Flying for Life (October-December 2021) by MAF UK

OCT-DEC 2021

OCT-DEC 2021 Flying for Life 1

Praise the Lord your God! As a second summer dominated by the impact of coronavirus ends, MAF has so many reasons for which it can praise God The MAF fleet may not yet be flying the number of hours we’d become accustomed to 18 months ago, when the pandemic hit the world, but there is much to celebrate. In fact, this is the most diverse issue of Flying for Life for many years. Our pilots and planes have been involved in rescuing people from violence, surveying drastic flood damage, delivering newly-translated Bibles and treating disabled children. This issue also contrasts different members of the MAF family — long-term supporters ‘reunited’ with the plane they bought for us (page 10) and the latest recruit to join our international staff team (page 6). Perhaps the most exciting news of all is that MAF’s mission to expand into new countries remains on track. As page 3 reveals, we have recently added Guinea to the worldwide MAF map! This expansion into western Africa comes six years after we first ‘landed’ there, establishing a hub in Liberia, and brings to mind Deuteronomy 8:10: ‘Praise the Lord your God for the good land He has given you.’ We also praise His holy name for your committed support, which is always the starting point of any MAF journey towards a new frontier.

Our autumn front cover illustrates MAF’s work in Kenya — see page 8 for more news from that programme

Editor’s choice Each month, we receive dozens of wonderful comments from our supporters, for which we are deeply grateful. The following was sent in by Miranda: ‘I really enjoyed receiving and reading the recent four-page letter from Ruth Whitaker. It was nice to get what felt like a simple and affirming “let’s stay in touch” letter, and also incredibly refreshing not to have a request for donations included in it. In fact, so much so that I will be phoning shortly to make a donation!’ Please send your comments to editor@maf-uk.org

Ruth Whitaker Chief Executive, MAF UK 2 Flying for Life OCT-DEC 2021

Richard Chambers Editor, Flying for Life www.maf-uk.org

A new frontier! Story Richard Chambers

Photos Margrit Kündig

‘We see a significant opportunity to bring help, hope and healing through aviation in Guinea. Join us in prayer as we lay the foundations for this new programme and make the necessary preparations to begin flying in this country’

hese are the words of Dave Fyock, Chief Executive of MAF International — the operating arm that is responsible for establishing and running most of the programmes supported by your prayers and gifts. They mark the next step in our quest to expand our service in western Africa beyond our ‘hub’ in Liberia. Ranked 178 out of 189 on the UN’s Human Development Index, more than half of Guinea’s people live in poverty. Food and water are scarce, and 1 in 20 children don’t live to see their second birthday. After three years of research — including a survey led this February by MAF veterans Emil and Margrit Kündig — we began, in May, to establish a programme in Guinea. Interviews with NGOs, churches, missionaries, the Ministry of Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority and airport management officials have shown conclusively that MAF is needed in Guinea. Our aircraft will save potential partners such as these precious time and money through quick, safe flights in a country where transport is a major problem. I n G u i n e a , ro a d s a re m o s t l y unpaved, and the railway system is completely defunct.

Establishing medical evacuation flights would, by itself, represent a huge leap of progress. Along with Sierra Leone and Liberia, Guinea was devastated by the Ebola epidemic in western Africa of 2013-2016 — its poor infrastructure and health system laid bare by the horrific disease. However, to do this and so much more, airstrip development will be crucial. There are only a dozen airstrips in a country larger than England and Scotland combined. MAF is currently working with Guinea’s government and its aviation authorities to meet registration requirements, and is in the process of o b t a i n i n g a l l t h e n e c e s s a r y permissions. It’s hoped that MAF’s Cessna 208B aircraft — the Millennium Messenger, previously deployed in Mongolia — will be available for service this year.

Please pray for the people of Guinea and the MAF staff who will serve them. MAIN Most of Guinea’s roads are unpaved TOP Food and water are scarce MIDDLE More than half of Guinea’s 13 million people live in poverty BOTTOM Margrit Kündig with twins born to a student at Telekoro Bible School OCT-DEC 2021 Flying for Life 3

