By Jennifer Wolf

“The pilot went full throttle and we were rolling down the runway. My heart started beating fast and I wanted to be up front doing that, experiencing that over and over again,” said Rickson Poki, describing the first time he flew on a commercial aircraft, when he was a preschooler.

Rickson, or “Ricky,” as most people call him, comes from Papua New Guinea (PNG) and is one of several foreign staff members who have spent time at MAF’s headquarters in Nampa, Idaho, to further their flight or maintenance training.

Whether it happens at an overseas flight program or here in the U.S., MAF is deeply committed to building the capacity and talent of local teammates in the developing countries where we serve.

“There is a big need and MAF leadership sees a lot of potential in the national staff around the world,” said MAF flight instructor Erick Paradizo, who is working with foreign pilots like Ricky.

These are pilots who joined MAF overseas in some other capacity—administration, maintenance, or another role—and haven’t flown for a few years. That was true of Ricky, who served for three years as an executive assistant to the MAF PNG country director. Part of Erick’s role is to give pilots like Ricky more experience, increase their flight hours to meet MAF’s requirement, teach MAF’s standards, and prepare them to serve on the field.

Foreign staff come to MAF headquarters to further their training, but it’s much more than that. There’s quite a bit of mentoring involved.

“I think it is important to help provide the wisdom and guidance that they need,” Erick added. “So before every lesson, we spend time in prayer. We make our Lord and Savior the first thing of the day and we glorify and praise Him for the good things He has done.”

Ricky went through ground classes with Erick before he began flying with him.

“When we started, Erick got to know me—what I found easy or what helped me learn. So just going through ground class, we’ve actually bonded really well. I see him as an instructor but I also see him as a friend, a big brother, a mentor.”

Following the Call

“Throughout school, I just felt that calling, deep down inside,” Ricky said as he finished the story of where his desire to be a pilot came from. “That passion still is there. I can’t explain it sometimes.”

After graduating from flight school in the Philippines, Ricky discovered YouTube videos showing MAF in action.

“As I was looking at MAF, it nailed two things that I really wanted because I have a heart to serve people. That’s just in me,” Ricky said. “And flying is something I love. And I thought, if I could serve my people in the way MAF does and end up flying at the same time, that would be like killing two birds with one stone.”

While Ricky continues his flight training with Erick, he’ll be working toward passing MAF’s Technical Evaluation and then Standardization. When he passes, God willing, he’ll likely serve at an MAF-US program until he builds up enough flight hours to qualify to serve in PNG (which has a higher hour requirement).

“My ultimate goal at this stage is surrendering to the Lord and to see what he has in store for me,” Ricky said. “If it is to fly, I would like to be an encouragement to my people and to children who want to do this and serve God in this capacity.”

“For me, the purpose is to follow the calling that the Lord has for me. He’s called me to fly. It’s going to be that way.”

Empowered to Serve

Knowing that the pilots he has trained are now serving with MAF back in their own countries, or in other countries, Erick feels he’s been part of their journey to the mission field.

“It feels like I’m going with them, wherever they’re going,” Erick said. “And I just love seeing them serving the Lord in different parts of the world.”

Since October 2020 Erick has trained one pilot each from Ecuador, the Netherlands, Indonesia, and now, PNG.

“In the places that we serve, you see people with the heart of Christ who really want to glorify the Lord and use their skills and talents in their own country, to help their own people,” Erick said. “It’s important for us here at MAF to empower the nationals and give them the tools they need to accomplish the mission of bringing help, hope and healing to isolated people.”

A Look at Foreign Staff Studying in the U.S.

Some foreign staff don’t have the ability to obtain certification or licenses in their own country, either because the cost is prohibitive or it’s just not offered there. One solution is to bring them to a school in the U.S. This year four of MAF’s national staff members are pursing pilot or mechanic training.

