News for Prayer 27 November 2014 Issue 514
Helping to defeat Ebola
For the last three months, our team in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has been flying medical teams and supplies in a co-ordinated effort to fight the Ebola outbreak in Boende. Now, according to MAF’s western DRC Programme Manager Nick Frey, with no new cases of the Ebola virus reported since early October, the outbreak seems to be over. Give thanks that the Ebola crisis in the DRC appears to have ended, and praise God for the 109 passengers and the 6 tons of supplies flown by MAF to Boende since the outbreak began. We are also grateful for the medical personnel who faithfully served during the outbreak and rejoice that, thanks to our aircraft, medical experts received speedy access to this affected region. Pray for those who have lost loved ones. At least 49 people died from the virus in the DRC, which had a 74% fatality rate. Reports indicate that over 5,000 people have died in West Africa, where the Ebola virus represents a separate strain to the DRC one. Continue to uphold all those who are suffering.
MAF helps fight Ebola in the DRC
25 years in Madagascar
Praying for Liberia
Earlier this month, after weeks of preparation, MAF celebrated 25 years of flying help, hope and healing across Madagascar – one of the largest, least developed islands of the world. The event took place at the Relais des Plateaux, which was decorated with colourful triangles of ‘bunting’ – each one carrying a personal message from MAF supporters in the UK. 150 guests attended, including MAF staff, our partners, and VIPs such as the Minister of Economy and Planning, Général de division Herilanto Raveloharison. The minister opened the proceedings, saying, ‘I am here as your friend and colleague – as someone who has known you not as a minister, because being a minister is a nomination which passes sooner or later. But friendship – that lasts forever. ‘An organisation blessed with the wisdom of God can only do great works. That is the blessing of MAF, and many other missions of which we are a part.’ A number of MAF friends then spoke of how our small aircraft have saved days of challenging driving and arduous walking for missionaries and NGOs. Pastor Serge Razafitsambaina explained, ‘New spiritual life is being born through the Gospel, and MAF is bringing hope to us here.’ Praise God for the magnificent way we were able to celebrate a momentous achievement in MAF’s history, and pray for God’s blessing on the next 25 years.
With reports now indicating a drop in the rate of new Ebola cases in Liberia, please pray the crisis will end soon and that order can be restored to this fragile nation. The epidemic has been responsible for about 2,800 deaths in Liberia. Remember the many Liberians grieving for loved ones, as well as struggling to survive as food prices rise, schools remain closed and ‘normal’ life is put on hold. We are also praying that we can get the permissions needed to assign staff to Monrovia and begin flying as soon as possible. Continue to pray for peace and patience for Liberia Programme Manager Emil Kündig and his wife Margrit, our Finance Manager. They are currently in Uganda, where Emil will be sitting his pilot and engineering licenses. Pray too for MAF Pilot Arjan Paas and his wife Aartje, who are on temporary assignment in South Sudan, and are looking forward to moving to Liberia.
Medical emergency Statistics indicate that there is one physician for 20,000 people in Papua New Guinea. Living in a remote and isolated area means the closest doctor is miles away, with the journey over rough mountains, swamps and rivers making a patient’s survival unlikely and travel extremely painful. When Mukusato, who lives in the remote village of Makapa, felt she was about to give birth, she was
• ARNHEM LAND Give thanks that the Muthamul and Bukudal airstrips are now open. The local people are very grateful that they can be reached by plane. Pray for plans for an MAF outreach to Bukudal. • AUSTRALIA Uphold Mark and Jenny Beckwith, who recently arrived in Mareeba, where Mark is serving as Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. Pray that they and their daughters settle in quickly. • CHAD Fuel shortages are causing disruptions countrywide. Pray we will be able to purchase enough aviation fuel to meet our flying needs. • KENYA Pray for our partners Sauti Moja, a relief agency working with the nomadic Rendille and Borana people. Ask for God’s blessing on their Widow Peace Project, which supports ladies who have lost their husbands through tribal conflict. • MADAGASCAR Uphold evangelist Eric Lagasche and his colleague José
MAF UK
Wet, wet, wet
In Arnhem Land, the wet season is coming. Because it’s the time of year when many roads in Australia’s Northern Territory become impassable, MAF flights for the indigenous population are even more vital. Pray as our personnel face the many challenges caused by wet weather. Pilots have to carry extra fuel and allow longer flight times to factor in possible diversions. This can limit the amount of people, freight, medications, food and supplies our aircraft can carry. Pray that services won’t be disrupted. Pray too that, despite the debilitating humidity, our missionary personnel will find energy and encouragement as they continue their crucial ministry to the remote and isolated Yolŋu people.
Rakotomalala, who share the Gospel with the remote Bekadoka people. Before we reopened the nearest airstrip, it took a week to reach the villagers by car and boat. It now takes 70 minutes from the capital by plane. • MOZAMBIQUE Pray that our Air Operators Certificate will be approved soon and that the various registration processes will go smoothly. We haven’t been able to fly since 1 July (NfP 511). • PAPUA NEW GUINEA Continue to pray for Finance Office Manager Walolo Gele who recently had a stroke (NfP 513). She has been discharged from hospital, but her recovery is slow, and the left side of her body still paralysed. • TIMOR-LESTE In October we had our busiest month on record since operations began in 2007 – flying 60.5 hours and 381 passengers. This included 14 emergency medical flights for 19 patients. Pray that those who needed a medevac will be healed.
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excited but apprehensive. Tragically, the baby died before it could be delivered, and she urgently needed to see a doctor. Travelling by boat, Mukusato braved the choppy waters, rain and wind – the nurses holding an umbrella over her to keep her dry. An hour later, she reached Kawito, exhausted, wet and in pain. Mukusato was then taken from the boat by stretcher, carried up a steep embankment and loaded on to the MAF plane. An hour and a half later, the plane landed at Rumginae Airport. From there, an ambulance drove Mukusato to the hospital, where one of the doctors performed a caesarean. Please pray for Mukusato and her family as they grieve the tragic loss of their child.
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