Mission Aviation Fellowship is the largest humanitarian airline in the world; we are a Christ-centred non-profit that use aircraft to reach the most isolated communities for the sake of the gospel. Our missional pilots cross mountains, rivers, deserts, jungles, and war zones, – to reach areas that would otherwise be inaccessible due to a lack of infrastructure or security. We work with ministries and other non-profits on the ground, to provide medical assistance, disaster relief, educational resources, and Christian missions - such as bible deliveries in local languages, and support to local churches. We believe that spreading the Good News is both a spiritual and physical act.
FEATURED STORIES
MAF SA’S ANNUAL REPORT 2023
Reflecting on the past year, we recall the ambitious vision we set forth in 2022: Empowering African candidates, nurturing their skills, and preparing them for impactful missionary work. By investing in training, mentoring, and providing opportunities, we can contribute to the global mission landscape in a profound way. Our aspiration is to witness a diverse group of missionaries and missional staff members, including Africans, playing pivotal roles in advancing the love of Christ to every corner of the earth.
MAF SA HOSTS FIRST-EVER CANDIDATE ORIENTATION IN SOUTH AFRICA SOUTH AFRICA
FROM BELITTLED WOMAN TO VALUED FLIGHT COMMANDER
KENYA
HOW BOY’S BRAVE STEPS ARE CHANGING ATTITUDES TO DISABILITY
MAF pilot Daniel Loewen-Rudgers provided transportation to a team of medical doctors from AIC CURE International children’s hospital Kijabe for a 2-day free mobile clinic in remote areas of Lodwar and Lokichar in northern Kenya.
Salome, a mother of an eight-year-old boy named Given Sikuku, radiates joy despite the numerous health challenges her son faces. She is also a teacher at a local school in Lodwar.
Given’s journey has been marked by several surgeries on his back and feet since his birth in 2015. His conditions include scoliosis, hydrocephalus, spina bifida, and club feet, which necessitate the use of crutches to walk. His dream is to be a pilot one day.
Over time, Given’s health has been challenging, and months ago he had a chronic wound on his right foot and an ulcer, but he has now healed, and his feet now show no signs of wounds. However, the scoliosis in his spine persists,
causing him fatigue and affecting his posture when he is seated.
Prior to the introduction of the CURE mobile clinics using MAF flights to the region, Salome endured extensive long hours of travel on the road from Lodwar to Kijabe, towards Kenya’s capital, a journey of approximately 12 hours or more each way all in the pursuit of her son’s treatment. Her dedication knows no bounds, despite financial constraints that occasionally led to missed appointments.
She says, “I am happy for the start of the CURE mobile clinics which have significantly reduced travel costs by bringing medical doctors’ closer to home. Now, attending clinics is no longer a
financial burden, and it also allows for consistent care and monitoring of Given’s progress.”
Salome’s initial doubts about Given’s ability to walk have been dispelled.
She says, “Thanks to the assistance of doctors at Kijabe, Given now walks with crutches… it is my wish to see Given support himself and walk like other children.”
Having witnessed her son’s progress, Salome extends her support to the members of her community urging families with children living with similar challenges to come forward and get them help. She acknowledges the existing stigma surrounding disabilities in the community, a mindset she hopes to change through education. Gratitude fills Salome’s heart as she expresses prayers for the medical professionals who tirelessly serve their community.
She says, “We pray for the doctors for God to give them wisdom, courage, and good health so that they can continue supporting us.”
During the Lodwar clinic, Given was fitted with supportive footwear, with plans in motion for him to visit a neurosurgeon at Bethany Kids Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), which specializes in spina bifida and hydrocephalus. This stands as a testament to Salome’s unwavering commitment to her son’s care and well-being.
Dr Joseph Theuri, an orthopaedic surgeon with CURE present at the clinic and one who examined Given said that he was set to see a neurosurgeon (BKKH), where they will carry out two X-rays of his spine to assess the alignment and condition of the spine from both front to back providing essential information to tailor the next steps of treatment according to his specific needs. Faith Susan, Country Director of MAF Kenya, emphasised the vital role of MAF flights in transporting medical teams to remote areas. She says, “CURE is dedicated to caring for children
with orthopaedic disabilities or illnesses in remote locations where access to healthcare is limited.
