Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada

Winter 2017

Training the Next Generation

What a Commitment!

Inspiring Young Hearts

A key MAF partner invests in future mission aviators

There's nothing routine about an MAF flight, especially when one is diverted

Disadvantaged and abandoned children in Uganda get the tour of a lifetime

Calling all men. We're touching down in your area and want to meet you!

Representatives from MAF will be in attendance at various Promise Keepers conferences across Canada. Stop by and learn how you can be part of SOMETHING BIGGER.

February 24 & 25, 2017 : Ottawa, ON (Quest Conference) March 4, 2017 : Cambridge, ON (Legacy Conference) March 10 & 11, 2017 : Winnipeg, MB (Quest Conference) March 17 & 18, 2017 : Edmonton, AB (Quest Conference) March 24 & 25, 2017 : Regina, SK (Quest Conference) April 1, 2017 : Chatham, ON (Legacy Conference) April 8, 2017 : St. Catharines, ON (Legacy Conference) April 29, 2017 : Toronto, ON (Legacy Conference)

Photo Dave Forney

Event dates and locations subject to change. Visit www.promisekeepers.ca for event details.

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Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is a Christian organization whose mission is to fly light aircraft and use other technologies in isolated parts of the world to bring help and hope to people in need. Since 1946, MAF has been spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ in places of deepest human need – where flying is not a luxury, but a lifeline.

CEO corner I

have had the privilege of visiting MAF programs in five different countries. Every program is so uniquely different – MAF tailors its presence in each country to meet the specific needs and challenges native to each area and its people. In Papua New Guinea, for example, the program’s service is vast as MAF provides humanitarian aid, medical flights and supports missionaries in isolated mountain villages. Our flights are integrated with the local economy as we fly produce, including coffee, to the market so that even in remote areas they have viable income from their farming. One of the things that became very evident on my most recent trip is that as they serve in these programs around the world, our missionaries are on the frontlines. Challenging situations are part of their lives every day. Some of them serve God in difficult political climates, geographically extraordinary areas and places of extreme poverty. In each case, MAF missionaries go to “the end of the road” and beyond to share God’s love through aviation and technology. Over the holidays I had the pleasure of speaking with an MAF donor who expressed his gratefulness for these families that are willing to go to these places to serve God. The reality is that without supporters like him, and like you, we could not reach these areas. We are thankful for you, as you partner with us to see the tangible love of God reach people in some of the world’s most remote places. Thank you! As we look ahead, the need for workers in the field is astonishing. In 2017 we will continue to invest resources in recruiting new staff who are called to serve overseas. From pilots and AMEs to managers, teachers and IT specialists, it

Worldwide, MAF provides over 200 flights a day. Every gift helps! Please mail your gift, visit us online at mafc.org or call us toll-free at 1.877.351.9344.

takes a variety of skilled and passionate people to carry out MAF’s ministry. We are also looking forward to using technology in new and exciting ways to enhance MAF’s ministry around the world. An e-learning classroom solution

In each case, MAF missionaries go to “the end of the road” and beyond to share God’s love through aviation and technology. for remote schools utilizing the Raspberry Pi, a leading edge miniature computer, is being developed and deployed. We are focused on growing to meet the incredible needs in the countries that we serve in as God leads and directs us. Thank you for being our partners in mission! Your interest and support enables us to meet our mission and vision, for God’s glory.

Flying for Life is published by Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada and printed in Canada. Editor Beth Round Layout Mark Field Cover The next generation of mission aviators receive hands-on training in Prairie College's Mission Aviation program. Photo Beth Round Share your comments Contact us at [email protected] Our mission: Sharing God’s love through aviation and technology. Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada is a Canadian registered charity (Registration # 12994 2561 RR0001) and is able to issue receipts for income tax purposes. Financial statements are available on request. Gifts allocated toward an approved project will be used as allocated with the understanding that once project needs are met, gifts will be used where needed most. MAF Canada is a charter member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Country statistics taken from the World Factbook and World Health Organization.

Brad Bell President/CEO MAF Canada

On page 4 of this issue of Flying for Life, you can read more about one of Brad’s flight experiences in Papua New Guinea from his recent trip.

Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada 264 Woodlawn Rd. West Guelph, ON N1H 1B6 Toll-Free 1.877.351.9344 mafc.org | [email protected]

What a Commitment ! “From the air PNG is a beautiful luscious landscape, while at the same time one of the most dangerous places to fly,” states Brad Bell, CEO of MAF Canada, who recently visited the MAF program in Papua New Guinea, and the Canadian staff serving there. On November 21st, he was to fly from Mount Hagen to Goroka with one of our Canadian pilots, Remi van Wermeskerken, in the GA8 Airvan. Story Mandy Glass with Brad Bell and Remi van Wermeskerken Photos Brad Bell

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emi and Brad were already at the end of the day’s program and were homebound for Goroka. On board was 130kg of food which they could not deliver earlier in the day to national translators at Yimnalem when their airstrip was covered in cloud. Then Remi received a call on the radio from another MAF plane flying in the Goroka area requesting a medevac for two people from Bomai. At first no one could get a hold of Remi and the MAF Goroka Base had even tried calling Flight Services Madang to have them call him, but the HF frequencies were so bad that day that Flight Services couldn’t get a hold of Remi until he and Brad had almost flown past Bomai. But time was an issue, because of the current upgrade and maintenance work at the Goroka airport, the runway would be closed at 1pm. They had enough time, but not a lot of time; with only a few minutes to spare if they

stopped by Bomai for the medevac flight. Brad continues, “At first, because of the time restrictions Remi said we could not do it. However it became apparent that no other aircraft was in the area, so Remi took the call.”

Lightening the load

The GA8 Airvan has a capacity of 8 seats, including the pilot. But some of the airstrips MAF flies to have weight restrictions and require extra precaution in order to operate safe take offs and landings. This is true for Bomai, a 620m long airstrip with 4% slope, in Simbu Province. “It was my first grass runway landing in PNG“, Brad continues. “The importance of weight restrictions and the required juggling act became quickly apparent as we really wanted to take all four people but could not. When we landed

at Bomai the MAF agent on the ground re-confirmed that there were two people in need of a medevac. But then suddenly, four people were trying to board. I learned that two of them were patients and the other two their ‘wasman’ as they call the patients’ care-takers in Tok Pisin.” “Remi explained that we cannot take all four people and that we even may have trouble taking two. Then Remi starts pulling out 80 kgs of rice that he sells at cost in order to lighten the plane. I really liked the ‘out of the box’ thinking to make space for the people in need. As the second sick person was being brought to the plane and took her seat, Remi explained the cost to this woman and her 'wasman'. Remi had lightened the plane enough that we could take her, giving us a total of three passengers. But there (continued)

Previous Page Remi lightens the aircraft and removes the rice from the cargo pod Above A girl watches the medevac from a distance Top Right Remi piloting P2-MKK Right The second patient is carried to the aircraft Bottom Remi instructs the villagers

was not enough weight available for the second ‘wasman'. Ultimately the woman got off once she found that her ’wasman' could not accompany her. So we took off for Goroka with one patient and his ’wasman’.” “While on the flight back, Remi suggested to the MAF Goroka Base that they should check if the Goroka airstrip authorities could leave half the runway open (the part they were not working on). Ultimately the airport agreed, and Remi was able to return to the same village about an hour later to pick-up the lady and her ’wasman'. She did not have any money so this was a flight provided and sponsored by the MAF medevac fund.”

Friendship and trust

Upon returning to Bomai, yet another very sick person and his ‘wasman' were waiting for the plane to get to the hospital. This time Remi could take all four people on board and bring them to Goroka. What is routine for our pilots became for Brad “impressive, to see the commitment with which MAF responds to these types of calls and adjusts schedules, or completely re-writes schedules, as needed. The people in the village responded to the MAF plane as if an old and trusted friend was visiting. Nice to see we have earned their trust.” 

Haiti Hurricane Response Update Thank you for making

a difference in the lives of those affected by Hurricane Matthew!

