MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2 2021
NEWSPAPER OF MAF SOUTH AFRICA
REACHING THE ISOLATED
WE HAVE GONE DIGITAL You are receiving this e-Magazine because we have redesigned our quarterly newspaper into a digital format! We are so excited about this new venture and the people we will be able to reach because of it. 1
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 four 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.
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FROM THE CEO With every passing moment, we are presented with an opportunity to create and leave a legacy for future generations. This not only comes out of a hope to make our mark on this earth, but it comes out of a deep love for one another and a desire to see the world better off for having us in it. This brings us to the theme of this quarter’s newsletter: “Celebrating Love and Legacy”. To keep you up to date with what MAF has been up to in the last few months, we would love to share a few stories about love and legacy. In this edition, you will read a story about a woman with a calling on her life to be a missionary filled with exciting adventures.
You will also have a chance to celebrate with us as you read the story of MAF South Africa’s very own Esther – one of the first planes for MAF South Africa to own. You will see how she has made her journey, being used for the glory of God. Lastly, you will read an inspiring story of God’s timing with South Africa’s MAF missionary Kirstein Combrink, sharing his experience of how God’s plans always work out, even when we are under pressure.
who takes the time to read our stories and those who, despite current circumstances, have remained faithful to the mission of MAF. Our hearts are warmed at the thought of every member of our MAF Family and we look forward to what God’s plans hold in store for you. As we recently celebrated the love and legacy that Christ left for us on the cross, we praise God for what He has in store for MAF. Let us continue the race faithfully and with thankfulness as we look to the one who paid it all.
We trust that you will find great encouragement and inspiration from these stories as you ponder on love and Maxine Holman legacy. We are so encouraged CEO of MAF SA by each and every one of you
FEATURED STORIES
ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO LEARN
THE RETURN OF ESTHER
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THREE MINUTES TO SPARE
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Your support is powerful.
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SERVE WITH US AND LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN CRITICAL POSITIONS
COUNTRY DIRECTORS Various locations
CHIEF ENGINEER Chad
EXPERIENCED MISSION PILOTS Various locations
As the leader of a multinational
Manage the activities of our
We operate in 14 countries
team, you will be instrumental
local Approved Maintenance
across the world supporting
as you inspire your team to
Organisation (AMO).
local infrastructure and logistics surrounding missions.
achieve our vision.
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MAF CHATS We will be hosting live virtual discussions with each of our missionaries from South Africa, including our recently wedded couple, Tobias and Moriah Meyer, along with our other missionaries. Some have recently moved onto new adventures, like Mark and Lorraine Liprini in Uganda. Join in discussions with these missionaries to find out about their experience of being in the field and how you can be in prayer for them! If you are interested in attending these virtual discussions, email Ché at fundraising@mafsa.co.za REGISTER NOW
Q & A SECTION QUESTION: Why does MAF sell coffee? ANSWER: In the Highlands of Papua New Guinea, coffee is one of the main sources of income for remote communities, but only if they have access to buyers. MAF’s Cessna Caravan flies tonnes of coffee beans from the farmers in dense jungles to the market in the city where it can be sold. Without MAF, these farmers would suffer, and their business would be virtually impossible. SHOP NOW
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Buy your bag of MAF coffee and you could receive a Gift Card worth R50! Our MAF blend has a unique and lively taste signature, with blueberry and dark chocolate. We have partnered with Science of Coffee who work with farmers from niche areas within the tropics that cultivate exquisite coffees. If you buy a bag from now until the end of June, you stand a chance of receiving one of 20 MAF Gift Cards to the value of R50 to use any time on any of our merchandise!
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Make memories. Make an impact. Move mountains for the isolated.
DRAKENSBERG 24-26 SEP 2021
R2000 REGISTRATION
THE MAF HIKE FOR FLIGHT
R2000 FUNDRAISING TARGET
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Join our brave MAF hikers on the fourth annual MAF Hike for Flight, where you’re walking so that isolated people in medical emergencies don’t have to. Every kilometre you conquer will raise funds for a life-saving flight! 6
MAF 75 Year Celebration To celebrate the many exciting years of Mission Aviation Fellowship, we will be hosting a day of celebration as we look back to the lives we have been able to impact with your vital support! Join us for a day of fond memories and exciting new adventures to come. Date and time to be confirmed.