“Thanks to MAF’s support in transporting doctors, nurses, and physiotherapists to these areas, children who are suffering can receive specialized care and treatment that would otherwise be unavailable to them. This collaboration ensures that these vulnerable children receive the critical assistance they urgently need.”
Daniel Kimeu, Mobile Clinic and Outreach Officer at CURE, expressed his appreciation for the partnership with MAF. He says, “Today, we are delighted to be present at St Paul Home in Lokichar. I want to extend my gratitude to MAF for their invaluable partnership in flying us to numerous remote areas to conduct clinics. Through this collaboration, we have been able to provide vital assistance to many children.
“We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to continue our clinics with MAF in the near future, God willing, and to expand our outreach to new locations.
“At CURE, our vision is to ensure that children with physical disabilities receive the care they need. Recognising the challenges of transportation and the distances these children must travel, CURE management made the decision to transport doctors directly to these remote locations instead of waiting for patients to reach the hospital. Thus, the mobile clinics were born, allowing us to bring medical assistance directly to those who need it most.”
FROM BELITTLED WOMAN TO VALUED FLIGHT COMMANDER
Faith Susan is Country Manager for MAF Kenya. Here she talks about the difficult start in a male-dominated aircraft industry and the surprising welcome in MAF, which was just in need of an aircraft engineer...
Faith Susan has been the Country Manager for the Mission Aviation Fellowship in Kenya since last November. But she has worked in the organisation for 19 years, first as a planning officer and later as a flight engineer and further up through the organisation.
- In MAF, I have found the environment I was looking for , she says and explains in her own words the long journey from underestimated woman to valued flight commander.
A MALE-DOMINATED ENVIRONMENT
I worked for an aviation company down the coast in Mombasa. It was not very easy to be a woman and an aircraft engineer in Kenya at that time. It was a very male-dominated environment. In addition, I am quite small and have a
slender build, so the other employees looked down on me. For example, they asked me to tighten a wheel on one of the larger planes, and then they all sat together and laughed out loud at me because I couldn’t tighten the nuts. I was the only woman on the team and when I came in in the morning they would all whistle rudely at me and make lewd remarks. It was such a horrible environment. I cried almost every day. And at some point, I had had enough and quit. It was just too much.
“GOD, WHAT’S GOING ON?”
One day I went down to the beach as I used to, to cry and pray to God. I have been a Christian since I was 16 years old. I asked God: What is happening?
Then a young man came who had seen me sitting there on the beach day after day. He was a photographer and used to photograph and sell pictures to tourists on the beach. “I see you come here often; why?” he asked.
I gave him my story: I am an aeronautical engineer and a Christian, but at the moment I am having a very difficult time. He pulled a magazine from MAF out of his bag and said that he had taken pictures of these “mzungus” (white people - ed.) and that they had given him the MAF magazine. “It’s an aviation organization, a Christian one of its kind,” he said.
I read the magazine with great interest. Then I checked if there was a base in Kenya and there was. I immediately took the night bus to Nairobi, where the air base is located. I had my papers with me, CV and everything.
“GOD, WHAT’S GOING ON?”
Finally, I got to the hangar gate, where the guard looked me up and down and asked: “What do you want?”
I replied: “I want to speak to the chief engineer. I’m looking for a job!”
“ There is no job for you here,” he replied. “We are not hiring at the moment. So just go!”
I felt so bad. I was in deep trouble, didn’t have a job, and had now taken the long journey on the night bus. So I just stood completely stunned.
But then I decided to go up the road to a cafe and drink a coke. Then I suddenly thought of a friend from school who had probably done an internship at MAF. Her name is Miriam. So I thought if I go back and say I want to meet Miriam, the guard will probably let me in.
As said, so done. The guard let me in, and when I entered the MAF office, I forgot all about Miriam. I asked for the chief engineer instead.
