Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada

Winter 2016

Best laid plans Great and wonderful Cheerful givers

After many delays, including an The blind receive sight, the lame walk The inspiring story of the generosity outbreak of Ebola, MAF finally and the Good News is proclaimed to of one man who shares our passion launches the new program Chad’s poor for mission aviation Flying For Life Winter 2016 | 3

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is a Christian organization whose mission is to fly light aircraft and use other CEO corner 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.

am continually humbled by the faithful Giving seminar, through ADVISORS with Worldwide, MAF provides over 200 flights a day. Every gift helps! Please mail your donors that give to MAF in so many Purpose, to all of our MAF donors. When Will the legacy you I gift, visit us online at mafc.org or call us ways. It takes everybody – those that I took this seminar a few years ago, I toll-free at 1.877.351.9344. give of their finances, prayer, time, was pleasantly surprised by how much I energy and interest – to keep MAF going. learned, even though I thought I already Flying for Life leave plant seeds for is published by I know that I have only met a small had a pretty good knowledge base on Mission Aviation percentage of you, but I hope to have the tax laws. These seminars are full of good, Fellowship of opportunity to meet many more of you solid information about estate planning Canada and printed in Canada. tomorrow? in the coming year! It is wonderful to see and no matter which charities you how you have become part of our larger choose to include in your will, by doing Editor Beth Round team by taking the time to learn about this type of estate planning you will most Layout Mark Field In partnership with ADVISORS with Purpose – a MAF, understanding our need for your likely reduce the taxes that your estate ministry committed to helping God’s people support and then how you’ve responded pays. We invite you to take advantage of Cover An MAF Cessna Caravan arrives at in amazing and generous ways. this opportunity; I think you will find it is James Spriggs Payne Airport in , manage God’s assets - we would like to offer People like our dedicated MAF really worth your time! the capital of Liberia. Photo LuAnne Cadd you a personalized estate plan that aligns your Advocates give of their time and energy The Bible tells us that it is not the size Share your comments wishes with God’s purposes. to represent MAF. Just recently, when an of the gift, but the motivation behind Contact us at [email protected] opportunity arose to host an MAF booth it that gives that gift its eternal value: at a local Christmas Concert a phone “Each of you should give what you Our mission: There is no obligation or cost for this service. Sharing God’s love through aviation and call was made and an MAF advocate have decided in your heart to give, not technology. was ready and willing to show up at a reluctantly or under compulsion, for God Learn more about the services offered by moment’s notice. loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7) Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada is a Canadian registered charity (Registration This fall I learned of a lady in the ADVISORS with Purpose by participating in a # 12994 2561 RR0001) and is able to Kingston area who, after reading about Thank you for all that you have entrusted issue receipts for income tax purposes. FREE phone-in seminar on Wednesday, February the story of Nate Saint and the other to us, to help us accomplish God’s work Financial statements are available on 10, 2016 between 3pm and 4pm Eastern Time. missionaries who gave their lives in together. request. Ecuador reaching out to the Waorani Gifts allocated toward an approved people, began supporting MAF. She project will be used as allocated with the For details and to register, call ADVISORS with faithfully gave a monthly gift for over 28 understanding that once project needs are met, gifts will be used where needed Purpose at 1.866.336.3315, or e-mail them at years! It was my privilege to thank her in most. [email protected]. a small way by giving her a small wooden Brad Bell cross that I had carried back from my trip President/CEO MAF Canada is a charter to Ecuador, made from the wood of Nate MAF Canada member of the Canadian Council of Christian Charities. & Marj Saint’s original house. Without the faithful prayer support Country statistics taken from the World we receive from our Prayer Partners, the PS: To learn more about the no cost Factbook and World Health Organization. work of MAF simply could not go on. and no obligation services offered We appreciate each of you, our donors by ADVISORS with Purpose, join and partners in this ministry, greatly. our free phone-in seminar on Publications, such as this Flying for Life Wednesday, February 10, 2016 Mission Aviation Fellowship of Canada magazine, our 2016 Calendar and our between 3pm and 4pm Eastern 264 Woodlawn Rd. West Prayer Diary, are our way of saying thank Time. Guelph, ON N1H 1B6 you, and keeping you up to date on how Toll-Free 1.877.351.9344 your donations are fueling God’s work For details and to register for the mafc.org | [email protected] through MAF. free seminar, call ADVISORS with Another way we would like to show Purpose at 1.866.336.3315, or email Photo LuAnne Cadd you our thanks is by offering a Planned [email protected]. Flying For Life Winter 2016 | 5

