A new generation of Plane
MAF are starting to introduce a new generation of plane that opperated on a much cheaper Jetfuel- and there was an opportunity for the supporters of MAF to get to see one of these planes before it entered service at Lydd Airport, KENT. Here are some of the pictures of the day event and the MAF “flyer” for the new planes…. enjoy….
Clickable thumbnail pictures or click here for slide show
Make a difference with your summer break
Make a difference with your summer break
Serve for three weeks with MAF in
Tanzania
Mission Aviation Fellowship
23 July – 14 August 2009
If you are interested in this practical, hands-on ministry
opportunity, please email andy.martin@maf-uk.org for
more information and an application pack!
Minimum age 18 years. Closing date for applications: 30 January 2009
Mission Aviation Fellowship
Castle Hill Avenue, Folkestone CT20 2TN Telephone: 0845 850 9505
Challenge House, 29 Canal Street, Glasgow G4 0AD Telephone: 0845 850 9505
Email: andy.martin@maf-uk.org Website: www.maf-uk.org
Registered in England and Wales (1064598) and in Scotland (SC039107)
Monday 11th August
I had a call from Nicky today, to say that she is now at the Mikumi National Park, sitting at a restaurant overlooking the water hole. They are now in safari country, and will spend tomorrow looking at the animals, although they have already seen lions, zebra, elephants, giraffe, hippos, impala and warthogs.
One piece of interesting news – Nicky and the other group members spent several nights at the MAF guest house in Dodoma. Also there was another couple who looked vaguely familiar to Nicky; and she eventually realised who they were. Malcolm and Irene Crawford came to live in Clacton some ten years or so ago, and worshipped with us at Pier Avenue Baptist Church for a while. They came to dinner with us, and we got to know them quite well, before they eventually settled in another Church. We have not seen them for many years – but now they are staying in the same house as Nicky in Dodoma! What a small world!
Anyway, Nicky sends her love to everyone, and will begin her homeward journey on Thursday. No doubt when she gets back she will have lots of photos to share, and lots of stories to tell. I have asked her to talk to us about her trip on Sunday 31st August, at the morning service. Stephen.
Friday, 8th August
Hazel
Mrs Hazel L Bell
Administrator
MAF Glasgow Office
e: hazel.bell@maf-uk.org
This may well be the last email sent by the team as it is a busy weekend and then we start travelling on Monday morning.
Points for prayer & praise:
Give thanks that Derek’s neck problem has gone. He is like a spring lamb with his new found agility!
The runway at Kilimitinde, although not completed by any manner of means, was used for the first time for a medical evacuation which gave the team a huge lift as their efforts were able to help someone receive the medical attention they needed.
Praise God that the rest of the team, who were based in Dodoma this week, were able to lead the hangar praise night. This was attended not only by MAF staff but by several folk from other mission agencies based in Dodoma .
They were also blessed by helping out at a local Tanzanian nursery school leading the classes and singing Christian songs. This was hugely appreciated by the teachers in the school.
Nick & John helped in the hangar on Wednesday preparing a fuselage for respray which was done on Thursday. On Thursday both Nick & John were able to fly on the southern shuttle before stopping at Dar es Salaam to pick up Steven Paxton who will be married on Sunday in Dodoma . Steven was a former MAF overseas team member and also an area rep in Glasgow . Please pray that the team have a good time at the wedding.
This weekend the team will lead an outreach to local Tanzanian kids aged 12 – 18 approx. Pray that what we have to say will make a difference in their young lives.
On Monday we leave Dodoma by land rover travelling to Morogorro and then on to Mikumi to visit a game reserve. Please pray for safety for the team and for wisdom for Annie Lawson who will accompany us (Annie is a former MAF aircraft engineer).
We will arrive in Dar es Salaam on Wednesday evening before flying to the UK on Thursday afternoon via Dubai . We should arrive (God willing) in Glasgow at 12.30pm on Friday.
One further point for prayer; please pray for the MAF team in Tanzania thanking God for their input and patience and for all they have done for the team over the last few weeks. Pray also for the ongoing work of MAF in Tanzania and around the world.
If you would like a member of the team to visit your church to tell you about their experience and about the work of MAF please respond to this e mail.
Thank you all for your prayer and ongoing support.
May the Lord bless and keep you safe,
Andy Martin .