“CAN YOU START RIGHT AWAY?”
And then came Ken Milligan, who was chief engineer at the time. I was very excited. I told him I was from Mombasa and he told me he was excited to meet someone from the coast
because he and his wife Alice have a summer house in Mombasa.
Then he got to the point: “What can I do for you?”
I explained that I had done engineering and I had also done a little bit of planning and technical records. He took my hand and pulled me into the meeting room where he introduced me to all the employees. I was very excited and confused because I didn’t know what he was up to.
“ This is Faith Susan,” he said. “She has graduated as an engineer and she can do everything we need!”
Then he asked me to sit down and explained: “Our planning officer, who also takes care of technical records, is leaving in six months to move on to new duties. So we thank God that you have come. Can you start right away?”
Of c ourse I said okay! And then I was introduced to the job by Sammy Maina, who had to quit.
The rest is history. I got all the necessary licenses and went from planning and technical records to the post of quality manager and later to deputy country manager and on to country manager.
I LOVE WHAT MAF DOES
In MAF I have found the environment I have been looking for. I have always wanted to serve God and use my abilities. I don’t just want to do business and make money, but really make a difference in people’s lives. No matter what task you have at MAF, whether it’s planning, leading a program or whatever, when the day is over, someone has been given hope, someone has been helped, and someone has become cured.
This is why I love working for MAF. I love what MAF does. That is why I have persisted for 19 years. The end result is not just repairing planes, not flying, and not making money at all. We serve people. The woman out there, the mother out there, the child out there, the young man out there who feels the love of Christ.
WHAT IT MEANS WHEN THE BIBLE BOX LANDS
Many people in PNG live in remote areas where even essentials can be hard to come by. The biggest joy for many, however, is when the MAF pilots open up the Bible Box.
In MAF, each pilot brings a Bible Box with them, when visiting remote PNG communities, giving the people there a unique opportunity to acquire Bibles at an affordable price. One such community is Guavi in Western Province. Our two pilots, Renee Brewer and Corné Noordhoek, brought the Bible Box.
“We don’t fly into Guavi often, so they were excited we had a Bible Box. One elderly man ran back to his house to get money and was happy to buy an audio Bible,” said Renee. There is a variety of literature in the Bible Box. Bibles in different languages, audio Bibles and even comic Bibles to cater for the younger generation as well.
Mathias Glass was flying through Mengau and
was overwhelmed by the curiosity from the locals. The comic Bibles especially drew interest.
“It’s incredible, it’s amazing. There are so many people and they come close to you to see what is in the box,” said Mathias. “They always ask, bring more, bring more, we need more of these things.”
To the pilots it becomes clear that there is a huge demand in the remote places for Bibles.
That is what pilot Jan Ivar Andresen experienced when he flew to Watape in West Sepik Province.
“We sold eleven Bibles in Watape. Ten smaller Tok Pisin Bibles and one large one,” said Jan Ivar.
While the demand is big, it also highlights other challenges for the remote population of PNG.
Pilot Brandon Van Saane had managed to bring some helpful items to go along the Bible Box, when he was in Birem, Western Province.
“The people were very excited to see the Bible Box and I sold one Pidgin Bible and a few pairs of reading glasses,” said Brandon. The reading glasses are sold for five kina each, and can open up a new world especially for the older generation. You can learn how the reading glasses became a part of the Bible Box here.
BUILDING A NATION OF CHRIST
These images were taken during a 10-day trip, during which MAF-Uganda pilot, Dave, flew MAF’s parter mission, Every Village, to numerous locations (and stayed with them) throughout South Sudan. The ministry of Every Village focuses on building a nation for Christ through partnering with the people of South Sudan to provide every village with sustainable access to safe water, healthy churches, and the gospel by radio.
The Jesus Film being shown under the stars deep in the bush beyond the outskirts of the small town of Mvolo, South Sudan. This initiative is hosted by Every Village, ministry partner of MAFUganda. invitations to one of the local churches for discipleship for any who have come to Christ and/ or are interested to learn more.
