Vol. 34, No. 4 Fall 2020

Honoring a Founder: Stuart King 12 (1922-2020)

Helping hope Apprenticing take root in during 06 08 lockdown Visit our website Catch up with stories you may have missed, learn more about the places and faces mentioned in this issue of Flying for Life, watch some exciting videos, or subscribe 020 continues to be a year like teachers, so many play a vital role in to our mailing lists to make sure you’re CEO CORNER 2no other. It’s kept us separated keeping us Flying for Life. kept up-to-date on special offers and local from loved ones, and cancelled I also want to take a moment to events (when we’re able to meet face-to- summer plans. In a lot of ways these celebrate the life and legacy of another face again). disappointments and missed life inspiration; Start King, MAF co-founder In MAF programs moments can feel like failures - but and pilot/mechanic, whose passion You’ll find it all just a click away on our despite the hardships that have been for sharing the Gospel in impactful website at mafc.org. worldwide, thrown our way, we still have much that ways 75 years ago would become the needs to be celebrated! foundation for what MAF is today. And don’t forget to subscribe to our social our staff has In MAF programs worldwide, our Stuart remained an intricate part media channels @mafcanada. staff has been quick to adapt to current of MAF until his death last month at been quick to situations, finding ways to work and age 98, leaving a legacy of humble carry out our lifesaving flights safely, devotion, sincere encouragement to adapt to current where able. Their dedication to MAF’s those serving, and a vision to lead mission and vision - to see people others to Christ. We take comfort in situations. becoming physically and spiritually knowing he is now with his Savior. transformed, is a real inspiration. Stuart was an advocate for all the ways When people think of MAF, the image in which people could use their gifts of a pilot often comes to mind, so it’s and abilities in the service of others easy to overlook the contributions through MAF, and would celebrate the made by the hundreds of men and lives of each and every person who women who serve with MAF behind the contributed to this global effort. It was scenes. The current Covid lock-down truly an honour to have known him as has brought their contributions to the my friend. forefront, especially those involved in Perhaps some of the stories featured the area of aircraft maintenance. in this issue of Flying for Life will It’s not glamorous work, but by inspire you or someone you know to providing excellence in routine line pick up where Stuart left off. Leave a legacy of hope! maintenance tasks and repairing Who knows, one day we might be our planes as needed, our aircraft celebrating you in these very same Whether you’re sending a simple gift, or a more complex gift such as stocks, bonds, mechanics help ensure the safety and pages. mutual funds, gifts of insurance, gifts in a will, or setting up a family foundation, efficiency of our planes. We’re grateful Brad Bell for them and so many others who In Him, Abundance Canada can assist you and advise on the right gifting solution. We can President & CEO contribute to this global effort. also facilitate anonymous donations. MAF Canada From pilots and mechanics, to Personal consultations are free, confidential and with no obligation. Connect with logistics coordinators, accountants, and Brad Bell Abundance Canada today! Learn more at abundance.ca/mafcanada or call 1.800.772.3257

Abundance Canada is a faith-based, public foundation assisting Canadians with their charitable giving for welcome Generosity changes everything more than 40 years. Charitable Registration No. 12925-3308-RR0001 This September, we were joined in the MAF Canada Home Office by Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is a Christian organization whose mission is to fly light aircraft and use other technologies in isolated four new candidate families and 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. Worldwide, MAF provides over 200 flights a day. Mission Aviation individuals who are preparing for Fellowship of Canada is a Canadian registered charity (Registration # 12994 2561 RR0001) and is able to issue receipts for income tax service with MAF. purposes. Financial statements are available on request. Every gift helps! Please mail your gift, visit us at mafc.org, or call us toll-free at From left to right, Zachary & 1.877.351.9344. Gifts allocated toward an approved project will be used as allocated with the understanding that once project needs are Elizabeth Stauffer (with Hazel), met, gifts will be used where needed most. Jonathan & Melissa Neudorf, Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada is a charter Mailing Address 102-195 Hanlon Creek Blvd., Guelph, ON N1C 0A1 Whitney Schmidt, and Reuben & member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. Toll-Free 1.877.351.9344 E-mail [email protected] Website mafc.org Emma Vermeulen (with Jacob). Flying for Life is published by Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada and printed in Canada. Editor/Layout Mark Field. Join us in welcoming them into the Country statistics cited are taken from the World Factbook and World Health Organization. Share your comments [email protected]. MAF family. Cover Voluntary aircraft maintenance intern Annamarie van der Meijden works in the hangar with apprentice John Chol. Photo Dave Forney

Flying For Life Fall 2020 03 Returning the Favour Though he’d much rather be serving Northern Canadian communities during this normally busy flying season, pilot Andrew Anstey is learning to make the most of every story and photos Jason Thiemann moment, and trusting God to take care of the rest.

