PRAYER DIARY JAN–MAR 2022
www.maf-uk.org/pray
CHANGED I will show you and teach you in the way you should go. I will tell you what to do with My eye upon you — Psalm 32:8 (NLV)
I
remember the day after I gave my life to Jesus, I walked out of the supermarket and felt like I had stepped into an HD film. The tapestry of colour that spread across the early evening sky seemed electric. The birds’ song was louder, sweeter. My senses were heightened, my conscience more alert, I was suddenly aware of a prompting to return the shopping trolley to its rightful place rather than leave it somewhere more convenient. Both my face and my heart were smiling. I was changed. Like most journeys, there have been highs and lows but, 18 years on, I am more than ever mindful that this change is ongoing. The more we fix our eyes on Jesus, the more our lives gradually become brighter and more beautiful — reflecting His glory. The initial revelation we receive at salvation is built upon layer by layer as we discover more about God’s heart and take on the nature of Jesus for ourselves, becoming His hands and His feet for such a time as this. Every moment of every day offers us the opportunity to be changed, as well as to be the change. Former US President Barack Obama once said, ‘Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.’ The founders of MAF believed this too. For more than 75 years, MAF has been a vehicle to see lives, circumstances and outcomes changed. And, as part of the MAF family, your prayers and support hold the promise for future generations to be changed too. We are changed for a purpose. Praise God that, as believers, we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to guide, enable and encourage us. Psalm 32:8 assures us that He will show us the way we should go. He will tell us what to do and never take His eyes off us. This edition of the Prayer Diary has been changed too as we move away from the rhythm of prayer used during lockdown. Included in this diary are two double-page spreads that relate to two country-based stories in the latest edition of Flying for Life. Each page is labelled so you can connect the prayer points to the story and intercede in greater depth for those countries. As always, we are so thankful for your support, love and care. God bless
Victoria Fagg Prayer Communications Leader, MAF UK 2 Prayer Diary | JAN-MAR 2022
www.maf-uk.org
JANUARY
Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking. Then you will be able to decide what God wants for you; you will know what is good and pleasing to Him and what is perfect — Romans 12:2 (NCV)
SATURDAY 1 2022 — a year of opportunity and salvation! Let us meditate on John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life’, praying that more and more people will be changed by God’s love, find strength in His power, freedom in His grace, and purpose in His name.
COVER Anna, Uganda Candice Lassey, Tutapona MAIN With whom will you share the Gospel this year? Mark and Kelly Hewes TOP LEFT View from Munshiganj in south-western Bangladesh Tareq Abdullah, ADAMS JAN-MAR 2022 | Prayer Diary 3
CHANGED BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST
JANUARY
Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT) SUNDAY 2 Praise God for a New Year filled with the potential for more lives being changed by the love of Christ. Give thanks for Fruits Ministry, a small Christian NGO tackling big challenges to introduce people to Christ's love in South Sudan’s Eastern Equatoria region. MONDAY 3 Give thanks for MAF Technologies PNG, which enables people in Papua New Guinea (PNG) to receive God’s Word in their own language using audio Bibles. TUESDAY 4 Matthew 28:19 tells us to make disciples of all nations; the love of God motivating the heart and galvanising us into action. Pray that more people will be motivated to serve with MAF — experiencing open doors every step of the way! WEDNESDAY 5 As God heals our hearts from past hurts, our capacity to love takes on a divine flavour, enabling us to go the extra mile to reach those in need. Please pray that those whose lives have been changed by the Ministry of evangelist Elisha Moita in Tanzania will, in turn, be used to help change the lives of others. THURSDAY 6 Love has brought us to the throne room of heaven through our prayers. Please lift up MAF