Disaster Response Flights Flown Passengers Carried Partner Organizations Served Cargo Delivered (kgs) Aircraft Flight Hours

Inspiring young hearts A visit to Kajjansi airfield in Uganda with a group of 40 disadvantaged and abandoned children from the project “Rock of Ages.” Story Jill Vine Photos MAF Pilot, Dave Forney

MAF

is occasionally able to participate in inspiring young hearts by opening our doors wide to kids that wouldn’t normally be able to experience the world of aviation. We received a letter from three students who came to do work experience at the hangar from ‘Rainbow International School.’ They ended by saying, "These have been some of the best two weeks we have experienced all year." A few months back, a friend of ours came to visit Uganda short term and instigated a visit to Kajjansi airfield with a group of about 40 disadvantaged and abandoned children from the project we are personally involved in; “Rock of Ages.” Our friend has a big heart full of compassion for these children whose normal everyday life is made up of the mundane that is paired with the paralysing poverty surrounding them. There isn’t much room for special events…not even trips to playgrounds or green spaces that our children back at home are well acquainted with. The Rock of Ages children are now thankfully sleeping more comfortably in housing

that was built by a few key sponsors back in the UK and Australia. Forty of them are also able to attend school with the help of donations that are sent through from home. Our friend was one of these sponsors who participated in cycling from one end of England to the other to help raise over £2000 to help complete this part of the building project. He came to meet the kids in person and to see firsthand the housing he had helped bring together. His idea was to arrange a bus to bring all of the kids to Kajjansi for a picnic and also have some fun boarding one of our planes. Captain Greg Vine helped the kids climb on-board so they had all had a taste of sitting in a 208 Caravan. Even without leaving the ground, these kids were ‘airborne’ having never even seen a plane close up before. Some of the boys were so impacted they are now talking of becoming pilots one day. It gave them a strong sense of value to be given this opportunity. Who knows what will eventuate from this day out in Kajjansi airfield. One thing is clear, it was a lifetime highlight for these kids who will live off the memory for a very long time. 

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Opposite The children gather at Kajjansi Top MAF Pilot Greg Vine explains the workings of the aircraft Above A caring hand Middle Children have an opportunity to explore 5X-SC0 Right A day to remember

Higher Education

Flying for Life Editor Beth Round visits Prairie College to get a firsthand appreciation for campus life in their Mission Aviation program. Story Beth Round Photos Beth Round and Stephen Wiley

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t’s winter in the prairies. After yielding their summer crops, the fruitful fields lay quietly resting under a thin dusting of snow. In the distance a pump-jack nods its great metal head up and down, patiently coaxing the rich, dark oil that lies underground to the surface. As we drive, the peaceful plains give way to rolling hills – a hint of what’s to come if we would continue our journey further west. This time, however, our destination is Three Hills, Alberta – home to Prairie College. Established in 1922 by L.E. Maxwell and J. Fergus Kirk, Prairie College began with eight students gathering in an abandoned farmhouse for lessons. Over the last 94 years, the college has grown immensely from those humble beginnings, and over the years more than 17,000 students have gone on to serve God in over 114 countries around the world.

To make Christ known

The heart of Prairie College has always been “To know Christ and make Him known” and that desire is evident both on paper and in practice at the college. Touring the campus, hellos and smiles are abundant as we walk past students travelling between the buildings. Priscilla,

our guide, gives us helpful information about the school and its atmosphere; she is also a recent graduate of the Digital Media program. “The president is such a modest and humble person. His door is always open. He’s really a servant leader,” she shares, “all of the staff, every teacher wants to get to know you personally, you’re valued in this community…” The campus has evidence of the many program offerings, and their underpinning of faith. We walk down a hall where nursing students are instructed. It looks just like a hospital wing and, in fact, could function as a working treatment hospital if needed in case of a real-life disaster. The Elisabeth Elliot Memorial Chapel is always open providing a quiet place for students to seek God in prayer, reflection, or through expressive arts like painting. At the athletic building there is a fitness center and large gymnasium where we learn that the home team’s name is the Prairie Pilots. Although the Worship Arts building is quiet as closed-door recording sessions are in progress, we are greeted in the foyer by a number of beautiful old pianos and organs with intricate wood carvings on display. The programs offered at Prairie are

diverse, but all intend to integrate applied education, Biblical literacy, and spiritual formation with the goal of equipping their students to “help address some of the world’s greatest needs.”

Taking off in Missions

About four kilometers from the main campus, in the midst of vast farmers’ fields, there is a small regional airport, and the location of the hangar that is home to Prairie College’s Mission Aviation (PCMA) program. A large snowplow sits stoically waiting for its opportunity to clear the single asphalt runway that stretches out east to west on the flat landscape. A grass airstrip runs alongside it, where students learn to land on an unpaved surface; experience very helpful to aspiring mission pilots. At the runway’s end, a colourful sun-dog peaks through the icy sky as a bright orange and white windsock flaps in the freezing winds, indicating the current direction for take offs and landings. We arrive at 09:00 and already a training flight has left and is returning to the otherwise quiet airstrip. No small feat as students arrive more than an hour in advance of their flights to prepare for

The staff all have open doors and it’s clear how much they care about the students, and how much thought, prayer and effort they put in to every aspect of the flight school.

