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Arnhem Land Kids Love Sports

If it’s not AFL (Australian Football), it’s basketball, if it’s not basketball it’s volleyball, if it’s not volleyball it’s running. Aboriginal Kids love sports!  Any opportunity indigenous kids are given to kick or run with a ball, they respond to it, often with beaming smiles. The love of sports has lead many young Aboriginal people into various AFL and other sport programs that run throughout the country. The schools in East Arnhem Land especially recognise the potential that...

An Interview With Glenys Watson

Recently the NZ Herald did an interview with Glenys Watson, who is heading to PNG as a pilot. They also produced a short video of Glenys sharing her story and talking about what she will be doing in PNG. Below is the story as it appeared in the Herald. Here is a link to the article and a video. It took the death of Glenys Watson's father to remind her just how short life was and prompted her and her husband to do something extreme to help Five years on, the Hamilton mother-of-four is moving her ...

Changing The Odds

After years of civil war and Ebola that decimated the health care system in Liberia, Partners In Health is committed to changing the odds for the Liberian people....

Inspiring Young Hearts

MAF occasionally are able to participate in inspiring young hearts by opening their doors wide to kids that wouldn’t normally be able to experience the world of aviation. We received a letter from 3 students who came to do work experience at the hangar from the Rainbow International School (see below).  They ended by saying, “These have been some of the best 2 weeks we have experienced all year”. A few months back, a friend of ours came to visit Uganda short term and organised a visit...

Selling The Sofa

Rune and Maria Karlsson were called to the mission field with a loud, crystal-clear shout from God that could not be ignored. It wasn’t a call to just any mission doing any work. God said to go with Mission Aviation Fellowship. It was hard to say no. The Swedish couple married at age 18. Rune started a sawmill business; they purchased a house and renovated it; and they bought a sofa—an expensive, leather Chesterfield sofa from England that they loved. One evening, Rune was at a campgroun...

East Timor Hearts Fund

Fainting, dizziness, shortness of breath and chest pains may all be indicators of a serious heart condition—but what do people do if they live in a place where the specialist heart doctors they need are simply not there? What if it was impossible to get treatment for your medical condition within your home country? What if your only hope of health, wellness and a fully active life is a trip overseas to another country where they have the technology and training to fix your broken heart&mda...

Empreza Di'ak - Good Business

Pilot Jason Job put on his life jacket for the short fifteen minute flight from Dili to nearby Atauro Island in the GA8 aircraft, MQO. He was about to fly staff from one of MAF Timor-Leste’s frequent fliers, an organisation called Empreza Di’ak. Empreza Di’ak means “Good Business” in the local language of Tetun, and has a vision to see people of Timor-Leste build a better life, through the combination of their own efforts and the power of business. The story behind Empreza Di’ak begi...

Looking After Airstrips

Well-maintained airstrips are essential for MAF operations into remote communities. MAF flights are often the only way in and out of basic services, especially in the case of a medical emergency. In PNG the Rural Airstrip Agency (RAA) and MAF partner together to support villages in keeping their lifeline safe and accessible for our aircraft. However, it is the community itself who is responsible for looking after their airstrip. “I’ve been to five airstrips in Enga yesterday, and now I am go...

Thank You MAF

The following report was sent to MAF following an emergency medevac in Madagascar. Thank you so much to MAF and the part they played in the following events. On 13 March three missionaries from Scripture Union and Haggai, along with their driver, were on their way to the region of Ihorombe in the District of Ihosy. At around 6pm they were involved in a car accident while still 20km from the city of Ihosy. A taxibus drove on the wrong side of the road uphill on a curve on its way to Fianarantsoa....

DO WHOLE FAMILIES GO OVERSEAS TO WORK WITH MAF?

It is not uncommon for MAF personnel to be accompanied by spouses and children, and it is important that all members of a family are included in the decision-making process. Families may be required to live in remote locations, even those with young children....

Empowering Lives

Pilot Jason Job put on his life jacket for the short fifteen minute flight from Dili to nearby Atauro Island in the GA8 aircraft, MQO. He was about to fly staff from one of MAF Timor-Leste’s frequent fliers, an organisation called Empreza Di’ak. Empreza Di’ak means “Good Business” in the local language of Tetun, and has a vision to see people of Timor-Leste build a better life, through the combination of their own efforts and the power of business. The story behind Empreza Di’ak begi...

Powered By The Sun

Three MAF families in Rumginae, Papua New Guinea (PNG) are probably reading psalm 113:3 (From the rising of the sun to it’s setting, let the name of the Lord be praised) with more gratitude than ever before. Sunshine is not only providing them with warmth, light and Vitamin D—since December 2015 the sun is also providing them with energy! Power has always been sparse and unreliable at Rumginae. It is a remote, hot, humid, and tropical area which needs a constant supply of electricity. Be...