partner e3 Partners Ministry, which seeks to make the local church accessible to everyone. Since 2007, e3 has helped local missionaries and evangelists share the Gospel with South Sudan’s Toposa people. FRIDAY 7 The love of Christ is manifest in many ways, whether it’s providing food for the hungry, medicines for those who are sick or access to education. The practical outworking of God’s love can be seen in Timor-Leste where MAF spouses assemble bags of blessing for hospitalised patients, and offer to pray for them. Pray that this example of love in action will be a real blessing. SATURDAY 8 Hallelujah, we are saved! But saved for what? 2 Corinthians 5:20 calls us ‘ambassadors’ — God’s representatives. That includes you as part of the MAF family. Continue to pray for those who have yet to discover Christ’s love for themselves, asking God for more opportunities to share our faith — here in the UK and through MAF’s ministry overseas. 4 Prayer Diary | JAN-MAR 2022
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MAIN Thanks to Fruits Ministry, these men and women are praising God in their mother-tongue Fruits Ministry, Walter Duku TOP An audio Bible provided by MAF Technologies PNG Joy Suarkia ABOVE Morning prayers in Rengkoi, South Sudan Thorkild Jørgensen
CHANGED THROUGH HEALING
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens — Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)
MAIN Flying above Madagascar Ian Purdey TOP Delivery of 264kg of vaccines in Kalimantan Eric Bell ABOVE Solar panels installed by MAF Technologies PNG Brian Baimako
JANUARY
SUNDAY 9 Praise God for the partnership MAF Technologies PNG has with the Eastern Highlands Provincial Health Authority. Our provision of radio equipment changes the lives of ill and injured people by enabling medevacs. Uphold the continuing rollout of HF radio, along with the installation of solar systems, like the one successfully installed at Menyamya Health Centre.
transform the lives of vulnerable
MONDAY 10 Pray that God opens the door for us to work with more NGOs in southern Madagascar. Doing so would enable MAF to change lives by delivering medicines and food to children and adults suffering from acute malnutrition.
western region.
TUESDAY 11 The attitude of fo rg i v e n e s s e xe m p l i f i e d b y Nelson Mandela helped change South Africa. However, last year the country was afflicted by rioting and looting. Pray that peace will transform the nation, and that those who’ve been hurt will find healing. Pray too that God protects our staff as they fly vital cargo to affected areas.
parasitic, flesh-eating condition
WEDNESDAY 12 Even though MAF flights in Kalimantan were reduced due to coronavirus in 2021, give thanks that MAF’s lifechanging, life-saving medevacs and vaccine flights continue to
transform. May the words of Acts
Indonesians. THURSDAY 13 O n e of o u r partners has identified potential locations for three new airstrips in Tanzania’s Katavi Region. Pray that any development of these areas will enable new medical and evangelistic safaris to take place — bringing spiritual transformation to this remote
F R I D AY 1 4
Uphold
MAF
programmes like Liberia, which have seen an increase in the number of medical emergency flights. One of these flights enabled a five-month-old baby to receive treatment for a — our plane saving an arduous ten-hour motorbike ride. We also flew patients to hospital when Haiti suffered a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in August 2021. Pray that, whenever tragedy strikes, MAF is able to respond. SATURDAY 15 God alone has the power to save, heal, change and 4:30 — ‘Stretch out Your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of Your holy servant Jesus’ — be our prayer for everyone MAF serves. JAN-MAR 2022 | Prayer Diary 5
CHANGED THROUGH PARTNERSHIP
JANUARY
Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past. I am creating something new — Isaiah 43:18-19 (CEV) SUNDAY 16 Praise God for MAF’s support of health patrols led by Dr Rebecca Williams (pictured right) in PNG. When a patrol in Malaumanda identified two young girls as suffering from tuberculosis (TB), we airlifted them to hospital to receive the care they needed. MONDAY 17 Give thanks for MAF flights enabling personnel from The HALO Trust to remove dangerous landmines in Angola. The project, which has already removed more than 100,000 landmines since 1994, has saved many lives. Pray for the safety of those undertaking this dangerous work. TUESDAY 18 Thanks to the Rural Airstrip Authority’s successful survey, the airstrip at Yalom, PNG, has been reopened after 22 years, bringing much joy to the local community. It was originally closed due to civil unrest. Pray for peace and for good relationships within Yalom. WEDNESDAY 19 Praise the Lord for the training materials we delivered to the Christian Union Bible College in Mount Hagen, PNG, which are proving to be a big asset. Pray they will help the students grow even stronger in their faith as they complete their training to become pastors. THURSDAY 20 Give thanks for relief organisations such as Samaritan’s Purse and Haiti Bible Mission which, together with MAF Haiti, have been working as part of the emergency response team for the 2021 earthquake relief efforts there. Pray for everyone trying to rebuild their lives, remembering those still dealing with the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake. FRIDAY 21 ‘Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour’ (Ecclesiastes 4:9, NIV). Without MAF, our partners wouldn’t be able to help so many people. Ask God to bless MAF’s relationships with some 2,000 partners and enable us to develop new partnerships with other organisations. SATURDAY 22 Due to MAF flights, Bible translators can compare notes as they translate God’s Word into the heart language of isolated communities. Next time you open your Bible, praise God that we can access Scripture so easily in so many translations — remembering what it was like the first time you received yours.
6 Prayer Diary | JAN-MAR 2022
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TOP Dr Rebecca Williams from Kompiam Hospital in Malaumanda, PNG Annelie Edsmyr ABOVE Medevac in Haiti conducted by MAF's emergency response team Courtesy of Haiti Bible Mission BELOW Celebrating at the reopening of the airstrip in Yalom, PNG Paul Woodington
CHANGED THROUGH EDUCATION SUNDAY 23 Praise God for all the children in Arnhem Land who use our planes to travel to school. Our flights enable them to learn and obtain qualifications so they can find employment and improve the lives of their family and community. MONDAY 24 MAF missionary Margot Biggs says, ‘Part of the reason I love teaching is because I can really try to show the participants what it means to be a nurse, especially as a Christian. It’s not just a profession, nursing is truly a calling. And as I’m teaching, I really hope some of that passion comes across.’ On this International Day of Education, pray for Margot and her pilot husband Steve as they serve in Liberia.
MAIN A rainy day in Liberia Dave Forney RIGHT Margot with her husband Steve Margot Biggs
JANUARY
TUESDAY 25 Pray for the Sisters of the Holy Family — regular passengers with MAF Liberia. They encourage underprivileged children by helping with school fees and buying school materials for the poorest youngsters. They also support training programmes for teenage mothers and vulnerable women and girls. WEDNESDAY 26 Pray for CO-ID (Co-operation in Development Australia Inc), an MAF partner in Bangladesh. The charity provides free primary schooling to 11,000 children in southern Bhola Island, on the edge of the Bay of Bengal. THURSDAY 27 MAF educationalist Jo Crotty has been seconded to SIL International in PNG. Pray for her as she teaches the children of missionaries, enabling their parents to serve with MAF and other organisations.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever — Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
FRIDAY 28 Uphold MAF partner Innovative Education Liberia which provides a ‘school in a box’ for children in the rural south of the country. Each Smartbox contains a laptop, headset and pre-loaded educational materials. A rechargeable battery provides power, with no internet connection needed. SATURDAY 29 Dr Rosie Crowter (pictured below) provides isolated people in PNG’s Western Province with holistic healthcare. The regular MAF flyer shares God’s Word, teaches people about TB and malaria, and provides primary schools with Bibles. Please pray for her as she seeks ‘to see people grounded in the Gospel and changed into the likeness of Christ.’
