Faith Highlights from 2013

FAITH HIGHLIGHTS

2013 JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

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MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

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SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

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JANUARY FAITH THAT HEALS

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FEBRUARY FAITH THAT CONNECTS

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Les and Key Loader

There is a village in southern Papua New Guinea (PNG) that challenges our western culture of ‘high speed connectivity’. Broadband Internet and SMS text messages are unknown concepts here in Guala, and the community lives with little certainty that even a handwritten letter will be delivered.

However, there are faith-filled Christians who work hard to connect with these people. Former missionary Les Loader embarked on a faith-venture to bless a Bible school in Guala, which provides discipleship and biblical education to young adults on the margins of PNG’s underdeveloped education system. The school had a limited 240-volt generator, which meant classes couldn’t continue after dark and even a laptop struggled to function.

Cables, electronic switchboards and high-tech solar panels were among the valuable cargo transported by MAF in January 2013 to this remote community. Many locals gathered in excitement to help install the new equipment, even felling a large gum tree that shaded the new solar panels!

Now with solar-powered lighting, the students in Guala can extend their study hours and enjoy night-time reading – a luxury many would never have known. Basic tasks we take for granted such as charging a mobile phone are now possible, allowing people to stay connected. A warm shower was the final gift provided by Les and his faithful vision to connect with PNG’s isolated people.

‘Praise God for MAF!’ says Les. ‘Without MAF’s help, I couldn’t do the work in PNG that God has given me.’

MAR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

MARCH FAITH THAT

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REACHES OUT

Violent storms destroyed a bridge on the only road to Orkesumet in rural Tanzania, leaving many people isolated and in desperate need of medical care. MAF was part of a mission to reach these people, motivated by God’s passion to reach lost people.

When two new airstrips opened in Kitwai B and Lerumo in early 2013, MAF pilot Kirstein Combrink embraced the wonderful opportunity to deliver both physical and spiritual help. It was a powerful answer to the prayers of those who may otherwise have remained stranded in this remote region.

The first MAF landings caused much celebration, and the day was marked by singing, testimony and prayers to the living God. Thanks to Kirstein and the team of medical staff and evangelists, two more communities now receive regular medical treatment and vital supplies – and most importantly – have been shown the love and power of Jesus Christ.

APRIL FAITH THAT THRIVES MAF manager KeA Arnlund and his wife Birgitta have demonstrated incredible faith that has transformed a community near our former base at Lokichoggio in northern Kenya, where MAF still flies regularly.

In 2008, Birgitta was teaching at a local Bible school when she came across ‘the school under the tree’. Deeply moved by over 150 mostly naked children who gathered in the stifling heat and dust to learn, she was determined to do something to help. These children deserved a better life.

KeA and Birgitta suddenly found themselves on a faith-adventure, and before them was the immense task of raising funds to build a school.

While maintaining their commitment to MAF, they trusted in God’s provision for this incredible dream.

Backed by the prayers and support of friends back in Sweden, KeA applied his engineering skills to start the ambitious building project. MAF was privileged to be able to transport building materials, volunteers and over 3,000 mosquito nets to the people of Lokichoggio.

‘Let me assure you,’ reflects KeA, ‘had it not been for MAF, this wonderful project would not have become reality!’

On 13 April 2013, the long awaited primary school was officially inaugurated by the Swedish Ambassador to Kenya – an event the Ambassador described as ‘moving’. God has been so faithful.

The whole community has benefited. The village now not only boasts a fantastic school facility, but building work also provided a borehole for fresh water and established 3 new enterprises – securing employment for over 20 local Turkana women. Today, thanks to the faith and perseverance of two MAF missionaries, these isolated people have a new purpose, and their children have a chance to thrive.

APR 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

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MAY

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FAITH THAT BREAKS FEAR Stories of witchcraft, spirits and supernatural encounters are familiar to all who live in PNG’s remote villages. Many people are governed by fear, and animism is a common conviction.

Two MAF women, Mif Litle and Nikolai Ballin, decided to challenge this belief. Their faithadventure was to take the light and freedom of Christ to those living in darkness.

Stepping onto a small boat to take them downriver, the courage of these two women was rooted in prayer, biblical authority and a deep trust in Jesus. They were greeted by almost 200 women from the Aba community, who gathered to attend a convention that was entitled ‘Do not fear’.

