MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP VOLUME 5 ISSUE 2 2022
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
MAXINE HOLMAN CEO of MAF SA
Throughout both trying times and exciting journeys, the unexpected future and dealing with the present, we have experienced the grace and sovereignty of God no matter the circumstance. And, wow, do we have a lot to celebrate! We are so grateful for this Godgiven opportunity we have as an organisation to reach isolated communities around the world for the sake of the gospel.
the work He has called MAF meaningful the gospel in to do, and our gratefulness is one’s own language is. This abundant. includes celebrations for the re-opening of an airstrip for this From this space of gratitude, community. we would love to share a few stories of upliftment with you We so hope that these stories to hopefully encourage you in express some of the hope we the way you have done so for have for the year ahead and the us. In this quarter’s newsletter, amount of gratitude we have you will read about the exciting in being part of the amazing and special journey of a pilot calling God has placed on you transporting a plane he has and us, as a MAF family. been connected to since production. You will also learn You are making it possible O n t o p of t h at , y o u r about the stigma and living for the gospel of Jesus Christ involvement and support conditions that exist for cleft- to be taken to the ends of has been so faithful and lip patients in South Sudan, the earth. Because of you, generous that we get to and how MAF has partnered to isolated communities around celebrate God for you – our address this. the world receive the care, MAF family – each day. Thank upliftment, and hope that they you for your thoughtfulness, Finally, you will experience so desire. You are bringing encouragement, and prayers. a story of the impact that help, hope and healing to God uses your open hearts Bible translations can have isolated communities around daily to allow us to continue on a community and how the world.
FEATURED STORIES
A TRAVELLER’S JOURNEY
TRADING STIGMA FOR SMILES
A NEW GATEWAY TO THE GOSPEL
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JOIN US IN PRAYER Thank you for your prayers! This May, we prayed for all things MAF. Your prayers continue to keep us in the air, and we would not be able to do what we do without it. We love hearing stories of God answering prayer and have the privilege of seeing God do this every day. Thank you for all those who got involved and we hope to see more prayer as we fly! Won’t you join us in bringing our prayers before the Lord? We always need prayer. If you would like to sign up to become a prayer warrior, please email “Sign me up to Pray” to maf@mafsa.co.za or sign up at https://www.mafsa.co.za/join-our-family/ and we will send you our monthly prayer cards and stories from the field emails! Join us in helping spread the word of God to isolated communities across the world!
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THANK YOU HIKE FOR FLIGHT ‘22 UPDATE DONATE NOW
A massive THANK YOU to everyone who got involved and got hiking to raise fund for our Hike for Flight 2022! You walked so that those in isolation in emergency situations don’t have to and together we raised funds to make this possible. What a fun time we had together adventuring for a purpose! We hope to see you at our later hikes in the year. Keep an eye out for these events.
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The event may be done, but the need goes on. If you would still like to contribute towards MAF, we would greatly appreciate any donations towards this – with your donation, you are helping those in isolation get the help they so greatly require. Join us in reaching isolated communities for the sake of the gospel!
Story and photos by Roy Rissanen and Margrit Kundig
A TRAVELLER’S JOURNEY
ARUA, UGANDA TO CONAKRY, GUINEA
Conakry Monrovia
On Wednesday 26 January 2022, MAF’s Guinea-bound aircraft, N2114G, began a five-day journey from Uganda to Guinea. The aircraft has had several adjustments and is now ready for service. Pilot Roy Rissanen – who used to fly the same aircraft in Mongolia – accompanied by Guinea programme developer Emil Kundig, left Kajjansi and flew to Arua on the Ugandan border. Roy has written a short diary each day, including his final thoughts on the faithful aircraft itself with which he has a special relationship, having been there when it first rolled off the production line and many steps along the way. Here is his journey:
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Accra
Douala
Bangui
DAY: ONE STATUS: CLEAR TO GO
Today Emil and I are planning to fly from Kajjansi to Arua (1.5 hours). The weather looks good. Plane is refuelled and loaded. It is quiet in Kajjansi, as it is a public holiday in Uganda today. We will refuel and overnight in Arua and need to do customs and immigration before departing. Praise the Lord we received negative Covid results this morning. So, we are clear to go!