Rescuing Mozambique’s refugees Story Claire Gilderson

Photos Daniel Juzi

Thousands of people fled Palma on the north-eastern coast of Mozambique following terror attacks earlier this year. Since 31 March, MAF affiliate Ambassador Aviation has rescued more than 1,000 refugees

n 24 March — according to the UN — militants raided Palma, causing some 70,000 people to flee. Palma’s total population is around 75,000. On 31 March, Ambassador Aviation made its first two round-trips from Palma to the region’s capital Pemba — a 50-minute flight south — to evacuate 13 adults, 12 children and 6 babies. Due to the number of casualties, a temporary clinic was set up in Quitunda near Palma, where Ambassador Aviation has been flying in health workers and medical supplies. Ambassador Aviation has flown more than 150 times to evacuate children, the elderly, the injured, and a pregnant woman in distress. One passenger and eyewitness in Palma told MAF that the attack began outside his nursery — gunfire shaking the building. The man fled and hid in the bush for 15 days. When attempting to return home, he learnt insurgents had broken into his property and were using it for their own ends.

4 Flying for Life OCT-DEC 2021

Storm Jobo Since 31 March, pilots Dave LePoidevin and Dave Holmes have been conducting flights from Afungi, which is six miles from Palma. A Cessna Grand Caravan aircraft had been used to evacuate refugees from the area. To make matters worse, Storm Jobo hit Cabo Delgado Province on 22 April, delaying Ambassador Aviation’s delivery of food and emergency supplies. The Afungi peninsula is heavily guarded due to the intermittent construction of a multibillion-dollar liquified natural gas project owned by energy giant Total. Private security forces, local police and the Mozambican military maintain control of the area that includes Afungi Airstrip.

www.maf-uk.org

The attack was launched just hours after Total announced it would resume work on its gas project. Since then, Total has been forced to suspend its operations and has evacuated its staff. Emergency evacuations of local residents are being undertaken by Ambassador Aviation, other agencies and by boat.

MAIN More than 1,000 refugees have been rescued by our aircraft LEFT Some 70,000 people have fled the north-eastern town of Palma RIGHT Refugees at Pemba, 270 miles south of Palma

Deciding who to rescue Evacuees entering Afungi Airstrip are screened by police and security forces to prevent terrorist infiltration before they are accepted on our flights. This has resulted in long queues of hundreds of people. Many of the evacuees are not originally from Palma and don’t speak Portuguese — the national language — but were working in the area when they were forced to leave the volatile situation. Unfortunately, Ambassador Aviation aircraft can only seat 14 people at a time, so deciding who to rescue is incredibly difficult, as Diniz Cardoso from MAF Operations testifies. ‘The most challenging part is deciding who to put on the flight. There are sick and injured people, pregnant women and families with many children. ‘We are unable to take them all and we can’t break up families with many children, so it’s never a simple process. It’s so difficult to look into their eyes and hear them plead to be on the flight, and leave some behind.’

Engineers and equipment Palma’s hospital, banks and the state prosecutor’s office have all been destroyed in what the BBC describes as ‘one of the biggest’ extremist attacks in the region since militants launched their insurgency in 2017. In addition to evacuations, Ambassador Aviation has delivered mobile phone tower engineers, cables, a power supply and repair equipment in a bid to restore damaged communications infrastructure. It is also working in partnership with local humanitarian agency VAMOZ, flying in more than 2.7 tonnes

of food, drinking water, clothing and mosquito nets. Some of the supplies are for fleeing survivors who’d attempted to enter Tanzania but were prevented from crossing the border, and had nothing to sustain them. The need for evacuation flights continues. MAF secured an aircraft from Mercy Air for the week that the Ambassador Aviation plane was undergoing maintenance. According to Al Jazeera, since extremist attacks began in 2017, approximately 3,000 people have been killed and 800,000 have had to flee the region.

OCT-DEC 2021 Flying for Life 5

The dream became reality Story Adam Pope

Photos Dom Sant

Living in Derby, involved in their local church and with three children happy in their schools, Dom and Sequoia Sant led the archetypal ‘comfortable life’. Then God called them to MAF

om has been surrounded by planes from boyhood. ‘My father is an aviation enthusiast. We’d spend hours in airports watching planes take off and land,’ he recalls. ‘I dreamt that one day I would fix planes as I loved using my hands.’ Sequoia met Dom at their local church youth group. Committing their lives to Jesus in their teens, they settled in Derby after marrying in 2007. Dom began an apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce which led to a senior health and safety role. ‘I was a Flying for Life reader,’ he explains, ‘and hoped I’d join MAF eventually.’ In 2014, their church leader went to plant a new church in Leeds. The Sants felt called out of their comfort zone to become part of that vision. ‘It showed us God was in control,’ says Sequoia. ‘It helped us to trust Him more and it increased our faith.’ However, MAF remained something to consider once their three children were grown up. Then the country went into lockdown. ‘The pandemic was a trigger for me to re-engage with MAF,’ says Dom. ‘I’d been contacted by the HR team so I responded, expecting nothing to come of it.’ But it was clear to MAF that Dom possesses the skills so desperately needed in the Papua New Guinea programme. ‘We kept pushing the door and waiting for God to close it,’ Sequoia laughs, ‘but He didn’t! The tipping point was when we shared our thoughts with friends in Australia. They just said, “What’s stopping you?”’

