MAF SA Newsletter Vol.7 No.1 2024

MAF is an international Christian organisation whose mission is to fly light aircraft, and to use other technologies to bring help, hope and healing to people in some of the world’s poorest communities. Every five minutes an MAF plane is taking off or landing somewhere in the world to assist missions, churches, aid and development agencies, and other local groups to transform lives and share the love of God.

GIFT TO MAF

FEATURED STORIES

HIGH-FLYING COUPLE

GIVE IT ALL UP FOR MAF KENYA

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MAF OPENS FIVE AIRSTRIPS IN FIVE MONTHS

PNG

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RESTORING SIGHT SOUTH AFRICA

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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

As we step into the promising year of 2024, we are filled with gratitude for your unwavering investment that has propelled MAF SA to new heights.

We witness the realisation of our expansive vision as it transforms into a tangible reality. Our pursuit to mobilise African candidates to serve with MAF across the globe has borne fruit, with four talented engineers being accepted and placed in Liberia, Madagascar, and Chad. The prospect of their contributions fills us with excitement, and we eagerly anticipate the positive impact they will make.

We are reminded daily of our reliance on the Lord. We trust in His provision not only for monetary needs but also for spiritual guidance and insight into the future. This endeavour belongs to the Lord, and we remain steadfast in our trust that He will provide in every facet as we expand to meet the global need across our programmes.

We meet a significant milestone in February 2024, as MAF SA hosts the MAFI candidate orientation for the first time on the African continent. This marks a pivotal moment as we welcome and train candidates from around the world. Your support is crucial, and we are grateful for your prayers and generosity.

100S OF IDPS BENEFIT FROM WORKSHOPS ENABLED BY MAF DRC

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As we express our heartfelt gratitude to all our supporters, we also extend a special thank you to those who pray fervently and generously contribute to the work of MAF. Your partnership is invaluable, and we recognise that it is through your commitment that MAF can continue to serve the most isolated people groups, bringing the love of Jesus Christ to those in forgotten spaces. May the Lord bless you abundantly in this new year. As the Scriptures remind us, “May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace” (Numbers 6:24-26). May your blessings multiply, and may your influence broaden, just as we trust in the Lord’s favour in the work of MAF.

Yours in Christ,

YOUR PARTNERSHIP WITH MAF IS POWERFUL

THANK YOU.

NEW YEAR, NEW JOB: HIGH-FLYING

COUPLE GIVE IT ALL UP FOR MAF

Former airline captain Joost de Wit and his co-pilot wife Ruth de Wit – van der Ploeg have clocked up nearly 40 years at KLM between them, but this month they’re flying off to Kenya for MAF. Following two years of training and preparation, MAF’s newest pilot couple have swapped their comfortable careers for flying in the bush.

Ever since they were children, both Joost and Ruth dreamt about becoming pilots.

Thanks to Ruth’s dad who had an office job at KLM, the family took advantage of the staff discount and flew regularly explains Ruth: ‘We travelled a lot. The cockpit door was still open at that time and I found all those buttons and meters very interesting! As pilots are trained on small planes, I boarded a Cessna during a holiday in Florida as a twelve-year-old to see if I really liked it. I thought it was fantastic! Now I was completely sure about what I wanted to do.’

Joost and his dad were equally passionate about planes ignited by an open day at Budel Airport in south-east Netherlands recalls Joost: ‘We started flying model radio-controlled aircraft that we built ourselves. My dad made really nice semi-scale models, but they crashed so often that I decided

to start flying myself. I began with gliding at 16. Dad continued building, which resulted in a fullsize aircraft – a Kitfox.’

A SHARED PASSION COLLIDES

Ruth obtained her pilot’s license before she got her driver’s license, and at the age of 21, she became the youngest flight instructor in the Netherlands at Lelystad Flight Centre. After nearly a year, she took up the same position at KLM.

After graduating from high school, Joost took a year out to travel across Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia before starting commercial pilot training at the KLM Flight Academy In 1998.

It’s no surprise then that Ruth and Joost would eventually meet in a KLM cockpit!

Not long after starting at KLM, Ruth was assigned as co-pilot for one of their Fokker 70 airliners. Joost happened to be the captain. Ruth fondly recalls their first meeting: ‘I had just started working at KLM when we were assigned to each other for a week. When I saw Joost in the morning at breakfast, I always enjoyed seeing him. He made me very happy, even though I wasn’t concerned about finding a partner.’

For Joost, the feeling was mutual: ‘I immediately thought she was a very nice co-pilot!’

A wedding and two children later, the couple started to head in a different direction when they encountered MAF.

USING GOD-GIVEN TALENTS FOR GOD

Joost and Ruth came across MAF in 2021 when Ruth’s mum sent them an article about a professional woman with a science background who was retraining to become a MAF pilot. They were impressed by her story.

They arranged to meet her at MAF’s European training centre MATC in Teugue, Netherlands with a view of financially supporting her, but after they learnt about MAF during a presentation, God had other ideas says Joost: ‘In the weeks that followed, Ruth and I both had the desire to fly for MAF – it was very strange. We both had very good jobs at KLM, so of course the question kept coming up about whether we should really give up everything in the Netherlands. As Christians, the question of what God asks of us is important, so we decided to take small steps to see if it would be confirmed.’

