December 2009 - February 2010

The magazine of Mission Aviation Fellowship

Lasting value
in

Madagascar

pages 8-11

AMBASSADORS FOR PEACE pages 4-5 ALWAYS HAPPY page 13

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

St Paul wrote to the Corinthians that, if he had gifts of eloquence, prophecy and knowledge and yet was lacking love, all the other gifts went for nothing. I believe he was not exaggerating. The Bible says that God is love. So to live a life actively loving others not only pleases God, but reveals Him to those whom we meet. It is His love that makes the ministry of MAF possible. Love for people everywhere regardless of colour, creed or culture is what drives our staff to reach out to those in need and those who have not heard the Good News of Jesus Christ. We sometimes sing, Freely, freely you have received; freely, freely give. Go in my name, and because you believe, others will know that I live. I would like to thank you for your support which enables MAF to go in His Name so that others may know that He lives! I hope you enjoy reading of lives that, together, we have been able to help as we tell and share Gods love in word and action. From right where you are, you are part of this outreach with the love of Jesus. And my prayer for you is that the Lord will meet you and your need right where you are. Soon it will be Christmas, when we are reminded of the precious gift of love Gods only Son. May I wish you a peacefilled Christmas and every blessing for the New Year.

Heartbreaking but helpful

I
Crucial, though only tiny, cargo is aboard his aircraft in landlocked Lesotho. South African pilot Justin Honaker explains its importance
ts just a small brown envelope marked with its destination Bobete. I stuffed it into the right seat-back pocket. Bobete is my final stop before I make my way home. I wonder whats for dinner. I give a quick thought to Amanda. It is Thursday, so she has probably finished her Bible study with a friend at the hangar. One last glance at the checklist confirms we are set up for landing. Bobete is a newer airstrip for me. I am receiving a full flight checkout into 20 of our most frequently used airstrips. Today, however, Im solo.

Essential aircraft

Envelope delivered

Mission Aviation Fellowship Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone, Kent UK CT20 2TN Telephone: 0845 850 9505 Email: supporter.relations@maf-uk.org
Registered charity number, England and Wales: 1064598

Scottish Office Challenge House, 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD Telephone: 0845 850 9505 Email: scottish.office@maf-uk.org
Registered charity number, Scotland: SC039107

Watch for the down draft on short final, I can hear the words of my flight instructor echo. Sure enough, there it is. A little power and then the plane touches down smoothly. I want to do a quick turnaround to get back home on time. When you are new, everything takes longer than you think it should. I offloaded almost all of my cargo at my first stop, so unloading at Bobete is a breeze, and I get three passengers boarded in record time. Any mail for us today? asks the Bobete clinic nurse. Oh yes. I almost forgot, I reply, handing her the brown envelope from the right seat-back pocket. Then it dawns on me what is in it.

Pushing the throttle right forward and then easing the plane off the ground, I get one last look at the clinic. At once, I need to bank left and alter course by 45 to avoid rising terrain. A few minutes after lift-off, we are at cruising altitude with all of the appropriate checklists completed. Only a few miles away from Bobete, but already outside walking distance to the clinic, especially for someone

who is sick. I will probably never meet the people whose results I flew in today, but I get to see first-hand how essential the plane is in Lesotho. You may never see the impact the aircraft has. Yet you continue to believe in what the Lord is doing through MAF. Sincerest thanks to each one who makes our ministry possible. Around 32% of the population of Lesotho is infected with HIV/AIDS. Around 100,000 AIDS orphans live in mountain villages with little or no access to medical services. MAF flights enable the vital work of 38 partner agencies and reach 12 rural mountain health posts.