FAR RIGHT Dr Rosie Crowter LuAnne Cadd
ABOVE Nurse Marieke Noordhoek conducting COVID-19 tests for MAF passengers Annelie Edsmyr JAN-MAR 2022 | Prayer Diary 7
SOUTH SUDAN
JANUARY / FEBRUARY
This is my command — be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go — Joshua 1:9 (NLT) SUNDAY 30 Praise God for the work of MAF partner In Deed and Truth (IDAT) Ministries. Please pray for the staff of its hospital in Tonj who have seen the annual number of outpatients treble over the past six years. MONDAY 31 Just as our fleet requires regular donations to serve partners such as IDAT, so its hospital must be properly financed. Pray that enough patients are able to make the small, but significant, gifts that enable the poorest to be treated free of charge. TUESDAY 1 A UN report states that nearly 4% of babies in South Sudan die shortly after birth. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower Dr Jonathan Macleod and his medical team as they strive to improve survival rates for the next generation. WEDNESDAY 2 ‘Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of infant death,’ says Nurse Rebekah Soper. Give thanks for the protection we enjoy from infections and diseases that kill millions, and pray for increased oxygen supplies, crucial to the fight against pneumonia. THURSDAY 3 When oxygen is scarce, a machine called an oxygen concentrator is the medical staff’s — and their little patients’ — only hope. So praise God for the MAF South Sudan staff at their base in the capital Juba who were able to mend broken oxygen concentrators and fly them straight back to the IDAT hospital! FRIDAY 4 ‘Road transport to Juba is not an option for us,’ Dr Jonathan admits, ‘due to the distance and high risk of a rebel ambush. The weekly MAF shuttle from Juba has massively improved the effectiveness of our ministry.’ Pray that our aircraft remain airborne in this volatile country. SATURDAY 5 Please pray that, wherever possible, the MAF family can use more than just its world class fleet to bring help, hope and healing to isolated people. Ask God to make us ‘More than an airline’ (see full story on page 10 of Flying for Life). 8 Prayer Diary | JAN-MAR 2022
www.maf-uk.org
TOP ‘Pneumonia is one of the most common causes of infant death’ Jenny Davies MIDDLE Nurse Rebekah Soper Jenny Davies BOTTOM James Mollenhaurer, MAF South Sudan's maintenance manager mending oxygen concentrators for the IDAT hospital Jenny Davies
The prayer points on page 8 relate to a story featured in Flying for Life, page 10. (We hope this will help inform your prayers for MAF and those we serve.)
SUNDAY 6 Praise God for MAF's 47 dedicated staff in South Sudan. Pray that the Holy Spirit will transform the lives of its men, women and children so that a country born of civil war will find the peace and prosperity which continue to elude it. M O N D AY 7 S i n c e g a i n i n g independence in July 2011, health statistics in South Sudan have made for resolutely grim reading. Please pray for an end to rampant malaria, diarrhoea and pneumonia, and for its people to avoid the horror of the coronavirus pandemic. TUESDAY 8 The desire for independence originally stemmed from this region’s abundant oil reserves. Ask God for the remains of that wealth to be invested in healthcare and education, so the next generation is equipped to build the nation its parents originally envisioned. WEDNESDAY 9 Pray that South Sudan won’t suffer from the reduction in external aid that has been its lifeblood for ten years. A financial miracle is needed to prevent the world’s youngest nation from descending into
anarchy, and greater investment still will be crucial to its continuing survival. THURSDAY 10 Clean drinking water is scarce in South Sudan. UNICEF reports that only 60% of the population has access to it, and the same percentage lacks a basic toilet. Pray that MAF will be able to play a part in the radical improvement of this desperate situation, and a dramatic decrease in incidence of waterborne diseases. FRIDAY 11 Remember in your prayers the women MAF seeks to reach in this challenging country. More than half of them endure a sexual attack before the age of 18, a third will become pregnant before they turn 15, and 50% experience violence from a partner at some point in their lives. SATURDAY 12 Thank the Lord our God that MAF has been able to support communities in South Sudan over the last 70 years. Be inspired by your part in maintaining this programme and the many ways in which our fleet — and its partners — tackle many of the problems we’ve shared this week.
