MAF Prayer Diary - (April-June 2024)

HOLY GROUND

‘Do not come any closer,’ the LORD warned. ‘Take off your sandals, for you are standing on holy ground’ — Exodus 3:5 (NLT)

On her 2021 album, Endless Praise , Charity Gayle has reworked the old Geron Davis song ‘Holy Ground’. It’s so captivating that I’ve been playing it on repeat.

Unlike the original, Gayle omits the verse that focuses on a ‘place’, and centres on the declaration, which talks of 'standing in His presence on holy ground'.

It got me thinking.

If where the Lord is, is holy, then surely everywhere we go — filled with the Holy Spirit — has the potential for being ‘holy ground’? What if, everywhere an MAF plane lands — bringing the love and presence of God — becomes holy?

If we take that thought seriously, it should require a response.

There are two accounts in the Bible which refer to holy ground: Exodus 3:1-5 (which is repeated in Acts 7:30-33), when God called to Moses as he stood before the burning bush, and the time Joshua brought the Israelites across the River Jordan to Jericho (Joshua 5:13-15).

On both occasions, the two men were invited to take off their shoes because they were standing on holy ground. Both times, the Lord was present.

And both times, God presented them with a mission.

Each assignment was beyond their natural abilities. Moses was told to lead his people out of Egypt. Joshua was instructed to lead them to the promised land.

What if you are standing on ‘holy ground’ right now in the presence of God and He has a job for you? Will you respond like Moses and say, ‘Here I am’?

Because life is so busy, it’s often easy to miss these ‘burning bush’ moments. Although the bush was aflame, it wasn’t consumed. But I can’t help wondering if we sometimes miss the holy ground moments because the busyness of life can feel all-consuming. No wonder we need God’s refining fire to burn away the dross!

That’s why it’s so important to spend time worshipping God — ensuring that He has our full attention and experiencing Him powerfully. Holy ground indeed!

It’s worth considering that, when Jesus said, ‘It is finished’ and the curtain of the temple tore in two, God’s presence was no longer limited to the Holy of Holies. As followers of Jesus, we have access to the Father through the gift of His Holy Spirit, enabling us to follow His call.

But what if Moses and Joshua had ignored their assignment? What if they’d allowed self-doubt and disbelief to cloud their response? What if you ignore yours? (Remember, age, poor health or lack of energy is no barrier in the Kingdom!)

Let us consider afresh the ground we stand on right now. If it is indeed ‘holy ground’, then perhaps God has a new assignment for you. As we fan the flame with hearts of worship, the question is, what will your response be?

God bless you.

Rev Victoria Fagg Prayer Communications Leader, MAF UK

MADAGASCAR

I ask the glorious Father and God of our Lord Jesus Christ to give you His Spirit. The Spirit will make you wise and let you understand what it means to know God — Ephesians 1:17 (CEV)

MONDAY 1 Praise God for the MAF speakers whose contribution to our mission is immeasurable.

Anthony Greco of Missions 3:16 was inspired by one of our speakers while studying at Bible college in western Canada. The encounter served Anthony well many years later when he needed a way to transport missionaries around Madagascar quickly.

TUESDAY 2 ‘I was incredibly encouraged by the organisation’s presence,’ says Anthony as he recalls the moment he realised that MAF could fly his evangelistic team to Fianarantsoa to share the Good News with the local community. Pray that our relationship with Missions 3:16 will become stronger with each flight.

WEDNESDAY 3 Many people who attend Christian events travel many miles on foot or undertake long car journeys on roads that are barely fit for purpose. Give thanks for MAF’s ability to provide flights, praying that God will remove any barriers for those who are eager to hear the Gospel.

THURSDAY 4 The conference at Fianarantsoa is thought to have attracted some 500 pastors and leaders from about 125 churches. Pray that the Church in Madagascar will, with every outreach event, become an everbrighter beacon to those desiring salvation and life in all its fullness.

FRIDAY 5 ‘What a joy it is to witness this organisation drawing

some of the most exceptional people with the finest talents and an unwavering passion to serve the Lord,’ says Anthony. ‘With your support, we are making an irreplaceable difference. We couldn’t have embarked on this mission without you.’ Pray that the ministry of Mission 3:16 will bear much fruit as its teams fly across the vast nation.