In a culture where every death falls under suspicion of sorcery, Mif preached from Ecclesiastes of a God who knows our birth and death; a heavenly Father who prepares our every step. In a climate where Satan rules by fear, Nikolai shared of a Saviour with authority to push back the deceptions of the enemy (Ephesians 6).

The Aba women nodded in agreement as the powerful message rang out across the assembly, and they began to show a real hunger for the Truth.

Both Mif and Nikolai felt honoured to preach the Good News that day, and left knowing that these vulnerable women, through faith in Jesus, were equipped to break the power of fear.

JUNE FAITH THAT CROSSES MOUNTAINS

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JULY

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FAITH THAT PIONEERS

When God gives His people a vision, He propels them onto a new journey of faith. Three missionary families were given a radical calling: to live in the jungle among the unreached Amdu tribe in northern PNG. Their faith-journey was marked by prayer, partnership and preparation for a completely life-changing move. With one missionary child just a few months old, the wives and kids packed up their lives in the West to join their men in the jungle.

Sharing these families’ passion to see God’s love reach the far corners of the world, MAF committed to flying all the raw materials needed to build three homes in rural Amdu. After many months of hard work, in July 2013, MAF pilot Philipp Sutter delivered the final and most precious cargo of all – the family members themselves.

Stepping off MAF’s Caravan aircraft, the missionaries embraced the next chapter of their pioneering journey.

Greeted by a throng of locals handing out floral garlands, Philipp joined in celebrating the first accomplishment of an inspirational vision, and took a step towards bringing the Good News of Jesus to another isolated people group.

‘We are privileged to be part of this new ministry,’ reflects Philipp. ‘It is my prayer that many people here can be physically and spiritually transformed in Christ’s name.’

AUG 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

AUGUST FAITH THAT DELIVERS

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Miles McClure delivers Hupla Bibles

The Bible says that the Good News of Jesus should bring great joy to ‘all people’ (Luke 2:10). But there are many who are unable to receive it, and live in some of the world’s hardest-to-reach-places – cut off from pastoral, medical and practical care. Part of MAF’s mission is to support those working to bring these isolated people God’s Word in their own tongue; a gift so many of us can take for granted.

August 2013 brought a landmark in this mission, and a life-changing opportunity for thousands of people to read the Bible in one of Papua’s 250 languages. After more than 30 years of commitment to the Hupla people, missionaries from World Team have now completed an entire translation in their dialect – a result of sacrificial faith and perseverance.

‘MAF has the incredible privilege of supporting this work,’ says pilot Daniel Perez, who was involved in transporting the Hupla Bibles. ‘They labour to provide nearly 15,000 people with a translation of the Bible. It’s their life’s work.’

When MAF pilot Alan Discoe helped deliver the precious books to their destination deep in the heart of rural Papua – the final stages by foot – he was greeted by a jubilant display of colour and celebration. The Hupla community was clearly moved, knowing they were remembered by us and remembered by God. It is achievements like this that make our faith-ventures and dynamic partnerships worthwhile. Not only did God’s Word bring great joy to a forgotten people, it brought great joy to a committed and faith-filled team of His servants.

SEPTEMBER

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FAITH THAT BRINGS JOY

OCTOBER

FAITH THAT COMMISSIONS

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NOVEMBER

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FAITH THAT RESPONDS Pilot Dave Forney, together with Disaster Response and Security manager John Woodberry partnered with New Tribes Mission (NTM) to deliver many tonnes of relief supplies to isolated families in the aftermath of typhoon Haiyan. Even though no MAF planes were deployed, our staff were privileged to offer logistics and practical support to many organisations working on the ground. Working in partnership is what MAF does best, and it was thanks to our strong relationship with NTM that many isolated people received the help they desperately needed.

Dave reflects, ‘I can’t count the number of times I was personally thanked by the men, women and children for the help we bought them. In a situation where so many hundreds of thousands were in desperate need throughout the Philippines, and the world was focussed on areas of high population, these people on islands of 30-400 homes would have been completely off the radar. In total we were able to deliver them over 25 tonnes of aid.

‘Many people commented that they had eaten little or nothing since the typhoon, until we brought them food. These people had lost nearly everything. I was able to share with local village leaders that this was a gift from MAF, New Tribes Mission, the local Philippine church and many Christians around the world who wanted to help them and show Christ’s love.’

Thanks to our many Supporters who covered us in prayer, we were able to respond in a time of great suffering, offering these dear people a meal, reassurance, and the love of Christ – and for that they were extremely grateful.

DECEMBER

FAITH THAT UNITES US ACROSS THE WORLD

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