March - May 2008

The magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship

Overcoming blindness in

Sudan
pages 8-9

FIGHTING FOR VIOLA page 4

MARINE EXPERTS TAKE TO THE SKY page 12

What is MAF?

ission Aviation Fellowship is a Christian organisation whose mission is to fly light aircraft in developing countries so that people in remote areas can receive the help they need. Since 1946, our planes have been speeding the spread of the Good News of the Lord Jesus Christ by word and deed, in places of deepest human need. Isolated places where flying is not a luxury, but a lifeline. Every three minutes, an MAF plane is taking off or landing somewhere in the world. These flights enable crucial work by many development and aid agencies, missions, local churches and other national groups. Medical care, adequate food, clean water and Christian hope are reaching countless thousands of men, women and children. Normally, passengers contribute a highlysubsidised fare towards the true cost. The balance that makes flights possible comes as gifts from people concerned that others should have a better life spiritually and physically. In the UK, MAF is a registered charity funded by voluntary gifts which help finance MAFs operational work and support services. Please use the enclosed response form and envelope for your donation to this ministry. MAFs work is vital. Lives depend on it.

Chief Executives COMMENT

How is it that, as people, we can be so similar in our basic needs and yet so different in our interests and cultural expectations? In November, I visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) and saw for myself a culture very different to the UK. Incredibly, there are 820 languages spoken today. The terrain may well have contributed to this its so difficult to travel around, and many small communities are isolated. I was astonished at the lack of infrastructure There really are no roads! I heard myself saying. As well as steep mountains, parts are covered in swamps and there is dense jungle. MAF services are really vital. We have been providing transport and emergency help in PNG since 1951. One morning, I accompanied pilot Richard Ebel, picking up participants from a training conference and returning them to their villages. We made six stops before noon. At every place, local people rushed towards us when we landed. They came to see what provisions were aboard and who was arriving. Our aircraft fly to places that are totally inaccessible by any means except air. And we need to fly fresh food for our team members who are unable to grow or buy any variety near their own homes. But they need spiritual nourishment, too. That same afternoon, I flew on to a highland area where I met a lady who had walked for seven hours to go to a ladies conference. Even when the only way was to walk through mud tracks and a river, she was determined to go. I wont forget her in a hurry! I hope you enjoy reading in these pages about some of our staff who have been called to serve in other cultures.

Tough pathway
Mission Aviation Fellowship Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent UK CT20 2TN Telephone: 0845 850 9505 Email: supporter.relations@maf-uk.org Website: www.maf-uk.org
Registered Charity Number 1064598

Scottish Office Challenge House, 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD Telephone: 0845 850 9505 Email: scottish.office@maf-uk.org Chief Executive, MAF UK: Ruth Whitaker MAF News team Editor: Andy Prescott Research: Kate Allen Writers: Kate Allen, David Hall Photographers: Alan Duncan, Richard Hanson, David Randel, Layton Thompson, Z Photo Agency Design: Adamart Purchasing: Mark Stanton Art Direction: Richard Bellamy
Printed by John Blackburn Ltd Bible references are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated MAF UK March May 2008 mzrf9

Only the Lord at work can account for Debbie Laninga becoming a pilot in one of MAFs remotest operations

my friends all pilots died. I hated aviation at that point and thought I needed to quit.

Appointment

anadian Debbie has overcome a series of traumatic events to serve as our only current female pilot in Papua New Guinea (PNG). Dreaming of flying a Boeing 747 with KLM, she began a Bachelor of Arts course in British Columbia, concentrating on aviation. Debbie went on a university link trip to the MAF centre in California. She then made her own way back to Canada, while fellow students flew in five light aircraft. Two of the planes were lost in snowy weather, killing five friends as well as her instructor. Grief-stricken, I didnt trust God any more, confesses Debbie. She moved from job to job for 11 years. It was brutal. During that time, six more of