Thanks to MAF planes, personnel and partners, the blind receive sight, the lame walk and the Good News is proclaimed to Chad’s poor

Story Gary Clayton, Copy Writer & Editor, MAF UK Photos LuAnne Cadd, MAF Roving Senior Communications and Media Officer

r Ann Fursdon smiles whenever she medicine, and went to Africa in 1988 as Doing what’s necessary Dthinks of the time and energy saved a GP. She has poured her heart and soul Despite the country’s rough terrain flying with MAF. into Chad for the last ten years. She’s and dry, arid climate, Ann’s energy and “It’s been a pleasure working with the based at Bebalem Hospital and has been resilience are legendary. Even in 45°C pilots and staff of MAF. I wouldn’t be able seconded by AIM to work for the Eglise heat, she doesn’t need to sleep with a to do my work without them!” Evangélique au Tchad, advising health fan! “Without your plane,” she explains, centres. A recent MAF medical safari enabled “there’s no effective means to reach With more than 44 health clinics Ann and her team to treat 80 patients in remote clinics. The alternative is an scattered across Chad – reachable only Moundou and refer 120-140 patients for arduous 2-day road journey of 560 by appalling roads –she uses our aircraft cataract surgery in Bebalem. In Lai and miles.” to get around; recently visiting 13 health Bailli, Nurse Antcha Bissa examined 195 Ann grew up in the UK, studied tropical centres in 2 weeks. patients. Left Dr. Ann Fursdon

Above Top Halime’s special shoes

Above Rosane and Halime

Right Unable to walk or talk due to cerebral palsy, 12 year old Idris travels by donkey to see Dr. Ann Fursdon for an assessment

During their time in remote Bailli, Ann were in the right place at the right time willing,” says Rosane, “Halime will be was surrounded by hundreds of patients, to help medevac her.” strong enough to stand and walk by including Idris, a smiling 12-year-old who herself.” couldn’t walk or speak. Idris’ parents had Miraculously healed travelled to Bailli by donkey so Ann could But we don’t just carry doctors and ‘Don’t cry!’ assess how he was doing. Although the medical teams to remote areas. Rosane Another of Rosane’s patients had boy has cerebral palsy, his mother, Ann Harrewyn, wife of MAF’s Chief Engineer contracted meningitis and was unable to says, is doing everything necessary to in Chad, is a trained physiotherapist walk or hold her head up. Again, thanks help him develop. who works as a volunteer at Guinebor to Rosane’s expertise, the three-year-old Hospital, 45-minutes’ drive from girl began to improve. “I sent the father Anger management N’Djamena, the capital. home with the tasks he needed to work Ellen, another patient, travelled 62 miles Miraculously healed at the age of on with her that week, and he did it! to receive psychiatric help because 14 after 10 years suffering from the Every week she got better and better,” of anger issues resulting from a land debilitating effects of rheumatic fever, she explains. dispute. After learning Ellen was a Roman Rosane and Albert have served Chad’s One day, Rosane saw the girl walking Catholic, Ann shared her faith, helped people for over 2½ years. Thanks to towards her – holding her father’s hand! Ellen see her need for Jesus, and enabled Rosane’s sacrificial service, people like “God did a miracle there,” exclaims her to overcome her rage and bitterness. four-year-old Halime, who was unable to Rosane. “To see her walking and smiling Ann also hosted a psychiatric training walk because her feet turn inward, now is fantastic! Her father told me, ‘Please It’s been a pleasure seminar for 22 nurses. The teaching make good progress. don’t cry!’ but I was so happy. I’m praying received will enable them to correctly Having examined Halime, Rosane for great things to happen with that little working with the pilots diagnose and help future patients. provided her with Ponseti shoes which girl.” “It’s much easier travelling with MAF,” help hold a clubfoot correction in place Thanks to MAF and the dedication of and staff of MAF. I Ann beams. “I love the fellowship I have without needing surgery. people like Ann and Rosane, healing has with their pilots. Once we had a woman When Halime received the shoes, come to the people of Chad, and great wouldn’t be able to do who’d given birth and was bleeding her face lit up and she attempted her things are happening!  badly. We telephoned MAF, and they faltering first steps. “In time, God- my work without them!” Flying For Life Winter 2016 | 95

News in brief

MAF provides food relief flights to famine-hit Papua New MAF dedicates a new plane in South Sudan