Zacharie François
After obtaining his Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate from the School of Missionary Aviation Technology (SMAT) in 2018/2019, Zacharie François has returned this fall to start his flight training. He is the first foreign student admitted to the flight program. And, he’s the first certified Haitian maintenance specialist on the MAF Haiti program. Prior to that he served in an apprentice role. You can read an earlier story about Zacharie’s dream to be an MAF pilot at maf.org/zach.

Waren Lelewa
Waren Lelewa and his family arrived in Waynesboro, VA, in early August. Waren is continuing his studies towards a U.S. A&P certificate at Blue Ridge Community College. He has completed three semesters worth of theory online, and now needs to complete his practical labs and Basic Electricity. Waren is an apprentice mechanic with MAF Papua (Indonesia). He’s served with MAF since December 2014, starting in the warehouse, becoming head of the warehouse, and then moving into the hangar for the last 4.5 years.

Mantlibi Mafa
As part of her automotive maintenance schooling in Lesotho, in southern Africa, Mantlibi Mafa acquired an internship with MAF in the capital city of Maseru. After she graduated, MAF Lesotho called her for odd jobs and then asked her to come on permanently as an apprentice aircraft mechanic in 2017. After a delay due to the pandemic, she’s started her classes this fall at SMAT to receive an A&P certificate. You can see an earlier video of Mantlibi at maf.org/mantlibi.

Juan Antonio Rivera
Growing up in a missionary family in the remote mountains of southern Mexico, Juan Antonio and his family collaborated with MAF. Eventually, his father became country director for Alas de Socorro Mexico (ADS), as MAF is known in Latin America. As a teenager, Juan Antonio started doing projects with ADS and today he and his wife, Amy, are in Michigan. Juan Antonio is attending SMAT and working towards an A&P certificate, which is a one-year program.

This story and sidebar appeared in the fall 2021 edition of FlightWatch. Read the full issue here:

The post Where Passion and Preparation Meet appeared first on Mission Aviation Fellowship.

Time after time I was amazed at the team’s level of thought that had gone into being prepared for some of the worst imaginable scenarios. We went through the various “go kits” that allow someone to get out the door quickly with the necessities for basic living and to organize a response as soon as feet hit the ground. I was able to receive some hands-on experience with the communications equipment available to keep a response moving forward when cellular towers and internet service is down. We examined past responses and how partnerships were formed, chaos was turned into order, and amazing things were accomplished. We also discussed what lessons were learned so that things could be improved upon for the next time. Always there was the caveat: just because something worked a certain way in one situation does not mean it will work that way in the next. Because of this, the Disaster Response team has gone far beyond the motto, “Always Be Prepared,” and stressed the importance of always being flexible. In day-to-day life, we like to have a Plan B, but in disaster response one must be okay with moving on to Plan C, Plan D, etc. I learned that it is not always about having the right answers, but being able to ask the right questions and change course as necessary.

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I in them and You in Me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me.” Prayer of Jesus in John 17:23

In my five years of serving with MAF in Lesotho, one of the things I have grown to appreciate the most is the missionary community. We are excited for each other’s breakthroughs, we mourn each other’s losses, we intercede and work together for God to be fully known and glorified here. We’re all on the same team.

A few weeks ago, many missionary women in Maseru experienced a deeper level of living in community. We were invited by one of our co-laborers to come together to learn, worship, fellowship and pray for one another—it was AWESOME! We spent two days digging deeply into the life of Joshua, contemplating how his obedience can also be our obedience. The ripple effects are still felt all over Maseru, especially in small group fellowships where we can be honest and transparent.

All this came to be because of a dream. One woman in our community had a vision to make it happen; she shared the vision with a few others. Those ladies encouraged her to “be strong and courageous,” and together they led over 20 missionary women into a time of deeper relationship and fellowship. The result was greater unity.

I was deeply moved by the trust and vulnerability in our final time of sharing and prayer together. We were asked to share our answer to this question:
“What is it in your life that God has called you to that seems too big, too much, impossible?”
For me that answer is stepping into the role of mother to an orphaned child… alone.