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Story Hannah Gardner Photos Mandy Glass
ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW TO LEARN Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Amber Joy Mori was a teenager growing up in Papua whatever you’re doing and tend to that. New Guinea (PNG) when she felt called to There’s a sense of satisfaction when we complete a scheduled maintenance on missionary work with MAF. time, and the engineer or pilot comes “From a very early age, I was aware of back after an engine run or test flight and MAF,” says Amber, “because I went to says, ‘Everything was great.’ primary school with a lot of MAF kids. “One thing I find about this role: there’s Also, there were a few MAF families at our always something new to learn! I enjoy church. Living in Mount Hagen, it’s hard that aspect of my job. MAF is a lifeline to not to know about MAF!” However, it was a lot of people in PNG, especially in rural while Amber was studying engineering communities. There aren’t a lot of other at university that her calling was side- airlines that provide the services we do, tracked by other job opportunities. After such as medevacs. People really need MAF graduation, she tried unsuccessfully to — I’ve seen first-hand just how grateful they secure work in nearby Australia before are. MAF always tries to put people first. In realising that God wanted her to stay in this pandemic, I know a lot of people in her home country. “In hindsight,” Amber the aviation industry have lost their jobs. At recalls, “I realise that God was closing all MAF PNG, we’ve been blessed with relative those other doors and calling me back to security during the pandemic. PNG.” “Eventually, I want to go with MAF to the “I joined helicopter company Manolos Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Aviation and worked there for a year-and- or Uganda, so I’m currently trying to learn a-half before joining MAF in 2018. My French and Swahili – although Swahili is work varies from day to day because each so difficult!” task depends upon the maintenance job Photo: Amber Joy Mori - One of MAF we’re assigned. Then, if you’re assigned PNG’s Aircraft Mechanic Engineers an unscheduled job, you have to drop 8
WE ARE HOSTING A WORSHIP EVENT IN MAY!
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We would like to celebrate new life and pray for the missions of MAF as we bring the gospel to the ends of the earth. Join us if you’re in the area for an event worth celebrating. 26 MAY 18:30 FOR 19:00 UNTIL 20:00 EDENVALE BAPTIST CHURCH THEME: NEW LIFE REGISTER NOW
Due to COVID restrictions, we can only accommodate 100 people, so book your spot while there is still space available! Please remember to bring a mask and adhere to social distancing and other COVID-19 protocols.
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We will also be livestreaming to our YouTube channel, so keep an eye out for that. SUBSCRIBE NOW
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Families from South Africa are working in third-world countries across the globe, to bring the love of Christ to the isolated.
PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONARIES
BRAD & MICHELLE VENTER | PNG Praise God for the hand that the Venters have played in bringing Bibles in local languages to the people of Papua New Guinea. Pray for God’s continued provision for their family. SUPPORT THIS FAMILY
MARK & LORRAINE LIPRINI | DISASTER RESPONSE | UGANDA Praise God for healing Lorraine after a recent injury and hospital visits and that they were able to travel safely to Uganda. Pray that they settle in well as Lorraine continues to heal. SUPPORT THIS FAMILY
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TOBIAS AND MORIAH MEYER | SOUTH SUDAN Praise God that Tobias and Moriah are now officially married! Pray for them as they begin their journey together and the future of their mission work. SUPPORT THIS FAMILY
GRANT & EMILY STRUGNELL | LESOTHO Praise God for the opportunity to support the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines to the isolated people within Lesotho. Pray for more opportunities in this to spread the Gospel. SUPPORT THIS FAMILY
KIRSTEIN & AMELIA COMBRINK | TANZANIA Praise God for the work that He has been doing in the Tanzania Medical Safaris through Kirstein and the support of his family. Pray that they will continue to experience God’s love and protection. SUPPORT THIS FAMILY
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MAF serves in several countries around the world with the vision of taking Christ’s love into the most remote places on earth.
PRAY FOR OUR PROGRAMMES ARNHEM LAND
CHAD
SOUTH SUDAN
Give thanks that hope is being brought to Yolŋu communities in Arnhem Land through the provision of God’s Word via solarpowered audio Bibles.
Pray for solutions to engineering challenges in Chad and give thanks that we flew a new partner last week.
Pray that humanitarian workers and missionaries will be kept safe, particularly in remote areas plagued by conflict.
LESOTHO
KENYA
EDRC
MADAGASCAR
Praise God for the CURE medical safari we did recently in Kenya as well as our recent shuttle services. Pray for increased occupancy.
We recently flew women who’d been victims of violence from the local militia. Pray that more vulnerable people will be helped by MAF.