Photo Michael Vogel Story Karyn Ball Photos Karyn Ball and LuAnne Cadd AF is distributing emergency rations Mto communities affected by famine “Thank you God for sending this good in Papua New Guinea (PNG). gift to South Sudan”, James Yien prayed There have been warnings of an as the MAF South Sudan team stood impending crisis affecting an estimated hand in hand around the Cessna 182, two million people since drought and registered 5X-MON. Yien, MAF’s finance frosts decimated the sweet potato crop assistant and a local South Sudanese earlier in the year – severely affecting himself, knows first hand just how Highland areas. beneficial this new aircraft will be to According to MAF Operations Manager South Sudan. Michael Duncalfe, “the MP for the As both national and international staff Telefomin area has arranged for bags of and families gathered under the shade rice to be flown to Tabubil by the PNG of an airplane wing on a quiet Saturday Defence Force transport aircraft, from morning, there was excitement in the where MAF will distribute it to local air. After a long wait, the Cessna 182 was communities.” finally here and ready to be dedicated to journey the aircraft will take to building We praise God for this great resource “The first load of relief food, 10kg Christ’s service in South Sudan. God’s kingdom. to share the love of Jesus Christ bags of rice, has been flown out to Program manager Bastiaan de Waal Pilot Eivind Lindtjørn, the most recent through aviation in South Sudan. What a Tabubil where one of our Twin Otter opened the dedication service with a pilot trained to fly the 182, closed in wonderful morning we all had dedicating aircraft will start distributing it to remote prayer for the authorities, the airport and prayer. “Heavenly Father, everything 5X-MON to God’s service within this communities this week…Our base staff in the aircraft itself, the newest addition to we have is from you. Thank you for this country.  Mount Hagen have helped load the PNG MAF’s fleet. He shared about how the 182 airplane, this resource, may it be used Above MAF missionary families Defence Force aircraft with 3 tonnes of of its own food, with an estimated 85% will be even worse than that caused by will be used in South Sudan and thanked mightily for missions, for the church, and and national workers gather to rice at a time, for what I think will be a of the population engaged in agricultural the 1997-1998 drought. Many of these the donor for this generous donation. He for You.” dedicate 5X-MON total of around 19 flights in all.” production. People are afraid there could people living in remote and isolated then used scripture, highlighted in Stuart After the final amen was said, the Papua New Guinea produces almost all be an extended period of famine that villages are served by MAF.  King’s book Hope Has Wings, and the team shared sodas, snacks and good Bottom Canadian Pilot, Ryan Unger with the newest addition analogy of the eagle to give insight in to conversations around MAF’s newest to MAF’s South Sudan fleet how 5X-MON will be used in a powerful plane. (Photo: LuAnne Cadd) way for Christ here in this challenging The UNWFP honors Canadian, Larry Heintz country. Isaiah 40:31 says But those who hope Photo Geoff Hillier in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they MAF’s Africa Regional Safety Manager Larry Heintz, has been honoured recently will run and not grow weary, they will by the United Nations World Food Programme (UNWFP) for his work. walk and not be faint. “Sure,” de Waal agreed, “The 208 AF’s Larry Heintz received the significant impact. Caravan is efficient if you can fill it, but MHumanitarian Aviation Recognition As well as his role with MAF, Larry it is very inefficient for just two people. award for his exceptional contribution supports smaller humanitarian operators, Many of our smaller partners, those to the international humanitarian offering his skills and expertise to improve without the big budgets, will greatly community at the UNWFP global and develop their processes. benefit from the Cessna 182.” conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on Larry said: “There was huge respect Next, the team gathered around October 7. Larry, who hails from Canada, for MAF at the Geneva event, and 5X-MON, standing hand in hand in joined Mission Aviation Fellowship this is an award for MAF. It is great to prayer. Nearly everyone in the circle International in 1989 as a pilot and be recognized for the work that has offered up words of thanksgiving to God maintenance engineer, however, for the gone into our system, but it is not just for this great gift. Some thanked God past 20 years he has been in the safety me. It would not happen without the for the generosity of the donor, others department, developing a celebrated programme staff buying into it and prayed for the pilots who would be flying management system which has had a working so hard to make it a success.”  the plane, and others committed each Flying For Life Winter 2016 | 11