MAIN A Cessna 182 aircraft awaiting departure in Torit Dave Forney TOP Pilot Raphael Flach Thorkild Jørgensen ABOVE This new water pump is fenced off from cattle Thorkild Jørgensen JAN-MAR 2022 | Prayer Diary 9
CHANGED BY HOPE S U N D AY 1 3 P r a i s e G o d for Jackson Mataya, who is continuing his medical training while working as a laboratory technician in Uganda. Over the years, we've had the privilege of helping him overcome many challenges with his health and circumstances. He has hope for his future and for that of his home nation of South Sudan. MONDAY 14 Many people are hoping to receive a token of love today as it’s Valentine’s Day. We have a hope in the Lord that surpasses any worldly love. In your prayers today, please pray for those we serve. People who may have only just heard about God’s love for them. Pray that, as they learn more about that great love, their hope in Him will soar. TUESDAY 15 Please pray for our medical flights in PNG. The contact with doctors and the knowledge that they can access help whenever they need it is a great source of hope for the isolated communities MAF serves. WEDNESDAY 16 We are often told that the sound of our aircraft engines brings hope to the hearts of those in need. Please pray for all the MAF planes flying today. 10 Prayer Diary | JAN-MAR 2022
FEBRUARY
Pray for safety and that the Lord will use them right where they’re needed.
Then the One who sits on the throne said, ‘And now I make all things new!’ He also said to me, ‘Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted’ — Revelation 21:5 (GNT)
THURSDAY 17 MAF has several new staff preparing to serve overseas. Please uphold them as they are busy making big changes in their lives; being willing and hopeful about serving the Lord. To find out more about them, please visit www.maf-uk.org/staff FRIDAY 18 Refugee camps around Bidi Bidi, Adjumani and Moyo in Uganda offer hope to hundreds of thousands of refugees — mainly women and children. Although they are in a place of relative safety, please pray for those who have lost or been separated from family members. Pray they will have enough to eat, access to healthcare, counselling and education. SATURDAY 19 P l e a s e pray for Jenny Davies, our Communications Officer in South Sudan. Speaking to the organisations that benefit from our flights continues to excite Jenny and motivates her to find new and creative ways to express the hope MAF’s ministry brings to our many supporters.
www.maf-uk.org
MAIN Soaring above PNG Annelie Edsmyr TOP Jackson working as a lab technician in a refugee camp on the South Sudanese/Ugandan border Jackson Mataya ABOVE Jenny Davies (left) in Chad LuAnne Cadd
DRIVING THE CHANGE
FEBRUARY
But look! I tell you this secret: We will not all sleep in death, but we will all be changed — 1 Corinthians 15:51 (NCV) SUNDAY 20 Praise God for the MAF staff responsible for taking flight bookings, liaising with partners, authorities and passengers, and for co-ordinating aircraft itineraries. They ensure the smooth running of our service, enabling vulnerable people’s circumstances to change. MONDAY 21 A few months ago, MAF Arnhem Land flew government census forms to the most isolated communities, enabling some of them to be counted for the first time. Pray that the indigenous Aboriginal populations of Australia will know that they are valued. TUESDAY 22 A n i m p o r t a n t part of MAF’s work is to share stories of how God allows us to serve people. In doing so, we bear witness to His love, inspire prayer, and attract donors to help purchase aircraft and resources to expand our overseas ministry. Pray for the Communications staff who collect information, take photographs, produce videos and write articles. TOP Annelie Edsmyr, Regional Communications Manager for MAF's Asia-Pacific region, in action MAF PNG MIDDLE The Sant Family, who are moving to PNG. Dom will be serving as Programme Safety Manager/ Technical Skills Training Specialist. Sequoia will home-school Abigail, Emma and Isaac BOTTOM Census forms on board an MAF plane Anton Zhang
WEDNESDAY 23 MAF programmes contain people from all over the world who’ve responded to God’s call to serve overseas. Many have children, so please pray for those who are at school in a different country or who are being home-schooled by MAF parents. May they grow to be change-makers.