SATURDAY 6 Give thanks for the MAF Madagascar team, praying that the power of the Holy Spirit will drive them on to even greater service for the people of the world’s fourth largest island. May their fantastic commitment inspire partners new and old to bring help, hope and healing to some of the world’s poorest and remotest communities.

The prayer points on this page relate to a story featured in Flying for Life, pages 4-5.

MAIN One of three MAF aircraft operating in Madagascar

ABOVE The Missions 3:16 team with Michael Jurgensen and Patrick Keller (right)

Irina Randriamandrato

Mark & Kelly Hewes

ANGOLA

I pray that God, who gives peace, will make you completely holy. And may your spirit, soul, and body be kept healthy and faultless until our Lord Jesus Christ returns — 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (CEV)

SUNDAY 7 Praise God for MAF Angola Country Director Brent Mudde and his team of 5 international and 14 national staff members. Pray for the Lord’s protection on them and the communities they serve.

MONDAY 8 After the opening of the airstrip at Cavango in 2023, MAF Angola is working to set up a mission base there. Pray that God will guide them every step of the way, and that more people will be willing to serve there.

TUESDAY 9 There is a growing demand for more medical professionals who are willing to fly to remote locations in Angola. Pray that more doctors and nurses will come forward to serve isolated communities. Pray too that the doctors who already fly with us will get enough rest so they don’t burn out

WEDNESDAY 10 Give thanks that, after two years of planning, fundraising and building, a basketball court is now available to those serving on the Mitcha compound in Lubango. Pray that it will bring the community together and will be enjoyed for decades to come

THURSDAY 11 A number of churches in Angola are working hard to build up the body of Christ. Pray for success for those seeking ways to connect with other churches and Christian organisations.

FRIDAY 12 Today, let’s reflect on Psalm 139:7-12 and know that God is with us wherever we go. Pray that the communities we serve will know that, although they live in areas which, apart from MAF aircraft, aren’t easily accessible, God is with them and cares deeply about them.

SATURDAY 13 Give thanks that MAF Angola has found an environmentally friendly way to recycle old aircraft tyres by giving them to men in Mukwando to turn into sandals! Pray that many more creative opportunities will be found, enabling countless others to take small steps to help the planet.

TOP Country Director Brent Mudde presenting an aircraft tyre to the community in Mukwando

MIDDLE Women from Cavango dedicate the new airstrip

BOTTOM The new basketball court in Lubango

Marijn Goud

Marcel Boers

KENYA

APRIL

Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them — John 7:38 (NIV)

SUNDAY 14 Praise God for the pilots who joined MAF Kenya late last year. Uphold them as they continue to settle into our programme, praying for smooth transitions and mutually beneficial friendships.

MONDAY 15 In Kenya, the ‘holy ground’ we touch frequently takes the form of a remote airstrip. Residents of Olturot gained spiritual nourishment and medical care when we flew a team of doctors and missionaries from Christ is the Answer Ministries to their isolated community. The doctors treated 3,000 people, and 158 villagers turned to Christ. Pray that those who believed will support one another, share the Gospel with friends and family, and grow in faith.

TUESDAY 16 Today, let’s thank God for the MAF flight which provided the isolated inhabitants of Loglogo with water filters from Swedish NGO Water Matters. May increasing numbers of people throughout Kenya benefit from clean, fresh water

WEDNESDAY 17 In Acts 10:15, God told Peter, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy’ (NASB). Although there may be situations that, as Christians, we should avoid, there is nothing to stop us bringing Jesus’ presence to the people and places we can legitimately visit. Ask God where He would have you go and what He would have you say, pray or do when you get there

THURSDAY 18 Praise the Lord for our partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, Australian Aid and the County Government of Mandera which enabled eye specialists to hold a five-day camp in Mandera. More than 2,000 people received free eye care and 295 had sight-restoring operations. Pray that those who received treatment will recover well and glorify God for the restoration of their sight. Pray too for the continued treatment of preventable blindness worldwide.

FRIDAY 19 Late last year, three men from South Sudan were severely injured in a road accident and airlifted by MAF to a hospital in Kenya. Pray that all three recover completely, upholding the families still grieving the loss of those who died in the collision

SATURDAY 20 Give thanks for the CURE medical safaris which bring education and healthcare to those with curable conditions. One such safari resulted in 14 youngsters being scheduled for life-changing operations at the CURE children’s hospital in Kijabe.

