November2015

Mission Aviation Fellowship The quarterly magazine of MAF South Africa

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Against all odds

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God will make a way

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MAF missionaries

Your support amazes us

The MAF South Africa team would like to say a huge thank-you to each and every one of you for your continued support and partnership. Another year nearly gone by and what an amazing year it has been! We have seen God’s amazing favour over us as a team and organisation, from generous donations to divine appointments. One of the most important lessons I have learnt this year is that the work we do can’t be done without the Lord’s guiding, strength and His grace. I have been humbled and continue to be humbled by the Lord every day, knowing that it is not me who moves people or impacts people but Him. Our work would have no lasting impact if we were doing it to feel good or for self gain. Thank you to each and every one of you who has stood with and prayed with us this year. May we never forget why we do what we do and who we do it for. - Maxine Holman, Managing Director I would specifically like to thank our donors who have generously continued to give during trials. God has shown us that He is our provider and that He will use little to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we can imagine. Our impact is extending and increasing and there is a growing excitement for where MAF and FFL are going! Our expectation is great and I praise God for fanning the flame! - Gabriella Craparo, Personal Assistant This year I spent quite a few months serving outside South Africa. February and March were spent serving our Lord in Kenya, opening new fields of service for MAF. June to October (with a month back in SA in July) caught me by surprise as the Lord had me serving in Nepal, I did not see that one coming. I also underwent foot surgery in May. The rest of the year is in His hands, and I look forward to seeing what He has next in the plan. - Mark Liprini, Public Relations and Pilot While reading Psalm 126:5-6 I was reminded that only when we sow seeds then we can reap. We sow and water but only God can make it grow. As labourers for Christ, through the ministry of MAF, we sowed many seeds and touched lives with the help of prayer & financial supporters. I want to thank every supporter of MAF for all the sacrifices you made in 2015 to help us plant physical and spiritual seeds in the lives of many people living in remote areas to further God’s Kingdom . We may not have thanked you enough but the eye of our Master sees all and your reward is with Him. We appreciate your support and value your partnership, may God continue to open doors for you as well. -Precia Ngoepe, Database & Donor Administrator 2015 has been one jam packed year filled with events, air shows and visits to various cities. I praise God that He sustained me and the team with the necessary creativity and strength needed to get through the year. – Esther Tredoux, Marketing Coordinator We Thank God for all our financial partners, volunteers and intercessors for making the work of MAF possible. Your amazing support is bringing transformation in the lives of people, impacting our communities in a positive way. May God richly bless you all. - Maggie Phiri-Mumba, Finance Manager This year has been a wonderfully successful year for our projects in Limpopo. Thank you for all your support in helping us change people’s lives. - Thendo Dama, Flying for Life Project Manager Thank you for your donations to the work of MAF. We would not be able to do our work without your support. - Maria Diale, Housekeeping 2 MAF November 2015 www.mafsa.co.za

MAIN MAF SA staff at Thaba Eco Hotel for 2016 calendar planning. This was a generous gift from one of our supporters.

Sustainably uplifting communities We enable each of our partners to be flown to the Vhembe District. If they were to drive it would take them 6 hours, mainly on poorly maintained roads, but a flight gets them there in less than 2 hours. This saves them from the fatigue of driving, time and enables them to be more productive.

Work we accomplished in 2015 because of your financial support towards our flights: 42 flight legs

15 partner organisations flown

140 passangers flown

136 cataract surgeries performed

1 creche refurbished in the Sagole community

200 Venda Bibles distributed

36 pap smears and 69 people trained on cancer awareness

518 patients seen by dentists and general practitioners

MAIN MCC Aviation Pilots, Terence and Gerhard MIDDLE Teachers in Love Trust teacher programme enganing wtih teacher trainer BOTTOM Patient waiting to receive cataract surgery from our volunteer opthalmologists