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their briefing, calculate fuel, weight & balance, and assess other factors like weather, that must be evaluated before safely taking to the skies. It’s cold. -33°C cold, so the idle aircraft are huddled in the hangar sporting thick, red enginecowl covers to help ensure they will be able to start in the cold. Inside the cockpit the student pilots are sheltered from the wind, but even with the heaters on the aircraft remain quite chilly in these frigid temperatures. The students and instructors however, are dedicated and as long as it’s safe they continue their roster of flights despite the bitter cold. The PCMA building is thankfully warm and inviting and the atmosphere is punctuated with laughter and conversation as ground school and lessons in the simulator take place, and flights are debriefed. Spending time at PCMA, it’s evident how much the staff, instructors and the students enjoy being there. The community of the aviation program, like that of the wider college, is very closely knit. “My favourite thing is the community. The connections with the staff and

students. It’s like a family. Everybody goes the extra mile. An instructor will help you even when they’re not being paid to help you because they care about you,” shares Kristen a recent PCMA graduate, now working towards her instructor rating. The staff all have open doors - it’s clear how much they care about the students, and how much thought, prayer and effort they put in to every aspect of the flight school. Otis, also a PCMA grad, has switched sides of the desk and is now the Chief Flight Instructor. For him, training at PCMA is “more than just checking the boxes. My hope for the students is to see them develop into mature, situationally aware, hardworking pilots that have good attitudes,” he explains. The mission aviation program at Prairie is a vigorous and extensive twentyfour month program that endeavors to equip students to be able to make good decisions for themselves, their aircraft, and their eventual passengers.

Putting God first

Students begin with two semesters, totalling eight months, of Bible courses

Previous Page The aviation class at PCMA Opposite C-GWOL, on loan from MAF Canada, takes flight Above Left Kalvin Hildebrandt surveys the day's flight schedule Above Middle Briefing before a flight Above Right The faces of future aviators

at Prairie’s main campus. Here they are grounded in the Word of God and their relationship with Him before they take to the skies. “We want students to be mature believers in God,” says Mike Fox, Quality Assurance Manager, “without that relationship all the grand ideas can just end up being disappointment and failure.” Flight training begins in their third semester as they work towards the 230 hours they will need to graduate with their Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL). Although Transport Canada only requires 200 hours (100 instructed and 100 solo) (continued)

to take the CPL exam, PCMA students log more hours in the school’s module system of training, gaining their multi engine and instrument ratings. The module system exposes students to a number of facets of flying that most flight schools don’t incorporate into their training. The end goal at PCMA is not just a licence, but a well-equipped pilot – both professionally and spiritually. At PCMA, they don’t just check the boxes, they add some and redefine others to

challenged and building new skills. It’s something the students recognize and appreciate: “[PCMA] is really good. They really push you to do your best. They don’t just want you to pass, they want you to be proficient and really know what you’re doing,” says Reuben, a current

experience on the C182R aircraft, which has a more advanced engine and propeller system, retractable landing gear, and 50% faster flight speeds than the 172s. The “Mountain Flying” module is a favourite among the students. “One of my favourites was the mountain module. You get to get away and see part of the mountains and God’s glory in them,” says Braden, a student currently progressing towards his CPL. More than the view, this module teaches the students low level navigation, dealing with mountain weather, and navigating the mountains themselves which is important experience for any pilot to have. In the “Advanced Time and Experience” module they go on cross-country flights. The licensing requirement for the CPL is a 300 nautical mile (nm) trip away from home base, but at PCMA they require 650nm for graduation, and often pair students together so that they travel

Aviation is about the people, not just the airplane. It’s to serve people for God’s glory. ensure students graduate well-rounded and ready for the aviation world and its pressures and high expectations. Students begin on the Cessna 172s, the standard aircraft used to introduce students to the principles of flight and where they build hours towards their Private Pilot Licence (PPL). In the “Initial Time and Experience” module that follows, they learn to fly in busy controlled airspace, talking to a control tower. This isn’t required for their PPL, but it’s something done at PCMA to help prepare the student pilots for the commercial world. After their initial time in the 172s, PCMA’s training progresses students through more advanced and varied aircraft, making sure that they are not just logging hours, but continuously being