TOP Receiving medical care in Olturot

MIDDLE Delivering water filter kits to Loglogo

BOTTOM Treating a child during a CURE medical safari

Paula Alderblad

CITAM

APRIL / MAY

PAPUA NEW GUINEA (PNG)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth — Genesis 1:1 (NIV)

SUNDAY 21 Praise God for reading glasses! We always strive to see how best we can serve, so when someone from Hesalibi told Bridget Ingham he couldn’t read the newspaper she’d given him due to poor eyesight and asked, ‘Do you have any reading glasses?’ our pilot teamed up with other MAF staff to source and deliver reading glasses to remote communities.

MONDAY 22 Our flights are often the only way for remote villages to receive vital medicines. Issac Kaupa, who works with Nazarene Health Services, uses MAF to send medical supplies and other equipment to Sengapi Health Centre. Please pray for healing in body, mind and spirit for the patients there

TUESDAY 23 PNG is one of our largest programmes, with 37 international and 121 national staff serving this mountainous country. Please pray that the Lord will be with our personnel each day, both in their work and in their interactions with others.

WEDNESDAY 24 Please pray for Ground Operations Training Co-ordinator Nawi Mabo. We are grateful for his skill in leading and training the staff on the ground and keeping them up to date with the latest regulations.

Mandy Glass

THURSDAY 25 There are many remote churches in the mountains of PNG. Please think of them in your prayers today as you ask the Lord to bless the various congregations and deepen their relationship with Him

FRIDAY 26 The rugged, treefilled, mountainous landscape of PNG means it has some of the most challenging airstrips for our pilots. Please pray for flight safety — particularly take-offs and landings.

SATURDAY 27 Fraser Norbury serves as Head of Finance, his wife Tracy as Training Officer. The two live in Mount Hagen with their children Oliver and Rosie. Please uphold them in your prayers. May they feel particularly blessed today

SUNDAY 28 Praise God for His marvellous creation. The varied plants and animals in PNG not only provide a good ecosystem for the country, but also give our overseas staff families much pleasure as they get used to a new place.

MONDAY 29 Late last year, the airstrip in Rum reopened after being closed for six years. Give thanks for our partnership with the Rural Airstrip Agency which helps communities to restore airstrips, praying that many more remote communities in PNG will be able to access MAF’s services

TUESDAY 30 MAF supports the Days for Girls initiative by transporting hundreds of reusable sanitary pads to remote communities. We also help deliver educational workshops about menstrual health. Please

pray that thousands of women will eventually be helped, and that attitudes towards periods will improve in PNG.

WEDNESDAY 1 Pilot Andy

Symmonds and his family live in Goroka in the Eastern Highlands. Flights there are generally short hops among mountainous terrain, taking planeloads of passengers and supplies to a village and bringing produce such as coffee or cocoa back. The trips promote community development and assist the rural economy. Please pray for Andy and continued safe flying

THURSDAY 2 We’re excited about the new sewage system installed by our maintenance team in MAF's Kagamuga compound. It’s an efficient, sustainable solution which leaves less waste to be removed and doesn’t damage the soil in the way that septic systems can. It will also be solar powered, saving us money that will allow more funds to go into serving PNG’s people. Please join us in giving thanks for the technical skills with which the Lord blesses MAF.

FRIDAY 3 Please uphold husband and wife team Ryan and Siobhain Cole in your prayers today. They serve in Telefomin, where Ryan is a pilot and Siobhain works as Operations Projects Officer and Deputy Ground Operations Manager

SATURDAY 4 Please pray for energy and attention to detail for our mechanics and aircraft maintenance engineers. It’s the start of autumn in PNG and, with sudden downpours and strong winds prevalent, it’s more important than ever that our aircraft remain in excellent condition.

MAIN Pilot Andy Symmonds

LEFT A group of women with their reusable sanitary kits

TOP Aziana, the shortest airstrip used by MAF in PNG

ABOVE Nawi Mabo, Ground Operations Training Co-ordinator

Brad Venter

Annelie Edsmyr

SUNDAY 5 Praise God for the fruitful partnership between MAF and Lokisa Water Project. Together, we provide water taps and toilets to the community in Kuebunyane. Originally loo-less, they now have 8 toilets and 16 taps!