Kaj jansi Arua
Photo: Guinea ferry flight day 1
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DAY: TWO STATUS: SMOOTH OPERATORS
Emil and I overnighted in Arua, Uganda, [on Wednesday night] as planned. We got the refuelling, customs and immigration done smoothly and departed on the first light. The first stop of the flight was at Bangui, Central Africa Republic. We got fuel quickly and managed to deal with formalities in good time. We also met with two Finns, who are working with UN flight ops there. One of them was an ex-MAF pilot. Weather was good for the entire day, despite haze that caused some restricted visibility. We reached our next night stop [for Thursday night] Douala, Cameroon, ahead of time, thanks to strong tailwind. Formalities took more time than usual. We had been tested for Covid before departure. Here we took a test again. After three hours from landing, we checked into hotel.
Photo top: N2114G departing KIajjansi on its way to Guinea.
DAY: THREE STATUS: NO BIG DEAL
We started off from Douala today and flew to Accra for the next overnight. Weather was stable but hazy with reduced visibility all the way. This is typical for the dry season. Refuelling and formalities went smoothly, and we are having a good rest this afternoon while also planning for the next flying day. The airplane has some minor discrepancies, which we need to take care of either on the way in Monrovia or when in Conakry. Nothing serious that would cause delays or keep us from flying.
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Photo p.9 left: An insight into the flight deck.
Photo p.9 right: Guinea programme developer Emil Kundig and Pilot Roy Rissanen
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DAY: FOUR STATUS: A WARM WELCOME
We flew from Accra to Monrovia today. Good weather, warm welcome from Liberians upon landing at Spriggs. MAF left a car at the airfield for us. Emil and I have unloaded goods for MAF and expats. We will refuel and file a flight plan. Then we will be heading to ELWA, to meet with other MAF expats and have a rest. Photo: Refuelling
Photo p.11 top: N2114G and Pilot Roy Rissanen
Photo p.11 bottom: 2114G Margrit and Emile Kundig and Pilot Roy Rissanen in Guinea.
DAY: FIVE STATUS: A SPECIAL JOURNEY
After flight from Accra, we stopped over for one night in Monrovia and met briefly with other MAF people. Some aircraft and ops items sent from MAF Uganda to MAF Liberia were unloaded. We put more fuel and loaded Emil’s aircraft mechanic toolbox in the plane. I managed to pick my personal belongings that I left in Monrovia last year, when planning to get back there to do more flying. Back then, my positive Covid travel test result messed up the plan!
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Before departing from Monrovia, we did a compressor rinse and washed the windscreen, which was dusty from flying for days through dry season haze with no rain. The flight from Monrovia to Conakry was a short one, less than two hours. On the way we flew through Sierra Leone, passing its capital city, Freetown, to our left. On arrival to Conakry, weather was hazy as usual, but with better visibility than in most other places on the way. We were greeted with a warm welcome from the officials - and of course Margrit Kundig, who was happy to have Emil back and see the aircraft finally arrive. Margrit had been working very hard to get the permits and our airport badges. It took her an entire week to get the flight permit for us to enter Guinea! Thanks for all the encouragement and prayers to make this happen.
shut down. We flew the aircraft with Sirpa from Ulaanbaatar to Holland two years ago. The ferry flight took five days over winter conditions in Siberia. I feel privileged to be flying the same good old faithful aircraft again. It will continue to serve in God’s work in a new part of the world with a new engine, new paint, cold weather equipment removed, and a new tail number. Let us pray that the aircraft will continue to be a blessing to people living and serving in Guinea. We will use it to bring hope, help and healing in many ways; transporting passengers, supplies and medical patients needing urgent care - continuing to serve those who are in need in Guinea.