Eligibility tested

Website: www.maf-uk.org Chief Executive, MAF UK: Ruth Whitaker MAF News team Editor: Andy Prescott Research: Stephanie Gidney, Shaun Oliver Writers: Stephanie Gidney, David Hall, Emma Stewart Photographers: Jonathan Binnie, Geoff Crawford, Alan Duncan, Richard Hanson, Pierrot Men, Yasmine Richardson Design: Positiv Design Purchasing: Mark Stanton Art Direction: Richard Bellamy
Printed by The Website, Leeds Bible references are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated MAF UK December 2009 February 2010 mzrr9

Amanda and Justin Honaker

Yesterday, another of our aircraft picked up a similar envelope here that one marked for the laboratory at our hangar. Inside it were blood samples. The lab tested those samples for CD4 count. Essentially, CD4 counts tell how healthy patients are and whether or not they are eligible for HIV treatment. Today, I flew back the results. If a patient agrees to be tested for HIV at the clinic, the results are immediate. Next, a blood sample is taken. But this test needs laboratory analysis, which is where MAF comes in. Almost daily, we fly these samples and results from and to rural areas. My heart breaks as I taxi out at Bobete, knowing that each name in the envelope I brought is HIV positive, and knowing the impact that these test results will have on each life.

Stretch of villages near Bobete

2 MAF News December 2009 February 2010

December 2009 February 2010 MAF News 3

SUDAN: SO MUCH STILL TO DO

Ambassadors for peace

Emma Stewart

by Emma Stewart

Its mid-morning as the plane touches down in Juba. Im about to spend a week travelling around southern Sudan, visiting the work of our partners and seeing some of the most challenging places on earth. Even the very thought of being here makes my hair stand on end and my eyes water with emotion

first visited Sudan three years ago. I was told it would change my life. Yet I never really imagined just how much. Since then, Ive devoured all the literature I can find, Ive taken up Arabic, Ive talked to everyone I meet about Sudan. Juba airport is abuzz with people. Im jostled by crowds as I try to get my passport and Sudan permit stamped. Theres no order. I smile to myself: Im here! Collecting my bags, Im greeted by John Tipper, our Base Manager. A quick turnaround and Im ushered through the chaotic airport to join the MAF flight. Its a pretty special occasion. Were taking Daniel Deng Bul Yak, the Archbishop of The Episcopal Church

of Sudan (ECS), and a delegation of bishops and staff of various agencies on a peacebuilding trip.

location a few miles from some of Sudans most lucrative oilfields means it is a source of much conflict. Last year, heavy fighting drove most of the population out of town, threatening to re-ignite civil war. The foreign office advises against all travel here. Tensions remain high. Following visits to Wau and Aweil, we fly to Agok to make our way to Abyei. There are food supplies piled beside the road. Tomorrow on our return, well see crowds of people waiting for food. Across Sudan, thousands still rely on food distribution. Many still die from hunger. I find it heartbreaking.

Archbishop Daniel

The Archbishop recently appealed to the international community to increase support for the delicate peace process. Southern Sudan still experiences pockets of insecurity. Unpredictable, often violent, this threatens to destabilise the peace process and prevents further development. With a presence in almost every village, Archbishop Daniel believes the Church, with its message of unity, love and reconciliation, has an important role. Vital to this peace process is the town of Abyei on the border, where many people groups interlink and southerners and northerners live together. Its strategic

Abyei devastated

Its an hours drive to Abyei. Like most road journeys in Sudan, it feels like being on a rollercoaster. I arrive wondering if all my teeth are still intact. Approaching Abyei town is like a scene from an old western. Theres not a soul in sight. Its empty. Deserted. Charred remains of huts stand like skeletons, marking former homes of the towns inhabitants. Makeshift tents with plastic tarpaulin over sticks stand scattered across the dry land. Burnt patches of earth stretch as far as my eye can see. The aid agency compounds remain empty. Its dusty and barren the rainy season has yet to reach here. Abyei is like nothing Ive ever seen. Its how you would illustrate devastation. I ask the driver to slow down so we can film. He refuses continuing to our first stop. The Archbishop wants to meet the Deputy Chief Administrator to assure him that he and his people are not forgotten.