Praise God for the success of recent medevac emergency flights that took place. Pray for the recovery of those that received the care they needed.
Pray for the Bible study groups established by LFP. Praise God for the couple who visits villages daily to lead Bible studies.
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UGANDA
Praise God for a visit that was had with Uganda’s Minister of Health. Pray for the communities that receive healthcare despite isolation.
“Jesus called them together and said, ‘You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave —just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.’” Matthew 20:25-28 DONATE NOW
MAREEBA
RO’S
PNG
Pray for the students working towards exams and give thanks for those who have recently passed their examinations.
Pray for God’s provision of resources for all offices. Praise God that COVID-19 restrictions are generally decreasing.
MISSIONARIES
BANGLADESH
TIMOR LESTE
SOUTH AFRICA
Pray for an increase in support towards our Missions Fund as well as those who are in the process and might fill vacancies.
The team have been asked to move their hangar due to airport development. Pray for as they work out the logistics of this move.
Pray for the team following heavy rains and flooding, including the capital Dili. Praise God that all our staff are safe.
Praise God for His provision for our staff and projects. Pray for the future of local projects with MAF partners.
Pray for the ongoing situation with COVID-19 in PNG, with a significant number of cases and many restrictions.
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LIBERIA
Praise God that work continues smoothly. Pray for wisdom so that we are organised into the most efficient arrangement.
CHRISTLIKE HUMILITY Written by Gene Jordan
It was a very normal day. Jungle rainstorms had not only made navigation a challenge, the airstrips were pure mud. Typical for the Amazon. It was my fellow MAF pilot’s last flight that day. He was tired and was faced with another normal problem: Three seats available and four passengers wanting to get on the plane. The pilot was on his knees loading the cargo pod, when one passenger had a bright idea: “If I get in the plane first, I will assure myself a seat.” With the agility gained through many hours on jungle trails, the would-be passenger planted his large, muddy, barefoot right on the pilot’s back and climbed into the airplane! There is a certain status that comes with being a jungle pilot. The pilot is the contact with the outside world. He brings teachers and government officials. Vaccination teams arrive in his plane. He offloads needed cargo. He sometimes makes very difficult decisions whether to land or not as he evaluates the weather or airstrip conditions. These decisions can literally mean life or death. To jungle communities, the pilot becomes a very important person. Thinking of yourself as important can be an insidious trap. Consider Jesus. Jesus is God, but He was also fully man. He chose to empty Himself and become a humble servant, even to the point of death on a cross. The missionary pilot will be far more effective as a Christlike servant than as a jungle VIP. How he reacts to being used as a convenient footstool may very well determine a community’s acceptance of the gospel. A pilot who responds negatively could turn the community away from Jesus the Servant. What did the MAF pilot do in this case? I watched him slowly get up, remove his shirt, hold it up so everyone could see the muddy footprint, turn to the man in the airplane, and say, “My, you have a huge foot! It looks more like a canoe than a foot!” The next time he lands at that community, they will remember him as the pilot who was willing, with a smile, to be stepped on. Jesus would approve!
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Your prayer is vital.
About the Author: Gene Jordan grew up as a “missionary kid” in Quito, Ecuador. An interest in missionary aviation was sparked by the MAF pilots he knew in Shell, Ecuador, who challenged him to use his life to build the church. In 1977, Gene and his wife, Lynn, became missionaries with MAF, right back in Ecuador.
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Story and photos by Kirstein Combrink. Edited by Katie Machell.
THE RETURN OF ESTHER The overhaul and maintenance of an MAF aircraft ensures its flight safety today and extends its lifespan far into the future. Registered as 5Y-EST, the Cessna 208 Caravan known as “Esther” is named after the second grandchild of one of our long-standing supporters who purchased the aircraft for MAF 20 years ago. Initially serving the people of South Africa, it has spent most of the last ten years operating in Kenya and South Sudan. The plaque of dedication inside the cockpit reads, “For such a time as this” — taken from the book of Esther. During Uganda’s lockdown, there was a golden opportunity to work on the aircraft. MAF Uganda volunteered to give Esther a thorough overhaul and repaint — “she” was the last aircraft in Africa to fly with the old MAF paint scheme. MAF Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Andy Swanson took charge of stripping the paint from the plane and repainted her to look like new. The landing gear was overhauled, and one of our trainee Ugandan engineers took on the unenviable task of installing new headlining (replacing cabin 16
Photo: 5Y-EST flew back to Nairobi freshly painted and looking brand spanking new.
