News for Prayer 7 August 2014
Issue 506
Freeing the captive
Uphold Andrew Chard, European Director of Africa Inland Mission (AIM), one of many Christian organisations seeking to help the people of South Sudan in this, the troubled country’s third year of existence. Andrew flew to Lohutok with MAF to encourage AIM’s Training In Ministry Outreach (TIMO) team to gain an understanding of the challenges involved in sharing the Gospel with the Lopit, Lohutok’s local people. AIM has been running its TIMO programme for over 20 years in more than 60 locations on the African continent. Teams live in communities where less than 2% of the population follow Jesus, and spend 2 or 3 years learning the language and studying Christian ministry. Although Andrew describes the Lopit as ‘a tribe trapped in fear’ and says they are deeply resistant to change, AIM personnel are gradually seeing them open up. He prays that the Gospel will take root in their lives and free them from ancestral worship. ‘AIM,’ concludes Andrew, ‘really enjoys the ongoing partnership with MAF, which enables us to fulfil our vision of seeing Christ-centred churches among all African peoples.’ Pray that the Lopit will be released from bondage and that we will continue to bring hope and healing to this war-torn nation.
AIM workers flown buy MAF to Lohutok
Worth celebrating MAF Pilot Jason Marsh had just finished serving his wife Melanie breakfast in bed at our Goroka base in Papua New Guinea (PNG), when a call came through for the urgent medevac of a young boy who had been bitten by a poisonous snake. Although they’d originally planned to spend the day celebrating their wedding anniversary, the couple were still able to be together because there was space on the plane for Melanie to accompany Jason on the 24-minute flight to Owena. As they flew, Melanie prayed ‘that the little boy would be able to hang on until we could get him to a hospital, that the airstrip would be clear for landing, and that my breakfast would remain where I’d put it that morning!’ When they touched down on one of the steepest and shortest airstrips we use, people came from all directions to meet the plane. Having unloaded the supplies we’d flown in for the people there, Jason prepared the aircraft for the patient and his caregiver. A missionary who had been working in the area for 30 years told Mandy they have frequent problems with snakebites and, because they don’t have reliable refrigeration to store the anti-venom safely, no supplies were available. Fortunately, the snake had only bitten Naha’s finger, so the poison hadn’t made its way into his bloodstream by the time the plane arrived. Because of this and the quick response from MAF,
the little boy could be flown to hospital to receive treatment – giving Jason and Melanie yet another reason to celebrate!
Fruitful partnerships
MAF regularly flies personnel from French NGO Terre des Hommes around Bangladesh to feed and improve the lives of children under five who are suffering from malnutrition, along with pregnant women and mothers. The NGO organises discussions, cooking demonstrations and campaigns to raise awareness on health, nutrition and hygiene. It also helps women to start their own homestead gardens so they can have fresh vegetables throughout the year. Thanks to Terre des Hommes, four-year-old Mim, who was diagnosed with acute malnutrition, received food and medicine, and is now feeling better. Her mother, Asma Begun, shares, ‘I am very happy my daughter is now okay. She is livelier and plays more than she did before.’ Another MAF partner, Plan Bangladesh, visits communities in the south-west – engaging communities with strong traditions of arranged marriage in discussions about positive marriage values. Gazi Golam Momad, Plan’s Regional Project Manager, says, ‘MAF helps our staff and visitors as the flights are less time-consuming and more comfortable than road or water travel.’ Another partner, SANGRAM, provides physical
therapy, artificial legs and wheelchairs for those living with disabilities. It also raises awareness of the issues affecting the 15 million people in Bangladesh who suffer from disability – organising support groups for disabled people and their families that enable them to meet regularly, support one other, and get to know their rights. One beneficiary, Sumon Dhuri, says SANGRAM taught him what to do during a disaster. ‘During cyclone Mahasen,’ he explains, ‘some of us carried people who weren’t mobile to the cyclone shelter where there’s a special area for disabled people.’ MAF also flies personnel from Bangladesh Red Crescent Society (BDRCS), which works with 450 families in an area in the south that’s highly exposed to cyclones and tidal surges. This NGO works to increase villagers’ resilience to future disasters, provides sanitation and clean water, and helps people support themselves financially. Three months ago, BDRCS developed a filter system to provide safe drinking water for 200 households. Dave Mother, BDRCS Country Representative, says, ‘If we didn’t have MAF, we’d have a 15-hour road journey – if the road is open! With MAF we can get there quickly.’ Give thanks for the many partners we serve in disaster-prone Bangladesh, and pray for God’s blessing as they feed hungry people, assist those who are disabled, uphold family values and provide clean drinking water.
Prayer points • BANGLADESH We are currently short-staffed. Pray for a pilot and an aircraft maintenance engineer to join the team. Pray too that our registration for NGO status will be granted quickly. • CHAD Give thanks for the safe arrival of Programme Manager Sam Baguma. Pray for Sam, his wife Abby and their children Rachel and Rebecca as they settle into life in the capital N’Djaména (NfP 503). • HAITI Our team of 8 missionary families and 14 Haitian staff members need a taxiway to enter our relocated hangar. Pray for government approval, funding and construction. • KENYA A number of our pilots are currently on home assignment. Pray for stamina and strength for those still flying, as well as safety in the air. • LIBERIA Pray that those who have tested positive for the Ebola virus will be healed. Pray too for wisdom as our staff plan when best to move to Liberia
and begin operations there. • MOZAMBIQUE Our programme has been grounded until we can obtain an Air Operators Certificate. Pray we will be flying again soon. • PNG Staff from MAF Learning Technologies in Goroka are giving basic computer training to enhance the ministry of over 30 local pastors. Pray this will give them the confidence they need to use computers effectively. • UGANDA We are currently unable to carry out flights into South Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Pray that our application to make international flights will be granted, so we can resume flying. • UK The annual MAF Day of Prayer takes place on 19 October. If you or your church would like to take part in praying for our work and the people we serve, please phone 01303 852819 or visit www.maf-uk.org/pray to receive a free resource pack.
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