Assurance provided

Then we visit the former site of the ECS church and school both destroyed last year. A crowd has gathered. Theres singing and drumming. Banners welcome the Archbishop. Gazing around, I hold back tears. The Archbishop stands. He assures the crowd of the Churchs support before inviting them to stand with him to pray for the future. The people surround the site, offering pleas to God. That night, were sitting outside. Stars are twinkling, bishops are joking and laughing. Its a privilege to share their lives, hear their stories and witness their love for their people. Bishop Francis turns sombre. This town has been neglected surely. Im feeling for these people. I chat with Archbishop Daniel about the day. Hes unsure how the Church will find money to rebuild the school. Like many in Sudan, he believes education is key to the future. He wants so much to help his people. People want hope. The hope I am giving them is the hope of the Word of God. Im here to encourage them. It is rare for people to come and visit.

emptiness. No shouting, few smiles, little reaction. And that haunts me. On our flight back to Juba, I remember an Arab proverb: Drink of the Nile and youll always come back to it again. For me, there is just something about Sudan. It draws me in a way no other country has ever done. I know that in the midst of the devastation, there is hope. Its what the Archbishop talked of. Its in God.

Drinking of the Nile

Next morning, we stop at a church in Agok. Everywhere in Sudan, youre met with excited faces, children shouting Khawaja white person. But here, we find theres an

Bishops and agency staff arrive at Wau

December 2009 February 2010 MAF News 5

SUDAN: SO MUCH STILL TO DO

The Lost Boys return

T
Maker Manyang Jengmar Yat

of these Lost Boys, equipping them to return to southern Sudan as missionaries.

Every year

Aid Sudan was founded in 2000 in response to the needs of the Lost Boys

hese boys were far from their homes herding cattle when soldiers raided their villages in Sudan. Upon their return they found nothing but devastation, burnt-out huts and family

members dead or gone. Left with nothing, these orphaned boys, some as young as five or six, fled. Thousands walked to Ethiopia. Then, forced to leave, they walked back to Sudan and on to Kenya. Those who survived the horrific journey were placed in refugee camps. Years later, many were taken to the USA to forge out a new life. Today, Aid Sudan is working with some

Led by Maker Manyang and Jengmar Yat, both formerly Lost Boys, Bible schools have been set up at Nasir and Nimule. Students learn Bible stories by heart to enable them to share Gods Word in a culture where oral tradition is a way of life. Each year, Aid Sudan also takes several teams into Sudan, flying with MAF to reach remote destinations. Without MAF, we couldnt do what we do, because Sudan is

logistically so difficult to get in and out of, shares Kerry Henderson, Country Director for Aid Sudan. Alongside education, healthcare, well repair, and veterinary work, teams share the Gospel through chronological Bible stories. A veterinary team visited the cattle camps at Nimule. Nimule is now home to many displaced peoples. During the war, thousands of Dinka people fled here, and most have remained. Tall, many with distinctive facial markings, the Dinka are one of Sudans largest people groups. Makers family resettled here after being forced to leave their homes in Bor. Its the first time a team has come here. Maker remained in the USA but his family welcome the team with such warmth, giving up their homes for them. The team is very humbled by the hospitality and generosity.

After meeting the chief, its down to business. Weaving in and out of hundreds of animals, the camp chairman leads the team. It appears random, but vet Johnny Johnson is impressed: The chairman is picking the cattle I would pick. Cattle have to be restrained, bringing to life the phrase taking the bull by the horns. Its best not to stand too close! Cows are vaccinated, wormed and one bitten by a crocodile is given antibiotics.

Early results

Cattle camps

Cattle are central to Dinka culture. In the absence of banks, they are used as a store of wealth. They are used in the dowry as the bride price. Many children are named after cows. On the cattle camps, culture is handed down to the next generation. Having visited four camps on the first day, the team was ready to work at a camp where the chief herders were more receptive. The camps are an hours drive up into the hills on a bumpy, windy, narrow road. Women walk it daily to get to town. Its early morning important to arrive before the cattle are taken to graze and the heat becomes unbearable. Piles of dung lie everywhere. Some are burning to prevent flies. Others just lie as an obstacle to bypass or trudge through.