The night was very dark; people came only after they’d finished their cooking and eating. Most had no torches and the moon had set—there were no lights anywhere around. These photos are lit only from the light of the projector (battery powered) and the stars.
Many of these people have never before seen a film, especially one that is dubbed into their own language. They begin the evening by reading scripture (again, in their heart language) and talking a bit about what they are about to see.
The Jesus Films are hugely impactful on the people and the Every Village staff follow it up with further discussions and invitations to one of the local churches for discipleship for any who have come to Christ and/or are interested to learn more.
We praise God for His provision to sustain these flights, making a way for Every Village
For many people throughout South Sudan and Uganda getting clean water is a huge chore. Often the nearest source of water is not only far away (sometimes several hours walk) but the water is also often very dirty. We can raise funds with greater ease to drill new wells however, without proper maintenance and repair, most wells are unserviceable within just a few years. Raising funds for repair and maintenance doesn’t sound nearly as glamorous as drilling them for the first time. Every Village realised how important it is to make a self-sustainable way for the South Sudanese to keep their boreholes going for a long, long time:
They’ve started a project whereby local villages can contribute very small monthly fees to a co-op who then guarantees to provide the necessary maintenance and repair of the well and hand-pump. Here is a village in the remote bush outside Aweil, South Sudan, who just joined into the Every Village programme for the well service. This borehole had been broken for a very long time, with no other borehole anywhere nearby. Staff worked all day as villagers excitedly watched and waited nearby. As the sun was setting, the repairs were finally complete and water flowed again for the first time in a long time. Spontaneous cheering and dancing broke out all around the well as the local people joyfully celebrated the renewed access to clean water right near their village.
Staff pray for a South Sudanese boy from Mvolo, whose foot had been badly burned by hot oil.
JOIN THE MISSION FIELD
CRITICAL VACANCIES
COUNTRY DIRECTOR
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.
COUNTRY DIRECTOR
PAPUA NEW GUINEA
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.
COUNTRY DIRECTOR 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.
PRAY FOR MAF SOUTH AFRICA
OUR PROGRAMME’S PRAYER REQUESTS AND PRAISE ITEMS
Please pray over the upcoming flight assessments for three pilots who are progressing through MAF SA’s recruitment pipeline.
Please pray for the newly planned and upcoming execution of South Africa based flight assessments. The team is hoping to initiate the first batch of assessments in September 2024. Please Pray for MAF SA’s three aircraft maintenance engineers who are in transition to their global MAF programmes.
Please pray for the team to equip themselves as they initiate a new volunteer programme. Please pray for guidance and favour as the team search for new office space that is more costeffective and well located. THANK YOU!
“FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON, AND A TIME FOR EVERY MATTER UNDER HEAVEN.”
ECCL 3:1
FAMILIES FROM SOUTH AFRICA ARE WORKING IN ISOLATED COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE GLOBE, TO BRING THE LOVE OF CHRIST TO THE ISOLATED.
PRAY FOR OUR MISSIONARIES
BRAD & MICHELLE VENTER | PNG
The Venters are currently in South Africa on furlough. Please pray for a fruitful time engageing with supporters and churches, as well a restful time to be with family and friends.
MARK & LORRAINE LIPRINI | TANZANIA
Please pray for Mark as he recovers fom typhoid fever.
Mark has a demanding flying schedule over the next 2 months, please pray for aptitude and our Father’s covering over these flights.
TOBIAS AND MORIAH MEYER | S. SUDAN
The Meyer’s will be transferring to the MAF Chad programme circa September 2024; please pray for a smooth transition and settling in to their new community and country programme.
GRANT & EMILY STRUGNELL | LESOTHO
Grant is one of three pilots currently operating in Lesotho. In 2023 he moved into the position of Director of Operations, please pray for him as her navigates this challenging and exciting role for the benefit of the isolated communities across Lesotho.