he much-anticipated inauguration doors during the exact months when how quickly MAF became operational. Tday for the new MAF Liberia program MAF hoped to finalize permissions and Little did she know. had finally arrived. Margrit Kündig, who begin work. The timing for the launch of It began more than four years ago handled most of the logistical planning the new program was removed entirely with a country survey in the summer for the celebration, felt nervous and from MAF’s hands. of 2011 by two former MAF pilots who excited, praying that everything would But on this day, the first of October recommended an MAF program for come together as planned for a program 2015, everything seemed to fall into Liberia. An e-mail survey followed for where nothing had happened as planned. place, like a perfect Master Plan. The day NGOs and missions. Max Gove, MAF’s Although there is no ‘norm’ for how before, Country Director Emil Kündig Special Projects Director, began the long it takes to establish a new program, received the long-awaited official letter process in 2012 to acquire the necessary MAF Liberia’s story will record one of permission for the Ugandan-registered licenses and registrations, including extraordinary world-news tragedy that Cessna Caravan to fly, back-dated to arranging the building of staff houses put Liberia on the map in 2014, and mid-September. Everyone’s schedules on the ELWA campus, owned by SIM After many delays, MAF finally launches the brought a screeching halt to man-made coordinated for this day. Even the mission. In total Max made six trips to plans: Ebola. weather cooperated. It felt providential. Liberia with a final seventh trip for the new Liberia program. Never in MAF’s projected time line inauguration. could anyone have foreseen it. In world Four-years fast “I was sceptical about the need for history, it was a first. Expats evacuated When Angela Bush, Liberia’s new Minister MAF services before I visited Liberia in Story LuAnne Cadd Liberia while health workers poured in, of Transport, stood up to speak at the Feb/Mar 2012 since it is quite a small Photos LuAnne Cadd, MAF Roving Senior Communications and Media Officer, and Dave Forney, MAF Pilot and government offices closed their program, she expressed her surprise at country,” Max remembers. “However, Flying For Life Winter 2016 | 13