By the end of day one, the team has treated over 300 cows. Within three days, herders can see results and with it the peoples growing appreciation for the work. The culmination of the teams visit came when they shared the last of the Bible stories with the men, women and children. The people listened intently to the account of Christs crucifixion, but when it reached the resurrection, the camp began to clap and shout Hallelujah! It was a powerful moment to see their hunger for Gods Word. The chief thanked the team for sharing the stories of God with the children so that they grow up to know God. Team leader Andrew Brown writes, God had truly gone before us and blessed the work of our hands. It was very clear that by treating the cows of the Dinka people, we had touched their hearts at a deep level and it had opened the doors to share Gods Word with power and authority. We praise God for His work! A month after the veterinary team left Nimule, Maker returned to continue to minister to the needs of his people.

Down to business

A sea of cattle stretches endlessly into the distance, each one tied to a little wooden stub. Its really noisy. The cows are thin as grazing land is limited and dry. Children roam around, many of them covered in dung. Women are milking cows by hand. A few tukuls are dotted around the camp.
Emma with local children

Kerry Henderson

Johnny Johnson

Andrew Brown

Sharing Bible stories

6 MAF News December 2009 February 2010

M A D A G A S C A R : C O N F R O N T I N G N AT U R A L H A Z A R D S
Paul Hisson Ramily is helped aboard

Changing work teams at Ampasinambo

Preparing the ground

Upgraded airstrip at Marolambo

Creating something of lasting value

I
As our Special Projects Manager in Madagascar, Carl Ramsey spent most of the last five years roughing it in the bush. Why was that, Carl?
had a good job as a design engineer. But since I became a Christian, Ive known God had something else for me other than just working for a living. He was going to send me somewhere. When I first came to Madagascar, I realised I could directly apply everything Id learnt to doing something for God. I never thought an engineer could do work for God. Hes my Creator. Its a massive feeling of fulfilment knowing Im doing something for Carl Ramsey the One who made me. You spent most of your time building and repairing runways, Carl. One of your biggest projects was the upgrading of the Marolambo airstrip. Yes, Marolambo was one of the first places MAF visited when the operation started in 1988. The dirt runway is on a steep hillside near rainforest. When it rained, we couldnt land it was too slippery and dangerous. Every rainy season, it would get carved up and eroded. Wed have to go and repair it just so the plane could land. We received funding in 2007 to upgrade the airstrip. So we decided to tarmac it a big job! We needed 15 tons of bitumen,

which took over a month to transport in 4x4s along a dirt road. Gravel was handmade by local people. Putting funds into the community gave people jobs and a trade they still have. Making raw materials took 18 months. We laid over 1,000 tons of sand and gravel. Now completed, the runway has an allweather surface. We dont have to worry about rains, and its much safer. It also means the plane can take in almost a full 1,000kg payload much more cost-effective for our partners. Upgrading has opened the whole area. Were developing other runways in the region. Without Marolambo, we couldnt get equipment in and out. Carl, tell us about the work involved in developing a new runway.

One airstrip we developed this year is at Ampasinambo. The people and district authorities were excited when we visited in May 2008 to consider a runway for them. The village held a blessing on the first Monday local churches worked together and had a service. It was really neat! People cleared bush a couple of metres high before we arrived, so we could fly equipment in by helicopter from Marolambo. Theyve been really enthusiastic, every day sending ten volunteers who worked really hard to help. Without their help, it wouldnt have been possible. It also means they get ownership. If they keep the runway in good condition, they reap the benefits. We had some trials, with bad weather, machinery breakdowns and sickness all hampering our progress. A tropical cyclone passed directly overhead, flooding half the runway site and our camp. Our staff both evacuated to higher ground minutes before the riverbanks broke! But they contracted malaria as a consequence. Once it dried, we drove to the village to