THURSDAY 24 Safety is an essential part of what we do. Safety for those we serve and safety for our staff and planes. Pray for the Quality Safety and Security teams across MAF, who ensure we meet the highest standards of care. FRIDAY 25 Our engineering teams ensure that our planes are serviced and maintained. This involves checking everything from the propellers to the smallest rivets. The painstaking and detailed work ensures our planes remain airworthy. Pray for the engineers in Mareeba and our other programmes. Their commitment helps drive our lifechanging ministry. SATURDAY 26 A team of partners in the UK prayed and gave to support a maintenance engineer. The engineer was employed by MAF and sent overseas to prepare and maintain planes. This vital work means that, when the call comes from an isolated community, a plane is ready to go and a life can be saved. Give thanks for the MAF partners in the UK whose sacrificial and often unseen contribution saves lives.
If you would like to support our overseas staff please visit www.maf-uk.org/ supportourstaff
JAN-MAR 2022 | Prayer Diary 11
The prayer points on page 12 relate to a story featured in Flying for Life, page 3. (We hope this will help inform your prayers for MAF and those we serve.)
CHAD
FEBRUARY / MARCH
Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for GOD’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track — Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) SUNDAY 27 Give thanks for SIL International’s 25-year commitment to translating the entire Bible into Chadian Arabic. May God’s love reach more people in this largely Islamic country as they receive His Word for themselves. MONDAY 28 God’s timing is perfect. How amazing it is that more than 20,000 copies of His Word, printed in China, arrived in Chad just before the country encountered political challenges? Please pray that the arrival of these Bibles will breathe peace into the hearts and minds of those who read them. TUESDAY 1 To mark the arrival of the Chadian Arabic Bible into the country, two Scripture dedications were held in N’Djaména, with representatives from both Islam and Christianity attending. Pray that God’s Word will become a tool in His armoury for ongoing unity. WEDNESDAY 2 When 120 Bibles were delivered to Dar Sila in eastern Chad, a local missionary said they wouldn’t be enough as demand was so high. They expect to distribute several hundred Bibles easily over the next year or so. Pray for wisdom as the Bibles are carefully given out to people interested in learning more about Jesus. THURSDAY 3 Lift up the churches of Bardaï. May they be strengthened by the arrival of God’s Word in their own language. May they also be an agent of connection and revelation as they share God’s love with their neighbours. FRIDAY 4 To get both the Old and New Testament in Chadian Arabic is a real blessing; bringing with it an expectation to see lives changed by God’s truth. However, without MAF, transporting the heavy Bibles on long journeys would be difficult, if not impossible. Give thanks that MAF is able to play a small part in spreading the Good News!. SATURDAY 5 According to an SIL International newsletter, the Chadian Arabic Bible has been received with joy, with one believer literally jumping for joy — tears in her eyes — because she could now read the whole Bible for herself. Please pray that many more people will experience the joy of the Lord through His wonderful Word. 12 Prayer Diary | JAN-MAR 2022
www.maf-uk.org
BELOW LEFT TO RIGHT DENIS Kouladoumbaye unloading Chadian Arabic Bibles in eastern Chad Phil Henderson Pilot and Operations Manager Becki Dillingham sees the work of MAG staff on the minefield Katie Machell Pilot Steve Machell Katie Machell