As time went on, God’s plan for their lives became clearer:

‘When we got to know MAF, we realised how much difference an airplane can make for people in isolated communities. Since then, we have developed a rapidly growing desire to use our talents and experience as pilots for a new mission – reaching the unreached.

‘Instead of Boeings, we’ll fly Cessna Caravans to remote areas to bring help and hope to people in need.’

- MAF pilots Joost de Wit and Ruth de Wit – van der Ploeg

Their many years of professional experience and doing what they love, have now taken on new meaning says Joost: ‘Neither of us became pilots because of the status or the big money. We both have a passion for it – it’s in our hearts. We will certainly look back at our time at KLM and think about how wonderful it was there, but we are ready for a new chapter.

‘At first it was a hobby for us, then a job, now it becomes a mission. We really want to help people. We can make a difference between life or death. These people live in places that can only be reached by plane.’

MAF is the only air operator to fly to Marsabit County in northern Kenya. Without MAF’s regular, swift shuttle service from Nairobi, it would take many hours of overland travel to reach that region.

ONE STEP AT A TIME

Even for a professional couple with decades of commercial flying experience between them, transitioning into a new way of working and moving the whole family from the Netherlands to Kenya is no mean feat.

In terms of time spent, culture, working practices and family life, the learning curve has been huge, but the de Wits have risen to the challenge every step of the way:

Spring 2021 – Single engine airplane refresher training.

Summer 2021 – Applied to MAF.

Autumn 2021 – Recruited by MAF Netherlands.

Spring 2022 – Instrument flying exams.

Summer 2022 – Flight training at MATC in the Netherlands (airstrip evaluation, mountain flying & navigation) plus three training camps in Germany.

Autumn 2022 – Flight instructor training so that they can train other pilots in future.

January 2023 – All Nations Christian College in Hertfordshire – 10 wks of Bible cross-cultural mission training.

April 2023 – Hostile Environment Training.

July 2023 – Orientation week at MAF International in Kent.

Joost is awarded his 10,000 hrs of flying with KLM pin.

August 2023 – Both leave KLM.

Further prep – selling personal stuff, buying essential equipment, arranging shipping of personal items & choosing kids’ new school.

Autumn 2023 – Obtain pilot license for Kenya & Uganda, which involves Cessna Grand Caravan standardisation flight training in Uganda – 7 wks of learning how to take-off, fly & land on unpaved airstrips (Joost first) plus flight simulator training.

December 2023 – Blessing and send off from home church.

January 2024 – Deployed to Nairobi, Kenya.

Due to their background and existing licenses, their training at MATC was shorter than most,

but there was still so much to learn like how to navigate mountains in a small plane as demonstrated by Joost during this flight camp in Sauerland, Germany in 2022.

In practice, flying a large Boeing multi-engine jet for a profitable airline is vastly different from flying a small single-engine turboprop Cessna Caravan for a charity in remote areas.

COMMERCIAL AIRLINER VS SMALL PLANE

With KLM, pilots land at well-resourced airports using radar and detailed data ensuring that planes fly at the right height, avoiding any mountains, even if it means flying into cloud.

But such resources are not available at dirt airstrips in the middle of nowhere. Bush flying means locating the airstrip and identifying any obstacles yourself.

At KLM, Joost and Ruth only had to deal with paved asphalt runways, but that will not be the case in remotest Kenya he explains: ‘Wellequipped airports have ground lights to indicate a desirable approach to landing, but in the bush, it’s a matter of circling above the area where you expect the airstrip to be.

recalls his recent training In East Africa: ‘I flew over several islands in Lake Victoria. One of them has an airstrip, but it’s difficult to find because it’s the same colour as its surrounding area. Nearby, I saw some smoke because someone was lighting a fire there, so that gave me an indication of how the wind was blowing.

Joost

‘I also saw people walking across the road from a nearby village. Half the village turned out because our plane was circling. That was another indication of where I should land.

‘Before finally landing on the narrow grassy area surrounded by bushes and trees, I flew over it a few times to be sure. I also had to consider other factors such as potholes, termite hills and the length of grass.

‘While all those people were waving, I landed. It’s difficult because you don’t want to think about someone crossing the road. You have to be very sharp and be aware of anything strange happening. It’s quite difficult and it requires good training.’

Joost is aware of a MAF pilot who had to stay somewhere for two days whilst waiting for a truck to deliver a barrel of fuel: ‘A MAF pilot should always take provisions with them to be able to spend the night somewhere unplanned.’

Good information about the weather is also key to a safe landing, but in remote areas with little infrastructure and limited knowledge, this is not always available at your destination says Joost: ‘A KLM pilot flies in controlled airspace. MAF puts you in touch with your base via satellite so that you can ask them to call ahead about the weather at your destination.

‘Saying that the weather is nice is not much use, because you want to know how high the cloud is and where the wind comes from at what speed. When they say it’s been raining, you want to know if the strip is still muddy or dry. Sometimes, it’s better to land somewhere else first and wait for better weather.’

When flying in the bush, there are many more risks to manage compared to commercial flying.

FIGURING IT OUT FOR YOURSELF

In some of the places that MAF serves, fuel is not readily available. At KLM, planes may deviate to a well-equipped airport, so refuelling is never a problem.