6 Flying for Life OCT-DEC 2021

www.maf-uk.org

The dream became reality when Dom accepted a role with dual responsibility for health and safety and engineer training. ‘I believe we Christians can witness through the way we work. By doing it to the very highest professional standards, people can see our faith in action. I want us to have the very best reputation for health and safety, and I want our trainee engineers to excel in their roles.’ Sequoia concludes, ‘In living out God’s calling, we’re also demonstrating faith in action to our children. We want them to see what it means to give your all to God.’

MAF UK will be accepting applications for the 2022 Engineer Training Scheme up to 29 August 2021. Apply online via our website at maf-uk.org/engineer-training or email hr@maf-uk.org

Under 15 feet of water Story Claire Gilderson

Photos Ping Domtta

Following Timor-Leste’s worst flood in 40 years, MAF conducted an aerial survey, helping authorities obtain crucial emergency response data in days rather than weeks

t least 27 people were killed by flash floods and mudslides when Cyclone Seroja hit Timor-Leste on 4 April. The Guardian reported that the capital Dili was hardest hit — 13 people died and 8,000 people lost their homes. Several roads in Dili were cut off for weeks and nearly every office was flooded. Bridges were severely damaged and communications and electricity supplies were disrupted. Medical centres were heavily flooded, washing supplies away, and crops were submerged under 15 feet of water. However, with the support of MAF, the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) was able to determine the extent of agricultural and infrastructural damage in hard-to-reach areas. MAF’s aerial survey — piloted by Jonathan Lowe and Ping Domtta — comprised three assessment flights carried out between 16 and 21 April. Both WFP staff and government officials were on board. It took 6 hours and 40 minutes to fly over the affected areas, including Viqueque, Manatuto, Baucau, Manufahi, Ainaro, Covalima, Oecussi and Bobonaro. According to the data MAF helped

gather, some 1,600 hectares of rice and 295 hectares of maize were damaged in 6 municipalities alone. Irrigation systems had been destroyed — utterly devastating for farmers. The data played a crucial role in the government’s relief strategy. ‘These aerial assessments were critical in helping us understand the true extent of damage,’ explains Secretary of State for Civil Protection Joaquim Martins. ‘Not only in Dili, but in other districts. ‘With the information generated, we determined our needs, set priorities and designed interventions. We were able to distribute life-saving relief to families affected by the floods within 48 hours.’ WFP Country Director for TimorLeste Dageng Liu agrees that MAF played a vital part in the disaster response. ‘MAF enabled WFP and the government to assess damage in days instead of weeks. I’m pleased this partnership has made a positive contribution towards the country’s recovery from devastating floods.’

MAIN Cyclone Seroja devastated parts of Timor-Leste TOP MAF’s aerial survey was crucial to the successful relief operation

MIDDLE Jonathan Lowe (right) plots a route to the flooded areas BOTTOM Ping Domtta and Jonathan Lowe head off to survey the destruction OCT-DEC 2021 Flying for Life 7

MAIN Maureen Kendi, a nutritionist with Missions of Hope International (MOHI) RIGHT The MOHI school where patients are assessed for surgery FAR RIGHT Dr Fasto (left) assesses the children

Earlier this year, MAF joined forces with CURE International to facilitate mobile medical clinics on Lamu Island and in Bura — two isolated communities in southern Kenya

amu Island and Bura do not have adequate healthcare. In March, MAF transported orthopaedic doctors from CURE International to provide ‘on-the-spot’ care for children living with cerebral palsy. It took MAF just two hours to fly the team from Nairobi to Lamu Island instead of eight hours by road. Then they flew to Bura — another 45 minutes by air. The CURE doctors assessed more than 80 patients in just 48 hours.