Closing Thoughts The aircraft that we now have in Guinea is of special importance to me. I saw it for the first time in Wichita, Kansas, when it was new and had just rolled out from the Cessna production line. I was in Mongolia to receive it when it was delivered to MAF to Ulaanbaatar in Summer 2000. With many prayers, help of God, efforts and teamwork we managed to build a flying programme that lasted twenty years, of which I had a privilege to be part of for eight years. I lived in Mongolia with my family for three years, when we were starting the programme. Then later, I worked and lived there for another five years, flying and managing the programme - with assistance from my wife Sirpa - until the programme was
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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 Give thanks for successful travels and reconnecting with family, friends and sponsors during their home assignment. Pray for travelling mercies when they travel back to PNG in April. SUPPORT THIS FAMILY
MARK & LORRAINE LIPRINI | DISASTER RESPONSE | UGANDA The Liprinis are transferring from Uganda to Tanzania to train pilots! Give thanks for a successful visit to Tanzania, and ongoing prayer as they transition to a new programme. SUPPORT THIS FAMILY
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TOBIAS AND MORIAH MEYER | SOUTH SUDAN Please pray for ongoing mercies in Tobias’ flying and success for Moriah’s teaching in the Juba Christian Academy. Pray for strength as vacancies are looking to be filled. SUPPORT THIS FAMILY
GRANT & EMILY STRUGNELL | LESOTHO Praise God for increased flying hours and that they have been able to resume their partnership with the Lesotho Flying Doctors programme.
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KIRSTEIN & AMELIA COMBRINK | TANZANIA Please pray for peace and ongoing service as they complete their time with MAF. Pray for blessings in their move to Newcastle, UK at the end of March and for Kirstein as he begins work with the Christian Academy.
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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 TANZANIA
Pray a blessing on our regular Malambo evangelistic safaris in Tanzania. May this partnership bear much fruit.
PNG
Praise God that MAF PNG was able to deliver mosquito nets to rural areas. Pray that remote people can be protected against malaria.
LIBERIA
CHAD
Praise God for the completion of the New Testament in the Manya language. Give thanks for the missionaries who helped to translate it.
MAF Chad were called to assist a pastor who had been involved in a head-on collision. Pray for his recovery, and for all our medevac patients.
SOUTH SUDAN
Praise God for the new Bible translation in the Tennet language. MAF was able to transport visitors to celebrate with the community.
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LESOTHO
Praise God for growing His church. Church construction took place at Kuebunyanem. Pray for the gospel in this community.
MAREEBA
MADAGASCAR
Pray for the students enrolled at the MAF Flight Training Centre in Mareeba, including those who are wanting to go on to serve with MAF.
When a woman faced birth complications, MAF sprang into action to get the help she needed. Praise God for a healthy and safe delivery.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 (NIV)
GUINEA
Pray for our team in Guinea as they make progress to set up the new programme there.
WORLDWIDE
DRC
Pray for the MAFI leadership team, that they might lead well, hearing from God, having wisdom in the decisions they make.
Intercede on behalf of the team in Bunia, as they serve the people in sometimes challenging circumstances.
RECRUITMENT
Give thanks for our recruitment team, who work hard to attract new people to serve in MAF. Pray that they will see success.
MISSIONARIES
UKRAINE
KENYA
SOUTH AFRICA
Pray for more people to be inspired to serve with MAF, using their skills and talents for the glory of God.
Pray for Russia and Ukraine. Praise God for any small steps towards resolving this situation. Pray for healing.
Pray for communities in Kenya that are affected by drought and famine. Pray they will receive the relief they need and for rain.
Pray for the fundraisers in our MAF resourcing groups. Pray for new and creative ways to reach new donors.