after speaking to many people during wife Sarah and three children, arriving do a great job here.” that visit, I became convinced that MAF in early 2016. Airstrip engineer, Maurice Pastor Mamodu Doulu from Monrovia When getting there could make a significant difference.” Houriet with wife Josianne will work Christian Fellowship gave the prayer Delays appeared endless even before for six months rehabilitating airstrips of blessing prior to the ribbon cutting the Ebola crisis: delayed staff license beginning in November 2015. ceremony in front of the plane. He conversions, delayed Ugandan aircraft Max Gove couldn’t be happier with the believes MAF’s ministry will be a blessing is half the fun registration and upgrades, delayed team. “The development of God’s work to the work of the church to remote Liberian permissions. Max estimates a in Liberia through MAF is in great hands!” areas of Liberia. “Our biggest challenge total of eighteen months lost, but adds, is that the roads are bad. When you start MAF Pilot, Emil Kündig recorded the ferry flight to Liberia in a daily blog: “It is always God’s timing that is best.” Waiting for MAF to work with churches, they get used The delays all appeared to work in The MAF Liberia inauguration officially to you, and they expect you to come mysterious coordination, resolving at launched the only commercial aircraft back, but then it’s six months when you this moment in time. In spite of the in the country. NGOs are allowed to can’t go to see them. By the time you frustrations, Emil Kündig observed, “All fly on UN aircraft, but the service is get there, sometimes it’s like everything FROM Uganda around a few lonely storms. of these delays with registration, Ebola, unreliable and the UN is winding down you tried to do, you have to start from TO The Democratic After 3 hours and 25 minutes we land and the International License in Uganda toward an exit from Liberia. MAF will be scratch. So that’s why we feel that MAF is Republic of the in Kisangani. There is a lot of water here. showed that God’s hand was upon it.” serving the local church, missionaries, going to be a huge blessing and a relief Congo We’re told that it rained heavily until 11 and humanitarian organizations, most of to the church in Liberia.” that morning. We arrived just after 2, Finding Liberia which will have few if any other means of so this was good timing. Some delay Emil and Margrit Kündig, 30-year traveling by air. In God’s perfect time Departure from Kajjansi at 10 o’clock. with the fuel credit letter, but bearable. veterans of MAF, felt that Liberia was the Save the Children’s James Johnson The inauguration celebration concluded A short hop over to Entebbe for the Visiting the various offices to settle right time and place for them. They had is responsible for arranging flight with a meal and a drawing to award nine formalities. Within literally minutes we’re route and landing fees plus parking. The worked in Chad, Uganda, Madagascar, transportation for their staff to distant fortunate people a free flight over the on the way towards Bunia, climbing to flight plan for the next day is accepted Cambodia and Bangladesh. “We felt that counties. “I have been wondering,” he capital of Monrovia – the first ‘official’ 16,000 feet. It is just perfect up here, as by the controller and we soon head into our energy, our gifts, are in starting up a explained at the celebration, “how am I flight. we are above the clouds and there are Kisangani for the night, getting a room at program,” Emil explained. Liberia needed going to sort this out, with UNMIL [the “This is a milestone because we’ve very few thunderstorms about. It is good the Centre d’acceuil Ruwenzori. A quaint Opposite Page Getting an experienced Country Director and UN mission] shutting down and ending been waiting for this for a long time,” to have oxygen though. little hotel in the middle of the Congo 5X-0PE ready for opening day Finance Manager. It was a perfect fit. their service? How are we going to get Margrit said. Reaching the Congo border we’re with electricity and a delicious dinner celebrations “When we prayed about it, we felt it was around with our staff? And in the next six “We have the airplane, we have the allowed to fly directly to Kisangani. It that got us ready for bed. the right thing for us to come here.” The months, we are expanding our activities permission, we have an office, we is beautiful up here and it is easy to fly Above F5X-0PE takes off from Uganda (Photo: Dave Forney) decision was made in November 2013. in the southeast counties, so our staff will have two pilots, and we have a finance During the delays, Emil was able to work be in and out often. MAF is going to be a manager,” Emil said. “We’re ready to go!” Bottom Pilots Arjan Paas and on getting an engineering license and a relief for us.” The small team of four is excited to Emil Kündig pilot license conversion in Uganda. They begin their new adventure, knowing that FROM The contact but are able to connect with the arrived in Monrovia in February 2015. God is in control and He keeps perfect Democratic Republic MAF guys in Congo for flight following. In 2013, Arjan and Aartje Paas with This is going to be time.  of the Congo That is nice. Approaching Kinshasa their three children worked happily for TO The Republic of we’re handed off to Brazzaville for the MAF in Arnhem Land, Australia. “When extremely useful for the Congo instrument approach for runway 23 Liberia came up in the MAF publications,” right. Wow there are quite a bit of clouds Arjan describes, “we thought, ‘Liberia, NGOs, and for all the Early rise for breakfast at 0600. Our all of a sudden, half way down on the where is that?’ We had no idea so we transport arrives on time and we approach we break out and land with looked it up. We thought, wouldn’t it be Liberian people. I think head out to the airport. It is foggy this a very cool 22 degrees Celsius ground interesting to start a new program, to morning, must be from the humidity and temperature. get MAF growing there - the pioneering MAF is going to do a the big rain from yesterday. The airport authority man coming to thing. Deep inside, we wanted to go. We preflight the plane and are soon greet us says that it is winter now…ok. The vacancy for a pilot kept coming up great job here. ready for our next leg. Just under 700NM We have no delays today with our fuel but no one was applying, so we decided to Brazzaville should take us about 5 credit letter and are quickly on the way we should. I believe that God’s calling hours. Today we climb to 10,000 feet as to settle navigation fees, parking fees, is putting a desire in your heart. Maybe Nasteha Jama, a Liaison Officer for the we have to keep some oxygen for the leg ramp fees etc. The flight plan is already that’s why no one applied, because it Liberia International NGO Forum (LINGO) from to Ghana where we will being handed in for tomorrow and so we was meant for us.” In the year and half couldn’t contain her excitement. “We have to climb to 18,000 feet for a while. can leave the airport and find our hotel. wait after leaving Australia, Arjan got have actually been waiting for MAF to But at this altitude it is very smooth albeit Margrit had booked it for us yesterday. his pilot license conversion and gained launch. During the Ebola, everybody was we’re unable to see the ground most The taxi man wishes to show us around more experience flying the Caravan in asking, ‘MAF, are they starting, have they of the time. It is also very nice to enjoy Brazzaville, we decline politely as we both Uganda and South Sudan. The time brought their aircraft?’ Traveling by road, a slight tailwind that will make us gain have to do other things, like relax a bit was not wasted. They arrived in Liberia in especially during the rainy season, is about half an hour on our trip. and get ready for the next day. He is a June 2015. very tough. This is going to be extremely No thunderstorms or other challenging nice man and as we say good bye it turns The program will add a third family, useful for the NGOs, and for all the clouds. As we move away from Uganda out his name is… Emile. Yes, French is aircraft engineer Mark Newnham with his Liberian people. I think MAF is going to further and further we lose the radio spoken here. Flying For Life Winter 2016 | 15 Benin Sudan