While at university, Debbie had married Ed Laninga. As she struggled to maintain her faith, Ed, who also knew the six who died, drifted away from God. But the couple recommitted themselves to their marriage, and moved to Edmonton. Ed got a good job in sales management and freight handling, while Debbie secured a flying job that was based 300 miles away in Lethbridge. For 18 months, they saw each other only at weekends. However, Ed recommitted his life to God, who then opened up a job for him in Lethbridge. Later, they applied to join MAF, and were accepted for service. Debbie is one of 11 pilots appointed after our worldwide appeal following the tragic deaths of 3 PNG pilots within 14 months. In September 2006, the couple arrived in PNG. And for Ed, its a reversal of the traditional scenario of male pilot with wife

at home. In addition to cooking and cleaning, he doubles as aircraft traffic officer, ambulance driver or garden maintenance worker when needed.

Commitment

Some 95% of MAF landings are in remote regions. And because of Debbie, many girl pupils at schools want to become pilots. Her saddest memory is flying a boy aged around ten with badly swollen legs from a rural airstrip to hospital. He was a tough little guy, no crying even though he was in pain. Next morning, we got a phone call to say that he didnt make it. I was very downhearted. But mostly, such flights lead to medical success. Lots of the patients are women with difficulties with childbirth, or children with burns or open wounds. One girl of about two fell on to her mothers cooking knife. It went into her abdomen and her intestines were coming out. She made it. Now working with our Flight Training Unit instructing PNG nationals how to fly,

Debbie enthuses: I am very excited with the prospect of being able to mentor, teach, disciple and really get to know some of the people I am here to serve. Unless God calls me away, Ill be here until Im old and grey, she smiles.

Ed and Debbie

2 MAF News March May 2008

March May 2008 MAF News 3

Fighting for Viola

B
Weakened and emaciated, time was really critical for the 18-month-old girl
eing born into family conflict was tragic enough for Viola. But she also began life with hydrocephalus. This disease causes fluid to accumulate and compresses the brain, resulting in extreme swelling of the head. Such a medical condition is challenging in the best environments. Living in remote Kajo Keji, southern Sudan, it meant her life hung in the balance. Abandoned by her husband and suffering at the hands of her family, Violas mother Rose was burdened by her own situation and she struggled to care for her daughter. Debilitated herself by a lack of food, Rose could barely carry or breastfeed Viola. She tried collecting firewood in an attempt to earn some money to feed her daughter. But her frail body and Violas increasing weight made the task impossible. The directors from St Bartholomews Orphanage in Kajo Keji often visited Rose, counselling and praying with her.
Medical student Candace (top) Pilot Gerrit

NEWS
IN BRIEF
collect Viola after taking a family working with Wycliffe Bible Translators to Kapoeta. While he was preparing the plane for his passengers, Gerrit was a little dismayed when he realised that Rose had no travel documents! All that she had was a medical transfer paper and a letter asking for help. It was decision time: take them or leave them, Gerrit recalls. Having come this far, he decided to try and take them, praying for acceptance by the Ugandan authorities. With grateful thanks, Gerrit took off again with his passengers now bound for Kumi, the closest airstrip to Mbale. A waiting ambulance took Rose and Viola the final 30-minute journey to the hospital. And as Gerrit left, he prayed that Viola would do well and be a blessing to her mother. Blinding cataracts Brad Sinclair flew six eye doctors from Suai to Dili, East Timor, following a weeks clinic. Suai is in a remote area on the southern edge of the country, just a 30-minute flight from Dili, but a 7-hour trip driving over rugged terrain if the bridges are passable. The team treated over 470 patients, performing more than 80 operations, mainly for blinding cataracts. New outreach For a number of years, our Madagascar Country Director and pilot Jakob Adolf has prayed for the region south of Marolambo and Sahakevo. Now, he has visited to talk to villagers and view a potential airstrip site. Jakob is gathering together Malagasy and missionary doctors to plan how best to concentrate their efforts to serve the isolated people of this rainforest area. Healthy hearts Pilot Juuso Koponen flew a team of physicians and nurses working with Samaritans Purse Childrens Heart Project to Dalanzadgad, Mongolia. This project identifies children who have life-threatening heart disease in countries that lack technology and training to treat them. Such children are taken with a parent to the USA for an operation. Members of churches there provide a home, and care for them until they are fit to return. Mission trip Bishop David Thangana and Pastor John Kareithi from Glory Outreach Assembly flew to Marsabit, northern Kenya, to visit their team and assess the spiritual and physical needs of local people. There are many people still unreached with the Gospel. During their five-day stay, they ordained Pastor Hirbo and spent time with the local people. They also distributed mosquito nets to mothers and children. Making peace Dave and Donna Jacobsson, who lead our eastern Democratic Republic of Congo team, report, The most strategic, high impact flying that weve been privileged to partner with has been for various reconciliation efforts and movements. A flight to Beni took speakers to lead a biblical community development seminar for those working with Restoration Ministry teams. They gave training and equipped 40 community leaders and prayer group leaders from 9 villages. Their teaching focused on biblical principles for holistic development.
March May 2008 MAF News 5