‘Some will never walk’

Cerebral palsy in remotest Kenya Story Claire Gilderson

8 Flying for Life OCT-DEC 2021

Photos Jenny Davies

www.maf-uk.org

CURE treats children or refers them for life-changing surgery. For some, this is the first time their condition has been given a name. Dr Adhan explains what causes cerebral palsy. ‘Mostly they’re born with it. It’s often the result of prolonged labour. Women can’t reach a doctor so anoxic injury happens — a lack of oxygen, which injures the baby’s brain. ‘Some will never walk. If they’re vertical, we can fuse the vertebrae so they can sit upright in a wheelchair. Others walk with difficulty, so we release the hard tissue around their joints so they can walk straight. ‘We’re trying to improve their mobility. Cerebral palsy is 100% about care. We advise lots of physiotherapy so they can strengthen their muscles. If they don’t use their muscles, they will completely lose their function.’

The stigma of deformity

Bravin and Metrin

Early treatment is key

People with cerebral palsy are often ostracised, as Special Needs Case Officer Victor explains. ‘I do advocacy and empowerment activities because people are fearful of their children accessing services. They think that they will be laughed at. There needs to be more education so that they learn it’s not all about shame or witchcraft. ‘They need to understand that a disabled child has a future.’ Fellow MAF passenger Dr Fasto agrees, ‘Sometimes, they think such children are cursed. ‘They won’t let them go outside or take them to hospital. If we do help someone and they respond to treatment, people say, “Ah, this one is actually treatable!” Every time we do a surgery, we kill the stigma!’

Metrin, mother of 13-year-old Bravin, knows all about being ostracised. When Bravin was four months old, Metrin noticed that his left foot curved when he tried to stand. A local dispensary told her to wait for him to get older before they would administer any treatment. Metrin’s husband left them because of Bravin’s disability, so — as a single parent – she was forced to bring up her son alone on a limited income. Metrin wanted to care for Bravin at home, but had to pay the rent and put food on the table. She heard about CURE International from a friend. The doctor told her that Bravin had cerebral palsy and needed surgery. There was a chance that her son could walk normally. Metrin was grateful for Bravin’s treatment and the pastoral care they received. His operation wouldn’t have been possible without CURE International and MAF. It’s hopeful that Bravin will eventually go to school.

Delayed treatment can affect quality of life. Treating children early is more effective than waiting until adulthood. ‘If you catch them early,’ Dr Fasto continues, ‘it’s better. But, because the community is isolated and not seeking medical care, often we don’t see them until they are serious. ‘When the child reaches five, the bone is deformed and the tendons are tight. At that stage, we have to do surgery to release the tendons.’ CURE International’s partnership with MAF has enabled more children in remote communities to be reached across vast distances. Of the 83 patients seen by CURE’s staff in March, 18 went on to receive life-transforming surgery. All have been properly diagnosed and treated. Ultimately, increased mobility by non-surgical or surgical means leads to a better quality of life.

FAR LEFT MAF Pilot Sam Johnston LEFT Cerebral palsy is usually caused by brain damage at birth ABOVE The safari team of CURE International and MOHI staff OCT-DEC 2021 Flying for Life 9

What MAF is ‘really all about’

Story and Photos David and Alison Dorricott

When AFD Software celebrated 25 successful years in business, co-directors David and Alison Dorricott acted on God’s prompting to donate an aircraft to MAF

he married couple and their dedicated staff team on the Isle of Man waved off the Kodiak

100 aircraft in 2009. It was destined for service with MAF in Kalimantan, Indonesia, aiding remote communities cut off by mountains and jungles. A decade later, these faithful supporters visited MAF Kalimantan’s base and took a flight to see first-hand the life-transforming impact aircraft PK-MEB is still making. Alison shares highlights from her diary of their trip.

10 Flying for Life OCT-DEC 2021

Day 1 David and I are excited — but a little nervous — to be flying in ‘our Kodiak’, PK-MEB, from MAF Kalimantan’s base in Tarakan to a jungle village called Binuang for the night. Approaching over the tall hills covered with broccoli-like trees, a few signs of habitation eventually come into view. Our pilot Isaac says, ‘Oh, I see they are really ready for us!’ An excited throng always greets the plane — villagers rely on MAF for everyday needs as well as in emergencies.