rotate work teams. After 250 miles to the coast, the remaining 60 miles took 2 full days on little more than a walking track. We made 2 trips in and out, almost 100 hours of gruelling driving and trashing our vehicle in the process. Our aircraft can do the same two trips in less than four hours! What impact will the runway have for the community? Flying in doctors, and even church groups, to set up dispensaries will really lift the peoples welfare. Hopefully, missionaries will come, too. Weve already helped a sick man. Paul Hisson Ramily had been ill for several days with a pain in his side, and rapid, shallow breathing. As the runway was still under development, a helicopter flew Paul 30 miles to Marolambo. We transferred him into the MAF plane and took him to the capital and hospital. It would take two days to walk from Ampasinambo to reach a doctor thats if youre well!

When a plane flies into a runway for the first time, how does it make you feel? Its great a real sense of achievement! Weve created something of lasting value. Some people ask, Why bother? With such widespread poverty, what impact can you really make? Im doing what I can to make that small difference. If enough people decide they can make a small difference, the end will be significant. Its God whos really in control. Im just a servant, so Im going to do my best to serve His purposes. The runway at Ampasinambo opened on 13 July 2009 at the minimum length of 450m. It was extended by 150m during August and September. For a short film about this project, visit www.maf-uk.org/carlramsey Building a runway is like providing an open door for a community. People can come in and go out. Across Madagascar, 98 villages have asked MAF to develop runways. Please pray for wisdom in deciding where to extend our services.
December 2009 February 2010 MAF News 9

8 MAF News December 2009 February 2010

M A D A G A S C A R : C O N F R O N T I N G N AT U R A L H A Z A R D S
Palm-lined beach at Maroantsetra Washing pots in river

New horizon

Side by side: paradise and poverty

I
Maroantsetra. A tropical paradise on the north-eastern coast of Madagascar. Gentle waves lap upon palm-lined beaches. A tourist destination to watch humpback whales, lemurs and other exotic wildlife. But the scene is deceptive
n Maroantsetra, tropical paradise lies side by side with the tough reality of life for the majority of Malagasy people. Exit from the dreamy tourist resort and poverty is right outside; there is no veneer. And the tranquillity of the lapping sea and relaxing beach can be shattered by another, altogether unwanted visitor. Maroantsetra is not just a location on the tourist trail it is also on the path of deadly cyclones. recently washed and sparkling clean. Huddles of wooden, ramshackle homes stand on short stilts, surrounded by vibrant green blankets of rice paddies. Small groups of people men, women and children work in the rice paddies or meander along the red dirt path to the village. Some carry hoe-like tools, some firewood, others large clumps of harvested rice. One young boy heads home with a small bunch of ripe bananas dangling from the stick he carries over his shoulder. There is no hurry. family use the pump water for cooking and drinking, acknowledging that it is more drinkable than the water from the stream. Flown up by MAF, the Canzee pump is now providing clean water to 20 families. In one year, Medair installs more than 100 of these pumps. Its another example where partnership between MAF and Medair has helped make a crucial difference in the lives of people subsisting in paradise.
Canzee pump Andrew Shimmin with Matthew Slaubaugh Cyclone damage

Emergency response

Every year, cyclones hit Madagascar. Its the north-eastern coastlands that are most vulnerable. Medair, an emergency relief and rehabilitation NGO, began work in the region in response to the many resulting emergency situations. In 2007, cyclone Indlala, then cyclone Jaya 19 days later, tore through the region. The inhabitants of low-lying areas fled from their homes as water rose as high as 16 feet. Whole villages were submerged. Flooding of this nature leaves people without access to clean water a problem not just during the flooding itself, but also afterwards because dirty floodwater flows into wells and contaminates them.