Côte d’Ivoire Chad DAY 5 Togo Arrive: Monrovia, Liberia Ethiopia Ghana Central African Republic DAY 3 South Sudan DAY 4 Arrive: Yaoundé, Cameroon Arrive: , Ghana Cameroon DAY 1 FROM the Republic Arjan makes an ILS into Yaounde and by Depart: Kajjansi, Uganda of Congo 11 o’clock local time we touch down. The TO Cameroon flight time is 3 hours and 54 minutes. Equatorial Guinea Here we are now in Cameroon completing the 3rd leg of our trip to Congo Kenya Liberia. Thanks be to God that so far Today is August 15. It is Congo’s National everything went smoothly. DAY 1 day and people are on the move to Gabon Arrive: Kisangani, DRC celebrate. It is cloudy still since we arrived yesterday. There are very little Rwanda formalities and we are soon getting the Democratic Republic plane ready for our flight to Cameroon. of the Congo We plan to fly at FL 100. It is a good Burundi choice as we are getting a good tailwind and we are sporting a ground speed of more than 170 knots. Today we are DAY 2 overflying Gabon, Equatorial Guinea Arrive: Brazzaville, Congo before entering Cameroonian airspace. The weather up here is nice and smooth Tanzania but again as yesterday we can barely see the ground. As we enjoy constant tailwind it looks like we will be 30 minutes earlier in FROM Ghana The crossing into Liberia at the Yaounde. TO Liberia checkpoint called MEGOT is celebrated with a picture to prove it. Starting the descent into James Spriggs Airport shows us that it is the FROM Cameroon start-up to Accra. After take-off we saw radar controller for an ILS runway 19. rainy season here. Various showers here TO Ghana that there was already a lot of movement We touched down after 5 hours and 5 Today begins the last day of our ferry and there but easy to fly around. We around the presidential airplane, but we minutes of flight time. flight from Uganda to Liberia. Many touch down at our final destination at managed, good. It was a good day and a perfect one things had to work out so far and they 12:25 local time, the flight time was 4 Today was going to be our longest leg since the permissions to land in Ghana did. Just imagining the paperwork hours. and needing the highest cruise altitude. had just come in last night, thank you involved to make this happen, it is truly Upon shutting down the aircraft, we It was a noisy night at the hotel in We still had oxygen and so we climbed Lord. mind boggling. Thanks to the many who were greeted by the director of the Yaoundé. There was a banquet and to 14,000 feet to be able to cross the made it possible. airport and colleagues from Samaritan’s guests took the opportunity to celebrate Cameroonian mountains before crossing After breakfast we’re driven to the Purse. After formalities the aircraft was into the early hours of the morning. into Nigeria. We flew under and over Accra Airport for the formalities. We are able to be put into a temporary hangar Nevertheless we got up refreshed for our cloud covers, almost perfect smooth just whisked through and find ourselves place which just became vacant today, next leg. As we were about to start our conditions and the outside temperature soon asking for start-up clearance for amazing. breakfast the taxi driver came in to tell read 2 degrees. Nice as it was, we hardly the last leg of our journey across Africa We thank the Lord for good weather, us that we better hurry up and go to the saw anything of the countryside we flew to Liberia. The weather looked good permissions on-time, fuel when needed airport at once, since the president was over. earlier and we can expect a nice tailwind and an aircraft that performed without travelling today also. For this they would Passing we finally started to see pushing us home towards our families. a glitch. Thanks also to you, our praying block the access roads to the airport. some breaks in the clouds. Overflying We find ourselves again at 10,000 feet MAF friends who interceded for a good So breakfast was skipped and we just Benin and Togo let us see some glimpses above a solid layer of clouds which will outcome of this ferry flight. Let us begin managed to get to the airport in time, of the main cities, Cotonu and Lome. only eventually break up a little as we now and serve here in Liberia and join in getting the plane ready and call for Soon we were guided in by the Accra cross into Liberian airspace. the rebuilding of this country.  Flying For Life Winter 2016 | 17 Donor Profile