Above LAMP’s Piper story and photos Andrew Anstey Lance packed with In the remote locations we serve, MAF relies on boxes of PPE and craft external operators like DHL to deliver much needed supplies for children’s parts from out of country. MAF pilot/mechanic Jason t’s been a strange summer. As I write programs Ithis, I am sitting in my house, even Right LAMP’s newest Thiemann recently discovered that our remote though it’s the middle of the summer. missionary, Pastor This is the first time in almost a decade Randy Heide (right) locations (and our skilled people!) place us perfectly to that I’ve been home at all during the return the favor. summer. Normally, I’d be flying around northern Saskatchewan, Manitoba, online VBS program that teams could LAMP’s missionaries to drop off these or Ontario, helping LAMP (Lutheran take and adapt for their community gifts and supplies. ith South Africa closing all borders plane was stuck on the runway. Aircraft Association of Missionaries & Pilots) with videos of Bible lessons and skits Trip after trip, regardless of the Wand cancelling all airline flights, Maintenance Engineer Thoahlane with their Vacation Bible School (VBS) or puppet shows that they recorded. community we visited, people were we had no way of getting airplane Khalala and I verified that we had the programs. Teams began to ask us if they could incredibly thankful for the PPE items parts or supplies for some time. That parts and tools to help, and set off Right now, I should be in the midst send gifts and craft supplies to the that were desperately needed. They is, until DHL started their own flights from our base at Mejametalana for of my busiest time of year, as we’d children in the community, as they were also thankful that the children of into Lesotho to get rid of their growing the 30-minute drive to Lesotho’s only usually have five or six Bible schools wouldn’t have the chance to be there the community had not been forgotten backlog. international airport. happening each week. However, in person this year and began putting during a period when many of the One day I received a call from The DHL airplane was carrying a earlier in the spring, LAMP made the together gift bags for the kids. activities for the kids throughout the Namibia. It was the maintenance spare wheel, but it was the wrong difficult decision to cancel all of its Then, late in the spring, Samaritan’s summer have been cancelled. director for DHL’s aircraft fleet, asking type and the bearings were missing. summer programs this year. Northern Purse contacted us about partnering on We still have teams putting packages if we could help save their plane. The Thoahlane was able to remove the communities were understandably a specific task. They had put together together to be delivered to their nose tire blew out on landing and the tire and inner tube from the spare fearful of the spread of Covid-19 and a number of kits of personal protective communities throughout the rest of wheel and put it on the flat one, after I had asked that people only come if equipment that they had acquired the summer, so there is much work to inspected it for cracks and damage. absolutely necessary. during a period when things like hand be done. Although the last few months Main MAF to the The pilots were elated that they found Furthermore, many of our teams sanitizer, masks, and gloves were have been very different compared to a rescue help and were able to takeoff again of volunteers come from the United difficult to come by. normal summer, there has been much Above and Left Jason before nightfall. Otherwise, they would States, and with the Canada-US border They were looking for ways to to accomplish. Our work may have and Thoahlane replace have had to stamp [their passports] closed, and a two-week quarantine in get these kits to remote northern changed this year, but we thank God for the flat tire, allowing into Lesotho and be quarantined for place for anyone that did travel, it made communities and asked if we could the opportunities we’ve had to continue the DHL pilots to two weeks, and then quarantine for it unfeasible. use our contacts and aircraft to make to minister and love people that are continue on their another two weeks when they returned It’s been difficult for everyone at sure that necessary supplies were taken isolated during this difficult season. l way without having home. LAMP to not see and embrace friends to places that were in need. We gladly to spend a month in DHL’s maintenance director begged throughout the North this year, but agreed to help. quarantine. us to send him a bill for our time and this is the season we’re currently With all of these items to distribute Andrew and his wife Linnea currently service, but I told him they had gotten in. However, just because we can’t to communities, I packed up our plane serve with MAF in Northern Canada MAF back in the air by delivering our physically be there, doesn’t mean that with as much weight as the aircraft through our partner organization, LAMP, needed airplane parts and we were our ministry has shut down. would allow and headed out to various where they help bring the Gospel to happy to return the favor! l LAMP began to put together an communities a number of times with remote Indigenous communities.