This Friday, May 29th, a meeting will be held to match available orphans with families who, like me, desperately want them. The community here is praying… I welcome you into my community and invite you to pray with us that God’s will be done. Thanks in advance for your prayers!

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Last September, MAF and three partnering organizations held a formal pastor training for 105 pastors from El Salvador and the surrounding regions. Most of the participants came from rural areas and had little to no formal pastoral education. During the training, MAF introduced several different tools and methods that the participants could use in order to develop their own teaching strategies. One pastor, Edwin, believes this training will make a big impact on the people in his region of western El Salvador:

For me it is a great blessing to be in this study.

In my past life without Christ, I belonged to a gang where sadness moves freely, as well as bitterness, anger, fights and a spirit of death. So I give thanks to God because this teaching has affected my life in a great way and I am able to go back to the ones I met who have been in drugs, alcohol and gangs. I am able to share the reality of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them.

I give thanks to Edutech [MAF in Costa Rica]. I never thought I would be able to have this type of teaching. I say it again that it has been a big blessing since now I have a better idea of how to reach people who are without Christ, how to approach sad, bitter people. Now I can come with greater knowledge of the Word of God to these people and tell them how great the love of Jesus Christ is and that he can save us and give us a better life.”

El Salvador is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. Like many other Central American countries, there is a strong Christian presence but many people live in poverty and have few resources to help them grow in their faith. MAF is working to equip more pastors like Edwin to reach isolated people with Christ’s love.

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Being a local aviation enthusiast, Alan was known to visit the MAF hangar in Nampa. In fact, he may have visited just hours before his passing on August 16, 2010. Alan had been working on an experimental airplane and died from injuries obtained in an accident involving that plane.

Alan had worked for Central Engineering Company (or Cenco International) for 44 years. The company builds testing equipment for jet engines.

When Alan’s wife, Linda, contacted MAF, wanting to donate Alan’s memorial funds to a special project, the PT6 Run-Up Stand immediately came to mind. This is a turbine engine attached to the bed of a truck, with an enclosed area for the pilots and mechanics. It’s used for turbine engine maintenance training. With Alan’s background in building testing equipment, it seemed to be the perfect fit.

Paul Doolittle had been acquainted with MAF from the earliest days of the ministry. In fact, Paul was a business partner with George Boggs, one of MAF’s early pilots. Paul was a faithful volunteer at MAF in Redlands, working in the hangar until his health prevented him from doing so. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 88.

Paul’s home church, San Jacinto Community Church (in California), contacted MAF because they wanted a way to honor Paul for the impact he had in the church through the years. Again, with Paul’s mechanical background, the PT6 seemed like a good fit.

With the engine and propeller donated by Dynamic Aviation, and with extensive help from former MAF pilot turned volunteer Gerald Defoe, MAF had all the pieces in place to complete the project.

In a special chapel service in October, MAF remembered the two men and the gift they made possible, even as they were in glory with our Lord and Savior.

We are grateful for everyone who helped with the project and for the long-standing support of men like Alan and Paul, along with their family and church members who desired to honor these two. They have blessed MAF greatly with a tool that will help train our pilots for years to come.

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Collisions between such opposites can be messy. But not always. Sometimes they produce better results.
For example, MAF aviation operations use literate-style procedures. The Cessna 206 engine-start checklist requires completing 10 steps in the right sequence–and that’s just one of 28 normal-operation checklists for that airplane containing a total of 223 steps. Regulations demand we read and comply with every step, in order, each and every time.

However, every flight also tells a story. A local pastor oversees flocks in several villages. On a flight to the first village, weather forces a diversion. At the second village, a man stumbles in from the trail just as the pastor arrives. Coincidence becomes serendipity as the wanderer finds new life.

Or consider the MAF Bible Storytelling & Discussion ministry. A village pastor, trained in traditional, literate-style Bible study, moves from book to book, pulling verses that speak of God’s love. He catalogs them by writer and date, then explores key word nuance in original languages. Finally he compiles his notes to form coherent doctrine.