Left A vintage photo showing the Link We are so thankful for the Trainer in action thousands of Canadians who contribute financial resources to making the work and ministry of MAF possible. This is one his hobby shop, his passion for introducing future generations donor’s story. to aviation and fueling the work of MAF would only increase in the years to come. So much so that when he and Lila came to the realization that it was time to sell their cottage on Sand Story Tim Bax, MAF Canada Ministry Partnership Manager Lake, they wanted the proceeds to Photos Tim Bax and Lloyd continue to move Christ’s mission forward through MAF! But that decision, (made in ne of the most satisfying parts of the Kingston Flying Club in 1929. Lloyd’s But mid-way through his career as an 2009), and their generosity Omy job is having the opportunity father took him on his very first flight at entrepreneur Lloyd would also come would remain undisclosed until to meet with our supporters and 2 years of age, and introduced him to to realize that God had even greater October of this year when, while personally thank them for their faithful instrument flying (on the Link Trainer), purposes for him; God intended to use driving to meet with Lloyd for the support of MAF. On a recent trip to at the ripe old age of 9. Because of this first time, I received a phone call host our MAF booth at the Promise Lloyd was able to fly solo in an Aeronca from one of his very good friends. I Keepers’ conference in Kingston I had Champion at age 15 after only 2.5 hours I thank God for living in had just dropped off a thank-you note the privilege of meeting with one of of formal flight instruction. to this gentleman a few hours earlier our ministry partners whose silent, yet From that early introduction, Lloyd this day and age, and while making donor visits in the area. sacrificial generosity simply left me began to dream about a career in During our brief conversation I was told stunned. commercial aviation. But shortly after having such a long, that it was Lloyd who should be receiving the His name is Lloyd, and for as long as he soloing, Lloyd’s instructor told him to thank-you note and not him. He explained that can remember he’s been surrounded by get his flight medical completed before interesting, and fulfilling when it came time to sell their cottage, Lloyd airplanes and aviation which is no small proceeding with further instruction. It and Lila offered the cottage as a gift and simply feat since he was born in 1932! When I was at that point Lloyd discovered that life.” requested that he donate its value to MAF on terms met with Lloyd, now 83 years old, he was he was colour blind, and that his dreams that were agreeable for him. And so…by God’s grace, still surrounded by model airplanes and of commercial aviation were over. for the last six years that cottage on Sand Lake has been aviation in his modest home in an older Despite this serious disappointment, his passion for aviation to move the fueling the work of MAF around the world! Lloyd’s passion for aviation remained and mission of Jesus Christ forward through Needless to say that after hanging up from this he eventually transformed his childhood mission aviation. When Lloyd finally unanticipated, yet awe inspiring phone call, I couldn’t wait to hobby of building model aircraft into a responded to an altar call and gave his meet Lloyd and to learn more about how God was using the career, owning and operating a hobby life to Christ, God began to transform life of this octogenarian and the legacy of his late wife Lila shop which would become a fixture him, in his words, entirely. Not long to share God’s love in the city of Kingston for the next 41 afterwards, Lloyd travelled to a missions with isolated people years! Along with his love for aviation, event at Peoples Church in Toronto around the world. Lloyd also inherited his father’s passion where he found himself standing in front As I’ve continued for motion picture photography which of an MAF display captivated how God to correspond with eventually opened the door for him to was leveraging faith and flight to move Lloyd, I can’t help shoot film at most of the Apollo mission His mission forward around the world. but smile when I launches in Cape Canaveral, Florida in From that point on, (more than 30 years think of what God can the 1960’s and 70’s. Throughout that ago), Lloyd and his wife Lila became do through the life of a career and well into his ‘retirement’ faithful supporters of MAF coming man who once described Lloyd would also become a passionate alongside a number of our Canadian himself as self-centred and advocate of introducing aviation to missionaries and regularly stepping up selfish and I’m not surprised section of the city of Kingston. He came future generations - an interest that to fund emergency flights in places like when he signs off with statements by his love of aviation honestly as his still takes him into classrooms and Haiti, the Philippines and Nepal when like this one which accompanied father, Carl, was a flight instructor and club meetings today, where he teaches disasters struck. his last email: “I thank God for living in member of the Royal Flying Corps during students about lift and drag and the While by-pass surgery would this day and age, and having such a long, World War I and a founding member of fundamentals of flight. eventually force Lloyd to ‘retire’ and sell interesting, and fulfilling life.” Nepal UPDATE I’ll GO where you want me to GO, dear Lord