Flying For Life Fall 2020 05 than he had ever seen. Too young to water. It’s amazing to watch their who need them throughout the week. remember where he came from, he walls come down as they melt back They leave with full stomaches and has no way back and lives here on the into the kids that they are. Worship happy hearts, back down to the streets streets; still looking for his mom and starts, and eyes close and hands raise, below. l hoping someday, somehow they can be some regulars request their favourite reunited. songs and peace washes over them Johnathan’s Seeds has been providing is home to approximately all. They learn about a God who loves funding for Emmanuel Children’s 15,000 street children, aged seven to them enough to send his Son to die Ministry since October 2017. They eighteen according to government for them, and a cross that bore their provide resources, medical supplies, estimates. In a city so bustling and sins and they come together in small food, flour sacs for sleeping in, garbage busy, it’s easy to become invisible. groups to pray and learn more. It’s an bags for raincoats, clinic visits and so They are looked at as criminals, or amazing revelation to those who don’t much more for these boys. nuisances and they quickly learn to see themselves worthy of a sacrifice so To learn more about the ministry work keep their heads down and be unseen. great. that Cheryl is involved, visit Every Thursday morning offers them a It’s not an easy place to be. Middle www.mafc.org/missionaries/kowalski. chance to be kids again - to be heard, school age boys huff jet-fuel, and others loved and cared for. pass out on the floor from exhaustion Entering the world above the market, because of the horrible night they Cheryl makes note of how nice it is for endured. As the morning goes on, the Main Cheryl treating a the boys to come up - away from the addictions that help them forget also wound street where they live their lives. We make it hard for them to pay attention. Opposite Left Street look down at the scene from an upstairs Sickness, wounds and loneliness are children are fed window as the boys start to arrive, overwhelming. But, even in the midst slowly at first. Each one is special, and of all of this, God is there. His presence the boys who come each week are and overwhelming love are in the midst known by name. They give hugs to of it all. the volunteers, some former homeless Cheryl, and every volunteer there boys themselves, who know the first- continue loving. They are dressing hand value of having someone see wounds, cooking porridge, making your worth underneath your present peanut butter sandwiches and peeling circumstances. eighty or more boiled eggs. Things The morning starts with greetings, aren’t easy - hunger rules - and fights check-ins and hugs. Cheryl hands break out. But God is there. He sees the Story Chaundra Eagar with out Children’s Bibles to each boy as boys and loves them, as do the staff. Cheryl Kowalski they settle into chairs, but pauses to They play more games, and laugh welcome newcomers and learn their together. They high five and pose for Photos Chaundra Eagar names. She makes sure to have puzzles silly photos and at the end of the day, available and glasses of clean drinking plans are made for clinic visits for those hen you support the work of a “I’m taking care of yours, now I want Turning tragedy Wmissionary on the field, your you to take care of mine.” And that’s support goes further than you could how Johnathan’s Seeds was born. At into hope for ever imagine. In Uganda, our planes that time, and throughout the years carry precious cargo in and out of some since, relatives, churches and others street kids in of the world’s most isolated places. have generously given money in Our engineers ensure that pilots and Johnathan’s memory to bless children Kampala. passengers are safe when they head wherever the Kowalski family has out, maintaining our resources as good served, planting seeds of hope in lives stewards of what we’ve been given. that so desperately need it. But what if one group of the worlds These seeds are exactly how the most isolated were almost within arms Emmanuel Children’s Outreach came reach? What if you weren’t a pilot or to take root three floors above the an engineer, and all you had to do was busiest market in Kampala, where up open up your heart? to one hundred street boys come every And that’s exactly what MAF Canada’s Thursday morning. These boys range Cheryl Kowalski does. in age from eight to eighteen and have Ten weeks after Cheryl and her varying stories of how they’ve ended family arrived in Botswana in 2008 up alone and fending for themselves. where her husband, Keith, served as a Stories of orphans, domestic violence, Above Infections are pilot, their son Johnathan passed away refugees, abandonment, and ritualistic common among street suddenly at only 22 months old. Out abuse. One of them ran away from his kids of that shocking tragedy God brought village hoping to find his mom who Middle Kids are taught forth great plans; plans to use sweet was working in Kampala. Thinking to have faith in God Johnathan’s life to bless children in it was another small village like his Bottom The view from need. Overwhelmed by her loss, Cheryl own, he arrived in a hectic metropolis, the outreach centre heard God’s voice clearly in her life, noisy and filled with more people