8 vegetable gardens planted by Farming God’s Way

11 teachers trained by Love Trust to become NQF Level 4 teachers

MAF November 2015

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Against all odds Lisa Greyling, volunteer photographer and writer for MAF, recently went on a flight with our volunteer ophthalmologists and ZEMA where she met a patient named Johannes. Although the day didn’t start out as planned due to heavy cloud cover and the fact that the team had to land in Polokwane instead of at Vuwani, Lisa knew God had plans for the day and His promises opened her heart for the adventure ahead. Landing at the Polokwane airport meant the team had to hire a car and drive two hours to the Donald Fraser Hospital. The drive from Vuwani only takes 45 minutes, so the doctors felt pushed for time to complete all the surgeries scheduled for the day. Lisa spotted Johannes Samson while he was waiting in the long que for his turn to receive surgery. She approached him and he spoke to her about the Lord, his family, and his life’s struggles and blessings. Lisa says, “It was such a beautiful moment as he explained that in spite of his age and health issues, the ophthalmologists that

come with us are still willing to help him with his eyesight.” Johannes previously had a cataract removed from his right eye by our ophthalmologists in 2013, his sight improved drastically because of this and he was returning to receive surgery on his left eye. Before Johannes left he said, “The doctors could have easily told me that I am too old. They could have said, ‘No, we would rather do surgery on someone who has a few years to spare.’” Lisa says, “This broke my heart and to see his thankful heart made me realise that against all the odds of the day, this was a good day.”

“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” -Proverbs 16:9

Swiping to FLY By adding our Flying for Life project as a beneficiary on your My School Card, you enable us to make a donation towards the expenses of skilled volunteers such as Lisa Greyling, a photographer and journalist. With a simple swipe of your My Village Card we’re earning around R670 per month (that’s an extra R8 040 per year). We’d love to see this amount doubled or even tripled! 4 MAF November 2015 www.mafsa.co.za

TOP RIGHT Johannes awaiting his surgery TOP LEFT Prof Roux performing cataract surgery on Johannes BOTTOM RIGHT Johannes Samson’s medical chart

but for the company I work with, MCC Aviation. It was Dave Steytler, who was a regular pilot for one of our aircraft’s owners, who secured the use of ZS-OHB, our trusty Kingair 90, for MAF’s use when their Caravan was relocated to East Africa. It was the catalyst for a relationship between MAF, it’s Flying for Life project, and MCC Aviation that has since grown from strength to strength, with MCC providing two other aircraft for MAF and we hope a couple more in the near future.

God will make a way

“The support of MCC management and response of the crew to the opportunity to be involved has been overwhelming and there is never a shortage of hands going up, volunteering when MAF flights require crew. These are all a special breed of pilots, apart from their passion for aviation and loving what they do in the air, they’re willing to don sterile scrubs to assist in the operating theatres, Christmas hats to hand out gifts to pre-schoolers or overalls to paint crèches. They are happy to fly back to base with dust in their hair, paint stained hands and a smile in their hearts for the contribution they’ve made to the communities they fly to. There is just something about giving back that motivates any willing servant and it’s been an inspiration to see all our crew jostling for the opportunity to get involved. We could not have orchestrated a more fulfilling partnership had we tried and it is clear that the Almighty’s fingerprint is once again all over the work that is being conducted by MAF.

About four years ago a pilot named Paul Henning wanted to fly for MAF. Unfortunately Paul didn’t have the finances to join the elite organisation, pilots who work for MAF do so at their own expense and they have to raise their own financial support. Paul is a close friend of Brad and Michelle Venter and his journey with MAF continued as he supported this couple financially. Paul knew the journey Brad had travelled in his dream to fly airplanes for MAF and it was quite clear that the Lord had a special call on his life. Despite all the obstacles placed before Brad and Michelle along the way, they knew where the Lord wanted them and were obedient right up to the final boarding call for their family’s departure to Papua New Guinea. Paul says, “It’s been a privilege to be involved in their valuable ministry from a support point of view, but I had a desire to be more tangibly involved with MAF… especially now that at the age of 35 I had earned wings myself, following a childhood dream of my own.” Fast forward to 2013 when our managing director, Maxine Holman, was introduced to MCC Aviation, a charter company based at Lanseria International Airport. MCC Aviation agreed to partner with MAF by providing a charter service at a reduced rate along with pilots who would volunteer their time when flying for us. Paul Henning just happened to be one of these pilots employed by MCC Aviation. “Initially I was going to assist MAF with a little bit of operations support and a few performance calculations but the Lord, in His usual way, had bigger plans, not only for me,

