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TOUGH GIRLS PLAY DODGEBALL
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Hope amo Photos LuAnne Cadd and Michael Duncalfe
On the 26 February, a 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocked the southern highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG), sending powerful tremors throughout the surrounding communities. The MAF bases across PNG escaped serious damage and no harm came to any of our staff, but unfortunately this wasn’t the case for everyone, as stories came pouring in of people who’d been killed, injured or had experienced crippling loss. Since the devastation, MAF PNG staff have witnessed both heart-breaking and hope-fuelling situations. Here are just a few personal accounts.
Nawi Mabo Grounds Operations Training Co-ordinator ‘I had the chance to see the devastation when stopping at Huya and Bosavi to pick up people who were injured. Among them was a lady who was the sole survivor of a group of 11 people buried in a landslide while trying to go to market at Komo.’
Siobhain Cole
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Operations Manager ‘I’m speaking from Queen’s Park, Mount Hagen, where local churches have gathered together and they’re donating their cabbages, sweet potatoes, clothes and blankets. They’re giving out of what little they have to people who have nothing, living just a few hundred kilometres from where they live.’
ongst tHe tremors
Steven Eatwell Pilot ‘In Huya, the ladies sitting close to the boxes of food couldn’t keep back and, after a short while, they crawled up the bank and hugged the boxes. I felt that the few boxes we took were received gratefully but weren’t much compared to the many people there. It was great to listen to the people and to pray with them.’
Anton Lutz Pilot ‘Most of the people from the 14 villages surrounding Dodomona had arrived, but there was one group which hadn’t. Gulubia was almost entirely missing. Eight people were thought to be dead. Eight others were believed to be across the tortured rivers, unable to get back to our side, and nearly 40 were missing. ‘On Wednesday, near noon, they arrived. They had been moving through the crumbling mountains since Sunday morning, trying to get to the refuge at Dodomona.
‘According to one of the survivors who was seeking refuge, “We should have died. The ground was moving under us, the trees were shaking above us. The rivers are thick. The fish are dead. Nothing is safe, but God brought us through.”’
Opportunities for hope It’s hard to get away from the harsh reality of the widespread destruction formed by the earthquake, but in dark situations such as these there are always opportunities for hope to shine through. We also take comfort from knowing that in all things God works for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28), as we pray for PNG’s people to experience His healing and restoration.
Main // A stockpile of cabbages and sweet potato at Mount Hagen Left // The community of Huya helps unload relief aid Above // The community at Walagu
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TOUGH GIRLS PLAY dodgeball Photos LuAnne Cadd
Dodgeball allegedly originated in Africa more than 200 years ago, with opposing teams throwing rocks at each other in order to cause maximum harm -Yikes! The game was later witnessed by a British missionary who exported a much safer version to the UK. All of which might be true, but might not be… That aside, many South Sudanese youth have grown up playing Boruboru – a game that’s similar to dodgeball, and – believe it or not – MAF South Sudan’s very own Thomas Titus was partly responsible for turning this energetic children’s game into an official sport for girls in South Sudan!
Tough beginnings
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Thomas, an orphan, had a hard life growing up in South Sudan. After realising that he couldn’t afford to complete senior school, he moved from Maridi, his hometown, to Juba, the country’s capital. Thomas, who became a Christian in Juba, later met a kind missionary who paid for him to finish senior school in Uganda. After he’d finished, Thomas returned to
Juba, where he eventually got a job as a Dispatch Officer for MAF!
MYCA But Thomas could never feel completely fulfilled doing a nine-to-five job because of his great passion to reach South Sudan’s youth. Looking around Juba, he could see that young people desperately needed direction, leadership and something to do. ‘They were just stranded,’ says Thomas. ‘So, we decided to form the Maridi Youth Christian Association (MYCA).’ In 2015, MYCA began teaching youth groups and churches about leadership, self-reliance, finance, evangelism and relationships, then later focused on people who wouldn’t necessarily go to church.