Flying For Life Fall 2020 07 Annamarie with fellow engineering apprentice, John Chol

fter eight months, I still wake up the skills God has given me to point of the need for women pilots on the Aand cannot believe I am actually others to Him; using aircraft as a tool field. It was such a confirmation of what back in Uganda. to meet people’s physical needs, while God was calling me to do! Through A young woman’s dream of In many ways, being here has been bringing a message of compassion and our conversation, I felt God asking me like coming home. My first memories hope inspires my drive through this where my faith was. In that moment, I serving overseas is brought one are here. My parents met and worked long process of training. knew I needed to take this big step with as missionaries in Uganda for 10 years; my whole heart. step closer to reality thanks their love for this country and its people First Steps Over the years, Stuart continued has always stood out to me. They even Meeting Stuart King, one of MAF’s to offer motivation and support, to an overseas apprenticeship gave me a Ugandan middle name, founders, in 2015 at the MATC strengthening me in pursuing this Nakimuli, and though I was still quite (Mission Aviation Training Centre) dream. During my last visit with him in program sponsored by MAF. young when we left, I’ve always felt Open House was the turning point January of this year, it was so special to a special connection to this country. towards me taking the first step. I had sit with him and share all that God has As children, we loved the stories our started university in the Netherlands done since our first meeting, revisiting parents told, especially of flying with but knew I wasn’t where I needed to the extraordinary ways the Lord works MAF for the Jesus Film Ministries. be. Having limited finances, I didn’t when we step out in faith. Growing up across various countries, see how I could start the extensive surrounded by amazing people and aviation training required. I wondered The Journey stories of missionaries inspired my if, maybe, my dream was too big. Stuart After returning to Canada, through faith and influenced my passion early had a special ability to share the gospel God’s guidance and a lot of on. Before I could walk, I’d already been message in a way that made it come determination, I discovered Mission on more airplanes than my parents alive, and a passion and excitement in Aviation Training Academy (MATA) in story Annamarie van der Meijden with Chaundra Eagar could count and my first exposure to sharing the stories of MAF’s beginnings Washington State. There, I completed MAF was on flights as a baby. I have a - which continue to inspire me. He my initial pilot license and began photos Dave Forney heart to help people and a dream to use encouraged me not to give up and told pursuing aircraft maintenance. MATA

Flying For Life Fall 2020 09 Opposite Annamarie and John inspect a brake rotor Above Right Happy to be learning Middle Right Annamarie (right) with Stuart King and Stuart’s daughter, Rebecca (photo Annamarie) Bottom Right A presentation of the Jesus Film (photo Mark & Kelly Hewes)

was a phenomenal beginning and an in a different culture. answer to years of prayer. I absolutely love what I am doing I’m currently working towards and I’m confident this is the passion becoming a fully licensed pilot and that God has given me! I so enjoy aircraft engineer and am in the final working with this culturally-diverse stage of my apprenticeship to complete and experienced team. My colleagues my maintenance certification. I are patient, skillful, and so open with plan to return to MATA to finish my teaching me. Their contagious cheer maintenance licensing and then keeps me laughing and eating local jump straight into the final portion of food together, practicing Luganda, flight training, aiming to complete my and our daily conversations are the Commercial pilot license by the end things I’m going to miss most when I of Summer 2021. Pursuing flying and leave. For me the mission is about the maintenance is an ambitious track; one people; being able to encourage and be that stretches me regularly to rely on encouraged through each other. God’s provision in every detail. From Foundation to Future Full Circle The number of people that God has Ultimately, I’m back in Uganda because brought into my life to inspire me, help of a string of God connections and me, and affirm this track I’m on has a hypothetical question. Stuart King been the push I need to keep going. It’s connected me with several MAF shown me how important mentorship rely deeply on His plan. Throughout missionaries after I expressed interest is in a process like this; a way to pass the training, decisions, hard work and in building some maintenance inspiration from one generation to accomplishments so far, I have learned experience in an overseas program. A another! Although I still have so much how important it is to trust Him. few months later, I was on an airplane to learn, I’m embracing all God has Proverbs 16:9 has become my landing in Uganda! for me in this season of training. I’m blueprint: “In their hearts humans plan Volunteering in the MAF Uganda confident He will continue to guide me their course, but the Lord establishes hangar has been such a wonderful one step at a time to where I need to be. their steps.” and positive experience. Throughout God has taken me from flying with MAF as a child, to connecting me with With every step, God is steadily Stuart had a special people who have taken the time to stitching my journey together in ways invest in me throughout the journey. beyond anything I could have planned ability to share the gospel He’s provided encouragement and on my own. With each new challenge message in a way that mentorship, with so many ‘outside and experience, I’ve come to know that the box’ opportunities in flying and no dream is ever too big with Jesus in made it come alive, and a fixing aircraft; flying across Alaska it. It is an exciting adventure, knowing God has taken me from flying with passion and excitement as a fundraiser, volunteering in the I am headed in the direction He has in sharing the stories of hangar at Prairie School of Aviation, prepared for me. l MAF as a child, to connecting me with to eventually arriving back here in MAF’s beginnings. Uganda. It’s been an incredible journey If you’re an aircraft mechanic in the people who have taken the time to so far, and one that I could not have final stages of time building towards the unexpected changes brought on done without Him. your maintenance license, and have invest in me throughout the journey. by Covid-19 and extending my stay, These many moments remind me a passion for missions and working the Uganda team continues to be that the Lord lays our foundation overseas, please contact MAF Canada for supportive in helping me learn all that I from the beginning, and pursuing information on overseas time-building can about aircraft maintenance and life missionary aviation has taught me to opportunities.