Persistence rewarded

Papers requested
Viola with Rose

Plight recognised

Local hospitals advised that Viola needed treatment in Uganda. Sadly, Rose did not have the resources to make this happen. But then Candace Glenn, an American medical student from Florida, arrived at St Bartholomews as part of a mission trip in both Sudan and Uganda. She writes, The medical needs in northern Uganda and southern Sudan are overwhelming, but there was one particular case that, as a medical student, I was extremely struck by. Candace met Rose and Viola and was deeply touched by their extreme plight.

She continues, Although conditions in Sudan are discouraging, I was not willing to give up hope for this child whom I came to love as I sat with Viola and her weeping mother and watched them both struggle for some comfort in each others arms. Undoubtedly, without medical attention Viola would die.

Problems resolved

On returning to the USA, Candace busily researched, emailed and called people in the hope of gaining assistance for Viola. She came into contact with Dr Charles Howard, Director of CURE Childrens Hospital in Mbale, Uganda.

After discussion and without having yet seen Viola, Dr Howard agreed that his team would perform the essential surgery. This left one final problem for Candace. Viola lives in Sudan and CUREs hospital is hundreds of miles away in Uganda. Being weakened by her condition, long difficult road travel simply wasnt an option. Thats when Candace remembered the MAF aircraft that had flown in to collect missionaries from Kajo Keji. Immediately, she contacted Steve Forsyth, our Country Director in Uganda, whose response was, I would love to help her. So pilot Gerrit Pap landed at Kajo Keji to

And that wasnt the only obstacle. As he helped Rose and Viola aboard the Cessna aircraft, there was a loud crack of thunder and a bolt of lightning shot through the sky. Gerrit had planned to fly low so as to prevent altitude causing increased pressure in Violas head but, after taking off, the weather wouldnt permit him to fly higher than 500ft anyway. Just as he considered turning back, the clouds lightened and the flight continued across the border to Arua. On landing, an immigration officer and a policeman met Rose, pointing out her lack of paperwork. Silently praying, Gerrit then explained that the only alternative was to take her back to Kajo Keji. Through Gods amazing grace, the immigration officer said, Oh no, we cannot let them return now that they have come this far!

Quickly assessing Viola, the staff at CURE Childrens Hospital realised she was in very poor condition, severely malnourished and with a respiratory infection. After a blood transfusion and continual feeding in order to nourish her emaciated body, it was then possible to perform the necessary surgery. Dr Mugamba successfully operated on Viola and she stayed in rehabilitation at the hospital to gain strength. Returning to Kajo Keji aboard another MAF plane, Viola was taken to the hospital there to receive follow-up treatment and a weeks stay in the nutritional ward. Now, her progress is regularly monitored and she continues to improve. Without the incredible vision, initiative and persistence of an American medical student, the willingness of a doctor in Uganda, and our aircraft, little Viola would almost certainly have died. Praise the Lord that she now has a chance in life.