www.maf-uk.org

But today’s welcome committee is focused on us. Villagers in traditional costume ask David and me to cut the ceremonial barrier before the women perform a welcome dance, and elders present gifts. We feel honoured. The village is bordered by paddy fields and jungle, with pathways connecting nearby villages. A wider mud track leads to the closest main town Malinau, about 90 miles away. Our afternoon ‘stroll’ in intense heat and humidity is accompanied by something akin to the soundtrack from a David Attenborough documentary. We pass lush ferns and towering bamboo canes, deafened by a jungle symphony of running water, insect clicks, bird calls and unidentified wildlife noises. Eventually, we arrive at a cable bridge, erected after MAF delivered the raw materials. Nearly all the infrastructure here has been flown in by MAF. The bridge over a wide ravine is high up, wobbly and narrow. Astonishingly, motorbikes also use this part of the overland trail to Malinau. Flying is definitely a safer bet!

Unsure what to expect of our guesthouse, we’re happy to be shown to our own room with a comfortable mattress on the floor. Shared facilities include a trough of cold, clean water for washing and a hole in the floor with a scoop for flushing. We’re relieved — in more ways than one. Our host Kalvin is a frequent flyer with MAF. We ask whether he is tempted to leave Binuang for a town or city. ‘Why would I?’ he replies. ‘I have a good life here, and everything I want or need.’ We are both amazed and humbled. I wonder why I ‘need’ so much stuff at home.

Day 2 It’s about 5am when cockerels signal the dawning of a new day. At 6am, they’re joined by loudspeakers transmitting Christian prayers over the village, followed by worship songs — a daily occurrence. I wonder if our home country would be blessed with such a community affirmation of the Lord of all creation.

We join the village’s Sunday Communion service, recognising tunes like Take it to the Lord in Prayer. Everyone wants to greet us with handshakes or, in the kids’ case, high fives. Then it’s time to fly back to MAF’s Tarakan base.

Day 3 Touring the base, we learn that MAF’s Kalimantan operation is changing, with a higher proportion of medical and church flying and less general freight work. Naturally, there are medical evacuations, but also flights should villagers die in hospital and family wish for the body to be returned for burial — a crucial compassionate service. We’d started the trip very excited to be reunited with PK-MEB. Last time we saw it, it was gleaming. Now, after 5,000 flying hours, it’s looking a little weary. However, it remains completely fit to fly thanks to MAF’s meticulous engineers. But, while we came looking forward to seeing the plane, we leave impacted so much more by the people. Planes are wonderful, but it is the people that MAF is really all about.

MAIN Binuang villagers in ceremonial dress next to a very special aircraft FAR LEFT David and Alison Dorricott wearing hand-crafted welcome gifts INSET The church at Binuang TOP The Dorricotts at the village’s jungle hydroelectric power plant ABOVE Alison holds on tight! OCT-DEC 2021 Flying for Life 11

John’s Gospel Story Linda Ringenberg

Photos Patty Jordan

It’s taken 64 years to translate the Bible into the Damal language. Now 88 years old, John Ellenberger began his life’s work in 1957 — with MAF supporting him every step of the way

n 1957, John and Helen Ellenberger set sail for Dutch New Guinea, now Papua, in Indonesia. Their mission — to deliver the Word of God to the Damal people in their own language. Six weeks after leaving the USA, MAF flew them to Ilaga where they joined their colleagues. The first step was to locate a potential airstrip to improve accessibility. MAF conducted an aerial survey with John and found the province of Jila, which contained suitable land for a runway — except that it had a gigantic boulder in the middle! After unsuccessfully trying to blow up the huge rock in one go, the locals started cracking it with their traditional burning method. The missionaries proceeded to use dynamite to blast the boulder into smaller pieces in stages — a process which took nearly a year. During this time, John fell seriously ill with heart problems. Given the sheer altitude of 12,000 feet, he was medically advised to stay put as the 4-day gruelling journey on foot from Jila to Ilaga could kill him. John had to be evacuated, so MAF Pilot Hank Worthington attempted the first ever landing at Jila. Hank touched down on the incomplete airstrip, narrowly avoiding what was left of the boulder.