24 Prairie grads currently serve with MAF in various capacities in 12 countries (some of which cannot be indicated here for security reasons). student finishing up his CPL and multiengine and instrument ratings this year. “Every single flight is a stretching, pushing flight,” echoes James, also anticipating the test for his CPL. The next module the students encounter is “Type Conversion” where they spend time in PCMA’s Citabria aircraft. These boast a tail wheel, and help the students develop excellent rudder and coordination skills in the cockpit.

Getting more complex

Their complex checkout is in the Cessna 182R – on loan to PCMA from MAF Canada. In this module they gain

1,300nm with their classmate and an instructor. They navigate border crossings into the US, either to the south or to Alaska, and do multiple day stop-overs. This tests the limits of their comfort zone as they fly far outside of the local area they are used to. The students plan the route, (with their instructor giving the final approval), and they often try to visit mission organizations or historic aviation sites. Camping on the beach in California is also a pretty nice perk to these excursions! This takes them to their 200 hours and their CPL, however, they don’t stop there. Students are also trained on Emergency

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Manoeuvers and basic aerobatics in the Citabria. Most describe the experience as “better than a roller coaster,” and while they have fun, they also are gaining valuable experience orienting themselves while flying upside down, understanding the limits of the aircraft, and learning advanced emergency procedures. Most students finish with their MultiEngine Rating in a Seneca, followed by their Multi-Engine Instrument Rating (IFR) for graduation, but afterwards they also have the option to continue for an additional three months to receive their instructor rating.

More than flight training

Beyond the modules in the flight program, PCMA works to prepare their student pilots in other ways. Knowing that new pilots often begin their careers with ground ops positions, the PCMA program helps build their resume by incorporating “Practical Aviation Skills Training” – referred to as “PAST” duties around the hangar. They are responsible for cleaning, towing and refueling the planes; responsibilities not normally a part of flight training. It’s also another time the students’ dedication is evident. After a request for assistance went out over the radio to refuel after a flight, the students jumped to help their classmate, even in the inhospitable -33°C weather. PAST duties provide valuable preparation both for overseas flying in missions and

also practical experience welcomed by many employers in North America; helping students get hired quickly once they graduate. And a job soon after graduation is paramount – flying is not cheap with the flight training portion of the program alone costing students upwards of $50,000 - a large amount to payoff post-graduation. Those seeking to serve in missions must also build hours before applying to serve overseas. MAF requires pilots to log 1,000 hours of flight time, including 250 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC) to gain much needed experience for the difficult flying pilots will encounter overseas. Winter Survival Training is also a part of the PCMA program, where they go to (continued)

Opposite Left Fueling C-GWOL after a flight Opposite Right In the flight simulator Above Classroom instruction Below Students and their instructor get hands on with C-GWOL in -30°C weather

Frontier Lodge in February and receive instruction on wilderness first aid and survival. Afterwards, they are lead out to a frozen lakebed and left in groups of 3 to 4 students for 5 days. They have limited resources – similar to those they would have onboard and their plane was forced down in an area far from help. They must employ their newly learned skills to start fire, get fresh water, and build shelter. This training is a requirement for graduation and definitely a challenging experience. On the second-last day they are told to build a smoke signal and the best one gets a special airdrop from an instructor in one of the PCMA aircraft (the others get a little something dropped to them as well to boost their spirits). There’s always a purpose to what they are teaching at PCMA. There’s a clear plan and a structured approach. “We want students to get the most out of their training. There’s a cost involved and we want to see their money used

It’s like a family. Everybody goes the extra mile. An instructor will help you even when they’re not being paid to help you because they care about you. well,” explains Kalvin Hildebrandt, PCMA’s Director. Kalvin understands well how important proper preparation is for these students. He is an MAF pilot and served overseas for 11 years with his family in Chad, flying into difficult desert airstrips and tense political climates. “Aviation is about the people, not just the airplane. It’s to serve people for God’s glory,” he shares.