Flying For Life Fall 2020 11 Stuart in front of the MAF PC-12 with a picture of the de Havilland Rapide

overland. Seeing now how hard innumerable letters to London, the Above Left The Miles this particular method of travel was, Sudan Government and to missions. Gemini at Croydon Honouring a Legend they became more passionate than She also ordered spares for the plane. Airport 13 January 1948 ever about their mission to help the Some of these had to be stored in our Above Stuart exiting unreached. room; we even kept a propeller under the Miles Gemini Stuart King (1922 – 2020) The whole enterprise did not come the bed! Below Stuart at the without a strong sense of calling, and “[Returning the family from London Duxford Aerodrome Stuart’s unwavering Christian faith led to Africa] proved an epic flight – 12 days ighly skilled, tenacious, and a handful of pilots and friends, Stuart missionary community and discovered him to risk his life on many occasions and 5,000 miles of flying. We stopped Hdedicated to helping those in need, and former RAF Squadron Leader Jack that, in many places, the only way to to expose the need in some of the at many bizarre and outlandish places Stuart began a lifelong mission to reach Hemmings began a six-month survey bring life-transforming help to those world’s most isolated communities. along the West African coast, spending the most isolated and forgotten people flight to explore the basic question of living in remote areas was to build Meeting his wife Phyllis, a missionary nights in strange hotels or little rest using aviation and technology. This whether aircraft could assist the work airstrips. working in Sudan in 1951, Stuart houses. We’d wash the children’s vision has become Mission Aviation of humanitarian missionaries dotted With the help of light aircraft, recalled memories from their early nappies at night and spread them over Fellowship (MAF) – an international across Africa. With little more than emergency cargo, missionary romance and adventures as young our knees during the next day’s flight, Christian charity, and the world’s a map, compass and wartime RAF personnel and medical equipment parents in his book Hope Has Wings turning on the cabin warm air to help largest humanitarian airline. experience, the fearless pair plotted a could all be delivered safely and – revealing a creative, humorous and speed the drying.” Serving as an aircraft engineer during efficiently, saving many days of travel extraordinary determination: By 1980, Stuart saw MAF purchase the Second World War and ending his Struck by the isolation by treacherous or non-existent roads. “After a brief honeymoon, we moved six Cessna aircraft, and he co-piloted RAF career as Chief Technical Officer at It was an adventure of a lifetime – one into a room at the SIM headquarters. surveys into Kenya, Ethiopia, Chad RAF Duxford, Stuart nurtured a growing of countless thousands Stuart and Jack embraced with fearless The plan was to overhaul the Rapide and Tanzania to launch MAF’s first desire to use aircraft for good – helping of people living behind determination and a healthy dose of [aircraft] at Khartoum airport [in Sudan], five African programs. As his young to establish MAF in 1945. pragmatic humour. and our room had to double as the MAF family grew, Stuart and Phyllis became Struck by the isolation of countless physical and economic On one occasion, their trusty Gemini office. Phyllis soon took over accounts, accustomed to months of separation thousands of people living behind barriers, Stuart, along was climbing slowly through the rising paying invoices as well as typing and the delightful anticipation of physical and economic barriers, Stuart, valleys of Burundi’s foothills, struggling along with a handful of RAF personnel, with a handful of RAF to reach an altitude of 8,500 feet to set out to discover the extent of their personnel, set out to clear the mountains ahead. But as needs. discover the extent of they approached the highest peak, a MAF is a family, and I am grateful to be a part of it, and His determination and sense of strong headwind dragged them down, for the part God has enabled me to be involved in. adventure led him on a survey flight their needs. and they unfortunately met a banana across eastern and central Africa in tree on their descent! It was a miracle I want to thank my MAF family for 75 years of faithful 1948 – a pioneering mission that route across Libya, Egypt, Sudan, Kenya that both men survived, although the shaped the course of Stuart’s future and and the Belgian Congo, using the River Gemini was in ruins. Stuart depicted support – we could not have done it without you. paved a way forward for humanitarian Nile as their guide. their early perils with artistic flair, May God bless you and make you a blessing to others. aviation. Discovering hazardous terrain and noting, “Sometimes, we didn’t quite Rallying funds and vision for MAF’s unimaginable needs, Stuart and Jack know where we were!” They had lost Stuart King, 13 March 2020, on celebrating his 98th birthday shortly first aircraft – a Miles Gemini – from established connections with the the aircraft but continued the journey before entering self-isolation at his care home in Folkestone, UK.