Working in the bush means much of the intel is largely down to what the pilot can gather says Joost: ‘Flying for MAF means actually having to figure everything out

yourself. You really have to think in a completely different way. Looking to your right doesn’t help either, because there is no co-pilot with whom you can consult.

‘At KLM, a pilot is only a small piece of the puzzle. When your flight is over, you’re done. At MAF, you have to do a lot more yourself. More input from the pilot is needed for the preparation of a flight. There isn’t any freight handling, so although there are always helping hands, you are responsible for loading and unloading, which can include anything from medical equipment, building materials, food, water filters to chickens or pigs.’

We thank God for new MAF pilots Joost and Ruth and wish them every success in Kenya with their new adventure.

Photo pg 4: Meet Joost, Ruth, Naud (L) aged 10 & Annemijn (R) aged 8 (credit: Paula Alderblad)

Photo pg 4: Joost was passionate about aviation from an early age (credit: Joost de Wit)

Photo pg 5: Ruth -youngest flight instructor in the Netherlands (credit: Ruth de Wit-van der Ploeg)

Photo pg 5: Isolated Logologo in northern Kenya benefits from MAF flights (credit: Paula Alderblad)

Photo pg 5: MAF delivers water filters to Logologo to fight deadly cholera (credit: Paula Alderblad))

Photo pg 6: After MAF flew surgeons to Marsabit, 300+ people can see again (credit: Fred Hollows)

Photo pg 6: Training at MATC with other potential MAF pilots (credit: Joost de Wit)

Photo pg 7: A MAF flight simulator is cost effective & environmentally friendly (credit: Ide Gooden)

Photo pg 7: Pilots can learn many procedures & scenarios in a simulator (credit: Ide Gooden)

Photo pg 7: Now Joost & Ruth must navigate Kenyan mountains in a small plane (credit: Mark Hewes)

Photo pg 7: Flying a Cessna Caravan is vastly different from a Boeing airliner (credit: Paula Alderblad)

Photo pg 7: Dirt airstrip – Archers Post, Samburu County, north Kenya (credit: Jacqueline Mwende)

Photo pg 7: Landing on an island in Lake Victoria requires skill and vigilance (credit: Jenny Davies)

Photo pg 8: Loita Hills, south-west Kenya – kids running on an airstrip is a risk (credit: Paula Alderblad)

Photo pg 8: Termite hills in Enairebuk – approach with caution! (credit: Jacqueline Mwende)

Photo pg 8: Maasai Country – the amount of rain can affect landing (credit: Paula Alderblad)

OUR FIRST PRIORITY THE STORY BEHIND MEDEVACS

While only a small portion of MAF flights, medevacs may be considered the most crucial. Here’s how each emergency call brings the whole team together to act quickly and efficiently.

“Medevacs are our first priority. It’s life and death, so we need to save a life,” said Serah Michael, MAF PNG’s Bookings and Operations Officer.

In January, MAF PNG facilitated four medevacs (short for medical evacuations). Each one started with a call from a health worker or an airstrip agent, and all of them emerged out of the blue.

“They show up at any time,” said MAF Pilot Timon Kundig. “We can’t really plan on having a medevac.”

When the calls first come in, the requests go through a screening process to ensure that the need is genuine and urgent.

“There are several questions we ask, like

when has it started or how is the condition of the patient,” said Serah.

Once the medevac has been approved, the MAF Bookings and Operations team (MAF BOC) must work fast to provide the needed support.

The MAF BOC team communicates with a receiving hospital to arrange an ambulance to take the patient for treatment.

“It’s always a bit difficult when it’s unplanned and [MAF BOC] has to change the flights, reroute [them] a bit,” said Timon.

A planned programme for the day then often gets cancelled to allow for the medevac. For this, many different aspects need to be considered.

“It’s a long process. We have to check if the pilot is checked in at that particular airstrip, that an aircraft is available, that we have enough hours left in the day and more,” said Serah. “We can’t just go and tell the pilot to ‘do this’ without containing all the information.”

Once everything is cleared, either the pilot will divert from his original flight plan, or an aircraft gets launched specifically for the medevac.

On arrival the pilot will communicate closely with locals to ensure the patient is seated or laid as comfortably and quickly as possible before flying to the assigned hospital location.

Funding for medevacs comes through various paths depending on the case, including village funds, global donations, funding from provincial health facilities, and more.

“Most of the rural people don’t have money to charter planes,” said Serah.

To train and invest in local health care through strengthening and equipping Village Health Volunteers or Community Health Workers remains a challenge within the health system.

MAF partners with several hospitals and Provincial Health Authorities to facilitate health patrols to remote communities. Thanks to funding of a total of 300 flight hours for medical patrols by MFAT/NZ Aid, MAF was able to facilitate more than 100 medical patrols to 50 villages in the last one and a half years.

“Medevacs are definitely worthwhile,” said Timon upon returning from a medevac flight. “It’s really nice for people to realize that the help we offer is valuable, it’s lifesaving.”

MAF OPENS FIVE AIRSTRIPS IN FIVE MONTHS ACROSS RURAL PNG

Sikoi Airstrip in Jiwaka Province is the latest airstrip to open in rural Papua New Guinea. It follows the opening of Rum Airstrip in November, Yakona and Dimanbil in October, and Aiyu in September. Most of PNG’s population live in remote areas without decent roads. For many, airstrip access is a matter of life or death, but how do you open an airstrip in the middle of nowhere?