Spiritual formation

Despite the rigours of the aviation program at PCMA, the focus on spiritual formation is never lost. The students participate in the college-wide chapel service every Tuesday morning. They also have a chapel time in the aviation

Above The main campus of Prairie College Right C-GWOL prepares to take off

program during the week, where staff and students will alternate leading the others through a short devotional thought, or share a testimony of what God is doing in their lives, past or present. Having the privilege of attending one of these PCMA chapels while we were visiting, we heard one of the instructors share both the difficult and exciting times along the journey to where he is today, and what God taught him through it all. No doubt an encouragement to students in the process of discerning God’s call for them and perhaps unsure of what lies ahead. Many of the students mentioned mission flying as their ultimate goal. Others hoped to fly as commercial pilots or in air-ambulance capacities. Each one, whether hoping to fly in North America or abroad, in commercial or mission flying, hoped to be lights where God places them. The chapel was a genuine time of

sharing, and highlighted the open and honest community that exists at PCMA. In his closing prayer, the instructor asked that God would grant them “hearts of flesh and not stone.” A prayer, it seems, God has abundantly been at work answering at PCMA. 

To learn more about the programs that Prairie College offers, including mission aviation, visit prairie.edu/Aviation The need for community doesn’t stop at graduation. Students called to serve overseas need a team of dedicated ministry partners that will pray for them and financially support their ministry in mission aviation. If you’d like to find out more about supporting the work of MAF’s missionaries or contribute to MAF’s scholarship fund to encourage and support aspiring mission aviators, please visit mafc.org/donate or call 1.877.351.9344 for more information.

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Sending workers into His harvest. Flying for Life sits down with MAF Canada’s Recruiting Manager, Ray Snaith, to learn more about current needs and the recruiting process.

As a recruiter with MAF, what do you do? As a recruiter, I connect people who have a call from God with opportunities that line up with their skills and experience. Why is recruiting important to MAF’s future and accomplishing its mission and vision? Without the right people with the right character and skills, MAF cannot accomplish the life changing work God has called us to! Are there opportunities in MAF for “nonflying” staff? When people think of MAF, pilots and aircraft engineers normally come to mind. However it takes a variety of professions and skills for us to maintain and grow our programs around the world. We need Managers, Finance and IT specialists, as well as Teachers to serve in our programs as well as the schools we partner with. Do you have any vacancies right now? There are always opportunities for people to serve in various positions. MAF operates in over 25 countries around the world so we are constantly looking for godly people with the right skills. A few of our more urgent needs right now are a Program Director and an HR Manager for Papua New Guinea. What are the qualities you look for in a potential candidate? Most importantly we are looking for people that have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. This is demonstrated

through their involvement in a local church, community program, outreach, etc. Character and people skills are very important as it is all about relationship building. Then we look for the right skill, certification, and experience, depending on the position. How important is it for MAF missionaries to have a support team behind them? It is essential that our field staff have a support structure in place while they are overseas. This is a team of people, including a church family, who will support them in prayer and also financially throughout their time with MAF. Not only does this support and encourage our field staff, but also allows others to be involved in our ministry. What is the mentorship program that MAF offers for younger pilots all about? We are in the early stages of the mentorship program but I already have a number of young people eager to take part. We are planning to have mentors (i.e. former MAF pilots) in every province, who will engage with young people interested in mission aviation. These mentors will be able to meet with these young people one on one but also have informal events a few times a year. We want to encourage and motivate young pilots (or pre-pilots) that have an interest in both missions and aviation. As we work with these young people we can identify and encourage the right skills and character traits that are important for MAF. You served in Africa for a number of years with MAF and AirServ: What’s one thing that you learned when you served overseas that you'd share with those interested in missions? During my time overseas I learned that life and ministry is all about relationships. Although I love pretty much everything about aviation, flying is a mode to building and developing those relationships. Sharing Christ’s love becomes possible because of that. 

Do you feel led to explore a future in missions and want to learn more? Call Ray Snaith at 403-800-0293, email him at [email protected], or visit us online at www.mafc.org/recruiting.