DISTRICTS served Story Audrey Marples Photos Audrey and Vernon Marples

e had already retired twice when FLIGHT frequency WGod called us to go as short-term (in minutes) missionaries to Papua New Guinea (PNG). The prime reason for this invitation was for Vernon to teach High School Math at New Tribes Mission’s (NTM) Numonohi Christian Academy at MEDEVAC Goroka. The school’s primary purpose flights flown is the education of the children of NTM missionaries who were serving in PNG. Children whose parents were serving which he hadn’t taught for thirty three In June 2012 we returned to Canada in other missionary organizations such years. Seeking to recall all that he had having left a little of our hearts in PNG as MAF were also accepted as students. learned and taught so long ago, he was and its people. NGOs & AID Although we were then 74 years old, able to keep ahead of his students. One Is God calling you to ‘go’? As a AGENCIES served Thanks to your generous support, we were excited by God’s calling and great bonus for him was that he had two result of our experience we would say by the prospect of being missionaries of his grandchildren in his classes, in fact wholeheartedly that you should answer MAF continues to serve the people to the country where our youngest son, in one class his granddaughter was the “Here am I send me”.  of Nepal, with vital access to 177 Richard, and his family had lived and only student! served with MAF for twelve years. Without a doubt we were both LOCATIONS destinations not served by any So it was, that in July 2011, at the age challenged and stretched but the year Vernon and Audrey’s son, Richard, served other humanitarian air operator. of 75, we left Canada for faraway Papua was an experience we will never forget together with his wife Jennifer, and their New Guinea. Several times before we left and one that we would not have missed young children, Samantha, Matthew, and I was asked what I would do - someone for anything. We went to PNG to teach, Nathanael, left Canada in 1999 to answer MAF flights are enabling partners, even suggested that I might be bored! My but God took the year to teach us! He God’s call to missionary work with MAF answer was that I would help wherever I taught us so much about ourselves and in Papua New Guinea (PNG) where HOURS such as Médecins du Monde was needed. God took me at my word!! about the missionary endeavour. Among Richard serves as a Pilot. flown (MDM), to access remote areas in Within two days of our arrival I was the things we learned are: asked if would help in the Elementary 1. Nobody is ever too old to serve Him. Between 2002 and 2007, Vernon and need of help, many of which are Library. Two weeks later, just four days 2. Obedience to God’s call is fulfilling and Audrey visited PNG three times, and still locked by landslides. before the school year would begin, I brings great joy. developed a deep love for the country was asked if I would consider teaching 3. When He calls He really does equip. and its people, and in 2010, were invited FLIGHTS Grade 6 science. Now, I have a First Class 4. Leaving one’s comfort zone is to help at the NTM school in Goroka. made January marks our transition from Honours degree in biochemistry and rewarding and exhilarating. years of experience teaching children 5. The importance of seeking to learn Vernon was a University Lecturer disaster relief to the program in the Church setting - but teaching and understand the culture of the in Engineering Science at Oxford start-up phase, during which we science?! However believing that the country in which one is serving. University and the University of Warwick Lord would help - He never calls where 6. The necessity of walking closely with in England. Following a year-long PASSENGERS will be exploring different options He won’t also equip - I agreed to try the Lord and of living one’s faith with sabbatical at Carleton University in transported and opportunities for long-term both jobs. ‘Helping’ in the library turned integrity among those to whom we are Ottawa where Vernon and Audrey and out to mean that I was the Librarian, and ministering. their 4 children found faith in the Lord, service. Please pray with us for teaching Grade 6 science meant three 7. While working among many full- they returned to England with a new wisdom as we develop these plans. classes a week with seven children of time missionaries we gained a deeper found purpose to serve God in full-time widely varying academic ability. Was I understanding of the sacrifices they ministry. CARGO bored? No! Did I feel ‘out of my comfort make for themselves and their family carried Data reflects operations from May 9 - December 11 zone’? Yes! Did I regret my decision? No! life - many of the students boarded at Three years later they immigrated to (in kgs) Was it a good experience? Absolutely! the school while their parents were out Canada where they became pastors in Photo LuAnne Cadd Meanwhile, Vernon was teaching Math in the bush doing translation work. the Wesleyan Church. The MAF Day of Prayer A hope and a future Join us on SUNDAY, APRIL 17 for MAF Canada’s annual Day of Prayer.

Visit us at www.mafc.org to order or download the video presentation and promotional material, or call us toll-free at 1-877-351-9344 to order an MAF Day of Prayer package for your church including posters, handouts, and a 4-minute presentation DVD.

Photo LuAnne Cadd