Flying For Life Fall 2020 13 Stuart King: a Friend and Legend correspondence by telegram. in the Ordre National de la Légion As MAF expanded, remote tribes d’Honneur for his ‘acknowledged The following is an excerpt from Stuart’s eulogy written by the CEO of hidden in mountains, unreached military engagement and […] steadfast MAF UK and Stuart’s long-time friend, Ruth Whitaker. forests or near inaccessible swamps involvement in the Liberation of France were slowly becoming known to the during the Second World War.’ outside world. A growing number In 2019, Stuart’s name was added to of experienced and faith-filled pilots the list of inspiring men and women n my experience, great men are very God’s visionary and missionary, “Mr. followed a calling to join the vision; who have used aviation to write history, Ihumble. Stuart is an example of this MAF” from the beginning to the end, adding to MAF’s capability and scope. receiving the Award of Honour from indeed. an inspirational and humble and truly Despite facing political turmoil, the Honourable Company of Air Pilots When we would comment on the great man who we can all call our hostility and rapid change in Africa, for his outstanding and enduring great achievements and wonderful friend. Our exceptional and very dear the organization Stuart helped found contribution to aviation. foundations he had laid down for MAF, Stuart. continued to expand to meet the From the end of World War II until he would always say that it was not him How do we sum up a remarkable growing needs around the world. With his death, Stuart remained deeply who was extraordinary, but God. He life, a remarkable man? Stuart was operations in Uganda, Madagascar and committed to MAF, serving as CEO would say “I am just an ordinary person, never ‘one thing.’ How many artists are Mongolia, the fleet had expanded to 30 of MAF UK between 1970 and 1985 but we serve an extra-ordinary God.” also engineers? How many visionaries aircraft by the early 1990s. Stuart had and becoming President Emeritus in As we all know, Stuart was indeed quite with huge ideas are interested in returned to the UK to head up MAF’s 1987. From its small and struggling extraordinary. the details of the lives of the people operations in Folkestone, Kent, and beginnings in post-war Britain, MAF Stuart had an exceptional quality in working for them? raise awareness of its cause. now flies to more than 1,400 remote that he could encourage, guide, and We are left celebrating an amazing For 75 years, Stuart has been at the locations in close to 30 developing support us without in any way being like legacy that has and continues to heart of an organization which has countries – more destinations than any a founder who couldn’t let go. He was impact multitudes around the world. grown and expanded beyond his other airline in the world. always encouraging the next generation, A legacy through his obedience, his wildest dreams. Since the initial hair- Stuart leaves behind 3 children, and delighted to see people step into work, his passion, and his drive, but raising survey in 1948, MAF has held 7 grandchildren and 6 great- new roles, and for MAF to step into new we are really celebrating the legacy to its founding vision of using aviation grandchildren, all of whom describe countries! of a truly exceptional individual, and technology to deliver humanitarian him as a truly inspirational figure. l Stuart would so enjoy meeting new a wonderful man, dad, Granddad, assistance as a not-for-profit Christian staff and they of course loved meeting Great-Granddad, and friend who had charity. Opposite Page Right him. The word ‘inspirational’ was often the capacity to show interest, care Stuart committed himself to raising Stuart and the Rapide used. He would listen to their own and love to everyone he met, always his own finances and survived on in Sudan stories, encourage them, and with a with great warmth and a word of funding from churches and individuals Above New floatplane twinkle in his eye, share their excitement encouragement. from 1945-1986, when he handed over dedication at the ahead of them as they continued their But most of all, Stuart had a great, to a new Chief Executive. He then took Duxford Aerodrome life adventure with God and with MAF. great love for Jesus. As we are left to a six-month sabbatical with his wife Middle The Rapide in To the end, Stuart remained filled ponder a life very well lived, we have Phyllis, a woman to whom he was Sudan (1950) with that same inspiring determination that confidence that he will hear those touchingly devoted, and who was never Below Preparing and unwavering faith that took him words “Well done good and faithful far from his side. Sadly, Phyllis passed for a 1947 tour of across Africa to pioneer Mission Aviation servant, enter thou into the Master’s away unexpectedly in 2003. the UK (From left, Fellowship all those decades ago. joy.” In 2016, Stuart was honoured by MAF founders Jack I think I speak on behalf of many in the French Government for his work Hemmings, Murray saying that it was our great privilege during the Normandy Landings. He Kendon, Stuart King, to know Stuart personally. A pioneer, was appointed to the rank of Chevalier and Ken Ellis)