Surrounded by endless hills and mountain peaks, the remote community of Sikoi in PNG’s Jiwaka Province encapsulates the overwhelming sense of isolation experienced by hundreds of other villages across the country.

The only way for the people of Sikoi to overcome their isolation was to build their own airstrip, which they did!

On 10 January 2024, a plane landed there for the first time ever, signifying a new hope and a

promise of connection to the outside world. That MAF plane was piloted by Tim Neufeld: ‘A new experience for me today – ours is the first airplane to ever land on this new airstrip. The people of Sikoi have no roads within a radius of several days bush walk. They are very isolated.

‘They shed tears as the plane arrived. Today, marks a turning point in this community’s history. Finding isolated people and connecting them to the rest of the world is the embodiment of what MAF is all about.’

AN AIRSTRIP TRANSFORMS LIVES

According to the World Bank, 86% of PNG’s population live in rural areas, which means limited access to healthcare, education and other essential services compared to their urban compatriots.

Around eight million Papua New Guineans rely on rural airstrips to bring in essential supplies, medevac patients to hospital, transport goods to market, access schools and boost community development (source: Rural Airstrip Agency of PNG).

During the colonial period, 800 rural airstrips

in PNG were created, but today, only 300 are functioning. Many have fallen into disrepair and / or aren’t economically viable to run.

Sikoi’s community leader Enn Gandi explains how living without a functioning airstrip nearby has blighted his people’s lives for decades:

‘We haven’t had any teachers, schools, health centres or healthcare workers here since 1975 –not even an educated individual from our village. Today however, signifies a new beginning for Sikoi, and we acknowledge MAF and the RAA for bridging the gap that has been here for so long.’

-

Enn Gandi, Sikoi’s community leader

In 2013, MAF established the Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) in partnership with PNG’s government in a bid to restore and maintain remote airstrips, provide isolated communities greater access to essential services, and improve rural aviation safety.

The RAA works closely with cut-off communities to build new airstrips or repair and maintain existing ones.

Following an initial assessment and recommendations, the community offer up labour to help carry out the work required under the guidance of the RAA. Equipment is provided by the RAA.

When the work is complete, MAF undertakes a risk assessment followed by an aerial inspection and test landing in an empty plane, piloted by an experienced pilot.

This final test ultimately decides whether standards have been met and if the airstrip can be safely opened for both passengers and cargo.

RUM AIRSTRIP REOPENS IN NOVEMBER

Like Sikoi, the community of Rum in Enga Province, northern PNG know all about isolation.

Rum does not have any schools, hospitals or shops within the vicinity.

Six years ago, their airstrip fell into disrepair making it too dangerous for MAF planes to land.

Without their lifeline to the outside world, they suffered. Mr Paeyo – Rum’s community leader – recalls the hardship when their airstrip was out of action:

‘We faced many problems, especially with sick patients, accidents and ladies giving birth. We had to carry them by stretcher on our shoulders and climb up this mountain and then down to Kompiam to get help.

‘When we needed cooking oil, soap and other essentials, we had to walk hours to reach the village of Baier, but some people fell into the river on the way, and we never found their bodies.’ In November, that all changed. After years of hard graft, the RAA and the community finally completed the airstrip’s restoration, transforming lives for the better.’

THE RAA PROTECTS PILOTS AND PASSENGERS

Without the RAA, safety is compromised explains MAF PNG pilot Mathias Glass:

‘The RAA helps MAF by maintaining airstrips so that MAF can provide services to these communities. Without the RAA, these remote airstrips in PNG would deteriorate to the point where landing or taking-off would risk damaging the aircraft or risk injuring people inside or outside the aircraft. ‘RAA restores airstrips so that we can safely provide our flight service to the isolated people of PNG.’

- Mathias Glass, MAF pilot in Papua New Guinea

Bush airstrips require constant maintenance including keeping the grass short and keeping drainage clear from debris.

Both tasks can be carried out by the community, but some airstrips require greater intervention from the RAA to maintain safety standards continues Mathias:

‘Rain and flooding can erode surfaces over time. If water doesn’t drain away, the ground will get too soft to the point where it can’t support the weight of an aircraft anymore. During landing, there’s a risk of one of the wheels sinking into the ground. When one wheel sinks lower than the other, it causes the aircraft to turn, forcing it off-centre. This has caused accidents in the past.’

Another potential pitfall is a ‘draggy’ surface, which refers to an airstrip that has too much friction or resistance. This makes it challenging for an aircraft to achieve the necessary speed needed for take-off, especially when carrying a heavier load. Flying passengers in these conditions would compromise passenger safety.

Whatever the problem, Mathias is impressed by the diligence and quality of RAA’s work to meet MAF’s safety standards:

‘I have observed how they survey airstrips. I am impressed with the tools they use to get data and what measures they implement to improve the surface.

‘Sometimes, an RAA officer needs to stay several days at an airstrip to fix an issue, like digging drains with the locals. I admire their willingness to stay overnight in the lowlands or highlands.’

Credit must also be given to the hard work and ongoing vigilance of the communities. Jonny Watson, the RAA’s acting technical team manager, pays tribute:

‘The RAA provides tools and expertise, but really it’s the communities who do the rest – we just empower them to make sure that they can do their job.’