12 Flying for Life OCT-DEC 2021

MAF’s medevac saved John’s life. John was diagnosed with a local virus but, following just a week of rest and medication, he made a full recovery and returned to work. The first book to be printed in Damal was John’s Gospel. MAF transported boxes of the book into the valleys around 1967. By 1988, the Damal New Testament was printed and MAF once again delivered copies to the villages. By 1992, 40% of the Old Testament had been translated. Throughout the 2000s, John and others translated the remaining 60% of the Old Testament. On 28 February this year, the book of Job was completed — the last one to be translated into Damal. F o l l o w i n g J o h n ’ s l i fe t i m e of service, the Damal people can finally read the entire Bible in their own language. MAIN Removing the boulder took nearly a year! FROM THE TOP John in the early days of translating the Bible; the finished product; Rev Timothy Birdshooter and John check the translation before it goes to print; John and Helen Ellenberger

www.maf-uk.org

ReJoyce – always! Story Gary Clayton

Photos Debbie Klynstra

‘It doesn’t scare me to fly,’ wrote Joyce Lin shortly before her unexpected homecoming. ‘If I die doing this, then I died doing what God called me to do’

ast year, we wrote about the tragic death of MAF US Pilot and Flight Instructor Joyce Lin (Flying for Life, October 2020). The 40-year-old missionary left the airport at Sentani, Papua, on Tuesday 12 May 2020 to deliver essential supplies and COVID-19 test kits to a remote Indonesian village. Within minutes of take-off, Joyce sent an emergency distress call just before her plane crashed into Lake Sentani. Joyce — the only person on board the Kodiak aircraft — never reached Mamit, her planned destination. Villagers living along the coast rushed to the lake in search of the much-loved pilot, but it was too late. On the runway where the villagers were expecting Joyce to land, the people left red flowers and handwritten notes in Indonesian and English. ‘Pilot Joyce Lin,’ one card read, ‘till we meet again.’ A few days later, some 300 people attended the funeral in Sentani – the mourners all wearing face masks and socially distancing. The Taiwanese American, who

graduated from MIT with degrees in engineering and computer science, gained her Commercial Pilots Licence in 2015, joined MAF in 2017, and moved to Papua in 2019. Her last few months with MAF were spent delivering preventative coronavirus supplies to Papua’s remotest corners and carrying out a medevac for a woman needing emergency surgery. Following news of Joyce’s death, MAF supporters sent many heartwarming messages of condolence. On 12 May 2021, staff throughout the world paused to remember Joyce’s short but fruitful life — friends and colleagues from MAF Papua commemorating the anniversary of her death. Many wore matching ‘ReJoyce’ shirts, with the words Bertumbuh (to grow), Berbuah (bear fruit), and Bersatu (come together) on the back, as they ate together, comforted one another and shared happy memories of Joyce. A beautiful sunset brought the poignant evening to an end.

MAIN On 12 May 2021, the MAF Papua team donned ReJoyce shirts to remember their wonderful sister TOP MAF Papua’s Pak Yusak ABOVE Joyce Lin RIP OCT-DEC 2021 Flying for Life 13

Exceeding the ‘impossible’ To mark his 75th birthday, Greer Lowe – father of MAF Pilot Jonathan Lowe – used his passion for cycling to take part in MAF’s 7&5 Challenge

reer Lowe is from Downpatrick in Northern Ireland. On 2 May, he reached the age of 75 and celebrated this milestone by cycling with his friends more than 75 miles along the County Down coast. As a result, they raised more than £11,000 for MAF’s 7&5 Challenge – a fundraising campaign inspired by our 75th anniversary. In keeping with the ‘7&5’ theme, the cyclists departed Strangford at 7.50am to catch the ferry. Their first leg was a 25-mile circular route around the southern Ards Peninsula back to Strangford, followed by a ride to Dundrum and back. Greer was accompanied by his cousin James Smyth, who also celebrated his 75th birthday on the

same day! The ambitious fundraising target of — you’ve guessed it — £7,500 was the most daunting part of the challenge for Greer. ‘I’ve never set out to raise this much before,’ he says. ‘However, MAF is worth it! They save lives in remote communities across the world. ‘I’m overjoyed that we’ve exceeded our target and I’m so grateful for everyone who has supported us. I’m proud of the guys and girls who completed the bike ride with me. It was a great day — certainly a birthday to remember!’ What started out as a handful of local friends cycling to keep fit during lockdown, soon grew into an international effort supported by friends and family across the globe. Cy c l i n g e n t h u s i a s t s f ro m 2 6

different destinations took part, including his brother in New Zealand and children and grandchildren in Australia and Timor-Leste. Globally, Greer and his team cycled more than 1,000 collective miles. The team has been overwhelmed by support from the local community, with donations exceeding what they thought was an impossible target. Greer is particularly grateful to local energy company Strangford Fuels, which contributed a generous £400 to the cause. We are immensely grateful to Greer, his team and his supporters for their truly phenomenal fundraising event. If you’d like to create your own personal 7&5 Challenge, visit our website www.maf-uk.org/7and5

Global Week of Prayer MAF’s Global Week of Prayer takes place between 31 October and 7 November, and we want YOU to join with us as we intercede for the MAF family and those we serve. To help equip you, we’ve enclosed a special edition prayer diary.