“Little did I know that my brief visit to MAF four years ago would culminate in the opportunity to be so integrally involved in every project. Yes, the flying is primarily what MAF is about in practice, but I have since come to realise that our piloting skills are simply a gift, and the aircraft that MCC Aviation provide, simply tools for God to forge the all-important relationships that will ultimately save lives and change the world. Therein lies the purpose we are all seeking in doing what we do and I consider myself exceptionally privileged to be living with even the tiniest sense of purpose.” Flying for Life is very privileged to be able to partner with MCC Aviation and the pilots that work there. TOP RIGHT Paul Henning (MCC Aviation pilot) playing with a child at the Gondeni creceh BOTTOM RIGHT Paul Henning and Terrence Keevey MCC Aviation pilots MAF November 2015

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MAF SA missionaries in the field As a resourcing office MAF South Africa has a responsibility to support our missionaries in various ways. One of the most important ways is assisting them with their financial support. The gauges below show how supported each missionary family is. We’re working towards each family being 100% supported. Please uplift our missionaries, their families and their financial support in prayer.

80%

80%

financially supported

financially supported Brad & Michelle Venter in PNG (Nathan, Hailey and Megan) Brad: Pilot

Mark & Lorraine Liprini in SA (David and Ruth) Mark: Pilot & Public Relations

70%

60%

financially supported

financially supported Kirstein & Amelia Combrink in Tanzania (Johann Peter) Kirstein: Pilot

Steve & Camilla Eatwell in PNG (Nate and Cade) Steve: Pilot

Is God calling you to the mission field? Did you know that MAF doesn’t only recruit pilots and aircraft engineers? We also need: - Programme Managers - Finance Managers - HR Managers - IT Managers - Technology Services - Representatives - Home School Support Teachers - Stores Managers - Facilities Managers To apply visit our website: www.mafsa.co.za or email: [email protected] 6 MAF November 2015 www.mafsa.co.za

- Flight Programming Coordinators - Airfield Developers

Lifeline to the outside world On 19 June 2011 the Waiki community in Papua New Guinea (PNG) made a decision to build a life-saving runway. During the last four years of construction they have had to move and break up a number of bulky rocks, as well as cut down numerous bushes and trees to clear the area. This year Brad Venter, MAF SA pilot living and serving in Mount Hagen PNG, heard about the Waiki airstrip and was asked to do an aerial inspection. As with all newly built airstrips a thorough ground inspection was required before any landing could take place. The MAF team approached Anton Lutz, a Lutheran missionary based in Wapenamanda (two hours’ drive from Mount Hagen), to participate as he had been involved in the community and has experience with building new airstrips and doing airstrip surveys. After receiving approval from Anton and Michael Duncalfe, MAF Flight Ops Manager, Brad set off from Mount Hagen on 20 August 2015 in the Airvan P2-MFM. The date of the trip had been changed at the last minute and Anton tried to alert the community, but even so Brad was not sure of the reception he would receive. The MAF Wanakipa agent had got the message late in the evening and he set out in the dark to walk the seven hour trip to Waiki.