My unexpected sweet 16 Life as a Missionary Kid (MK) entails lots of interesting experiences. Helen Smith, who lives in Indonesia with her parents Tim and Sandra, where Tim serves as a pilot with MAF, tells the story of a birthday she’ll never forget. Story Helen Smith Photos Helen Smith, Megan Orrin, and Mike Martin

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woke up in time to run to the bathroom and see my dinner from the previous night make it into the toilette. I was in a remote village in the middle of the jungle and my parents were miles away. This was just the beginning of my jungle adventure on O.E. Once a year my entire high school, (Hillcrest School in Papua, Indonesia), goes into an interior village for our Outdoor Education (O.E.) class. We are flown in by MAF and other mission operators and then are picked up ten days later. While we are interior we work together in groups to provide different services to the villagers like providing health care and putting on kids’ clubs. We also work on projects like building water tanks, digging pipes, or showing efficient

ways to garden. Finally, we present HIV/ AIDS awareness skits and present the story of Jesus through a film. Often we will hike to smaller surrounding villages in groups to offer the same services we provided in the main village. During the ten days we are there, we also have a chance to meet and befriend the villagers themselves. Often we work alongside them as we try to help one another. I had hiked from the main village of Danama to a smaller village with my O.E. group. We had arrived the previous afternoon to a warm welcome from the villagers. The girls were given a comfortable room with mattresses on the ground to sleep on, while the guys had a separate building with a wood floor. The girls were lucky to be only a room away

from the only working bathroom in the village. I was extremely thankful for our proximity to the toilet when I spent that night going back and forth between it and my bed. As morning started to dawn, I remembered that it was my birthday; my Sweet Sixteenth Birthday. I decided to open up the letter my mum had packed for me to open on my birthday. I was thankful for the sweet words she wrote to me, but I couldn’t help but cry as I thought about how unsweet my birthday was starting off as I sat on the ground tired and sick. It was nothing like what my mother had wished for me. My mum had included M&M’s and balloons with the card which made me smile and cry again. I was so thankful for

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the gift but it also reminded me that my mum was far away for my birthday and she wasn’t there while I was feeling sick. Shortly after reading my mum’s card, people started waking up and I was able to get some medicine. During breakfast I felt surrounded by love. We had a special breakfast of Frosty Flakes and everyone sang ‘happy birthday’ to me. People brought me flowers and washed my dish after we had eaten breakfast. I was feeling better by the end of breakfast and so I ventured out to help with the water tank project. By lunch I was not feeling as well and ended up not eating anything. After that, I quickly started to decline and when my leader felt my head, she thought I had a fever. She gave me some medicine and then walked me back to the girls’ sleeping area so I could rest. She made up a bed for me in a separate room and then she and three other friends of mine prayed over me. I was extremely thankful that my leader, Aunt Karen Juneau, is both a nurse and my next door neighbour. I was very appreciative of her care over me and it was a comfort to have someone close from home with me as I was sick. When she and the girls prayed over me I could not stop the tears of gratitude that came. Despite the rough circumstances, I could feel God’s presence and love around me; especially through the actions of the people around me. I slept the whole afternoon, and when I finally woke up, I was feeling much better. I went to dinner that night and was able to eat some of the food. We had soup but we also had some pork which the villagers had given us. The pork was particularly special because it is often eaten at special celebrations in

Opposite Helen and the other students are symbolically inducted into the tribe Above Helen with her dad, Tim Right With a mother and child Bottom The O.E. class

the village. I felt it was God’s gift to me from the villagers. At the end my leaders brought out a banana loaf and lit candles on it. Everyone sang ‘happy birthday’ to me again and then we ate the banana bread. I was feeling well enough that after our meal, I was able to stay up and help with our HIV and AIDS presentation at the church that night. Despite being sick and far away from my parents on my birthday, I was able to see how God faithfully provided for me. He provided a working toilet for me to use nearby while I was sick and He provided me with friends who supported me and gifted me with their love, friendship, and kind gifts. He also provided Aunt Karen Juneau who was just the right person I needed to help me through this challenge. God also provided me with a birthday cake which I would not have gotten if our group had not forgotten something and had to send someone back to the main village to get it. Last of all He healed me later that day so that I could enjoy our dinner and participate in the evening events. This was one of the challenges I faced on O.E., but despite the difficulties I faced, I wouldn’t trade my experience for anything. Through the difficulty I was able to grow and learn more of God’s love and provision even in the tough times in life. 

Until the whole world hears. Join us on

SUNDAY, APRIL 23 for MAF Canada’s annual Day of Prayer.

To receive an MAF Day of Prayer promotional package for your church or group, visit us at mafc.org or call us toll-free; 1-877-351-9344.

Photo Dave Forney