MONDAY 6 Since 1980, MAF has provided safe and efficient air transport for Lesotho Flying Doctor Service. Nearly 300,000 people depend on them to meet their medical needs. Pray that the doctors remain in good health so they can continue to provide medical help.

TUESDAY 7 Lift up MAF Chaplain Sefiri, who blesses our medical flights by visiting patients at the hospital in Maseru and at MAF’s Patient House. He often visits and prays with the patients once they’ve returned to their village. Pray that Sefiri’s witness helps many more people to know Jesus.

WEDNESDAY 8 In the last year, MAF Lesotho has experienced changes in staffing, with families returning to their sending countries and new staff joining the programme. Pray for those who are adjusting to life back home, and for those settling into their new life in Lesotho.

THURSDAY 9 Missionary parents face a difficult decision when their children reach secondary school age because there are no further opportunities for education in Lesotho. They have to choose between sending their children to boarding school, home-schooling, redeployment to a country with better education options, or returning to their home country. Pray for peace for anyone having to think about this, and for God to guide their next steps

FRIDAY 10 According to BBC News, Lesotho has one of the highest rates of HIV in the world, with one in five adults living with the virus. Pray for improvements in education, testing and treatment of a disease which has been prevalent in the country for decades.

SATURDAY 11 MAF hangars can often be incredibly busy places, with planes to prepare for important flights, inspections to carry out, paperwork to file and aircraft to clean. Pray that when staff are busy doing God’s work, they don’t forget the One for whom they are doing it.

Now God can bless the Gentiles, too, with this same blessing He promised to Abraham; and all of us as Christians can have the promised Holy Spirit through this faith

— Galatians 3:14 (TLB)

MAIN Sunlight glinting off a Cessna 206 aircraft

RIGHT A stunning aerial view of Lesotho

Erick Kellerer

Chad Damon

ARNHEM LAND & MAREEBA

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them — Matthew 18:20 (ESV)

SUNDAY 12 Praise God for the Cessna aircraft that was delivered to Arnhem Land last year. It allows our team to make more trips –especially the shuttle flights which operate a bit like a bus service, helping children get to school and back.

MONDAY 13 MAF pilots carry Bible boxes on their flights. These contain Bibles, DVDs and other Christian literature, as well as solarpowered MP3 players with Gospel recordings in the Yolŋu language. Please pray that everyone who receives one of these items will be touched by the Good News.

TUESDAY 14 Domestic violence is a problem in Arnhem Land, with the remote locations making it difficult for women to seek safety. Pray for the work of the Miyalk Domestic and Family Violence Shelter which provides refuge and counselling. Pray too for the MAF flights that help women reach the shelter

WEDNESDAY 15 Remember our student pilots in Mareeba in your prayers today. During their training, they do a safari style flight where they travel between three or four locations over a couple of days to practise their flying and route planning skills

THURSDAY 16 MAF Arnhem Land Programme Director Matt Henderson, who considers education a cornerstone of empowerment and community development, says, ‘We want to facilitate education because it’s something that will give the Yolŋu people the ability to participate in the future.’ Please pray for the teachers and students today

FRIDAY 17 Last year, MAF celebrated 50 years of service in Arnhem Land. Australian politician Yingiya Guyula, a Yolŋu elder and former MAF engineer and pilot, reflected, ‘MAF made me feel strong. I’m always with MAF, and we’d like to get more support, especially for God’s work to save people.’ Please pray for continued good decision making so we can serve the people well for many years to come

SATURDAY 18 Please pray for our great team of aircraft maintenance engineers in the Mareeba hangar. They help to upgrade our fleet in the Asia-Pacific region, as well as taking on projects such as repainting our planes.

TOP TO BOTTOM

Dedication of a new Cessna Caravan at Gove Airport, Australia A Bible box

Yingiya Guyula, our first Yolŋu pilot

John Hermanus, Maintenance Operations Supervisor in Mareeba

Sean Atkins

Anton Zhang

Katherine Williams

Then the Commander of the LORD’s army said to Joshua, ‘Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is holy.’ And Joshua did so

— Joshua 5:15 (NKJV)

SOUTH SUDAN

SUNDAY 19 Praise God for Pentecost! Daily, we are presented with evidence of a suffering and broken world, making the needs around us seem insurmountable. Give thanks that God sends His Holy Spirit to strengthen, empower and encourage us

MONDAY 20 Please pray for the 240,000* people who fled the conflict in neighbouring Sudan. Prior to the violence, South Sudan already hosted more than 300,000 refugees. Pray that those struggling with the camps' desperate conditions will experience grace for the present and hope for the days ahead.