Trust m

G lo b a l

ek of P 31 O C T ra y e r – 7 NO V 20 21 Special Edition Prayer D iary

Thank you so much for praying!

This is Mission Aviation Fellowship

MAF UK Castle House, Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone Kent CT20 2TQ

Mission Aviation Fellowship is a Christian organisation operating 26 programmes in developing countries to reach the world’s forgotten people — those living out of sight, out of mind and out of hope. With land access denied by inaccessible terrain — due to natural disaster, war or economic crisis — thousands of communities are completely isolated. Operating 123 light aircraft, MAF’s pilots fly into more than 1,400 remote destinations. Whether landing in deserts or jungles, on lakes, rivers, tracks or roads, MAF planes transport essential medical care, food, water, relief teams and church workers to those in desperate need. Each flight carries practical help, spiritual hope and physical healing to thousands of men, women and children for whom flying is not a luxury but a lifeline. MAF is flying for life.

29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD

14 Flying for Life OCT-DEC 2021

www.maf-uk.org

FREEPOST ADM4164, PORTRUSH BT56 8ZY Dept AA1818, PO Box 4214, FREEPOST Dublin 2 T 01303 852819 E supporter.relations@maf-uk.org W www.maf-uk.org Registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107) ® Registered trademark 3026860, 3026908, 3026915

Flying for Life Editor: Richard Chambers Email: editor@maf-uk.org Copy Editor: Gary Clayton Designer: Ben Dyer Printer: Fretwell Print and Design Ltd Printed on sustainable paper produced from a managed forest © MAF UK OCT-DEC 2021 ffne It costs us no more than 75p to produce and send you this magazine and prayer diary.

Evangelism and welfare Born in Bishop’s Waltham, Hampshire, and raised in West Sussex, Audrey Mann trained as a secondary school teacher at London University On 15 December 1969, she attended a training day where she met a young man named Philip who’d just become the deputy head teacher of a small village primary school. Settling in Hadleigh, ten miles west of Ipswich, the Manns first heard about MAF’s work through a speaker at their parish church, St Mary’s. From this point onwards, Audrey and Philip became committed MAF supporters. ‘We were particularly attracted to MAF because you use

A note from the Editor Coronavirus regulations vary across the world. MAF is committed to safety and adheres to local regulations wherever it serves. The images and people you see in every issue of Flying for Life conform to the rules of the countries in which they were taken.

aircraft to ferry supplies, equipment and personnel to remote areas of the world,’ says Philip. ‘And we liked the fact that this service is combined with the work of evangelism and the love of Jesus Christ, bringing the Gospel to people along with looking after their medical welfare and spiritual needs.’ Sadly, on 18 February 2020, Audrey passed away after a short but bravely fought battle with cancer. But, even after Audrey’s passing, she is still able to make a great impact in the world. A gift she left in her Will has been used to support the work of MAF. Audrey’s generosity contributes significantly to our mission of spreading help, hope and healing to the most isolated people in the world.

If you would like to find out more about leaving a gift to MAF in your Will, please phone Miriam Wheeler on 01303 851958 or email miriam.wheeler@maf-uk.org

OCT-DEC 2021 Flying for Life 15

The MAF Advent Adventure is back this Christmas! Yes, it’s nearly that time of year again. We’d like to invite you to come on a journey around the MAF world with our trio of friends — Mike, Alpha and Foxtrot — discovering fascinating facts and great stories along the way. You and your family can enjoy opening a window each day to find out who — or what — Mike is transporting in his trusty MAF plane. Then, simply go online to mafadvent.org to explore that day’s destination. Find out how MAF helps the people there, watch inspiring videos, download Christmas activity sheets, read a daily kindness challenge for the whole family and — of course — enter the grand competition!

Pre-order your printed Advent calendar now, while stocks last. Visit www.maf-uk.org/orderadventcalendar, or call us on 01303 852819. We’re asking for a donation of £3 per calendar to cover postage and packaging.