Flying Viola to Kumi

4 MAF News March May 2008

Rachel Thompson Personnel Manager

From the very start

New country new clothes

M
A new wardrobe is just one of the features of change for a family facing a whole new challenge
oving from Uganda to Mongolia demanded a radical change of clothing for Paul and Edith Brooks and their two children. In Uganda, I needed little more than a shirt, Paul points out. Only occasionally did I wear a sweater. But here in Mongolia, we need warm clothing. Even in town, the temperature is likely to drop to 30C in the winter. It rarely dropped below 20C in Kampala. Paul is now our Country Director for Mongolia, leading Blue Sky Aviation (BSA), which is the organisation under which we operate there. Although he moved to Ulaanbaatar the capital city of Mongolia in November 2006, the family followed in August 2007. That was just two months after Edith had given birth to their second child Gabriella, a sister for John-Luke. I was in Mongolia three times while the family was in England, Paul recalls. All the travelling and times apart were difficult. And the couple was immediately struck by contrasts with Uganda. Edith observes, Here the sun is often out shining bright just like Uganda, but when you get outside it is freezing. So it is rather deceiving.

Open space

Uganda is green all year, Paul continues. Mongolia is green for a few months in the summer. But otherwise, it is brown and dusty until the snow comes. Within Uganda itself, our longest flight was under two hours. In Mongolia, there are not many places we go to in under two hours. There are vast areas of desert, flat as far as the eye can see and then mountains in other areas. You do not need to travel far out of Ulaanbaatar to be in the middle of open space with no one to be seen. And in Uganda, there is a very large Christian presence. You even notice it as you go shopping. Here, there are more Buddhist things. Paul joined MAF in 1995, first to serve with the finance team in Folkestone. Three years later, he became Finance Manager in Uganda, where he married Edith who was

born in Kampala. Now, as well as leading the Mongolian team, Paul works as Accountable Manager and Quality Manager, and he has enjoyed getting a new computer server running. But he insists, I am still part of a team trying to serve the Lord by helping other missions and churches through the use of aviation to spread the Word. My most memorable day began at 1am! I had an emergency phone call asking for a flight for a two-year-old girl who had been seriously injured in a road traffic accident. Much arranging was necessary in the early hours, and then Paul helped to take seats out of the Millennium Messenger aircraft to make room for the stretcher. He accompanied pilot Jan-Tore on the two-hour flight to Oyu Tolgoi. Sadly, the girl died the following day. But, as Paul remarks, We gave her a chance she would not otherwise have had.

Several times, I have asked a question and been given an answer, only to be given a different answer on another occasion. Something gets lost in the translation, explains Paul.

Reaching the countryside

Lost in translation

The family lives in a ground floor apartment with a small play area outside very different from the bungalow and garden they enjoyed in Uganda. And language is a barrier they face daily.

On Sunday mornings, the family attends a Mongolian-speaking church that provides a translation into English. The Church is growing in Mongolia, reports Paul. It was great for BSA to be involved with seven churches last year that wanted to reach people in the countryside. Most of the missions are involved in development work as well as their church work that is the only way they can come into the country. Mongolian communities see missions helping them and ask, Why you are helping? Then, they have the chance to speak about God. As I look back, I can see how the Lord has prepared me for this work, training me through the eight years in Uganda, Paul testifies. Now I am drawing on His strength as I tackle new areas of work. This is one challenge I can only meet with His help. Edith concludes, As long is God is with us, we are home no matter where we are.