SUNDAY 6 Praise God for MAF’s Head Guard, who’s been producing crutches for mission hospitals for eight years. ‘First,’ says Zam Moise, ‘I buy the wood, the tools and the glue. Sometimes, when I’m making an order, the other MAF guards help me with varnishing and sanding the wood.’ Pray that many Chadians will benefit from Zam’s valuable, self-taught ministry. MONDAY 7 Please uphold Steve and Katie Machell, who completed their assignment at the end of last year, having joined MAF Chad in September 2019. The family, whose three boys are either at university or boarding school, is currently in the UK. TUESDAY 8 The devastating effect of Chad’s war with neighbouring Libya remains in the form of unexploded ordnance. Please pray for the work of Mines Advisory Group (MAG). Their personnel, aided by MAF flights, are clearing explosives in the Harignala minefield. WEDNESDAY 9 Give thanks for the large shipment of oil for our Cessna 182 and the aircraft parts which arrived just before fuel shortages started last year. Pray against future scarcity and for our team to respond effectively to such challenges. THURSDAY 10 Apart from conflict and unrest, Chad faces challenges from the arrival of refugees from Central African Republic and Sudan. Pray that hurting hearts will find Christ as our staff seek to bring help, hope and healing, as well as life in all its fulness. FRIDAY 11 Pilot Phil Henderson describes Bardaï Hospital as ‘a nice big hospital that sat empty for a long time because no one wanted to work there.’ However, thanks to an MAF ‘vision trip’, missionary doctors Mark and Andrea Hotchkin joined in 2017; their partnership with MAF and the hospital is making northern Chad a safer, healthier place. Uphold Bardaï Hospital as its patients recover from anything from gunshot wounds to broken bones. SATURDAY 12 Imagine living in one of Africa’s poorest countries. One that comprises more than 200 different ethnic and linguistic groups, and which continues to experience tension between the Muslim north and the predominantly Christian and animist south. Ask God how best to pray for Chad’s 11.4 million people. MAIN An MAF aircraft after a heavy downpour in Chad
Phil Henderson
JAN-MAR 2022 | Prayer Diary 13
CHANGED BY THE SPIRIT MARCH SUNDAY 13 Praise God that our new Engineer Training Scheme commenced in 2021. Pray for our trainees Nathanael Smith and Matthew Veale as they undertake theoretical study in preparation for service overseas. MONDAY 14 MAF pilots carry Bible boxes on their flights so people can receive God’s Word. Pray that those who receive a Bible will experience the Holy Spirit and God’s love. It’s a great encouragement to see Scripture in the hands of seekers and new believers.
THURSDAY 17 Thank God for the Gereja Injili di Indonesia church in Mulia, which sent an evangelistic team to Faowi, Papua, for a week. Exodus 31:1-3 reflects God’s willingness to fill His chosen people with ‘the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills.’ Pray that the Spirit continues to be with the Papuan c h u rc h , w i t h m a n y p e o p l e becoming Christians during its outreach.
TUESDAY 15 MAF uses social media to share how God is at work across the nations. Pray that our stories will be used by the Holy Spirit to connect with a new and younger audience, giving them a heart for overseas mission.
FRIDAY 18 Something happens when people unite in prayer. Across our different programmes, MAF teams also use this diary to partner with you to see change happen around the world. Give thanks that the Holy Spirit hovers over us all — joining up our words and moving God’s heart in the process.
WEDNESDAY 16 When MAF responds to global disaster, it’s reassuring to know that, by His Spirit, He is there. Praise God for our Disaster Response Team which is ready to respond when the need arises. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide and protect our staff as they deliver hope to those in great need.