‘FORGOTTEN’ YAKONA OPENS IN OCTOBER

For years, the people of Yakona felt forgotten by the world.

Tucked away in the remote corner of PNG’s Hela Province in western PNG, they had no airstrip to call their own, so they built one from scratch.

Before MAF, they had to trek for a whole day in the bush to reach their closest airstrip.

That’s one day’s walk to be medevacked by plane to hospital in a medical emergency and one day’s walk to buy tools and materials to fix their home. Dropping off kids to school meant walking for a day to put them on a plane destined for boarding school.

Their hardship had to be overcome by hard work – building an airstrip was the answer.

Firstly, an area of jungle had to be cleared by the community – tree roots and all. Next, the ground was levelled – soft topsoil, loose stones and gravel had to be removed to make a solid surface.

Drainage ditches had to be dug around the perimeter of the airstrip. Even trees beyond the end of the strip had to be cut down to prevent any obstruction during take-off.

After completion of the works, MAF pilot Ryan Cole was happy with his aerial inspection and test landing.

He returned to Yakona with two members of the RAA and a box full of Bibles and reading glasses. They were met with shouts of joy and dancing.

Yakona’s community leader spoke on behalf of the overwhelmed villagers:

‘We are in the last corner of Hela Province. No one seems to know about us, but God chose you and your plane to come and find out that people do actually live here.

‘We say thank you to the pilot (Ryan Cole) and the RAA for bringing us this blessing.’

DIMANBIL’S WELL-WISHERS IN OCTOBER

October also saw the opening of Dimanbil’s brand new airstrip in western PNG near the Indonesian border.

Similarly to Yakona, before MAF’s direct flight service, the community of Dimanbil had to trek for eight hours through the jungle to access their closest airstrip in Munbil.

Given that Dimanbil is really isolated and medical supplies are not readily available, many of the villagers had suffered from malaria or other preventable and treatable illnesses for years.

They had had enough, so they set to work on excavating and building their own airstrip, but to begin with, they didn’t have any tools.

Dimanbil’s terrain is so hazardous, delivering shovels, wheelbarrows, hoes and other essential equipment across rivers and mountains proved to be a major challenge.

MAF surveyor and engineer Terry Fahey and the RAA had to arrange for a special aircraft from MAF partner Strickland Bosavi Foundation to fly in the tools and land on a completed section of the airstrip.

Years of hard work have finally paid off.

Before tools arrived, they’d excavate soil in makeshift wheelbarrows (credit: Terry Fahey)

The community was so excited to see a MAF plane land on their new airstrip for the first time that they instantly hoisted pilot Ryan Cole onto their shoulders, crowned him with feathers and took him for a victory lap around the aircraft!

AIYU’S NEW AIRSTRIP OPENS IN SEPTEMBER

It was MAF pilot Andy Symmonds who had the privilege of carrying out the aerial inspection and test landing on Aiyu’s brand new airstrip in northern PNG.

Unlike the four other airstrips, Aiyu only took two years to build!

This is a blessing considering its closest airstrips –Kwieftim and Edwaki – are at least one day’s trek

away through swampy terrain and are often both closed due to poor conditions.

Aiyu may become the new transport hub for the area.

On landing, Andy was met with joyous singing and dancing from the community.

Speeches from local dignitaries ensued, including a few words from Andy himself in Tok Pisin, plus some instructions on how to care for and maintain their new airstrip.

It wasn’t long after the airstrip opened that Andy was called back to medevac a boy to Aiyu’s nearest clinic in Lumi:

He had fallen from a coconut tree, badly breaking his arm and injuring his leg.

Had it not been for MAF’s medevac, enabled by a safe airstrip, God only knows what would have happened to the boy.

As old and new airstrips open one by one in rural PNG, we pray that every single one of them will stand the test of time as MAF continues to serve future generations of isolated communities.

Photo pg 12: The Sikoi community welcome MAF with open arms (credit: Tim Neufeld)

Photo pg 12: Sikoi is surrounded by endless hills and mountain peaks (credit: Jonny Watson/RAA)

Photo pg 13: MAF’s plane was the first ever aircraft to land in Sikoi

Photo pg 3: MAF pilot Tim Neufeld was met by an elated crowd

Photo pg 14: When Rum Airstrip fell into disrepair, it cut people off for 6 years (credit: Tajs Jespersen)

Photo pg 15: RAA (L-R): Alphonse Waim, Eric Peter, Michael Masa & Michael Anggo (credit: T Jespersen)

Photo pg 15: Before they built their airstrip, the people of Yakona felt forgotten (credit: Siobhain Cole)

Photo pg 15: MAF pilot Ryan Cole lands the first plane on Yakona’s new airstrip

Photo pg 15: Ryan is crowned with feathers in Yakona as a token of thanks

Photo pg 16: The community built their own retaining wall for the airstrip (credit: Terry Fahey)

Photo pg 16: The community built their own retaining wall for the airstrip (credit: Terry Fahey)

Photo pg 16: MAF’s Andy Symmonds did Aiyu’s test landing and first medevac (credit: Mandy Glass)

FROM SOUTH AFRICA ARE WORKING IN THIRD-WORLD COUNTRIES ACROSS

PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONARIES

BRAD & MICHELLE VENTER | PNG

SUPPORT THIS FAMILY

Priase: “Emma is now a South African citizen! Her birth registration has been completed. We are now waiting for her birth certificate and passport. Michelle’s Mama Care Ministry is going well and making a difference to the ladies. It seems to be growing as more and more needs are seen!”