Brad says, “When I arrived I was relieved to see the Waiki village community waiting for me below. From overhead, I assessed the circuit and the go-around procedure in case I needed to abort the landing. Circling around again I joined the circuit and continued with the final approach. There was a slight tailwind on the approach, but at the committal point I felt that it was safe to proceed. The airstrip is quite steep (9%) but the landing was uneventful and I taxied up to the parking bay and jumped out to a very excited crowd of people! For many this was the first time they had seen an aircraft up close and after the initial greetings, we all walked up and down the strip to look at it in more detail. After spending a bit more time with the community I departed again to continue with my normal flying programme. “Having an airstrip will really benefit the community. Not only will they now have a lifeline to the outside world to help with medical evacuations, but they will be able to get the much needed medical and school supplies. It will also make it much easier for missionaries to go into the community and work with the people and share the gospel message,” concludes Brad. MAIN Waiki community standing with Airvan P2 MFM MIDDLE RIGHT Local Waiki man who assisted with clearing the runway MAF November 2015

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An inspirational servant Professor AM Stephens first heard about MAF when Mark Liprini did a presentation at his church, St Kiaran’s in Fish Hoek, in 2005.

Book your MAF speaker for 2016

Let our speakers transport you to the ends of the earth as they tell MAF’s exciting story.

He and his wife, Helen, became passionate about the work of MAF and started supporting the Liprinis financially through their church. In November 2014 Prof Stephens passed away, but remembered MAF in his will. The legacy he left to MAF is greatly appreciated, he is an inspiration to all of us and the impact of his life will stretch well beyond his time on earth.

For 70 years, it has been a journey full of adventure and God’s great provision and we would love to share it with you.

Lifeline beyond your lifetime

With humble beginnings dating back to just after World War II, our story is one of God’s great provision and growth. We have a fantastic network of speakers who will inform and inspire as they talk about the work of MAF. We cater for all types and sizes of meetings, completely free of charge - missions weeks, missions Sundays, church fêtes, school assemblies, small/Bible group meetings, youth and Sunday service.

If you leave a gift to MAF in your will, you will also help transform lives for years to come. To find our more, please contact Precia Ngoepe, our database and donor administrator, on 011 659 2880 or email [email protected].

Fundraising raffle Win

7 night accommodation* in a 6 sleeper self-catering chalet/cabana at

Casabarry in Tofu, Mozambique worth R22 981.00

Draw takes place:1 March 2016

R100 per ticket

* Accommodation is for out of season only

For churches based outside of Gauteng, we’ll provisionally be visiting our neighbouring provinces during the following months: March 2016 – Eastern Cape April 2016 – Limpopo May 2016 – Kwa-Zulu Natal October 2016 – Western Cape

(13 Jan - 17 March, 6 Apr - 24 June, 19 July - 29 Sept, 11 Oct - 6 Dec)

Prize excludes flights, airport transfers, food and drinks, entertainment and gratuity. Visit www.casabarry.com for more information on activities available Tickets available at [email protected] or Block 816/3 Hammets Crossing Office Park, Fourways, Johannesburg

This is MAF

MAF is a Christian mission aviation organisation serving 25 developing countries to reach the world’s forgotten people those living out of sight, out of mind and out of hope. With land access denied by inaccessible terrain - due to natural disaster, war or economic crisis - thousands of communities are completely isolated. Operating 140 light aircraft, MAF’s pastor-pilots fly to roughly 1800 remote destinations. Whether landing in deserts or jungles, on lakes, rivers, tracks or roads, MAF planes transport essential medical care, food, water, relief teams, and church workers to those in desperate need. Each flight carries practical help, spiritual hope and physical healing to thousands of men, women and children for whom flying is not a luxury but a lifeline. MAF is flying for life.

Email [email protected] to book your speaker today

MAF SA

Support us

Registered charity in South Africa (006-942 NPO)

Mission Aviation Fellowship Standard Bank Greenstone Branch Branch code: 016342 Account number: 020044615 Sift code: SBZAZAJJ Reference: Your name & what you’re donating to (“J.SurnameGeneral”)

Block 816/3 Hammets Crossing Office Park, 2 Selbourne Avenue, Fourways PO Box 1288, Lanseria, 1748 T 011 259 2880 E [email protected] W www.mafsa.co.za F MAFSouth Africa T MAF _SA

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8 MAF November 2015 www.mafsa.co.za

www.impact.co.za