I have just been talking with two new members of staff during their training and preparation for their first overseas assignment with MAF. Alasdair and Cassandra Munro expect to join our team in Nairobi, Kenya, where Alasdair will serve as an aircraft maintenance engineer. Conversations such as these serve to re-emphasise for me how much support all our overseas staff need if they are to carry out their work effectively. Such support is essential from the earliest stages of considering the idea of working with us, right through to active service abroad. The experiences of Paul and Edith Brooks demonstrate how service with MAF can be both challenging and varied. They have really valued prayer and practical support in their move to Mongolia. Of course, support can come in many forms. We are always grateful for those who pray, those who provide practical help, and those who give financially. MAF is always in need of technical staff overseas, particularly pilots and engineers at this time. We have several urgent vacancies to fill. In addition, there are a number of senior UK-based opportunities just now. Would you join us in praying that such experienced people will come forward? We have a number of Enquirers Days planned during 2008 for those seriously considering overseas service. For dates of these, and for details of current vacancies, Heather Faulkner please contact: Recruitment Assistant Heather Faulkner Recruitment Assistant Mission Aviation Fellowship Castle Hill Avenue FOLKESTONE CT20 2TN Email: heather.faulkner@maf-uk.org Telephone: 0845 850 9505

6 MAF News March May 2008

March May 2008 MAF News 7

A winners smile
C
Three months on foot in a fight against blindness
urious villagers gather to watch as the plane glides to a stop on the bumpy and muddy airstrip in the remote area of Keew county, southern Sudan. Among the onlookers is sixty-year-old Nyaruai Matai. Nyaruai peers at the plane in wonder. It is her first time to see a plane. As the passengers disembark, Nyaruai moves forward hesitantly to greet them. Suddenly, her face lights up in recognition as she identifies one of the newcomers. Eh, eh, you have come! You have come! she says excitedly as she shakes his hand firmly. Yes. We are back, says the newcomer Francis Ole Sempele. Francis is Christian Mission Aids (CMA) eye surgeon in southern Sudan.

by Emily Kanyi
nationals in the work and also in how to perform cataract and trachoma surgery. CMA and Dark and Light are committed to continue with the fight towards alleviating preventable blindness in southern Sudan. A winners smile is reproduced with permission from Christian Mission Aid. Dark and Light Blind Care is a Christian foundation for helping visually impaired people in Africa and Asia. It is based in The Netherlands. MAF aircraft based in Kenya provide the air transport for CMAs work in Keew. It is our privilege to serve this wide-ranging ministry.

filled with total darkness and depression until CMA came to her rescue. After a tiring three-month journey on foot, passing through swamps and mosquitoinfested forests, Nyaruai arrived at the CMA healthcare unit in Keew where the CES team was conducting cataract and trachoma surgeries. She was operated on her right eye, and to her great joy, she woke up the following morning and could see!

NEWS
IN BRIEF
Mission Sudan Pastor Nelly Wanjue Njiru felt called to serve in southern Sudan. She relies on our flights to travel between Narus and Nairobi. Nelly has established a church in Narus and has developed a ministry among the women, as she realised they had nothing to do but sit around and drink. Recognising their natural skills in beadwork, she encourages the women to become more self-sufficient by making jewellery that can bring them an income. Surgical support Chad Tilley flew a team of German doctors and nurses to Friendships floating hospital moored at Gaibandha, Bangladesh. They spent two weeks working from early morning till night, cramped in a small surgery room. Chad also flew a French medical team which performed 50 orthopaedic operations and cleaned and dressed many open wounds and infections in just five days. Mongolian outreach A senior education official in northwestern Mongolia accepted Jesus as his Saviour while attending a seminar at Ulaanbaatar Baptist Church. He requested a team to visit his area and hold a seminar on creation and world history for people, including 150 teachers. So pilot Juuso Koponen flew a team from Ulaanbaatar Baptist Church to Ulaangom and Khovd for outreach. Peace process A survivor of the Rwandan genocide, Immaculee Ilbagiza flew with pilot Laura Westley to Pader, northern Uganda. Working for the United Nations, Immaculee was visiting Uganda with a team from a Christian film company to help document the Lords Resistance Armys tour of the north in seeking forgiveness as part of the peace process. Laura shares, We always pray before we fly, and this was a very special time for both of us. Monthly visit Gero Gringmuth flew a team on the monthly Kilimatinde Safari, Tanzania, visiting Chidudu, Mpapa and Mahaka where they gave vaccinations, examined pregnant women, and provided health advice. In Chidudu, more than 300 children received immunisations to protect them against easily-preventable diseases. An evangelistic team from Dodoma taught Bible stories to children, baptised two people, and prepared a seminar for an evangelist to stay and run for people in Mahaka.
March May 2008 MAF News 9