CANDIDATES FROM SOUTHERN AFRICA WHO ARE CURRENTLY IN THE MAF SA RECRUITMENT PIPELINE, IN PREPARTION AND TRAINING TO ENTER THE MAF GLOBAL MISSION FIELD.
PRAY FOR OUR CANDIDATES
DANIEL CHILIPAMUSHI AIRCRAFT ENGINEER
Daniel is busy with Bible School and transition coaching. He is currently in Madagascar until the end of July when he will be transferred to a larger programme.
Daniel is from Zambia.
GIFT & ABIGAIL MPOSI AIRCRAFT ENGINEER
Gift is currently in the USA completing his licence conversion and standardisation before he is sent to the Liberia programme.
Gift is from Zimbabwe
EVERETT MONTAGU PILOT
Everett has successfully covered his initial assessments and is due for his flight assessment here in SA, in the first week of September 2024.
Everett is from South Africa.
MOMPATI SHABANE AIRCRAFT ENGINEER
Mompati is in Kenya doing his standardisation, MAF SOPs (standard operating procedures), and aircraft familiarisation. Following this he flies to the USA for license conversion before he can be placed in the Liberia programme.
Mompati is from Botswana.
MUNYA MARINYAME PILOT
Munya has successfully covered his initial assessments and is due for his flight assessment here in SA, in the first week of September 2024.
Munya is from Zimbabwe.
MAF SA CELEBRATES MILESTONE WITH FIRST-EVER INTERNATIONAL CANDIDATE ORIENTATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
February 2024 marked a milestone moment for MAF SA as we hosted our very first MAFI candidate orientation in South Africa. This event represents a significant landmark in our ongoing efforts to make the mission field more accessible to candidates from Africa who are called to serve.
MAF SA was honoured to host MAF International’s candidate orientation, which took place over ten days in February 2024, at the Mercy Air base in White River. Our team worked diligently to ensure that the event was not only informative but also inspirational, equipping attendees with the knowledge and skills necessary for their future missions. The decision to hold the orientation in South Africa underscores our commitment to empowering African candidates and underscores the importance of their role in the global mission field.
MAF SA CEO, Maxine Holman, expresses the significance of this progression, “We feel honoured to have the opportunity to conduct the 2024 MAF, new international staff, orientation in South Africa. This marks a significant milestone as it is the first time that MAF is hosting orientation outside the UK or Australia and within the African continent. Our orientation group comprises 14 new international staff, including engineers, pilots, and managers. It brings us great excitement to announce that 8 out of the 14 individuals hail from various African countries,
making this orientation particularly noteworthy as the first time we have such a diverse group gathered for this purpose. We see the Lord’s hand in this endeavour as we turn our attention to Africa to send greater numbers of skilled individuals to serve in MAF programmes around the world.
WHY SOUTH AFRICA?
Choosing South Africa as the location for this orientation was a strategic decision. MAF SA’s vision to equip African missionaries and South Africa’s position as a gateway to the rest of the continent made it an ideal location for such an event. By hosting the orientation here, we made it more accessible for African candidates, reducing travel costs and logistical challenges that have previously been barriers to participation. Paul Henning, Board Chair of MAFSA, expressed, “In preparation for this year as a team, we realised that out of great adversity often comes enormous opportunity. When I think of Africa, the word ‘Community’ springs to mind, and I believe that our ability to host the annual orientation was born out of community. Africans (and visitors from afar residing amongst Africans) collectively pooled resources to make this orientation one that I have no doubt was one of the most memorable.”
A NEW CHAPTER FOR AFRICAN MISSIONARIES
This orientation is a testament to the growing number of African candidates who are answering the call to serve in missions. For many years, candidates from Africa faced significant hurdles,
including long-distance travel and the high costs associated with attending orientations in other parts of the world. By bringing the orientation to South Africa, we are removing these barriers and opening doors for more candidates to join our mission.