SATURDAY 19 Pray for MAF Uganda’s logistics team as they work on obtaining various permits. Last year, processes were slower than normal due to COVID19 restrictions. Pray that the team will know the Holy Spirit’s encouragement and peace, believing that, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’
14 Prayer Diary | JAN-MAR 2022
www.maf-uk.org
We never give up. Our bodies are gradually dying, but we ourselves are being made stronger each day… Things that are seen don’t last forever, but things that are not seen are eternal. That’s why we keep our minds on the things that cannot be seen — 2 Corinthians 4:16, 18 (CEV)
MAIN Pilot, Paul Woodington carrying his Bible box Mandy Glass TOP MAF's Disaster Response Team Lem Malabuyo ABOVE Evangelistic team from Gereja Injili di Indonesia church in Mulia Daniel Bristol
BE THE CHANGE
MARCH
Christ gives me the strength to face anything — Philippians 4:13 (CEV) SUNDAY 20 Praise God for our MAF staff overseas and those in our offices in the UK. Pray that each would know His strength and joy for the challenges each day inevitably brings. MONDAY 21 Pray for good relationships between MAF personnel who come from different countries and very different cultures. The chance for misunderstanding is real, so pray for much grace and patience for all. TUESDAY 22 Please pray for the MAF recruitment events planned throughout the year. Pray that we can present our needs to Christian audiences with whom we haven’t yet engaged. Pray this will result in some great candidates for overseas service. WEDNESDAY 23 There is a worldwide shortage of aircraft maintenance engineers. Boeing's Pilot and Technician Outlook estimates that 626,000 new engineers will be needed in the next 20 years. Pray that more people answer God’s calling to serve in this way. For more information about our Engineer Training Scheme, email hr@maf-uk.org THURSDAY 24 Steve and Philippa Forsyth have served in MAF programmes in several countries, and are currently in Uganda. They recently celebrated 28 years of service. Give thanks for their faithful service and pray for a special blessing on them both. FRIDAY 25 Dom and Sequoia Sant and family recently began service with MAF in PNG, where Dom is Programme Safety Manager/Technical Skills Training Specialist. Pray for them as they settle into a new culture and learn Tok Pisin. SATURDAY 26 Ann Saunders has recently returned to our Board of Trustees, bringing valuable HR experience and expertise. Please pray that she will know much wisdom and insight as she contributes to our work. SUNDAY 27 Praise God for all the MAF mums serving overseas and all that they bring to our 26 programmes. Pray for families missing their mothers and grandmothers who are back in the UK. Thank God for advances in technology and communications that allow mums and dads to communicate effectively across countries. MONDAY 28 Several staff members have recently returned to live in the UK. Pray that their children will settle well into school and be able to cope easily with the way things have changed since the pandemic. Pray too for a smooth and speedy transition back into UK life. TUESDAY 29 Pray for new opportunities for MAF to serve mission and relief agencies better in the countries in which we operate. Pray that our Country Directors will establish good relationships so that MAF can make an even greater contribution in each programme. WEDNESDAY 30 Pray that the Lord will raise up the next generation of MAF pilots, engineers and managers who have the skills and calling to serve remote and isolated communities in the developing world. To see MAF’s latest vacancies, please visit our website www.maf-uk.org/jobs THURSDAY 31 Please pray for MAF Pilot Alistair Youren who, with his wife Anna and their three children, lives in Juba, South Sudan. The country’s capital city isn’t an easy place to make a home, so please pray for great supportive relationships within the team, and opportunities for refreshment. JAN-MAR 2022 | Prayer Diary 15
MAF is a unique Christian mission which seeks to bring help, hope and healing to isolated communities in the developing world. Every day, MAF multiplies the effectiveness of thousands of organisations — our 123 planes crossing deserts, jungles, swamps and areas of widespread insecurity. Without MAF, many church, mission and relief and development organisations couldn’t operate in the areas they serve.
Like all mission organisations, we need people to make this happen. Often, when people think of MAF, they think of pilots and aircraft maintenance engineers. However, although we have a significant need in this area, MAF is also urgently seeking:
Senior Managers, Finance Managers, IT professionals, Quality, Safety and Security Managers, School teachers, Operations Managers and more. Whoever you are, there’s a part for you to play in MAF’s global mission. Many Christians have never considered whether they have the skills and experience to serve God overseas.
Can we ask you to pray if this might be you? Whether you’ve been thinking about overseas service for a while or have just started a journey, we’d love to connect with you. Let your journey begin!
Find out more at www.maf-uk.org/work-with-us
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