Ongoing development

Effective partnership

Medairs first priority was to distribute water, sanitation and health kits. With up to four flights each day, we flew in thousands of buckets, jerry cans, bottles of water-treatment chemicals and other materials for distribution by Medair following Indlala and Jaya. Simple, but life-saving. Within three days of the cyclones, help was reaching those in need. Medairs Andrew Shimmin shares, This area is so isolated, even in normal, noncyclone conditions. There would have been no way to launch this project without the partnership of MAF. We would not have been able to bring essential help to these people.

Between cyclone seasons, Medairs activity focuses on longer-term rehabilitation: water, sanitation and hygiene projects, for which our aircraft have also provided vital support. Working in partnership with the village communities, Medair installs water points and latrines. In Tsarahonenana, using equipment specially adapted for inaccessible areas, a team has drilled a borehole down below the clay to a layer of water protected from contamination, and installed a Canzee hand pump which is easy to maintain in such a place. Today, Avrosaine states, I can really feel the difference. Avrosaine and her

Bridge over river at Maroantsetra

Working in rice paddy

When the time of Gods call to a particular role comes to an end, there is always a mixture of sadness and excitement. Tim and Carol Derbyshire have now left Tanzania and moved to Australia, where Tim is working with the Australian Centre for Mission Aviation as Chief Engineer after serving with MAF in Africa for 14 years. Paul and Fiona Waugh have settled quickly back into Newcastle-upon-Tyne with their two sons, after serving for nine years in our IT Department in Kenya. Fiona is continuing her role with MAF from there. Jakob Adolf has served with MAF for 12 years in Madagascar, leading the team for the last 6. That task has now been taken over by Bastiaan de Waal from The Netherlands. Married to Corina, they have three sons. We thank God for each of these who have left Africa, and for the impact they have had. Our prayer is that God will bless them abundantly as they settle into new surroundings. Currently, there are vacancies in various roles: pilots both minimum entry and experienced levels, an engineering director, a chief engineer, experienced aircraft maintenance engineers, avionics engineers, an operations director, country directors and finance managers. All of these are based overseas. If you feel called to serve with MAF, or know of anyone who you think would be interested in working with us, for further information, the requirements for each position and the recruitment process, please contact me and I can advise further. Or you can visit our website: www.maf-uk.org Heather Gardner Recruitment Co-ordinator Mission Aviation Fellowship Castle Hill Avenue FOLKESTONE CT20 2TN Email: heather.gardner@maf-uk.org Telephone: 0845 850 9505
December 2009 February 2010 MAF News 11

Village life

An hours drive from Maroantsetra town and one is deep in rural life. The rich colours of the land are stunning, as if
Avrosaine

Ideal house and rewarding work

T
House-hunting was not a very easy introduction to Tanzania for Robert and Yvonne Slocombe
hey wanted a home close to Canon Andrea Mwaka School where Yvonne was to teach. Their ideal house was already occupied. But next morning, Robert received a call requesting removal of an MAF-supplied Internet connection from a home, as the tenants were leaving. It was that ideal house! And so the couple moved in just one week later. Previously, they had served in Burundi, Robert as Deputy Country Director for Tearfund, and Yvonne teaching in a mission school. Switching from the shadow of recent civil war was a massive change for Robert, Yvonne and their seven-year-old daughter Raisha. Today, Robert is MAFs Deputy Director of Operations in Tanzania, while Yvonnes work is very different from teaching orphaned children in Burundi. A baptism of fire faced Robert. New Civil Aviation Authority regulations had to be in force in a matter of weeks, capacity reduction following the return of a loaned aircraft to South Africa, and then work permits and residence visas for several engineers refused though happily later allowed. The Operations Department is the hub of flight activities, explains Robert. Flights are planned, aircraft and crew allocated, passengers and freight booked, and the progress of each flight monitored by radio to confirm that each destination is reached safely. With his experience in Royal Air Force Transport Command, flying in Beverley and Hercules aircraft, Robert has found that, despite MAFs much smaller planes, the problems of supplying hardto-reach areas are not dissimilar. Responding rapidly to get a sick or injured