Henning noted, “It was significant that the orientation was hosted in South Africa because we had a large contingency of African recruits joining MAFI this year, and we are extremely proud of the remarkable people we are sending into the world to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many of these people have come out of extremely challenging circumstances themselves, but to quote Lou Holtz, ‘Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I’ll show you someone who has overcome adversity.’ Our African brothers and sisters are living proof of our Lord God’s faithfulness in raising servants for His Kingdom despite the background and adversity they have come from. Only God gets the Glory when we see the miracles at work attending orientation.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ORIENTATION
Throughout the two weeks, candidates participated in a series of workshops, training sessions, and fellowship activities designed to prepare them for the unique challenges of mission aviation. Topics covered included crosscultural communication, technical training, spiritual development, and practical logistics. Seasoned missionaries and MAF staff shared their experiences and insights, providing invaluable guidance and support to the new candidates. One of the most impactful sessions was a panel discussion featuring African missionaries who have successfully integrated into MAF’s global network. Their testimonies of faith, resilience, and
dedication served as powerful encouragement for the new candidates.
LOOKING AHEAD
As we reflect on this historic orientation, we are filled with gratitude and anticipation for what lies ahead. This event has set a new precedent for how we support and equip African candidates. Our vision is to see more African missional pilots take to the skies, reaching remote and isolated communities with the love of Christ.
“We trust too that hosting orientation for those who have not yet experienced Africa, in Africa, would open eyes and engender awareness to our colourful cultural diversity and sometimes complexity and the warm hearts that they will no doubt be encountering on the mission field,” Henning remarked. “Transformation starts with inquiring minds, engagement, and conversation, and we look forward to being the catalyst and facilitating these valuable engagements during this time.”
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all our donors and supporters who made this event possible. Your contributions are not just investments into a programme, but into the lives of individuals who will go on to transform communities and spread hope across the continent.
JOIN US IN PRAYER AND SUPPORT
We invite you to join us in prayer for the candidates who attended this orientation. Pray for their continued growth, strength, and preparation as they embark on their journey. Additionally, we welcome ongoing support to ensure that future orientations and training programmes can continue to flourish in Africa.
Together, we are making history and paving the way for a new generation of African missionaries who will carry the message of hope and salvation to the ends of the earth. Thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.
A scripture that Henning would like to leave with the new recruits as they knowingly face challenges along the way is, “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.” - Romans 5:3
“MAF International is pleased to have held our first orientation class on the African continent when we met together in White River in February. Fourteen individuals from eight countries, more than half of which are from Africa, took their last step of entry into MAF as they learned how we think and work to accomplish our mission and reach our vison to see isolated people changed by the love of Christ. We celebrate the diversity of countries and cultures represented by this class which will further increase the rich diversity already found in our organisation. We believe that people from multiple cultures working together in harmony is a beautiful reflection of the body of Christ as it should be.”
DAVE FYOCK, CEO OF MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP INTERNATIONAL
ABOVE: Dave and Hilda Fyock with MAF SA Ministry Partnership Officer, Queen Basupi, and co. BELOW: Candidate safari adventure.
ABOVE: Daniel Chilipamushi, Zambian Aircraft Engineer, says goodbye to his family before embarking to South Africa.
Sometimes, as a resourcing group in the recesses of global society geographically and economically, we (MAF South Africa) suffer a little “imposter syndrome”, questioning the impact we have and our ability to bring about change in this world.
Not only were we able to provide the most exquisite environment in our beautiful Mpumalanga province, but due to the international exchange rate, the one time having a weaker currency is beneficial is when foreign currency affords the costs within our country, making it extremely costeffective and beneficial to MAFI. Our donors globally will no doubt appreciate the wise stewardship of their first fruits so that we can stretch the resources that much further as a global community to the people who need it most.
On behalf of the Board of MAFSA, I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to those invovled, especially to MAFI, all of the team who came from abroad, and, most significantly, our new missionaries who are writing the first chapter of their magnificent adventures for the Kingdom. We were honoured to have hosted this event and would like to thank Dave Fyock and his team at MAFI for placing this responsibility in our hands. With God’s help, we flew the flag of MAFI for the Kingdom of Heaven high!