Main // Boruboru action Left // MYCA founder, Titus Thomas
Below // The gathered ground watching the game Cut-out // More Boruboru action’
Boruboru
MAF loves MYCA
Thomas, who wanted MYCA to reach people other than just churchgoers, also felt passionately about helping women bring peace to South Sudan. His two goals met nicely in Boruboru – a game loved by everyone! After having the official rules written up, and MYCA registered with the Boruboru National Association (BNA), the first two Boruboru women’s teams formed in Juba.
Praise God for Thomas’ amazing achievement, and for the team at MYCA! We’re so proud to partner with them by providing MAF flights. ‘Because of the situation in South Sudan, all overland routes entering Juba are blocked because you can either be robbed or killed,’ Thomas explains. Because of this, it’s necessary for MYCA to fly with MAF, and we’re only too glad to help this ministry continue to bring unity and peace to South Sudan.
Amazing progress A few months later, the two teams had grown to eight. Today, there are 23 primary schools, 5 secondary schools and 16 neighbourhood clubs. Boruboru clubs have also spread to other parts of South Sudan, including Mundri, Maridi, Ibba, and Yambio in Western Equatorial province! Each year, teams compete in two separate tournaments for a trophy. Each team consists of 12 members, with names such as Super Girls, Rock City, Lava Girls and Bright United Girls. All the team assistants, head coaches, deputy coaches and referees are female.
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KUEBUNYANE // LESOTHO
PHOTO MARK/KELLY HEWES
Main // More Boruboru action Left // Margaret Aya James, Captain of Bright Girls Right // Titus watches the Boruboru tournament
TOUGH GIRLS PLAY DODGEBALL
GOOD THINGS Photos LuAnne Cadd
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Emmanuela ‘Emmanuela is now about 12 years old. She was really helpless, but when she was in the Boruboru team in 2015, she was the best player. One of the fans who was watching her decided to pay for Emmanuela’s school fees for three years. Emmanuela is now back in the church, leading the teenagers. She can dance and sing. That’s how Boruboru helped her personally.’ Thomas Titus
Losing well ‘Many girls were involved in crime or fighting. During the tournament, when their team lost, they said that, in days gone by, they would have had a fight. But now they don’t want to do that – they just accept defeat. So we’re teaching them how to accept defeat and to celebrate winning. ‘We say that sports are for peace, and they have to start exercising peace among themselves. There is also a physical benefit. It keeps them all fit and helps them speak about themselves and interact with other teenagers.’ Thomas Titus
Fearless ‘Women have the right to have participation. Everywhere, you see women in the office. That’s why I say women have strength. Women are not fearing anybody. They’re strong in speaking out. That’s why you’ll see many women in the office. They’re not afraid of anyone. That’s why I like these women. I want to be one of them.’ Margret Aya James, Assistant Captain for Bright United Girls
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MAf Y utH CompetiTiOn WiNner HUGH CongratulAtions!
‘In March, we transported no less than 15,000 little chicks in Timor-Leste! Photo Kim Job
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e t a D p u r e suMm
Want to win a Snapchat towel and floatie for the pool this summer?! Going to Big Church Day Out? Check out the MAF Rescue Challenge… …Your team has limited time to organise 4 flights, which will enable a hospital to be built in an isolated community in PNG by the cargo or people you choose to fly.
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Then take those flights in the MAF Flight Simulator!
Get to our MAF Youth stand at Soul Survivor 2018! As well as being in with the chance to win a flight this year, we’ll be running daily competitions on Snapchat. If you’re up for some exciting challenges, you’ll win some fun prizes.
pray, PrAY, pRay We’d love it if you could grab a moment to pray for the following people and organisations!
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Pray that the work of Thomas Titus and MYCA will continue to bring peace and unity to South Sudan. Pray for PNG and those struggling to get their lives back after the devastating earthquakes. Pray too for our staff in PNG as they help those who have lost so much in the disaster. Pray also for the other organisations who are also working hard to bring help, hope and healing to devastated communities.
LET US KNOW YOU’RE PRAYING – WHY NOT SNAP US A PRAYER THAT YOU PRAYED?
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Search ‘MAF Youth’ W maf-uk.org/youth E youth@maf-uk.org