Every three minutes… f W H Y A L E G A C Y I S S O I M P O R TA N T
F LY I N G F O R L I F E
Every three minutes an MAF pilot takes off or lands bringing essential help to a remote, often otherwise unreachable, community
Scripture reminds us that we must make provision for the needs of our loved ones first but, as Stuart says, ‘I regard MAF as one of my own children.’ Maybe you do, too
One in 6 of these flights – one every 18 minutes – is possible thanks to the gifts we receive from Wills. Stuart King, who celebrates his 90th birthday this year and over 60 years of total commitment to God and MAF, has flown hundreds of flights. How many of our flights would not have been possible without legacies from our Supporters? Without them, many missionaries, aid workers, medicines, provisions and emergency supplies would simply not have reached isolated people.
Over 60 years ago, Stuart landed in Sudan and MAF’s service began. In the future, whatever aircraft we may be using, one thing is certain: communities of vulnerable people will always need us. A gift in your Will will help us be there for them. If you would like to see inspiring footage of our latest work, visit www.maf-uk.org There is also a special feature celebrating Stuart King’s life and work in our magazine Flying for Life.
l We thank God for each and every gift we receive. l We thank God for each plane. l We thank God for our Supporters. The combination of plane, pilot and partner soaring around the world to people in need is incredibly powerful.
Head office: Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone CT20 2TN Scottish office: 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD Mission Aviation Fellowship UK. A Company Limited by Guarantee. Registered in England and Wales, Number 3437446. Registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107)
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HOW A GIFT IN YOUR WILL CAN LIVE ON
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Over 60 years of Flying for Life – we thank God for Stuart King and every MAF worker
Worldwide, we now have more than 135 planes in over 30 countries. We work closely with over 1,000 partner organisations, providing flights and logistical support for healthcare, emergency relief, development and the bringing of God’s Word
In his book Hope has Wings, Stuart ends with a verse from the British songwriter and worship leader Noel Richards:
In 1948, MAF’s first survey flight took off for Sudan with Stuart as co-pilot and engineer. Although that plane crashed, thankfully Stuart and his colleague survived. Over 60 years later, the work of MAF continues and increases year on year. So does the faithful support of many partners. Just a few months ago, we delivered 2,800 hand-held radios to South Sudan as part of AID Sudan’s radio campaign, which provides people with the Gospel and news in their own language. AID Sudan is dedicated to the liberation of South Sudanese people from poverty, famine and hopelessness through community health and development, training for teachers, health, hygiene, AIDS teaching and the message of Christ.
As a vital part of the MAF family, you have made this possible through your prayers and support. In Pyrulama, Papua New Guinea, so desperate were people for MAF’s help that they spent 21 years digging an airstrip out of the forest using machetes and sticks. So although its completion was a cause for celebration, it was also a time to remember the lives that could have been saved if we had been able to land sooner. In fact, the time couldn’t have come soon enough. Days before the official opening, pilot Nick Swalm flew to Pyrulama for four medical emergencies. Thanks to the airstrip, all four women were able to reach the hospital and have recovered fully. ‘Before the airstrip,’ recalls a community leader, ‘we would spend four days carrying our people across rugged mountains to the hospital and they often died en route.’
God you are waiting, Your heart is breaking For all the people who live on the earth Stir us to action, Filled with Your passion For all the people who live on the earth (© 1994 Thankyou Music)
The new airstrip at Pyrulama is just one example of extraordinary action: the partnership between local people, MAF and our Supporters all working together to make a difference long into the future. The Scriptures are a binding legacy which will live on forever for each and every one of us, guiding our lives. MAF will be ‘flying for life’ well beyond Stuart’s life – or ours. Every day, we continue to try and meet the increasing requests for MAF’s services. There will always be a need for us to provide essential aid and support to future generations in the countries where we serve. For many years, our aircraft have been flying Maasai evangelist Elisha to isolated communities in northern Tanzania. His perseverance, at first only slowly bringing his fellow people to Christ, is bearing fruit. There was a joyful celebration when 24 people recently graduated from Maasai Bible School. Pilot Andrew Parker flew the graduates back to their home villages, each better equipped to share more about God’s love in their communities. Elisha writes, ‘Thank you MAF and all who worked to make this possible.’ By helping MAF continue to support such ministries into the future, more and more lives will be saved eternally.