PAUL HENNING, BOARD CHAIR OF MISSION AVIATION FELLOWSHIP SOUTH AFRICA
“JESUS CHRIST IS THE SAME YESTERDAY AND TODAY AND FOREVER.”
HEBREWS 13:8
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
FRANCEPAPUA NEW GUINEA DRC MAFI
MAF France are actively recruiting volunteer ambassadors to help make MAF known in France. Pray for good connections and opportunities to open up in this area.
Praise God for the arrival of P2-WET, a float plane in PNG, and for the positive response from local communities. Pray for the ongoing success of this project.
MAF is teaching women to read, write and sew in three IDP camps. The classes help them focus on something other than the trauma they’ve experienced. Pray for an end to violence in the DRC and for people to rebuild their lives and feel settled.
Earlier this year, we prayed for the renewal of permits, licences and visas for MAF Liberia. As the years pass and seasons change, our need for favour with the local authorities continues, so please pray that our 25-plus programmes continue to enjoy good relationships with the authorities allowing us to serve overseas.
KENYA CHAD
As Kenya develops and modernises, the rural isolated areas in the north are becoming a focus for charities and churches. Please pray that MAF flights to these communities will enable the NGOs and faithbased missions to help the people there.
Please pray for those living in the refugee camps in Adré – the closest town to Chad’s border with Sudan. Over the last year, people have fled from Sudan into Chad, and the camps there are struggling to cope. Pray too for the aid workers providing care for those who have been displaced.
UGANDARESTRICTED ACCESS NATION
Pray for the funding and implementation of our new strategic plan, which will guide the development of Kajjansi Airfield as the Regional Hub for training and maintenance in East Africa.
Praise God for a recent maintenance review in a restricted access nation. A maintenance inspector was so impressed with MAF’s maintenance standards that he discussed moving inspections to every two years. Excellent work points to an excellent Creator.
Pray with the team leadership as they navigate the challenges of being subject to aviation fees from which they had previously been exempt.
Praise God for the provision of funds to purchase five new aircraft to renew the fleet within MAFI.
Pray for qualified and passionate teachers for the Juba Christian Academy in South Sudan, which supports many of our staff families.
Praise God for a flight to support a church in Zwedru, Liberia, earlier this year. Twenty-two people gave their lives to Christ and a number received healing.
LESOTHOSURINAME TIMOR LESTEWEST AFRICA
Praise God for another operational pilot in Lesotho. Pilot Luke Nelson completed his first operational flight with passengers recently.
Praise God for the opening of a new hangar. Give thanks for the two pilot families who recently joined our team. Pray they will settle in well and experience God’s blessing in this exciting new season of their lives.
Give thanks for MAF’s fly-drive initiative which has enabled Maluk Timor to reach isolated communities in Timor-Leste to combat tuberculosis with a health training initiative.
Pray for a team sharing the gospel in West Africa. Praise God for 15 people who recently gave their lives to Christ.
GUINEA MAF STAFF NORWAYNEW ZEALAND
Without adequate supplies of fuel, our planes cannot fly. Please pray for an effective, longterm solution to the fuel shortage caused by an explosion last year in the main fuel depot. Pray too for those who lost loved ones as a result of the blast.
Pray for our 28 UK personnel living overseas. Adapting to new cultures, acclimatising to heat, high levels of humidity and poor infrastructure isn’t always easy!
Pray for an increase in business and church partners to MAF Norway. Pray that God will lead people to MAF.
Give thanks for New Zealand government funded flights which are bringing healthcare to mums in Papua New Guinea in contrast to enduring dangerous journeys to reach health services.
HOW THE SOUND OF MUSIC HELPS REFUGEES OVERCOME TRAUMA
MAF partners with Brass for Africa to restore hope to refugees at Bidibidi, the world’s second largest settlement..
The number of disturbing suicide cases at Bidibidi refugee settlement is falling, thanks to a music initiative helping people overcome the horrors of their past.
Brass for Africa is an organisation that reaches out to some of the most vulnerable groups of people with instrumental music, to bring healing, create relationships and develop a sense of belonging. One of the biggest challenges refugees grapple with is trauma and stress, emanating from their experience of conflict.