Prayer: “Please keep praying for Emma as Michelle works on the programme with her. It is very challenging and emotionally draining. Pray for Michelle for energy, strength and perseverance!”

MARK & LORRAINE LIPRINI | TANZANIA

SUPPORT THIS FAMILY

Praise: “Praise God for the new engine, and the fact that our second aircraft will soon be flying again. Praise for the many new opportunities that seem to be looming at MAF this year, with new pilots and possibly a larger aircraft. Prayer: “Pray for Lorraine as she prepares weekly English lessons for Francis from scratch, and has to teach it in her very basic Swahili. Pray for our two new pilots, as they prepare to leave their current homes, and start afresh in a new country.”

TOBIAS AND MORIAH MEYER | S. SUDAN

SUPPORT THIS FAMILY

Congratulations to Moriah and Tobias on their baby girl, Miriam Joy Meyer. Please pray for their health and capacity as they settle into a new routine.

GRANT & EMILY STRUGNELL | LESOTHO

SUPPORT THIS FAMILY

The Strugnells are doing well under the MAF US programme.

MAF SA RECRUITMENT

MOMPATI SHABANE AIRCRAFT ENGINEER

SUPPORT

THIS

DANIEL CHILIPAMUSHI AIRCRAFT ENGINEER

Daniel is prepared for the mission field, having been assigned to MAF Madagascar for a year starting in April, followed by a subsequent placement in MAF Chad. During this period, he will be attending Bible school alongside Mompati.

EVERETT MONTAGU PILOT

Everett is scheduled for his MAF flight assessment in May, after which he will be prepared for acceptance and orientation with MAFI.

MUNYA MARINYAME PILOT

Munya is in line for training and possible acceptance; if he is successful he will be ready for MAFI orientation.

GIFT & ABIGAIL MPOSI AIRCRAFT ENGINEER

Gift’s selection process has concluded, and he may travel to the US in May for license conversion before joining the MAF mission field in Liberia.

JOIN THE MISSION FIELD

CRITICAL VACANCIES

SOUTH SUDAN

MAF’s service to the partners and the people of South Sudan is essential, since the road network is poor throughout the country, and many road are unpassable during the rainy season. Additionally the security situation on the roads makes MAF’s flight service a necessity for many implementing partners.

TEACHERS

SOUTH SUDAN

MAF is in urgent need of Primary School teachers to be seconded to Juba Christian Academy. JCA is a small but growing mission school that strives to provide high quality international education in a loving Christian environment. The school primarily serves the children of families in Juba working with MAF, SIL and other mission organisations.

LIBERIA

MAF is looking for a strategic and driven Country Director to help spearhead our mission to share the love of Jesus Christ by providing humanitarian aviation and related technology to transform individuals and move them towards the fulfillment of basic needs and spiritual transformation in PNG.

MAF South Africa is a resourcing office for MAF International, and our primary role is recruiting effectively for vacancies across the MAF world. The distinctiveness of MAF as an organisation; spreading the Gospel, isolated and forgotten communities, and challenging working conditions, raises the reality of having to find Spirit-filled, technically competent, and highly skilled candidates for those positions.

To do this we have structured but flexible recruiting pipelines aimed at efficiently expediting the process that identifies, processes, and places those ideal candidates.

2022 saw our recruiting strategy expand to include neighbouring countries to South Africa. These included the revising of selection schedules and an earlier initiation of ministry partnering training and coaching for candidates. A new partnership was begun with a South African organisation for the missionary preparedness training of pre-field candidates, thus obviating the need for candidates to travel to the UK. 2023 continued with these developments and endeavoured to finetune systems befitting an African landscape.

In 2024, MAF South Africa hosts candidate orientation for the first time. This milestone marks the beginning of many steps in the plan to create a more accessible onboarding process for candidates across the African continent and diaspora. We thank God for this breakthrough and sincerely appreciate your support as we endeavor to enhance MAF’s impact for Christ.

COUNTRY DIRECTOR

COUNTRY DIRECTOR

‘TRULY I TELL YOU, WHATEVER YOU DID FOR ONE OF THE LEAST OF THESE BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF MINE, YOU DID FOR ME. ‘ MATT 25:40

RESTORING SIGHT AND HOPE

OUR MONTHLY TRIP TO LIMPOPO

Testimonials from the waiting room: Talking to patients during our monthly eyedoctor flight to rural Limpopo, where our opthamologists perform cateract surgery at the local clinics. Bringing help, hope and healing to many forgotten communities.

MAF SA’s local initiative Flying for Life uses Mercy Air aircraft to fulfill their monthly trips in South AFrica.

Maranda P

99 years old.

Maranda lost her sight two years ago.

She has five kids, she expresses how she misses seeing them. When she regains her sight she most looks forward to seeing the sunset.

Nancy M

67 years old.

Nancy lost her sight four years ago when she was cleaning her house.

When she regains her sight she wants to see everything –she wishes to stay awake the whole night just to experience the beauty of seeing again.

Her friends in her village told her about the missionaries [MAF SA].

Myodzanga

73 years old.

Myodzanga lost her sight 12 years ago.

She has four children, all married.