The 1948 Africa survey flight

Flying For Life Fall 2020 15 her recovery in a vacant house at the MAF compound with her mom. As Hazel began to feel better her focus has turned back to her studies Love and fast approaching AP exams that will allow her progress more quickly in college. “I’m studying for my AP exams that are in a week,” she explains. “I should be in Kenya at Rift Valley Never Fails Academy (RVA) right now, but they closed down all of third term, so it’s all Where Ministry Knows No Boundaries online for this term.” “It’s hard, especially as a senior this story Chaundra Eagar photos Jon Cadd Trusting year, but I know that seniors across the globe are going through the same wo years ago, MAF responded to an urgent need for help when thing. I’ve been trying to stick to the, TInternally Displaced People (IDP) camps sprung up in the eastern God’s ‘this too will pass’ thing! I think it makes part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo almost overnight due to it better knowing that everyone else is ongoing violence and unrest in the region. going through a lot of the same stuff.” To this day, MAF continues its vibrant ministry within two of these timing For now Hazel plans to make the camps, helping to bring hope to people who have been living with fear most of the temporary hiatus to make and uncertainty during these years. Story and Photos Jenny Davies sense of it all - trusting that God, whose “The camp we were originally working with was relocated a little north,” perfect timing enabled her to get to says Ron Wismer, MAF’s Program Director for the eastern part of the DR hospital on the last plane out of Torit in Congo. “That has over 10,000 people now. Then, there’s a camp near the a pandemic, will be the one to order her airport with 5,000 people and we’re helping there, too,” eventeen-year-old Hazel was at the day before the flights shut down steps. l A window of Sboarding school in Kenya when for passengers travelling anywhere in Covid-19 arrived. Hazel flew to Torit, a ,” recalls Hazel. opportunity South Sudanese town on the Ugandan opens before Border, to join her parents, Gina and Surgery Steven, and three younger brothers. Appendicitis is often treated using quarantines Her family lives and serves there with antibiotics now, with surgery reserved Opposite Page Top shut them Africa Inland Mission (AIM). as a last resort for serious cases. Hazel with her parents, Hazel expected to stay in Torit “I guess that something was wrong, Gina and Steven down, allowing continuing her studies online until the so it’s a good thing we went!” Hazel Opposite Page Bottom MAF to provide end of term. But plans changed again reflects. Recovering at the MAF just a few weeks later when she woke After examinations and CT scans compound an emergency up in the middle of the night with a were performed, doctors and the Bottom Gina with two flight for a stabling pain in her right side. radiologist confirmed that surgery was of the Doctors who the best option. performed Hazel’s young girl in Appendicitis “I felt nervous!” Hazel admits, “But surgery need. “I woke up around two in the morning after I talked to my mom, I decided it with abdominal pain,” Hazel begins. was better safe than sorry and have the “Around six o’ clock in the morning surgery.” I told my mom that I wasn’t feeling “The timing was very much God’s super-great! She gave me some antacid timing!” Gina shares, “I think it made and told me to stay in bed. It was pretty our decision process easier because it painful. Later she spoke to a doctor who seemed like God opened these doors said it might be appendicitis.” that we didn’t even know were there. “My mom was there making phone And then when we got there deciding calls. Eventually, she decided to take me about surgery, it was just pretty easy to Teachers sponsored through MAF’s DR Congo program are holding to the clinic in Torit where I had some say, ‘The Lord brought us here in a very hand-sewing or machine-sewing classes for women within these camps; IV antibiotics and an injection for the unique way and timing so, yah, let’s do using hand-cranked machines that have been funded through MAF pain which started to make me feel a bit surgery!’” friends. Learning a valuable trade like this empowers them with a way to better.” “It was really great that we could help earn a small income and provide for their families. They’ve also been able Hazel,” says MAF pilot, Daniel Gill, who to show the Jesus Film, and MAF’s DR Congo Chaplin for the area, Bisoke, Last flight out assisted with the flight. “It was awesome is in the camps meeting and praying with people most days. The usual twice weekly MAF shuttle timing from God that we could get her “There is not enough food to meet the need,” Ron said. That has flights weren’t running but a specially out before things shut down. Things inspired MAF’s DR Congo program to look into the possibility of leasing arranged charter flight was due to land could have got serious pretty quickly. a hectare of land so some of the people living as IDPs can farm and grow in Torit that day at 3 pm to pick up the It was great that we were there at that their own food. It’s a minimal cost for the benefits it would provide! World Health Organization’s Rapid time and could help.” Response Team. We are so thankful for the generosity of donors across the world that help “My mom and I were lucky to get on Time to heal to keep MAF programs running in locations like these, where ministry that plane and fly to . That was A few days later, Hazel was continuing knows no boundaries because of love and kindness. l