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GOALS THAT GLORIFY GOD Written by Thobile Thando Khoza
The pursuit of our dreams is centred around our need to break barriers. Our backgrounds often influence the direction our visions take. Like most good things, dreams mature. And I was faced with a challenge when I was tasked by the bishop at our church to search and find God in my aspirations. After a good number of years of dreaming about flying, I started questioning how becoming a pilot could serve God’s purpose. The confusion wasn’t as hard as receiving what I thought to be clarity. It was overwhelming how I seemed to have no idea where to begin pursuing my dreams. Every opportunity I hoped would bring me closer to flying was unsuccessful. One of the most devasting incidents was when I had the chance to pursue a career within the aviation industry. I was sure that the career would ensure a safer and brighter future for my family. And I was ecstatic! I felt confused about my purpose when the interview was unsuccessful. I didn’t understand how everything could have gone well, how the experience reassured me that aviation is where my heart is, and yet I was not selected for the post. However, my faith in my dreams was revived when I heard the words “God’s delays aren’t God’s denials” from a family member. Years later, a friend shared an opportunity to learn the unmanned side of aviation through getting a sponsored drone pilot licence. Since then, I am humbled to be a part of organisations that are changing the lives of God’s people for the better. My dream is growing and being carved into its most beautiful shape. I am seeing the possibility of serving God in my desired career path. Being exposed to how pilots are involved in organisations that are significantly impacting lives gives me courage and confidence that I can become a part of such initiatives too. Setting selfless goals is a quality I am learning is important in our journeys as Christians. To serve the kingdom of God is to serve God’s people and to bring them closer to His purpose. To set God-glorifying goals is to set goals that spread His love and revive faith in others. Our Father planted these seeds of fruitful passions within us. Therefore, it is a blessing to be able to serve Him through every aspect of our lives, even in the pursuit of our dreams!
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Your prayer is powerful.
’Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.’’ James 1:17
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Photos courtesy of Samaritan’s Purse (Kim Rowland). Story by SP’s Annette Bennett.
TRADING STIGMA FOR SMILES
In October, Samaritan’s Purse brought cleft lip patients from across South Sudan to Juba for surgery. On board ten MAF flights, were 151 passengers including babies, children and young adults and their carers from eight locations across South Sudan. It wasn’t just the patients that were left with beaming smiles.
They were able to carry out 120 surgeries over the ten-day outreach. More than 700 lives have been transformed in the ten years since the project began 2011.
The Samaritan’s Purse nurses have a mirror ready so the first thing the patients see when they come out of surgery is brandnew smiles. The lucky ones are The medical team of 26 too small to hold the mirror. theatre nurses, anaesthetists Others have waited years or and surgeons from the US even decades to see the face have travelled, foregoing their that is smiling back. No-one holiday to spend twelve hours a really knows why children are day inside an operating theatre born with the condition, which at Juba Teaching Hospital. happens when a baby’s lip or 18
mouth doesn’t form properly during pregnancy. Cases range in severity from cleft lip to the medically complex cleft palate. There are no figures on how widespread the condition is in South Sudan or how many adults and children may be living (and dying) with the condition in remote communities, hidden away from prying eyes. In the western world, the condition is diagnosed in the womb and treated soon after birth.
UNMASKING A PROBLEM The first patients disembark at Juba International Airport. Covid face coverings serve a dual purpose, preventing Covid and preserving the dignity of children and adults living with a condition that’s believed to be a curse. In previous years, passenger manifests have documented how people living with this condition aren’t always given names – referred to instead by the title as “Machiek” – which translates roughly as “creature”.
while, introducing them to the loving God who replaces the stigma with blessing. Annette has tears in her eyes as she tells the story of a woman in her seventies who lived her whole life outside the village because of her cleft lip. Excluded from society, she never married and was abandoned by her children when they left home to marry. After her surgery the woman looked forward to meeting her grandchildren for the very first time.
Annette shares how the Samaritan’s Purse chaplains, who act as translators, give these patients the opportunity to choose a new name. All the 19
Photo P.18: Smiles from patients post-recovery.
Photo P.19: Tobias Meyer loads passengers into MAF planes ready for takeoff.
