I thought I’d share it with those of you aren’t on Facebook the (very strange) photo from last week.

So… what do you think should be the caption of this photo?

Article source: http://www.maf.org.au/news/n/a-bit-of-fun-for-your-thursday-120509

Katie Waddell is a professional photographer. She’s also the sister of Matt, a MAF engineer stationed in PNG.

Katie recently made the trip out to PNG to visit her brother and witnessed first hand the work he was involved in. She’s written a very interesting article for Paper Runway Magazine about her experience. You can read the article (which is on Matt’s blog) by clicking here.

Despite all the hardships and suffering she saw during the visit, she paints a beautiful picture (both in photography and in words) of the scenery in PNG:

“…it was dream-like. From the air I saw massive mountains and waterfalls, and on our approach to landing in Mt Hagen I saw countless shades of greens in all of the patches of little gardens and farms. In many ways it is paradise but unfortunately that is not always the case.”

Do yourself a favour and take a look at the full article and Katie’s stunning photos.

Photo courtesy of Katie Waddell

Article source: http://www.maf.org.au/news/n/from-the-sister-of-a-maf-engineer-120507

This week I thought I’d share it with those of you who check our website and not our Facebook.

So… what do you think should be the caption of this photo?

Article source: http://www.maf.org.au/news/n/a-bit-of-fun-for-your-wednesday-120502

Can you believe it’s already here?!

MAF Australia’s biggest event of the year is THIS Saturday (the 5th of May).

If you live in NSW do all that you can to head over to Camden Airport Aerodrome this Saturday. We’re expecting a massive turnout to what will be the biggest and best Discovery Day yet.

For all the details head on over to our events page.

Article source: http://www.maf.org.au/news/n/discovery-day-is-this-saturday-120502

Sam (Mandaka) is a mature evangelist, married to Rosemary (Dhalulu) who has a pastoral gifting. By the time an Aboriginal evangelical group ‘Morgan Ministries’ visited from Darwin, Sam and Rosemary were married with their first child. The group brought the gospel message to Yirrkala. Through hearing God’s Word spoken, both Sam and Rosemary came to the Lord. Sam’s father had already accepted the Lord, and was a deacon in the Uniting Church.

From the early days in 1984, Sam has stood against syncretism, which at times has resulted in conflict. His heart remains strong and committed to see Arnhem Land reached for Jesus. Sam and Rosemary pray and hope to see people of all ages coming to the Lord, especially those who are outside of the church.

In 2008 Neville and Christine met with Sam and immediately recognised him as a ‘man of peace’. Sam and Rosemary, being filled with the Holy Spirit arranged frequent meetings. During these events many miracles were occurring and the power of the Lord was present. Four years later Sam has continued to be the ‘man of peace’, standing as a leader in his clan against violence, inter-clan rivalry and curses. He sees himself as a man who can stand in the gap for the Lord even at personal risk.

For Sam and Rosemary one of the hardest things in ministry is standing against the beliefs of their own people and speaking about things that cannot and should not be taught about in the Aboriginal culture. However the word of God can speak into these areas and so the truth must be spoken.

Sam and Rosemary believe that they are both called to an evangelical ministry of preaching with healing, deliverance and signs and wonders. Recently they planted a ‘Yolngu First Wesleyan Church of Australia’ in Yirrkala.

Sam is especially grateful for the Lord putting MAF people (Neville and Christine) in his life at the right time to help and disciple him and his family. It is important that people stand in prayer with Sam and Rosemary. They need encouragement so that they can remain strong and bold in their witness. They both desire to hear God’s voice and they need His strength for the work. Sam would also appreciate prayer for his mind that he would be able to stand strong against the attacks of the enemy.

Examples like this show clearly that MAF staff can be salt and light to the Aboriginal people. They can share the journey by walking alongside, encouraging and praying with them. As Sam says, “it is important for people to come and sit with the Aboriginal people, to talk, listen, pray and share. In the end it is God’s love that binds everyone together.”

A satellite shot of PNG showing the 7 hour walk. Click on it to enlarge.

Nami is a small and extremely isolate village in Papua New Guinea. Being 7 hours hike from the nearest airstrip (Edwaki), a medical emergency is a frightening prospect.

A few weeks ago a woman gave birth in this village and the feared became a reality. Her placenta retained and consequently she began bleeding heavily. For two days her and her husband waited in hope that the body would naturally expel the placenta, but it did not and the bleeding continued.

Realising that she would soon die without professional medical assistance, four men from the village carried her the seven hours to Edwaki in the hope of calling MAF. Fortunately MAF pilot Martin was operating in the area delivering loads of roofing iron to Bulowo for a school building.

Receiving the medevac call he immediately flew to Edwaki where he picked up the lady, her husband and a local nurse and flew them to a Catholic hospital in Aitape (on the North coast).

We are so pleased to report that the lady survived and is already back in her home village happily enjoying her new little baby.

Article source: http://www.maf.org.au/news/n/two-little-miracles-120422

JEM was set up in Melbourne by John and Jane Houston, approximately ten years ago through a
need to support young people and their families.

Over the years JEM has provided crisis care and helped countless young people struggling with life-
controlling issues, pregnancies at young age and accommodation problems. It has also become a
safe haven for youth who are often on the very fringe of society.

On the 13th of February JEM set out with a group of nine volunteers on a two-week mission trip to
Arnhem Land. MAF provided two planes for JEM to travel the two hours from Darwin to Elcho
Island. The flights allowed departure times that suited the needs of the team and provided a unique
opportunity to fly and see the highlights of Arnhem Land from the air.

During the trip the team was able to experience a new culture and to serve the community by
preparing gardens and assisting youth services. The team also had an opportunity to learn about
traditional Aboriginal arts, weave baskets, make damper and paint paintings.

A very memorable occasion for the team was the adoption into Aboriginal families. They were all
given names and each acquired a family in Arnhem Land that they can have ongoing connections
with. Throughout the trip there were a lot of challenges and eye opening situations, which were
overcome with a spirit of teamwork and service. By the end of the trip there was a great bond of
friendship within the team and memories that will never be forgotten.

JEM chose MAF to help make this trip more valuable because they have had an ongoing relationship
with MAF over the last three years. MAF has been able to assist with the transportation of 35
participants over a total of three trips. The discount MAF has given to JEM for the flights has made
the trips possible as the organisation relies financially on raising money and receiving donations.

MAF has also been able to partner with JEM in bringing the band Sons of Korah to Arnhem Land to
provide Psalms in music to the Aboriginal people.

This trip is over but the partnership will continue as MAF represents reliability and flexibility for JEM.
The team has been pleased with MAF pilots’ friendly approach when interacting with the
passengers. They also appreciate the pilots’ ability to alleviate the fears of flying in a small plane
with their gentle words. It is clear that through MAF’s practical ministry both Aboriginal people and
those who come to serve them are blessed.