Beauty for Ashes - God Restores

BEAUTY FOR ASHESGOD RESTORES

Mission Aviation Fellowship’s service in TimorLeste has emerged from the flames of a devasting blaze, with a massive outpouring of support allowing flights to resume quickly. Although the fire destroyed valuable equipment and documents at MAF’s base in Dili, staff and firefighters were able to protect the aircraft and prevent any casualties.

Domingos Falo, MAF Ground Operations Assistant, said, “I came early, as usual, to check the aircraft before we fly. Suddenly, I heard a fire alarm ringing. I saw the smoke coming out from the main office window.

ran to check the office and attempted to open it and rescue some documents and other important materials, but I was unable to do it because the fire had spread.”

The firefighters arrived after 10 minutes and extinguished the flames, but they were unable to save the office. All the devices and important files stored in the main office were destroyed, including flight documents, iPads, personal computers, servers, and other staff documents. Only a few documents were saved.

“I

Story and photos by Lobitos de Jesus Alves

“I have seen how the Timorese people who came to help us, felt good about being able to give something back to MAF. We are usually the ones helping them, and this time it was both humbling and rewarding for us to be on the receiving end.” Lobitos de Jesus Alves

Photo P.18: Staff member, Domingas Falo, searching through the ashes for what could be salvaged.

Photo P.19: The burned walls of the MAF office.

Photo P.19: Domingos Falo found the aircraft keys after cleaning the burned office. Now, the aircrafts are able to fly as usual. Especial thanks to Domingos Falo who found these keys.

Photo P.21: Captain Ping’s Flying Logbook survived from the incident

Captain Ping Domtta, explained, “I was at home on Sunday morning when I got a phone call from Domingos Falo. He said our office was burning. When I came, I could see the flames out of the main office door. Then we went to the hangar and removed the aircraft. The event was unsettling, but thank God no one is hurt, and our planes are safe.”

The MAF Country Director in Timor-Leste Programme, Nick Hitchins, said, “Obviously, I was shocked when it happened, and I was really impressed with how quickly the team responded and how quickly the firefighters came and put the fire out. They really achieved the main goal,

which is to protect the airplanes and the people. So thankfully, nobody died or was injured and none of the airplanes were damaged.”

He said the response from locals in Timor-Leste and from MAF colleagues in Australia was essential to keeping flights operating.

He added, “I have seen how the Timorese people who came to help us, felt good about being able to give something back to MAF. We are usually the ones helping them, and this time it was both humbling and rewarding for us to be on the receiving end.

“We worked together with the authorities to make sure that we had all the paperwork in order, and we had great support from the Cairns Support Office. Many people dropped everything they were doing to help us resume flying and get the necessary paperwork approved by CASA. I am very grateful because we couldn’t do it on our own, and this is a great example of why it’s good to be a part of a wider MAF family.”

Domingos Falo added, “I know it’s a tough situation for us, and we might have lost a lot of important things, but God protected us, and He did not let us get hurt. He also protected our aircraft because He knows that this country needs MAF help.

Ping Domtta shares about what happened after the fire. “One day after the incident, we worked together and tried to clean up the burned room and search for some items that survived”, he said.

“If we lose the aircraft, this country might lose a lot of people’s lives in remote areas because there is no reliable transportation that can help them in an emergency evacuation.“

“Surprisingly, it’s like a miracle because everything burned down completely, but my license and flying logbook were safe. I thank God because he protected my flying logbook, which has recorded my flying experience since 1 December 2009, almost 13 years.”

“I am so thankful and excited to share this wonderful miracle I have encountered. I still ask myself, how is this possible? But with God all things are possible. This incident reminds us of some passages in the Bible that tell the story of the prophet Daniel and how God protected him in a dangerous situation.”

Nick Hitchins said the teamwork and determination was inspiring.

“I can already see how God is working this together for good, and I’m looking forward to the future to see what else God does to help us as we rebuild and continue our work here”, he said.

“I’m very proud of my team, of the work they did

and for their perspective. They didn’t get sad or lose their motivation. They stayed positive and they all joined together to support one another and worked together to get through this. It really was amazing!”

“Then King Nebuchadnezzar leapt to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, ‘Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?’

They replied, ‘Certainly, Your Majesty.’ He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’”

Daniel 3: 24-25 (NIV).