THE FIRST SMILES
To aid with the healing process, babies and toddlers are fitted The day before the surgery, staff with special sleeves called “nocheck blood count and weight. nos” to stop them bending their The simple surgery rarely has elbows and putting their fingers complications and often takes in their mouths. This is a comfort less than an hour. This year reflex for many children, which they have seen more patients can undo the surgeon’s good with bi-lateral cleft lip requiring work. more complex and painstaking surgery. Two theatres with two It is a scary experience for the tables in each are operating for children – and their parents. Compared to the rural 10–12 hours straight. communities they’re from, Juba The surgery is carried out under is a big city. Many have never general anaesthetic. Afterwards, visited the capital or seen the a local anaesthetic nerve inside of a hospital before. blocker is administered to make the patients more comfortable during the first six hours of their recovery. The patients get paracetamol and antibiotics to go home with. The absorbable sutures don’t need follow-up care. If a complication arises, the patient can go to the health partner who referred them.
environment of a tukul that she finally starts to relax. The team is happy to hear that she is finally awake and responsive. She is young enough that memories of her surgery will soon fade – although its results will last for a lifetime. Photo: The Samaritan’s Purse Medical Team prays with Nyabat before her daughter is taken into surgery.
Photo P.21 top: Nyabat was thrilled that her cleft lip has been repaired.
One little girl clings to her mother – and refuses to open her eyes as she comes out of the anaesthesia. In the last three days, her world has been Photo P.21 bottom: Post-surgery turned upside down. Staff keep recovery is an essential part of a close eye as she recovers and the journey. prepares for the flight home. It isn’t until she’s safe in the familiar 20
IT’S THE SMILES THAT COUNT Annette loves the cleft lip programme. She’s energised by the long days and enthusiastic surgical team. For the health manager, it’s a chance to get face to face with patients and dust off her clinic skills. The results after the surgery are immediate. This is unlike the NGO’s other programmes which require day-in day-out dedication by more than a thousand Samaritan’s Purse workers. They often deliver emergency food security, nutrition, WASH, shelter and health programmes interventions across South Sudan.
habitable landscape can receive vital services. Samaritan’s Purse mobile medical teams work in areas that can only be reached by plane – travelling out by motorcycle, quadbike and even canoe to deliver healthcare. Cleft lip patients like 65-year-old Agok have come from places such as this. Annette visited an area where the flood water was nearly two meters deep. She recalls the devastation a few weeks later when the handmade dyke protecting communities breached and floodwater swept through villages, destroying homes.
As the outreach is happening, people gathering in Glasgow for GOP26 and the SP team on the ground is wading through water that’s waist deep in places, in Unity State, so that people living on the edge of the 21
TESTIMONIES FROM SOME OF OUR PILOTS Tobias Meyer: “It was amazing to fly for Samaritan’s Purse cleft lip repair programme. Just to see the difference it makes for kids who otherwise wouldn’t get the chance to have surgery. Today, I had a baby on my flight with cleft lip and wondered if she missed out! Thankfully it’s an ongoing programme and the surgeons will be back next year!” Alistair Youren: “It was a real privilege to support Samaritan’s Purse again with their cleft lip repair programme. Flying the patients in is just a small part of the operation but it’s great to be able to support this ministry. Seeing the change in the patients a few days later, when we fly them back home, makes all the hard work worthwhile – it really is life changing work and it’s a real highlight for me to be involved.”
Story by Jenny Davies and photos by Linda and Fritz Fankhauser
A NEW GATEWAY TO THE GOSPEL There was double celebration in Eastern Equatoria in January when MAF pilot Raphael Flach landed on the newly reopened airstrip to bring the brand-new translation of the Bible in the Tennet language. A few days, he landed again with VIP visitors, including Bible translators, to celebrate with the community as the scripture was dedicated. Arilo and the surrounding area is home to the Tennet, a Nilotic people group with an estimated population of 1015,000 who are classified as minimally reached with the Gospel according to the Joshua Project. The Tennet live mostly in South Sudan, although some have been displaced into Kenya and Uganda by war.
Eastern Equatoria State, which hasn’t been serviceable since 2013. On Tuesday, he made the first landing at Arilo Airstrip with 170 kg of Bibles, which also happened to be the first delivery of a brand-new translation in the Tennet language to be received in the community. On Friday, MAF flew nine passengers from SIL to attend dedicate the long-awaited scripture portions picking them up again to Juba the following Monday and Friday.