Flying For Life Fall 2020 17 More than any Christmas in recent history, this one will be different for most of us . . .

But for millions of people around the world who rely on MAF and our partners for the access they need in times of emergency, or to help provide a better life for themselves and their families, this Christmas will be no different than any other.

That’s why your continued support of MAF is so important even now. Gifts of tools for example, can help us prepare our fleet now so it’s ready to fly at full capacity once this crisis is over, while gifts of fuel and flights can help us reach more communities with a vaccine once one is available, sharing God’s love in an incredibly practical way. MAF’s Madagascar program partners with MedAir to “lutte contre Covid-19” Look for your MAF Christmas gift catalogue with this issue of Flying for Life, or visit us at www.mafc.org/giftcatalogue to make your gift today. (fight against Covid-19)

Story Charlotte Pedersen Photos Ryan Unger

his cloudy morning, pilots Ryan Cold season in Madagascar is dry in Every good and perfect TUnger and Ian Purdey are heading most of the country, but the east coast towards Toamasina, which at this point is often hidden under lots of clouds was the centre of the Covid-19 outbreak and showers of rain. Today, pilot Ryan gift is from above. James 1:17 in Madagascar. MAF Madagascar Unger asked for permission to fly IFR was partnering up with MedAir. On (Instrument Flight Rules) to Toamasina board was a group of officials from and he needed an instrument approach the Malagasy Government Covid-19 to get in and land in Toamasina. task force, Centre de Commandement While Ian and Ryan waited for the Opérationnel (CCO). Joining the passengers to finish up their meetings officials from CCO, was the Swiss there were passing showers of rain ambassador, and the local head of most of the day. Before taking off the MedAir. sky cleared up enough for Ian Purdey The cargo on-board was part of to fly the return to Antananarivo/Ivato the Covid-19 response from MedAir. airport by VFR (Visual Flight Rules). MedAir brought oxygen concentrators During this period of lockdown, along to support the city of Toamasina special clearance to operate a passenger Main The Cargo arrives as they fight the spread of Covid-19 flight is required for each and every in Toamasina throughout the second largest town in flight. l Top New ventilators for Madagascar. Madagascar Middle Pilot Ian Purdey photo pilots the Caravan Maarten Boersema Bottom A MedAir worker shows off the new Covid-19 instructional literature Right Life saving cargo

Flying For Life Fall 2020 19 WHERE MOST NEEDED That’s where you’ll find us.

We go where others can’t or won’t.

It’s also where you can make the biggest difference in the lives of so many. Consider giving a Where Most Needed gift today and help keep us Flying for Life.

Please give generously. Photo Grant Strugnell

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@mafcanada Flying for Life Vol. 34, No. 4