TUESDAY 21 Since the conflict in Sudan, our flights have carried more than 11 tonnes of transformational freight — the 100 hours of flying saving days of dangerous overland travel. Please pray for the continued work of Citizens’ CallERRI, Cordaid, MSF Belgium, International Organization for Migration, the Episcopal Church of South Sudan, and Caritas.

WEDNESDAY 22 Up until 2020, in addition to our larger Cessna 208 aircraft, MAF South Sudan operated a Cessna 182. After undergoing significant maintenance in Uganda, the smaller plane rejoins our fleet this year. Please pray for our engineering team and pilots as they adapt to reintegrating the aircraft into our flight programme

*Figures correct at time of going to press

Jenny Davies

Sam Johnston

THURSDAY 23

The highest incidence of preventable blindness in South Sudan is found in rural areas where access to healthcare is extremely limited. Please pray for the work of Tuach Riek Gai Foundation, The Carter Center and the Ophthalmologist Association of South Sudan as they hold medical camps to restore children's sight.

FRIDAY 24 Even following the 2018 peace agreement, violence and past hurts still affect vast numbers of the population. Please pray for the success of MAF’s Peace and Reconciliation workshop team as they seek to promote forgiveness and unity at a grassroots level.

SATURDAY 25 As a result of seven years of conflict, up until 2013, there were no Christian primary schools providing a European or American curriculum in Juba. Please pray for the staff of a small school founded by MAF South Sudan It provides the children of missionaries with a quality Christian education, enabling their parents to continue their vital work

SUNDAY 26 One of the most precious cargoes we carry are the Bibles we deliver to otherwise inaccessible areas. Praise God for the transforming power of Scripture, and for the fact that MAF aircraft continue to deliver God’s Word to remote communities across South Sudan

MONDAY 27 The healthcare situation in South Sudan is one of the worst in the world, with only 40% of the population having access to primary healthcare. Statistics indicate that the country has just 1 physician per 100,000 individuals. Please pray for the MAF partners working hard to strengthen the nation's healthcare system.

TUESDAY 28 Please pray for our families serving in South Sudan. Adapting to living and working in another culture can be hard at the best of times, with South Sudan providing a particularly stressful environment. Pray for peace and protection

WEDNESDAY 29 South Sudan tops the list of the most dangerous countries for aid workers in the world. Please pray for the safety of our partners and staff as they seek to bring help to those living in deepest need.

THURSDAY 30 Medical oxygen is an essential part of supportive care for a wide range of illnesses, from pneumonia to childbirth complications. Without oxygen, the most fragile patients — including the young and the elderly — would quickly lose their battle for breath.

Praise God that, through a partnership between MAF and AMREF, we are able to deliver oxygen canisters safely to where they're most needed.

FRIDAY 31 Please pray that the fragile peace agreement in South Sudan continues to hold, and that peace prevails as the country approaches its first general elections in December this year

SATURDAY 1 In 2022, our fleet in South Sudan carried more than 10,000 passengers, travelled over 335,000 miles, and transported in excess of 157 tonnes of life-transforming cargo. None of this would have been possible without your generosity. As demand for our flights continues to rise, please pray that new supporters will be added to the MAF family so we'll have the financial resources necessary to meet our partners’ needs. If you or someone you know would like to make a gift to MAF, please visit our website www.maf-uk.org/donation

BOTTOM

ABOVE

MAIN Aerial view near Kimatong

TOP LEFT John and Tracey Feil serve in South Sudan where John is Operations Manager

LEFT An informal IDP settlement at Adukadra

Celebrating the graduation of MAF's new Peace and Reconciliation facilitators

Bob Rice

TIMOR-LESTE & INDONESIA

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His holy mountain in Jerusalem; for the LORD our God is holy! — Psalm 99:9 (NLT)

SUNDAY 2 Praise God for MAF flights to Atauro Island, Timor-Leste, which — thanks to our partnership with eco-tourism operator Maddog Adventures — help promote tourism and preserve historic sites, enabling the people there to overcome isolation. Pray that our shuttle flights for Maddog personnel will contribute towards the community’s development and provide its inhabitants with a sustainable income.