She misses working in her garden and reading her bible. When Myodzanga regains her signt she wants to start working, and attending to her home.

She heard about the missionaries [MAF SA] on the streets of her village.

Seeing again wil be a dream come true, when she regains her sight she will spend all her days visting her grandchildren and buying them different colourful sweets.

John M

60 years old.

John lost his sight last year.

He has two children; he is the breadwinner.

John heard about the missionaries [MAF SA] through social workers.

Once he regains his sight John most looks forward to spending time working in his garden.

Anonymous

Patient expressed how she used to sow and loved it.

After she lost her sight she also went through a divorce because she wasn’t bringing any money or food to the table.

When she regains her sight she looks forward to reading her bible once again, and get back to sowing with immediate effect.

She has three children who have their own homes, the one she was staying with has recently passed away.

Our dedicated vounteer professionals who give of their time and skills to invest in SA’s rural communities.

MAF SERVES IN MULTIPLE COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD WITH THE VISION OF TAKING CHRIST’S LOVE INTO THE MOST REMOTE PLACES ON EARTH.

PRAY FOR OUR PROGRAMMES

MAF STAFF

Pray for MAF staff who started a new training programme for air traffic controllers in a restricted access nation. Pray that God would enable personal connections to develop with those students who have a soft heart towards Him.

INDONESIA

Pray for wisdom as the team in Kalimantan continues to seek out ministry opportunities and discern how to best serve alongside the local church.

PNG

Give thanks for a new airstrip opening in Papua New Guinea after the rural community of Sikoi built their own airstrip with sticks and bush materials over 28 years to ensure a sustainable livelihood with access to basic services.

SOUTH AFRICALESOTHO

Give thanks for a successful (MAFI) Orientation in South Africa (5-14 Feb). Pray for the candidates as they head to programmes and/or continue with the next stage of their training.

Pray for a team that is sharing the gospel house to house in Lebakeng, Lesotho. Pray that God will give them strength and wisdom as they continue preaching the gospel.

MAFI UGANDA ECUADOR

Last week the MAFI board and leadership team met together. Pray for our board members and leadership teams as they lead us well. Pray for MAFI CEO Dave Fyock, for the Lord to lead him and his team according to His perfect will.

Praise God MAF Uganda could fly five babies with hydrocephalus and their mothers to receive treatment.

Pray for families serving with MAF in Ecuador as the country is experiencing political turmoil and heightened crime.

Give thanks for MAF volunteers in various roles across programmes, resource groups and support offices. Pray for them as they share the work of MAF.

MAF is partnering with Mercy Ships whose vessel has now arrived on the East Coast of the island. Pray for the team as they transport Mercy Ships personnel to remote locations throughout Madagascar.

Pray for the recruitment of teachers for the Juba Christian Academy in South Sudan and the Dakar Liberia Coop. Having school teachers in the field enables our staff families to stay longer in mission.

Give thanks for a team that has come together from the Netherlands, Uganda and US who are assisting with the maintenance of two West Africa aircraft in Liberia. Pray their time is effective.

PHILIPPINESSURINAME TIMOR LESTETANZANIA

Pray for the recruitment of a Ministry Developer to build relationships and grow engagement with MAF in the Philippines.

Give thanks for MAF Suriname as they recently celebrated the opening of a new hangar on the 59th anniversary of MAF service in the country.

Give thanks for a recent flight in TimorLeste that helped an at-risk pregnant mother reach the mainland hospital safely where she gave birth to a baby girl later that week.

Pray that a new engine for a C206 aircraft in Tanzania will soon be dispatched.

GUINEA MAF STAFF AIRCRAFTNEW ZEALAND

Pray for the chronic fuel shortage in Guinea after the explosion in Conakry in December.

Continue to pray for the recruitment of Country Directors for several MAF International programmes this year.

Pray for continued safety for our aircraft and pilots as we fly to isolated places. Give thanks for God’s provision of our aircraft as we strengthen our fleet.

MAF New Zealand are recruiting for a Finance Officer, a Fundraising Specialist, and a Youth Engagement person. Pray God would bring the right people for these roles.

PRAY FOR MAF SOUTH AFRICA

OUR PROGRAMME’S PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISE ITEMS

Please pray for renewed energy for our small team as we work on our commitments for 2024.

Please pray for the provision to increase staff personnel.

Please pray for wisdom, guidance, and patience as we work to mobilize African talent for international missions.

Please pray for a funding breakthrough and staff capacity to activate our plans to onboard a younger audience.

Thank God for his provision for the MAF SA project to fly eye-doctors to rural communities and spread the love of Christ to patients and staff at local rural clinics.

Please pray for continued provision for volunteers and funding.

Please pray for the current African candidates preparing to head onto the field: For their fundraising and awareness efforts, and effective MAF SA support.

Thank God for a successful MAFI orientation which was held in South Africa for the first time, in February 2024.

THANK YOU!

“FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND, THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.”

EPH. 2:10

“RELYING ON GOD HAS TO BEGIN ALL OVER AGAIN EVERY DAY.

C.S. LEWIS

100S OF IDPS IN THE DRC BENEFIT

FROM WORKSHOPS ENABLED BY MAF

In the run up to the presidential elections in December, hundreds of thousands of people fled conflict within the DRC – a country which already hosts the largest number of internally displaced people (IDPs) in Africa. Since 2017, MAF’s been supporting IDP camps in eastern DRC by enabling trauma counselling, peace and reconciliation workshops and dressmaking and literacy classes. The latest cohort graduated on 9 January.