We are back

Total darkness

Working in partnership with Dark and Light, CMA operates a Comprehensive Eye Services (CES) mobile unit in Upper Nile area, treating eye diseases and conducting trachoma and cataract surgeries. Since April 2006, over 50,000 patients have received treatment and hundreds of cataract and trachoma surgeries have been undertaken. Through the mobile eye unit, CMA and Dark and Light have restored sight to hundreds of cataract and trachoma sufferers in southern Sudan. Nyaruai Matai is one of them. Until recently, Nyaruai was completely blind from bilateral cataract. Her situation made her totally dependent on her daughter for everything including mobility. She could not cook, fetch water or tend her garden. For four years, Nyaruais days were

It was you who operated on my eye, Nyaruai tells Francis as she recalls that time. I have come to have this other one operated on, she says. Francis smiles at Nyaruai who is still holding his hand. We are back, he says again. Nyaruai smiles and looks back at the plane as it prepares to take off. Five months ago, she had no idea what a plane looked like. Today, thanks to Dark and Light and CMA she can not only see the plane, but she has gone from being dependent to independent. What have you been up to since you regained your eyesight? I ask her. Oh, many things! I can now cook, grind, fetch water and Ive been preparing my garden, she says with a smile. Once her left eye is operated on, Nyaruai will have restored full eyesight and will become an even more effective member of society.

Reversing blindness

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in southern Sudan with a prevalence of 39.2% followed by trachoma 37.3%. The CES mobile unit has become an icon of hope for many like Nyaruai. Rotating from location to location in the Upper Nile area, the team continues to promote eyecare through training Sudanese

8 MAF News March May 2008

10 MAF News March May 2008

We were there on the spot

You heard it on the news. Disasters around the world. Thank God we could do something
After the hurricane

WORLD NEWS
Beating the weather Killer virus
Democratic Republic of Congo
When an outbreak of deadly Ebola claimed 200 lives in the Democratic Republic of Congo in September, our planes were very quickly there. Thousands fell victim to the killer virus that has no known cure. Symptoms include severe stomach pain and internal bleeding. Well over half those infected die. MAF planes ferried medical experts and over three tons of equipment to contain the effects. We also flew in a complete field laboratory. This enabled specialists to give an instant verification of Ebola from a drop of blood saving the necessity of sending the samples away to laboratories in Atlanta or Gabon. Aircraft also took personal protection suits, soap, bleach and other supplies to an isolated Presbyterian mission centre. Whenever an aircraft landed, pilot and passengers had to be careful not to shake hands with hundreds of children and adults who greeted them, for fear of catching and spreading the highly contagious virus. Because the outbreak had occurred in a heavily forested area with isolated villages connected only by severely rutted dirt roads, our planes became vital transport. Even as the epidemic waned, we began discussions with mission agencies that are keen to establish facilities to help meet the spiritual needs of people whose lives had been devastated.