ceiling fabric). Aircraft Maintenance Engineer Geoff Linkleter’s role involved inspecting components removed from the aircraft and deciding which repairs and replacements were necessary. He also helped with the re-installation and adjustment of the flight controls. “This is critical for ensuring that the aircraft will behave as the manufacturer intended when it flies,” says Geoff. “I also carried out a duplicate inspection on all the critical systems to ensure that everything was safe. Then there was the documentation of the work that keeps our operations in accordance with airworthiness regulations.” Finally, during lockdown, everything went back together again! The engine was installed and MAF Pilot Andrew Parker carried out a test flight in which the Caravan flew beautifully with no significant adjustments required. MAF Pilot Sam Johnston then flew the shiny, newly painted Esther back to its Nairobi base, to resume work across Kenya and South Sudan. “We look forward to Esther returning to South Sudan,” Geoff concludes, “to serve the people in these two beautiful countries.”
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Story by Nathan Fagerlie and photos by Mark and Kelly Hewes
THREE MINUTES TO SPARE After two months of home assignment in South Africa, MAF Tanzania ops director and chief pilot Kirstein Combrink and his family returned to the programme in February. And back to the programme means straight back to work: the Combrinks travelled via Nairobi, where one of the MAF Tanzania planes had been getting an avionics upgrade. After a systems test flight to confirm all was in order, Kirstein flew the family home to Arusha in 5H-MWA, helpfully returning all the absent resources back to the programme in one go.
Safari, one of the monthly services the programme provides for medical and evangelistic teams with a heart to reach people in remote areas in the east of the country. Having not been able to operate these since November, there was a strong hope that they would be able to restart; however, there are often complications, and this time was no exception.
Kirstein takes up the story. “It is normally quite a challenge for the medical team from Hedaru Health Centre to get to the airstrip at Katahe where we pick them up. Most times they need One week later, Kirstein was to get a vehicle from the district preparing for the South Maasai medical office in the town of Same (about 50 km away) to pick them up and bring them to Katahe. Even on the occasions when we are told in the days leading up to the outreach that they have arranged something, they still often experience delays due to transport. “This time, we were actually informed days before the outreach that they had a problem getting a vehicle to transport the team, and so by Tuesday evening (the night before the flight) it seemed pretty unlikely that the South Maasai outreach would take 18
place. I had some other things to do with the plane and so the next day I moved it away from the busy section of Arusha Airport back to our regular parking spot on the apron. When I stepped out of the plane after moving it, there was a message on my phone to say that a car had been organised to pick the team up in an hour. “So I got ready and made the one-hour flight to Katahe. I waited an hour for the team on the ground, and it was becoming obvious that if they did not arrive soon, we would run out of daylight hours to complete the safari. We gave them until 1 pm to get there. Left: Picture shows literature brought by the evangelist for distribution. Top right: Some of the women attending the clinic who also took some free litarature. Bottom right: Kirstein (L) and Christiaan (R) carry out the test flight on the newly-upgraded plane.
They came with three minutes to spare. “I flew them to the village of Lesirwai, where the people were very happy to see us since there had been no clinics in December or January. The evangelist who was with me had also been waiting for a while for some Maasai Bibles and songbooks he had ordered, so he was glad to be able to take those. I carried some extras as well and it was so encouraging to get people to come to the plane to read, and to see them get excited about the Bibles. I also had some free magazines called Riziki, which means ‘provision’ or ‘nourishment’, from the Soma Biblia (read the Bible) organisation, whose ministry is to produce and distribute evangelical literature and material, primarily in Kiswahili. The people at Lesirwai have already asked for some other songbooks and literature, so we will try to have that ready to take with us next time. “We are so grateful that the transport and timings worked out, and we were able to do the South Maasai safari again. We trust that as well as receiving healthcare for their physical needs through the clinic, these isolated people will also gain spiritual nourishment through the evangelist’s teaching and the literature we distributed.”
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BANKING DETAILS Mission Aviation Fellowship Standard Bank Greenstone Branch code: 016342 Account No: 020044615 Reference: Surname V4N2
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MAF SOUTH AFRICA Block 816/3 Hammets Crossing Office Park, 2 Selbourne Road, Fourways PO Box 1288, Lanseria, 1748 T 011 659 2880 | E maf@mafsa.co.za| NPO 006-942
Front cover: Courtesy Dave LePoidevin Back cover Courtesy Zacharie H. François Page 3: Courtesy Annelie Edsmyr Page 15: Courtesy Angie Hamstra 20
