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MAF - a link to remote communities in PNG

By BAEAU TAI
Tucked away in a valley south of Mt Hagen, the small community of Arou has an isolated feel about it. Access from Mt Hagen is either by means of a long walk for days through thick rainforest or an hour's flight in a Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) aircraft. The Arou people live with little awareness of what's happening in the outside world. But they are not cut off completely. They have regular contact with Christian Bretheren Church missionaries Dan and Janet Anderson and of course there is the MAF aircraft.
And when MAF arrives, usually on Thursdays, there is much rejoicing. MAF is their link to the outside world.
This year, MAF released a special Anniversary Edition of its 2007 Calendar to mark its 60 years of continuous, life-changing service to people in need around the world.
"Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life." Revelation 2:10. This particular verse, the word of God that is strong and sharp is written in the calendar in dedication to the memory of 22 people who died by accident or as a result of illness, whilst serving the Lord with MAF.
2007 also sees the expansion of MAF operations to 31 countries across the globe. In September 2006, leaders from 14 MAF entities including Australia, Europe, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa, met in London to form MAF International, affirming a determination to have an even bigger impact globally for Christ through greater unity, strength and flexibility.
But much of what is celebrated in this anniversary year is built on the heroism and courage demonstrated by MAF pilots and pioneers from those formative years.
Celebrations will be low key in PNG as 2007 marks its 56th year of operation here. But major celebrations were held when MAF celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2002.
MAF began its roots way back in winter in 1947. World War II was over and former RAAF and bomber pilot Harry Hartwig was preparing to join the Melbourne Bible Institute (MBI).
Another student and ex-RAAF member, Ken Cooper formed a group interested in an Australian missionary aviation organisation. Ken had become a member of the Christian Airmen's Missionary Fellowship (later to be called Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) while in the USA.
In Britain, MAF had begun under the leadership of Murray Kendon, a New Zealand pilot serving with the RAF. Both of these groups were known to Harry and formed by airmen to use their aviation skills to serve God.
The groups' plans and philosophies made a deep impression on Harry, convincing him that God was leading him to form a MAF in Australia.
Encouragement to pursue the vision came from MBI Principal Rev. John Searle. Harry also shared his vision with others - ex RAAF pilots, business and professional men, church leaders and students - and on June 30 1947 a meeting was held which passed a resolution to form an autonomous body called MAF and that "we request affiliation with the Fellowships in England and America."
They were "uncertain beginnings", but the questions were answered and the barriers were overcome. The rest is history - a history well known to thousands of MAF supporters throughout Australasia and around the world.
A history filled with countless stories of heroism and sacrificial, life-on-the line flying into the most remote and isolated places. A history of God's blessings poured out on faithful pilots, engineers and their families who answered the call of God on their lives to go where, often, no "westerner" had gone before. A history filled with accounts of lives saved and lives changed because MAF was "there". A history that dramatically altered the course of mission in this and other countries, opening remote areas previously closed to Christian ministry and outreach.
The impact that MAF has had in almost 60 years and the details of how so many lives have been touched over that time would require books to contain them. Books written so far about MAF provide a magnificent record of an organisation dedicated to excellence in aviation, committed to the outworking of the Good News of Jesus Christ in word and deed and determined to do the will of God in the face of overwhelming odds.
In PNG, among the major challenges MAF PNG Ltd has faced in recent years has been a critical shortage of pilots. At one stage last year, they had only 12 pilots on roster, whereas it needs at least double that number to meet normal program needs. The accidents in 2005 and 2006, in which it lost three experienced pilots, obviously contributed to this shortage.
General Manager of MAF PNG Ltd, Mike Jelliffe said that in the 12 months from September 2006, they expect to welcome at least 10 new pilots from overseas. "We continue to do all we can to serve the remote communities that no one else does as our primary goal despite our reduced capacity. Our objectives have not changed, only our capacity to fulfil them."
There were two initiatives in 2006 which highlight MAF's commitment to working with local communities and governments. The Fly River Provincial Govt allocated K500,000 to MAF over a 12 month period for airfare subsidies in the Western Province. This was a joint initiative to allow passengers to receive discount airfares and make it cheaper for rural people who travel by MAF aircraft. Passengers pay 70% normal cost, the FRPG subsidy pays 30%.
In December 2006, MAF received K1.93 million capital funding from the PNG Sustainable Development Program (PNGSDP) to purchase a new GA8 aircraft for use in Western province. This aircraft is already located at Rumginae, Western province bringing the total number of aircraft to operate in Western province to two.
MAF aircraft are purchased through donations, not operating revenue, and the PNGSDP funding is the first time such funding from within PNG has been offered. All other MAF aircraft have been funded from overseas donations.