News for Prayer Issue 481
8 August 2013
Members only MAF International CEO Chris Lukkien gives thanks that our worldwide MAF operation, the largest fleet of humanitarian aircraft in the world, recently received another commendation. ‘Recently,’ writes Chris, ‘MAF’s professionalism and experience in humanitarian work was formally recognised by the British Government when the Department for International Development (DFID) granted us membership of the DFID Rapid Response Facility. ‘This network of UK-based charities and businesses has been set up to provide emergency relief when major international humanitarian crises hit, and means that life-saving resources can be mobilised quickly in the critical hours following a humanitarian disaster. ‘MAF is one of only a very small number of organisations to meet the stringent DFID criteria and receive this accreditation. ‘DFID told us: “You were deemed to have met the assessment criteria that are priorities for the Government, namely: technical and logistical capability; administrative and financial management; results and value for money; and accountability and beneficiary participation.”’ Praise God for this recognition of our lifesaving work, and pray that whenever and wherever disaster strikes, we will have the capacity to assist isolated and remote people in Jesus’ Name.
Lifesaver
No fear
Afraid of not flying
At least two or three times a week, MAF pilots Jonathan Lowe and Mike Bottrell carry out lifesaving flights in East Timor. With the only fixed-wing aircraft in a country of around 1.2 million people, MAF’s services are in high demand. We work in partnership with East Timor’s Ministry of Health to provide a medevac service from remote regions to the country’s main hospital in Dili. When a young man suffered a serious head injury after falling off his motorbike in the eastern city of Baucau, it soon became obvious that he needed urgent hospital treatment. So an MAF plane flew him to hospital – saving the patient an arduous coastline drive from Bacau to Dili. A couple of days earlier, we airlifted a threeweek-old baby with severe breathing difficulties. The baby, accompanied by his mother, was safely flown to Dili Hospital for treatment. That same week, a 19-day-old infant had also been flown from Oecusse to Dili with his parents. The alternative to flights like these would have been the ferry to Dili, which only departs twice a week and takes 12 hours – making the chances of a baby’s survival very slim. Pilot Jonathan Lowe praises God and says, ‘We are grateful to all those who have supported our work in East Timor. Your support keeps us flying and enables us to continue our lifesaving work.’
Nikolai Ballin, based in Kawito, a remote village in Papua New Guinea (PNG), often hears stories of witchcraft, spirits or supernatural encounters when talking with local women. So when Nikolai and her colleague Mif Little were asked to preach at a local Women’s Convention in Aba, in PNG’s Western Province, she was delighted. The theme was ‘Do Not Fear’. After a one-hour boat trip downriver, Mif and Nikolai arrived to find the temporary shelter, which served as a convention centre, filled with 200 women, singing. Mif spoke about why Christians ‘Do not fear death’. In a culture where even a natural death can be viewed as an act of revenge, witchcraft or sorcery, Christians in PNG sometimes find it hard to grasp Ecclesiastes 3:1-2: ‘There is a time for everything… a time to be born and a time to die’. Then, after a joyful hour of praise and worship, Nikolai shared why Christians ‘Do not fear spirits of the dead’. During the talks, the women all nodded in agreement and responded positively to the two messages which were translated from English into the local language. Praise God for Mif and Nikolai’s ministry and uphold their husbands, pilots Andy and Brad, who support them behind the scenes. Pray too for the work of all MAF personnel preaching the Gospel and encouraging believers worldwide.
Sister Teresa Rico wasn’t afraid of flying – she was afraid of not flying. A missionary with Servants of the Word, she had been invited to a meeting in the remote town of Maikona, northern Kenya. Travel overland not only requires a dusty, bumpy, lengthy overnight trip, but one that uses a stretch of road notorious for bandits. Three of Sister Teresa’s colleagues were attacked there in 2012. ‘Really, I had fear,’ she explains. So when she was given the opportunity to fly with MAF, it came as a welcome relief. Apart from a guaranteed safe arrival, Sister Teresa knew she would also be much fresher for her meetings, which focused on community development in one of Kenya’s poorer areas. Another traveller, Alexander Setzer, who is spearheading an initiative to join NGOs in co-ordinating better food security, education and medical services, shared her concerns. ‘Last year,’ he recalls, ‘one of my colleagues was shot at while travelling from Nairobi, and still has the bullet holes in his car to prove it. It was a very frightening experience, and reiterates why Caritas always uses MAF to ensure the safety of employees.’ Give thanks for the many organisations working to help some of Kenya’s poorest people, and pray for our partners’ protection overland.
Prayer points • ARNHEM LAND Craig and Rebecca Fulton recently moved from Milingimbi to Yirrkala to prepare for Craig’s role as Arnhem Land Country Director. Pray as the previous Director, Doug Miles, begins to hand over responsibilities, and give thanks for Doug and Yvonne as they prepare to leave. • BANGLADESH The monsoon season’s heavy rain makes flying challenging. Pray that our pilots make good decisions in the air, on the ground and on the water as they pilot our amphibious aircraft. • CHAD Pray for fuel to keep the team’s generator running during recent shortages. • The team praise God and give thanks for being able to dig a well, providing a reliable water source. Pray for an effective way to share this clean water with their neighbours.
• COSTA RICA Give thanks for the digital library of Spanish Bibles, commentaries and resources MAF Learning Technologies received recently from a Christian organisation. • EAST TIMOR Pray for improved language skills and good relationships between our pilots and the people they interact with at different airstrips. • KENYA With a number of MAF families currently on home assignment, uphold the busy team members remaining in Kenya during August. • PNG Our Wewak team have more flight requests than they are able to fulfil. Pray for wisdom for those doing the programming and dealing with our PNG customers. • Praise God that Luke Newell’s pilot licence has been granted so he can now begin flying. Give thanks too for Assistant Quality Manager Abraham Inai, who begins work later this month (NfP 480).
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