Since Félix Tshisekedi won the DRC’s presidential elections in December, violence and insecurity have continued to plague the country.

In the eastern province of North Kivu alone, nearly one million people have been displaced since October, bringing the DRC’s total IDP population to 6.9 million (source: UN’s

International Organisation for Migration). The UN has called it ‘one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.’

Years of conflict have displaced over 1.6 million people in Ituri Province, eastern DRC (source: UN’s IOM). Its capital Bunia is home to three IDP camps.

MAF’s eastern DRC base is located in Bunia where MAF regularly serves these camps and also enables life-changing work across the wider region.

MAF HELPS ENEMIES TO BECOME FRIENDS

‘When I saw Nicholas and Joel become friends again, I couldn’t believe it. None of this healing would have taken place if it wasn’t for MAF. MAF really is saving lives!’

- Daniel Kasereka, founder of Oeil Restoration Ministries & MAF partner

Daniel Kasereka is the founder of Oeil Restoration Ministries, which facilitates peace and reconciliation workshops for survivors of war and conflict in north-eastern DRC.

Daniel wouldn’t be able to do his job without MAF. MAF enables Daniel and his team to regularly travel to places, which are either too difficult or too dangerous to reach by road.

After a swift, safe flight instead of hours of exhausting driving on potholed-riddled roads potentially controlled by armed gangs, the team arrives refreshed and ready to transform lives with their message of hope and forgiveness.

Thanks to their partnership with MAF, Oeil Restoration Ministries has been able to mediate and reconcile thousands of people like Nicolas and Joel.

Nicolas and Joel used to be friends, but in 2001, they became enemies when their tribal leaders forced them to take up arms against each other.

Both did terrible things, which destroyed their relationship explains Joel:

‘Nicholas and I knew each other very well, but because of that conflict, our relationship broke down. Friends became enemies. The flighting went on for nearly five years.’

Daniel was determined to broker lasting peace between the former friends. God was at work says Joel:

‘During the workshops, I felt the power of God, and that helped me to build up the courage to admit everything that I had done.’

Nicholas’ heart was changed too:

‘The more time I spent at those workshops, the more I really felt like my heart was set free from hatred, bitterness and anger. Since Joel knelt down and asked for forgiveness, we have become best friends and ministry partners.’

MAF ENABLES LEARNING NEW SKILLS

Across Bunia’s three IDP camps, MAF is funding a range of projects, which are bringing hope and healing to women wrecked by war:

Sheryl Strietzel trains counsellors across the camps to help women process unresolved trauma:

‘Many are in shock and feel hopeless, but when they have counsellors to talk to and are encouraged, they are able to process their grief and have some hope.

‘I equip counsellors to know how to respond to questions and how to provide help. They just

need to understand themselves better so that they’re able to draw on their knowledge and wisdom to be able to help everyone who comes to them. The needs can be spiritual, physical or emotional.’

Counsellor Marie has really benefited from Sheryl’s training:

‘MAF has given me the courage to help others. I’m very happy with the monthly meetings, which give me lots of advice about how to understand and work better with the vulnerable. People ask me, “What do you do?” I say, “I’m a MAF counsellor.” I’m really making a difference.’

- Marie, MAF trained counsellor for Bunia’s IDP camps

Swahili literacy teachers are teaching women to read and write. Due to decades of conflict and upheaval, constant disruption robbed many girls

of their education. Now 150 women are finally mastering their own language on a six-month course in a safe space.

Swahili teacher Ruth – who is displaced herself –knows only too well how valuable literacy is in life: ‘I’m teaching women to read andwrite who never had a chance to attend school. I’m teaching them to read the Bible too, so that they will be happier. It relieves some of their trauma. MAF has given a great gift to the women here!’

Textile teachers are equipping women with dressmaking and basket weaving skills so that they can boost their family’s income by selling their handmade products.

Sewing teacher Nadjole believes that actively learning a meaningful skill helps boost poor mental health:

‘Activity is really important. These women are traumatised. If they stay at home, they won’t have anything to do, and it will be hard for them to deal with life. But when they have something to do, it helps them deal with the trauma.

‘When they come to class, they feel at home and relaxed. If someone doesn’t come to class, I will go and look for them and ask them why they haven’t come to class. It will help them.’

MAF ENABLES LEARNING NEW SKILLS

Learning to forgive and mastering new skills are important steps in the healing process, but for others it’s reconnecting with their faith, which has been lost in the trauma of war.

MAF chaplain and course coordinator Pastor Bisoke explains:

‘Many people who come here are so traumatised by war that they have lost their faith. They say, “We went to church, but the rebels came and killed us. We fled to an IDP camp, but still they killed us.” They say that there is no God. Even pastors and evangelists have gone through so much difficulty.

‘But now they’re here, we are trying to help them. We listen to their problems and give them time to explain what’s inside of them. We share the word of God, and some come back to Jesus. They give their life to Jesus even though they have lost everything.

‘The word of God is helping them. Now they’re praying and trying to help others. I can see so much improvement. They’re saying, “MAF has helped me and I know Jesus.” Many have found their faith again. MAF is helping these people physically and spiritually.’