MONDAY 3 An MAF flight for World Bank officials enabled them to explore the possibility of building three municipal hospitals in Ermera, Lautém and Viqueque, Timor-Leste. Pray that, once the hospitals have been built, the healthcare provision for mothers, babies and small children will improve dramatically.

TUESDAY 4 Give thanks for the batteries and generator fuel we flew to Nalca in Papua, Indonesia. ‘Now,’ the delighted inhabitants say, ‘we can have lights again!’ May MAF planes continue to bring light and life to those who need it.

WEDNESDAY 5 Thank God for believers like Adit and Putri who, following His call, hiked for 42 days through the mountains of Papua before sensing the Lord’s leading to the isolated village of Kosarek. Today, because of their faithfulness, more than 60 children receive an education and learn about God’s Word at their Christian school. Pray that MAF flights will make it easier to reach remote regions

THURSDAY 6 Uphold the professors teaching Bible school lessons in Kampung Baru, Kalimantan. An MAF pilot who assists the three Indonesians’ ministry says, ‘It’s exciting to be able to support the work of the national Church.’ Pray for God’s continued blessing on the teachers and their students.

FRIDAY 7 ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground’ (Exodus 3:5). Praise God for people like Dave and Ruth Hoisington who arrived in Papua in 1963 and helped open many airstrips before beginning our programme in Kalimantan. May God raise up many more servants to bring His holy presence to inaccessible areas

SATURDAY 8 Our new Kodiak aircraft reached Papua last year. Pray that the plane will provide practical help, spiritual hope and physical healing for many years to come. Give thanks, too, for everyone who supports our work – whether through prayer or by helping us buy aircraft!

TOP TO BOTTOM

Maddog Adventures tour guide Robinson Martins

Atauro Island

Aerial view of Viqueque Airstrip

The village of Kosarek at sunrise

Lobitos Alves

Bethany Beckett

Mark & Kelly Hewes

Mark Hewes

The prayer points on this page relate to a story featured in Flying for Life, page 6.

JUNE

TANZANIA

SUNDAY 9 Praise God for Martha Kauta whose steadfastness has proved crucial in building new airstrips in Tanzania. Pray for more people to come forward in faith, expanding our unique provision to those who need us

MONDAY 10 Martha vividly recalls the impact her first encounter with MAF had on her life. ‘I witnessed critically ill patients being flown to Arusha for treatment, while others were rushed to Wasso Hospital.’ Keep the pilots of MAF Tanzania in your prayers as they continue serving remote communities

TUESDAY 11 ‘A significant number of our children have grown into adulthood without having the opportunity to receive essential vaccinations,’ Martha explains. ‘This has left them highly vulnerable to severe health risks during outbreaks of viral diseases.’ Please pray for the health and safety of Tanzania’s youngest generation.

WEDNESDAY 12 Think for a minute about life without aircraft. For those of us in the UK, some foreign holidays would have been impossible without the advent of aviation. Consider those for whom flying is a lifeline rather than a luxury, and pray that God will continue to use MAF’s life-saving flights to His glory and for people's good.

THURSDAY 13 ‘For many in Lesirwai,’ says Martha, ‘their hope is deeply linked to the presence of MAF, without whom they would encounter significant difficulties in accessing healthcare due to the considerable distances to hospitals.’ Please uphold the medical experts in hospitals and clinics who’ve dedicated their lives to saving and improving the lives of others.

Father to the fatherless, defender of widows — this is God, whose dwelling is holy — Psalm 68:5 (NLT)

FRIDAY 14 Martha, whose support for MAF is unequivocal, says, ‘It remains essential to steadfastly support MAF’s mission. There are still numerous areas where its services are needed. I’m thankful to have worked closely with MAF and to have served as a bridge between it and our community. Knowing I’ve played a part in improving the lives of our people has brought me immense satisfaction.’ Today, let’s pray for God’s blessing on all that Martha does in His name

SATURDAY 15

MAIN MAF's Cessna 206 enabled the Lesirwai medical safari to take place

TOP RIGHT A baby receives a vaccination during a medical safari

Give thanks for our Tanzania team and pray that Christ’s compassion will flow from their hearts to the men, women and children they serve, one flight at a time. Ask God to reveal the many needs that are still unmet so we can direct our prayers and gifts to the places He wants us to serve.