Yvonne gives a physics lesson

person safely to medical facilities is very rewarding, he affirms. Working as a team is the key. Operations must work well with engineering, finance, facilities and airfield development, and also with external bodies such as customs, the Civil Aviation Authority, immigration, the Airports Authority, churches, missions and aid agencies. There are lighter moments. A fire tender became bogged down in grass after dealing with a fire on the airfield perimeter. Robert chuckles, The name Dodoma actually means it sank referring to an elephant which stuck in the grass a long time ago. The couples roles became linked when Yvonnes school class took part in the 2008 MAF Day of Prayer and later visited the hangar, talking with engineers and also a pilot. In fact, the perfect partnership.

I
Robert at his desk

Gladys Katuku was faced with a major choice. She progressed well at school in Kenya, and had to decide which subject she would study at university

Always happy

like the challenge of hard mathematics and science combined with some hard physical work, Gladys explains, so I chose aeronautical engineering. Its really unusual for women in Kenya to train as engineers. When the course started, there were just three women but the other two dropped out. So there I was, the only woman with all those men. But they accepted me, so it was fine. Studying at Kenyan Polytechnic from 2000 to 2003, Gladys needed to find somewhere for her student placement in 2002. Thats how she came to work with MAF in Nairobi. And it was that work experience which led her to join the MAF staff the following year when she had gained her Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering. Then working alongside qualified aircraft maintenance engineers, Gladys continued her training on the job, and secured approvals ratings and general licences. Asked to move to Tanzania for a short

while, Gladys arrived at our Dodoma base in 2006. But her assignment was extended and now she is a regular member of our engineering team there. Still learning, Gladys amplifies, I am now going through all of the exams for licences for each aircraft type. I have the airframe basic part, and I am waiting for the final part of the basic licence. It should take me another year to do all the type training. But it does depend on availability of examiners very few people here are able to be examiners. Life is demanding. After working all day, I study in my own time. And after a long day in the hangar, I am often very tired. But by Gods grace, I have my own home on the compound next to the base, so that makes it easy to get to work! Always happy, Gladys is glad that, on top of work and study, she can get back home to Kenya two or three times each year to visit her family. In the future, I would love to be a pilotengineer with my very own aircraft to fly missionaries in remote rural areas, Gladys enthuses. That would be great. Questioned what she especially likes about working with MAF, Gladys had a ready answer. I love the prayers in the morning and the teamwork. I like the way we put everything in Gods hands each day.
December 2009 February 2010 MAF News 13

Dancing for joy

E
Orange flowers made colourful garlands adorning women circling the MAF aircraft and dancing in celebration watched by dozens of men
xuberant villagers were marking the reopening of the airstrip at isolated Yenkisa, Papua New Guinea (PNG), five years after it was closed when fighting made landing unsafe. A community leader had been murdered, sparking a local conflict that also meant the closure of neighbouring airstrips at Iropena and Yambaitok. Eventually, Yambaitok reopened for our flights, provided that a radio report could confirm there was no fighting nearby at the time. And then in December 2008, Baptist Union of Papua New Guinea organised its annual Enga Province youth conference at Yambaitok. We flew in a few of those attending, but most of the young people walked there across extremely rugged terrain, some of them taking several days. But Pastor James, Baptist Director of Youth Ministries, and other leaders became concerned when they realised some of the attendees were armed with guns and knives claiming they needed them for self-defence. On Boxing Day, an MAF team showed the film The End of the Spear. This depicts the deaths of MAF pilot Nate Saint and four other missionaries killed by Waorani (Aucas) in Ecuador in 1956, and shows how Gods love has led to reconciliation between warring groups. The story resonates very powerfully in PNG culture. Kambowa Kukyuwa of MAF reports how Gods Spirit moved among those at the youth conference. Guns and knives disappeared. Opposing groups began talking with each other. Later, Pastor James was invited to Yenkisa to help begin peace negotiations and encourage reconciliation.
Francis Mendeki and Michael Duncalfe