But what if his village listeners only use oral-style? He can, instead, minister like Jesus who responded to a hostile crowd with the parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32) giving them familiar context and a chronology they could follow.

In fact, it turns out God’s ways often blend rather than smash polar opposites. He shows us a Servant who is King, and a Lion who is Lamb. Then, He sends us to confront our world with His kingdom. And that collision yields the best stories ever told.

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• MAF staff organized “JESUS” film showings in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mozambique. Hundreds of decisions were made for Christ.

• The newest Caravan to be added to our fleet—made possible thanks to our faithful supporters—made its way to the EDRC program and began serving the people of Congo this past spring.

• We launched a new video that captures the essence of MAF’s ministry to isolated people.

• A new digital library app—Estante—was released by MAF this year. The tool, which works on Android devices, does not require access to the internet. “Estante gives isolated pastors a simple way to carry the Bible and Bible study tools anywhere they go,” said Jay Clark of MAF-Learning Technologies.

• Generous donors encouraged us with their gifts towards two KODIAKs for Indonesia. One plane has been completely funded! It was used to test newly developed amphibious floats, which will be attached to the second KODIAK after it’s purchased.

• And to close out the year, MAF staff joined forces with New Tribes Mission in the Philippines to share their disaster response expertise and help with logistics to bring aid to those suffering from Typhoon Haiyan.

Reminder: There’s still time to give to MAF and have it count for a tax deduction in 2013. Just make an online donation before midnight on December 31^st. Happy New Year!

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Mission Aviation Fellowship frequently receives inquiries about our views and actions on various issues. Not just abortion, but also capital punishment, the nation of Israel, various political leaders, gun control, the “true” translation of the Bible, and many others.

I commend the callers for their desire to know what kind of organization they are supporting. It’s important to be diligent and informed.

While these issues are important, MAF does not have written policies on any of them, nor do we work in these arenas.

Why is that?

There are so many, many needs in this world and no ministry can effectively address all of them. Nor should we try. Scripture tells us that “Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Cor. 12:12)

MAF’s part in the body of Christ is expressed in our mission statement:

Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed

Using aviation and technology to share Jesus’ love with isolated people. That is MAF’s spiritual gift, the way we can make the most impact for the Kingdom.

Yes, there are so many other needs, other issues … and God has equipped other believers with the passion and gifts to work in those areas.

MAF must focus on the mission field to which God has called us. If we turn to the right or left, pursuing other paths, we will lose our effectiveness and impact.

Like a foot trying to do the job of a hand.

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As a single missionary one of the things I miss most in Lesotho are my single girlfriends and their fellowship. I believe every missionary needs a support team who promises to pray, encourage and hold them accountable; and I have a group that has done this for me, but they have done so much more!

Shortly after I left for the mission field in 2010, these friends took the photo from my prayer card, enlarged it so it was life-sized and had it mounted on cardboard christening it “Flat Kim.” They kept this a secret from me during my first term, which in this day and age of social media was no small feat!

When I returned to the States nearly two years later, I was presented with a photo book filled with pictures of the things I had been doing with them: dinners out, beach days, pedicures, movies, singles retreats, church events, even the birth of a friend’s granddaughter. (I was in the delivery room while she was in labor!) They took “Flat Kim” to all of the places I would have gone had I not been in Lesotho, and they captured the memory of my being there not only in spirit but in two-dimensional form. I was blown away! The amount of planning and intentionality it took for my friends to make this happen… I felt overwhelmed by their love and support. They made an inscription on the book that said, “…you were always close in our hearts, even when thousands of miles away.”

Their promise to keep me close wasn’t a one-term commitment though; now that I’m serving my second term, they continue to post pictures of the places I’m going with them. In fact, last weekend I was in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean on the same day—a double-beach day! My favorite place to be is at the ocean, so I was doubly blessed. I have felt so loved by this group of ordinary women who love me in extraordinary ways.

How have you kept a missionary close to your heart? Take time to tell them!

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