As Mission Aviation Fellowship celebrates its 75th anniversary in Papua New Guinea (PNG), long-serving missionaries Grant and Sharon Dixon are looking back on more than four decades of service – years they say they wouldn’t trade for anything.
“We wouldn’t have missed it,” said Grant. “There’s nothing else we would rather have done with our lives than what the Lord’s been doing over these 45 years.”
From engineering and quality assurance to recruitment and pastoral care, their journey has been a unique call to serve and equip others to do the same.
Originally from New Zealand, the couple spent their first 17 years with MAF in PNG. Grant maintained the aircraft that offered a lifeline to isolated communities, whilst Sharon supported fellow MAF families and used her nursing skills.
“We were continually amazed at what God was doing through all of us normal, ordinary people,” said Sharon.
One of Grant’s most meaningful experiences was training and mentoring the local engineering apprentices.
“To work with them, listen to their troubles and show them the love of Christ in a management - employee relationship was very rewarding,” he said.
“You’ve not only fed into their engineering experience but also their Christian values and the formation of their spirituality – it was just an absolute delight.”
When working together in recruitment and pastoral care, the couple often drew upon the lessons they’d learnt along the way to encourage other MAF families.
“When we were asked to take on this pastoral care role, it was just an absolute highlight,” said Grant. “We’ve been blessed through our involvement with families, sharing experiences which encourage and strengthen in the journey.”
Grant and Sharon have now relocated from the Australian city of Cairns to Ballarat to be close to their son and his family. Reflecting on his time at the Mareeba hangar,
Grant mentioned he felt honoured to conclude his service with MAF with this team.
“We just thank God for all that we've learned and experienced over these years,” said Grant. “And we’re very grateful to have been part of a faith-based organisation.”
This special year for MAF in PNG has also been a special one for Grant and Sharon as they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Looking ahead Grant and Sharon hold onto the lessons they have learned, and some words from Christian author Andrew Murray:
“I am here: by God’s appointment, in His keeping, under His training, for His time.”
STORY / KATHY BURROWS PHOTOS SUPPLIED