Renewable Energy

Dennis Keya, Country Manager of DREAM Kenya, was a passenger on MAF aircraft 5Y-EST in April when he and his colleague travelled from Marsabit to Nairobi. DREAM, (Developing Renewable Energy in Africa and Middle East) is an initiative started in 2014 by EP Global Energy (EPGE) with projects in Jordan, Zambia, South Sudan and Tanzania as well as Kenya. Founded in 2006, EPGE is an organisation committed to the sustainable development of renewable energy, particularly focussing on wind and solar po...

WHERE DO MOST OF YOUR STAFF WORK?

The majority of NZ staff who are currently working overseas are located in either Australia (Arnhem Land, Mareeba or Cairns) or Papua New Guinea. Others serve MAF Africa (Kenya, Uganda and Sudan).CHECK OUT MAFS GLOBAL LOCATIONS...

I'VE COMPLETED TRAINING WITH ANOTHER MISSION.

Often it will be. For example, a mission that offers a 3-month programme, along with a 3-month practical outreach is usually very good preparation and exposure to missions. The requirement is at least one semester (four papers in total) or equivalent, so other training is often acceptable....

IS THE WORK PAID OR VOLUNTARY?

International staff (those serving overseas with MAF) receive a living allowance with housing and a number of other benefits. (Please contact our Recruitment Team for further information)....

DO I NEED TO STUDY AT BIBLE COLLEGE?

Time at a suitable Bible College is important in helping potential staff prepare to communicate the Bible to others with a very different world-view. Most people really appreciate their time at Bible College and the lessons they learn there. There are a number of options available to achieve this. We require equivalent to 6 months (i.e. four papers) as a minimum. Most important for MAF is that all potential staff demonstrate an appropriate level of spiritual maturity and a clear sense of God's l...

HOW LONG DO MOST PEOPLE WORK FOR MAF?

All MAF international staff are asked to commit to a minimum four-year term of service. The recruitment process can be long (often 1-2 years) and comes at a significant cost to both the applicant and MAF, so we need to ensure that applicants are committed for at least four years. The exception to this is the occasional short term contract for specific projects, or to fill a gap for a staff member on leave....

WHAT IS THE PROCESS?

Handled through the MAF NZ office to gather further information and to explore opportunities and potential fit to a role....

WHAT OTHER POSITIONS DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR ORGANISATION?

The work of MAF is ongoing. We’re always on the lookout for pilots and engineers—but just as important is the whole team of support staff needed to keep the planes flying. We welcome applications from avionics technicians, IT professionals, financial managers, programme directors as well as staff trained in administration, accounting and project management. Go to our current Vacancies page for the latest updates.CURRENT VACANCIES...

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET OUT THERE?

Applying for and working in a MAF programme requires commitment and endurance. The application process can take up to 1½ years before beginning a four year contract. (The only exception to this is for staff going to fill a critical role, in which case MAF will expedite an application)....

PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES

MAF staff must have strong relational skills, an ability to work in cross-cultural contexts and to resolve conflict and build healthy relationships. MAF is also looking for people who are flexible enough to adapt, while still able to work to the highest technical standards. It is important that applicants have a heart and passion to serve others by using their skills, training and experience in a cross-cultural context. The work of MAF is carried out by people committed to serve God and those in...

WHAT PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED TO WORK FOR MAF?

For a pilot you'll need a CPL with an IFR rating prefered, ATPL subjects required for some countries, min hours required for Africa 500, PNG 1000. MAF are now able to process applications from those with just a PPL but who are a path towards obtaining qualifications as a Commercial pilot. In this situation applicants would be fully accepted as MAF Candidates in training subject to the successful conclusion and testing following the normal prerequisites of CPL and SEIR at a later stage. We encour...

PERSONAL FUNDRAISING

It is important to note that every staff member is required to raise personal funds before leaving for the field. This usually involves a process of presenting your plans and vision to work with MAF in churches, home groups, among friends and businesses with the goal of raising a set amount of sponsorship. We realise that for some the prospect of personal fundraising can be daunting, however, we provide the training, guidance, resources and tools needed to succeed....

WHAT ARE THE FIRST STEPS?

Applying for and working in a MAF programme requires a lot of commitment and endurance. Sometimes people inquire and think they could be overseas in a few months, but the reality is at least 1 and ½ years of application/preparation before beginning a four year contract. (Only exception to this is, if you are going to fill a critical role, MAF will push your application through). Talk to others, talk to your church, explore the idea fully, explore our website, read MAF stories, attend a MAF Recr...