UGANDA

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? — 1 Corinthians 3:16 (NIV)

SUNDAY 16 Today is Father's Day! Praise God for all the fathers serving with MAF across the world

MONDAY 17 Please pray for MAF Uganda’s management team as they create a strategic plan for the future of Kajjansi Airfield. Pray that God will give them wisdom as they decide how the airfield should be developed in the future. Pray too that they will gain favour with the regulators and the other airfield users as they implement their plans.

TUESDAY 18 It’s thought that there are 200,000 women living with a fistula in Uganda, with 2,000 more cases occurring each year. MAF flights enable expert doctors to reach Terrewode Women’s Community Hospital, the only specialist fistula hospital in Uganda. Pray for the medical staff working tirelessly to meet the demand. Remember, too, those still suffering from this unpleasant and debilitating condition.

WEDNESDAY 19 As the countries around Uganda experience political turmoil and the global economic climate adversely affects people throughout East Africa, there’s the potential for unrest and insecurity. Please pray for peace and stability in and around Uganda.

THURSDAY 20 Uganda has the largest number of refugees in all of Africa – most of them coming from the surrounding countries. With food rations for displaced people decreasing due to the many other crises around the world, please pray for new provision and for MAF to be effective in supporting Uganda’s many displaced people.

FRIDAY 21 Pray for our local staff who work hard to ensure that MAF continues to support the needs of our partners and the people with whom they work across Uganda. Pray that these faithful Ugandans will know God’s love, peace and joy today.

SATURDAY 22 Please lift up the MAF Uganda engineering team as you pray today. Pray that God will use this diverse team from The Netherlands, Norway, South Sudan, Uganda, the UK and the USA to illustrate what can be achieved when many nations work together to serve as part of His Kingdom.

MAIN Kajjansi Airfield flightline

ABOVE The MAF Uganda team

Mark Draper

Mark Draper

RECRUITMENT

JUNE

SUNDAY 23 Praise God for new MAF staff including Ed and Kathy Burrows and James and Danielle Gullett, who are heading overseas to serve in our programmes this year.

MONDAY 24 Pray for those training in the MAF Future Pilot Programme. It is a demanding course of practical and theoretical study. Pray for good recall, a disciplined approach and supportive relationships

TUESDAY 25 As we enter the events season, please pray for great conversations for the Talent Acquisition Team as MAF UK looks to recruit a wide range of staff to serve in Africa and the Asia-Pacific region

WEDNESDAY 26 Uphold our trainees Nathanael, Tim, Chris, William and Matthew, who are preparing to serve as aircraft maintenance engineers in various MAF programmes. Pray too for some great candidates to apply for next year’s intake. Please visit our website www.maf-uk.org/ets2024 to find out more

THURSDAY 27 Please pray for several key vacancies that we are seeking to fill in our overseas programmes. These include roles such as Country Directors and HR Managers. For more information, please visit our website www.maf-uk.org/work-for-maf

FRIDAY 28 Remember Becki and Matt Dillingham as they prepare to move from our programme in Chad to MAF in Tanzania. Pray for a peaceful and productive UK home assignment, and for physical and spiritual refreshment as they enter their 11th year of MAF service.

SATURDAY 29 Give thanks and pray for IT Manager Nevin Urey and his wife Diane, who are serving with us in Arnhem Land, Australia

SUNDAY 30 Praise God for the newly created People Care team. Its staff, led by Angela Harding, are implementing a much more robust and structured wellbeing strategy for our overseas personnel. Pray for everyone involved in this ministry and uphold all those likely to benefit.

Then with the help of the Spirit, He took me to the top of a very high mountain. There He showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down from God in heaven —

Revelation 21:10 (CEV)

MAIN Pilot Becki Dillingham

TOP Ed and Kathy Burrows with their children Nathanael and Eliana

ABOVE Nevin and Diane Urey with their two daughters Abiyah (left) and Eliana (right)

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

Matthew 28:19 (ESV)

MAF OPERATIONS WORLDWIDE

MAF works in some countries where Christian religious expression is severely limited. We do not want our overtly Christian mission to jeopardise our humanitarian work in these areas or put local people, staff and like-minded workers at risk. We refer to these places as restricted access nations. MAF UK gratefully acknowledge permission granted to produce copyright material in this Prayer Diary. Every effort has been made to trace copyright holders and to obtain their permission for use of copyright material.