Photos: Michael Duncalfe

Far-reaching consequences
We would like to send you your own choice of one, two or three items free of charge. Resources that can help you continue to bring essentials of life to people in remote corners of the earth in years ahead. Instead of flowers A practical pack allowing you to express your wish that friends give donations to MAF in your memory rather than flowers, together with a supply of simple cards to enable that to happen. Lifeline beyond your lifetime In this vivid six-minute film on DVD, fellow Supporters and overseas staff show you how legacies are making a vital difference in reaching

In April, it was possible for our flights to begin again to Yenkisa, and by then essential repair work at Iropena was also complete. As pilot Michael Duncalfe made the first landing at Yenkisa, villagers danced for joy and waved leaves as a sign of celebration. At last, we have access to the outside world again, they rejoiced. At Iropena, community leaders declared their delight in having their aircraft back. Michael responded by saying how pleased MAF was to return to restore links vital for health, education and church-based activities. Two weeks after the first landing, formal celebrations marking the reopening were held at Yenkisa with more dancing and speeches. We flew Francis Mendeki to Yenkisa to stay for a week to help develop the churchs prayer ministry the first time such work has been possible for five years.

isolated people with Gods love. Something Really Worth While A valuable guide to making or changing your Will, explaining legal jargon and providing useful forms. It clearly shows how to transform some of your possessions into a priceless gift of life and hope. In order to receive as many of these three resources as you would like, simply telephone our Supporter Relations team on 0845 850 9505 or you can email your request to supporter.relations@maf-uk.org Thank you. One in six MAF flights is made possible through such foresight by Supporters.

Garys abseil

Very enjoyable, but quite scary on the edge at the top. Thats how our new Head of Human Resources Gary Colvin describes abseiling down the 100ft Riverside House, Vauxhall. Joining 60 others, Gary raised 1,040, which was split between InterHealth and MAF. InterHealth provides medical screening for our staff.

MY RESPONSE
I want to help bring Gods compassion to needy people
I enclose my gift of for use where most needed
PLEASE USE BLOCK CAPITALS

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Kodiak flies in

In October, our second Kodiak 100 aircraft was on display in the UK for the first time at Duxford Airshow. A wide variety of people were keen to view this brand new plane, ranging from aviation enthusiasts through to families with very young children. A number of MAF Supporters also visited, some of whom had bought their ticket to the airshow purely to see the new missionary mule!

Wide-eyed children (and some equally excited adults!) sat in the cockpit, as MAF pilots took a few moments to explain the instrumentation and demonstrate the controls. The planes performance attributes, interesting design features, and the type of flying it has been designed to undertake also generated a lot of interest. The vast majority of visitors also commented on how attractively designed the aeroplane is! This Kodiak 100 will join our operation serving in Kalimantan.
December 2009 February 2010 MAF News 15

Postcode Please tell me how I can give to MAF on a regular basis

Registered charity in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107)

14 MAF News December 2009 February 2010

Mission Aviation Fellowship Castle Hill Avenue FOLKESTONE CT20 2TN 29 Canal Street GLASGOW G4 0AD
FSF mzrr2

Tribute to Nicki
Just 60 minutes after receiving an emergency call, pilot Michael Duncalfe landed on the short airstrip at remote Koinambe, Papua New Guinea. He found Peggy had been in labour for 24 hours. Michael flew her, together with a community nurse, to Mount Hagen, where Peggy was rushed to hospital and delivered a little girl. Michaels wife Nicki helped provide food during the hospital stay and arranged accommodation when mother and daughter were discharged. As Michael flew them back to Koinambe days later, he learnt that the baby had been named Nicki Peggys way of thanking the MAF couple for their help.

Photos: Michael Duncalfe