & Angela.

International Development Director & People Care Manager, NZ based.

Pray for joy and peace for our MAF staff around the world.

Many will be celebrating Christmas away from loved ones. Also give thanks for our wonderful prayer supporters and pray a special blessing on each one.

SUNDAY, DEC 31

SUNDAY, DEC 24 MACRAE, Leigh & Inneke; Cameron, Levi, Mikaela.

Residential House Managers, PNG. Please pray for the students in our care and their parents who spend long times away from each other. Ask God to equip us to have a space and home that everyone feels at home, encouraged, and loved.

SATURDAY, DEC 30

MAF INTERNATIONAL. Give thanks for a recent flight to Logologo, Kenya, which brought water filters from Swedish based, Water Matters, helping to improve the water quality in this remote area.

THURSDAY, DEC 28 McINTOSH, Colin & Rosemary.

MAFI Maintenance Support Specialist–Turbine Aircraft, NZ based.

Please pray for all the MAF staff who have spent Christmas away from family, particularly for those whom it was their first Christmas away from their home country.

Pray that they had a special time of celebrating the birth of our Saviour, Jesus Christ, with their MAF family.

www.maf.org.nz

SCAN THE QR CODE TO SUPPORT OUR STAFF