Mission Aviation Fellowship flies Brass for Africa staff and their partners from Kajjansi Airfield in Uganda to Arua, from where they connect to Yumbe, the home of Bidibidi settlement.
“The Yumbe project is our second biggest after Kampala, so it requires proper monitoring to ensure that we reach our intended objectives. This also means that key members of the staff teams have to travel to Yumbe often, to do project
visits,” said Brass for Africa’s Programmes and Admin Manager Ronald Kabuye.
“Before MAF, this would be an entire day of travel and then another, recovering from the 12 hours journey, which sometimes became 15 hours or even more due to bad roads.
“Right now the team can travel half a day, rest and also attend to urgent matters. This has increased utilisation of time, ensure that more time is spent on monitoring the projects. MAF has also provided an alternative to arrange short
quality
term visits to the project in case an emergency arises.”
Bidibidi, the second largest refugee settlement in the world was formed in 2016, after a brutal civil war broke out in South Sudan, leading to displacement of over one and a half million people. More than 280,000 of those sought refuge at Bidibidi refugee settlement, in the northwest of Uganda.
From over 160 cases of attempted suicides in 2021, reports indicate that there were about 40 cases last year. The downward trend is greatly attributed to interventions of projects like Music for Healthcare Inclusion, where refugees are trained to play brass instruments, engage in activities designed to help them relax, hope and overcome despair, but also as a skill that could help them earn a living.
“Here suicides do not scare people because they are not strange. But we are happy that cases are significantly dropping since we started our interventions,” said Molly Nabwami, Brass for Africa’s project health officer.
“Last year there were 40 cases, and this is very good progress, because the previous years, cases were much higher. And we continue to do advocacy in different aspects.”
Hakim Joseph, a leader at Bidibidi settlement’s Zone II, came to Uganda from South Sudan in September 2016 when conflict intensified there. Hakim says that many refugee face mental health challenges, and some resort to suicide.
“In this zone alone, 18 people attempted suicide in 2022, out of which 16 were successful. But awareness from the partners and programmes like the one Brass for Africa started here are helping a lot. This year we have so far had only three attempted suicides cases, and none has been successful,” Hakim said.
According to Hakim, the graphic pictures of murders they witnessed created bad memories and changed their lives forever. Hakim like all the other refugees we have spoken to does not wish to return to South Sudan.
MAF is now working with local leaders in Yumbe to construct an airstrip near the refugee settlement. When the airstrip is complete, Brass for Africa together with other partners who are serving refugees at Bidibidi, will save another two and a half hours they spend on the road from Arua, where the closest airstrip to the settlement is currently located.
“When we first came here, there was a serious issue of social cohesion, life only meant sleeping and waking up. We brought the music and we are achieving a vibrant community,” Ronald said.
In order to bridge the gap between the host community and refugees, Ronald’s team opened the music classes to the host community too. This is because at the beginning, the local people were hostile to the refugees, and would bar them from sharing their wells, firewood and even sometimes, land. Now there is more peaceful co-existence.
“Our lessons are not individual based; we teach them as a group,” Ronald added.
“One of the problems refugees face when they leave their home country is loss of their culture. This project helps them to connect and cherish their culture. We help them appreciate that they
can have their music and keep their culture while away from their home country.”
On the weekend of 21 – 22 April 2024, over 160 refugees and host community members received certificates, after successfully completing their training in brass music instrument playing.
The team of brass music players moved around the community entertaining them with their newly acquired skills. One lady who had gone to the market paused her activities there, and joined the band, dancing all the way to the celebration venue. Moments like these are important in the healing of the refugees.
Ronald, who as an orphan himself was enrolled in this programme when he was a little boy, has been a teacher on the programme before he was handed other responsibilities.
“They have to learn how to expand and grow even away from their home country. We help them to achieve that,” he said.
“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping His covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep His commandments.”
DEUTERONOMY 7:9
“God’s faithfulness means that God will always do what He said and fulfil what He has promised.”