March May 2008 MAF News 11

Escalating predicament

Bangladesh
Bangladesh was repeatedly ravaged last year. August Most areas flood-affected. We fly experts from agencies such as Baptist Global Response to assess priority aid needs. Diarrhoea and cholera prevalent. September Floods highest for 30 years. Crops under water. We make survey and relief flight to Jamuna River district. October Storm. Many ships and 100 fishermen lost at sea. MAF flies for two days helping with the search and rescue. Our amphibious Caravan was essential for Friendships floating hospital in Gaibandha, where wind picked up utility boat and houseboat, slamming them back into water and sinking them. One fisherman and his wife saved by roping themselves together for seven hours. Our aircraft delivers medical specialists and materials providing clean water. November The big one. After worst flooding comes cyclone Sidr deadliest hitting the region in 10 years. Death toll over 3,000. 500,000 houses destroyed. Valuable crops, ready for harvest, across 2 million acres of farm land wiped out. MAF fields 250 phone calls in single day. Survey flight to worst-hit areas for UNDP and UNICEF. Only other civilian aircraft helping is a commercial helicopter. Pilot Chad Tilley flies to Patharghata. Cyclone wave there reported up to 25ft high. It washed in, then suddenly back to sea, pulling with it thousands of people and hundreds of animals and homes. MAF flying from morning till evening. Debris and fallen trees make surface travel impossible. Chad Tilley introduces himself to army major as pilot of MAF Seaplane. Major responds: No, Captain Chad. The people of this country call the aircraft Sea Angel.

Uganda
Continuous rain, which lashed the north and east of Uganda in September, washed away bridges and cut huge gaps in roads, leaving air transport as the only way into the heart of the disaster. In just one week, our 4 aircraft made 17 flights to speed help to the half-million people affected often battling to beat the weather as they crossed the worst-hit of 17 African countries affected by devastating floods. Because our Caravans were unable to land at Kitgum, one group of workers opted to be taken to Gulu and finish their journey by road. But a bridge had washed away and a long, tiring diversion was necessary. They made the return journey in two parties, using our smaller Cessna 210s. Planes delivered food, clean water and purifying tablets when fears of infection and a growing risk of malaria followed. Dr Taketo from Japan, working with the Comboni Sisters, scoured shops in Kampala to buy the 2,000kg of relief items delivered in two flights from Kajjansi to Morulem. Survival kits each including a mosquito net were distributed to 1,100 families. The 24-minute flight would have taken 5 days by road at that time had the journey been possible.

Nicaragua
Can MAF come and help? The cry came from Nicaragua, where hurricane Felix struck ferociously. Gusts up to 160 miles an hour battered the northern coast in September last year. Some 150,000 people were affected, with 67 killed, 110 missing, and 10,000 homes damaged 8,000 of them being totally destroyed. Even livestock were blown away by the wind. People were roped together for safety. Medication, clean water, food, black plastic, candles and torches were urgently needed, but road bridges were smashed and coastal areas completely isolated. And with our planes no longer based in Nicaragua, we pulled out all the stops to

co-ordinate an air bridge in response despite continuing effects from 50 days torrential rain. A partnership of MAF, the Council of Protestant Churches of Nicaragua, Operation Blessing and Mission Flights International (MFI) swung into action. An MAF aircraft flew to Nicaragua from Mexico, while MFI sent its turbine-powered DC3. At the temporary base the coastal airport of Puerto Cabezas MAF officials helped handle precious relief goods. Then the planes began to deliver blankets, clothing, beans, rice, corn, flour, plastic sheeting and medical supplies with free fuel that was provided by the military. Altogether, 31 flights carried over 25 tons of urgent supplies for many grateful victims of hurricane Felix.

Marine experts take to the sky

n oil tanker ploughed through icy waters off Canada. On board, Andy Gillies met Caroline. Neither of them dreamt that, years later, they would be working for a Christian mission. When they met, Andy, a qualified ships captain, was Chief Officer on the tanker and Caroline was a marine engineer. So its even more surprising that they are now working for an aviation organisation! The couple then moved to the Middle East where, thanks to some friends, they became Christians and were baptised in a swimming pool. Giving their lives to God was only the beginning. They wanted to do full-time Christian work, and so were led to South Africa where both earned a pilots licence one dream come true.