“The New Testament, which was printed in 2020, but because of Covid-19 we were not able to deliver and dedicate it then. We are doing it now, so the church can begin using it,” SIL Language Programme Manager Paul Otto explained as he prepared to The last week in January was an board the MAF plane in Juba. exciting week for the Gospel in “We will stay for a few days to Arilo. On Monday, pilot Raphael do some training called ‘faith reopened the airstrip in Arilo, comes by hearing’, with the
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church leaders, to teach them how to use it. People who don’t know how to read and write can listen to the scriptures instead.” Translator Osfaldo Cirino was part of the team travelling to attend the celebrations. “We are flying today for the dedication of the scriptures. We expect many people at the celebration from the town there to attend. Also, some neighbours who will come to celebrate with us,” he said.
BIBLE DEDICATION The celebration to dedicate the scriptures took place on Sunday 23 January. The service started with songs and an opening prayer by Rev Peter Lowot. Welcomes were extended to the Bible translators and government officials. Many of those in attendance, SIL’s Richard Malik noted, were
Photo p.22: Taking off after a great day of celebration.
Photo: Tennet House in Arilo, South Sudan.
children and young people. Most of the elderly people have fled the village due to cattle raiding, hardship and famine. Commissioner Okach welcomed the long-awaited scripture. “I was a doubting Thomas, thinking that the Bible is really not available in Tennet, but now I believe that it is real. Please send children to school so that they can be able to read it.”
TENNET TRANSLATION The translation process began in 1993 in Kenya and has continued across three locations including Kenya, Uganda and Khartoum.
Passenger Scott Randal was there at the beginning and helped to get the translation started. “The translation started because there two pastors In his greeting, the Tennet studying at Bible college in Youth Chairman thanked SIL for Kijabe in Kenya. They asked SIL helping to preserve the Tennet for help, because they realised language. “Now Tennet can that they needed scripture in read their language through the their own language, so SIL sent written word of God. When they me to work alongside them. We preach now, they will listen and started with language research, re co rd i n g fo l k t a l e s a n d understand.” investigated the best reading 23
system to use for the language. REOPENING We then did some initial ARILO AIRSTRIP scripture portions. I left after seven years, and they continued the project while I Re-opening an airstrip is a community endeavour as pilot was gone.” Raphael Flach explains. “As I “It’s a happy day to know that overflew the airstrip on Monday people are finally able to read to do an aerial assessment, I the Bible. I was very excited could see that they had worked when I first saw the translation really hard to prepare the in print,” Adelino declares. He strip and done a really good shares a story about what this job. There are no cars in the community, and they would will mean for the community. have done all of this work by “One day, as we were giving hand. out the Bible portion, there was a lady, who said, ’What “Landing there on Tuesday, was is this?’ When I told her that it pretty exciting. It’s not an ideal is the Word of God in Tennet, airstrip,” laughs the experienced she said, ‘Now the Tennet have pilot. “It’s kind of tricky, you have become human beings.’ That to be on your toes, ready to really touched me a lot! Before, respond. There are soft spots without the word of God they which pull you to left and right felt that they were somehow so you have to really be on the less than other people. It brakes but also ready to add a encouraged some of us to know bit of power, so you don’t sink how much people valued the in too much. There is a lot going Bible. To see the realisation of on with the power, brakes and what we were doing. Translation steering, which is fun!” is a very long, tiring and tedious process – but it is always worth The challenges of landing at the airstrip are nothing compared the effort.” to the challenges of travelling 24
by road in this part of South Sudan as Raphael explains. “It is reasonably dry today, but in the wet season, roads in this part of Eastern Equatoria, are completely unpassable. They are some of the worst roads in the country, making these communities some of the most isolated in South Sudan.” The way back included a few challenges, but as far as pilot Raphael was concerned, the extra stops and operational challenges of flying to Arilo were worth the effort, “I just love flying the gospel, there is nothing more important,” Raphael concludes. Photo: Community members drumming for the celebration.
Photo p.25: Linda shares a few words
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Front Cover: Courtesy Grant Strugnell
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