First meeting at sea, now a couple flies high to serve people in need

A rewarding moment

Just three days after reaching the country, they visited an airshow in Durban and met MAF representatives. Chatting to them about necessary requirements to fly for

MAF, we were told that wed need 1,000 flying hours and I had just 36 minutes in my logbook at that time! chuckles Andy. Caroline felt wed be involved. But I wasnt so sure. Four years and many flying hours later, Andy is now an MAF pilot flying Cessna Caravans, and Caroline is our Operations Manager while also looking after quality assurance at the Lanseria base just outside Johannesburg. Already, they have been deeply impacted by the

truly desperate need for MAFs services. When I landed in northern Mozambique to deliver water-purifying powder to missionaries battling a cholera outbreak, one of them told me: You dont know how many lives you have helped save by bringing this, Andy recalls. It brought a huge lump to my throat.

A problem solved

Caroline was able to juggle both cargo and passengers in a truly remarkable way when they were helping a mission team to reach Zimbabwe. They were going to hold a Bible camp for orphans. But we couldnt get fuel in Zimbabwe, and the plane couldnt carry both the team and sufficient fuel for the round trip, she explains. The plan was to fly them to Botswana and then drive over land into Zimbabwe. Unfortunately, the extra luggage including books and teaching aids didnt arrive on time. Andy sent the team on by road, and I was able to get the clearances for extra flights into Zimbabwe. So Andy delivered all the luggage by air. Without passengers, he could take enough fuel. The flight clearances would usually take three days but I was able to do it in six hours. And the Bible camp was a great success. Both tackle their jobs with enthusiasm. Andy carries out the advance work for his flights, calculating the weights and balances, the flight plans and the navigation logs, as well as preparing the aircraft. And Caroline is responsible for co-

ordinating flights, ensuring there is a pilot and aircraft available. She also has to check on the destination airfield, the route and the availability of fuel, and get paperwork ready for customs and immigration, as well as issue tickets and ascertain the weights of passengers and cargo.

A deep fulfilment

On the day of the flight, she welcomes passengers and then does flight-following by HF radio. As she admits, With Andy as the pilot, I have a vested interest! The varied nature of his flying excites Andy instrument approaches to international airports, dodging thunderstorms and taking off from a grass or dirt airstrip. We may not see the effects upon a community immediately, but knowing that God is working and seeing the differences in the mission teams when they return makes it worthwhile, enthuses Caroline. They have noticed that, in Carolines words: Churches here are rarely moved by the same things which would move a church in the UK. Photographs of starving African children barely cause a second glance possibly because they are on their doorstep. Flying into neighbouring countries, they have noticed varying standards of air traffic control and the scarcity of navigational aids outside South African airspace. But the variety of mission work that they are able to help, including both Bible

translation and church-planting teams, only increases the couples enthusiasm for the challenges MAF faces daily. Andy has flown mission teams to Zambia, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Botswana and Malawi. Once, he had to deliver a driveshaft for a Land Cruiser to Zambia because the original one had snapped on rough bush terrain. And as they rise to such occasions, with not only Carolines skill at overcoming

planning obstacles but also Andys ability in the air, they are excited to be where God wants them. As Andy puts it: Take two rough sailors away from the seven seas; take away the security of well-paid secular employment; give them a complete career change it can only be done with Gods help. Now we want to be where God wants us to be and doing what God wants us to do. It cant get any better than that.

March May 2008 MAF News 13

Blind and more

At just two years old, Manik had such a severe infection that doctors removed both his eyes. But even after that traumatic experience, he faced severe health issues. By five years old, the blind youngster had developed an enormous growth on the side of his face. Manik lives with his fisherman father on an island in Jamuna River in one of Bangladeshs poorest areas. Our amphibious aircraft flew four volunteer French doctors to Friendships floating hospital moored on the River. During their stay, Maniks father brought the boy there, and the surgeons performed plastic surgery to rebuild Maniks face.