Wednesday, 6th August
I just spoke to Nicky (9.30am), and she is sitting under a prickly pear tree, having a drink, after a couple of hours of clearing bushes and shrubs. They are currently clearing a landing strip at Kilimatinde, where there is a hospital with 80 beds. The landing strip has not been used for some time, but now it is needed so that very ill patients can be flown in and out quickly. Kilimatinde is on the edge of the great Rift Valley – a vast plain with stunning views in central Tanzania. Last night, Nicky told me, they sat out under the stars watching films of Bible stories – shown for the local villagers. Her favourite actor is Sean Bean, and he happened to star as Aaron in a film about Moses – so she was very happy, as she sat on a granite outcrop, sipping cold water. It is very hot there, but everyone is fine, and they are having a good time. The diet seems to be chicken and rice every day – nourishing, but not very varied. She sends her love to everyone. Stephen.
Monday 4th August
Good morning!
I have just received a further email from Andy Martin . Sounds as if everyone is having fun as well as doing the serious stuff!
Hazel
Mrs Hazel L Bell
Administrator
MAF Glasgow Office
e: hazel.bell@maf-uk.org
Over the weekend the whole team were able to enjoy some shopping at the hangar where locals who knew about our arrival brought their wares for the team to buy. We also visited the local market where most people were able to buy gifts and keepsakes of their trip to Tanzania .
On Saturday night the team along with Annie Lawson, an ex MAF aircraft engineer, went to the Dodoma Hotel for dinner, This is the old railway hotel in which Michael Palin stayed whilst filming Around the World in 80 Days. It has to be said that it has improved vastly since his visit!
On Sunday we all went to the Kanisa La Mungu Church to worship. Andy preached again and the team, accompanied on the guitar by Nick Durston, sang several worship songs. After the service we were able to spend time with locals sharing something of our home lives with them. It was a truly uplifting time and we all enjoyed being part of a typical African church service.
Sunday afternoon was spent preparing a programme for the Tanzanian outreach work that we will be doing next weekend. Please pray that all goes well and that many receive Christ as their Saviour.
Today (Monday) Derek, Peter, Chris, Kirsty and Nicky Biddall are heading out to continue with work on the runway at Kilimitinde. Please pray for safe travels, good health and that the work will be completed before Friday. The rest of the team are flitting mesh to the workshop roof to keep birds out of the building, a big problem when vehicles are resprayed only to be spoiled by bird droppings.
On Tuesday they will be working at a local orphanage where they will speak with the children about Jesus and again we would value your prayers that God would be glorified and that kids would accept Jesus personally.
On Tuesday night we will take the monthly hangar praise meeting where all the MAF team worship and pray together. The team will host this and will perform a couple of dramas, lead worship and hold communion with the staff. Please pray that this is a time of fellowship and that again we will all feel blessed in God’s presence.
Items for Praise
- Derek’s neck is a lot better
- Some of the team were suffering from African stomach – thankfully this has now passed
- Praise for the runway work last week.
- Thanks for good relations with the MAF staff and locals
Thank you all for all your support and prayers, we really appreciate it.
May the Lord bless and keep you safe
Andy Martin
Friday 1st August
Our first full wek is coming to an end and we all want to praise and thank God for His grace and blessings towards us all.
The first half of the team (Derek, John, Nick & Peter) have had a fruitful time in the bush at Kilimitindie on runway development. During this time they have had to contend with helping to put out a bush fire which was to say the least exciting. Along with the back breaking and vitally important runway work, at night they have been showing Christian films to hundreds of people which they thank the Lord for. Derek has been suffering for the last few days with a crick in his neck which has caused a lot of pain, please pray for a speedy recovery for him.
Back in Dodoma the other half of the team (Nicky, May, Kirsty & Chris) completed a very successful children’s club for the kids of ex-pat staff. This has been a real blessing to all. With in excess of 45 kids each day we thank God that we have been able to make a tremendous impact in the lives of the children and also giving the parents a well earned break. In the afternoons we have been working in the vehicle workshop, painting the office and workshop - making it more in line with what is the norm in the UK . Andy has been heading up this work making sure that materials are available.
We have all been humbled by the way staff here continually thank us for encouraging and supporting them in their work. To be honest we are the ones who feel encouraged and blessed. Isn’t it amazing how the Lord does this? Praise be to Him.
On Tuesday night the team led the weekly prayer meeting. What a tremendous encouragement as we all squeezed into Glen & Julie Ann Cousley’s home. It was so packed that people were sitting on the floor and in doorways just to be able to take part in the time of praise and worship. Glen has been struggling with a badly swollen knee and it would be great if you were able to uphold him in your prayers. Glen is the vehicle maintainace manager here.
Each day begins with hangar devotions and like MAF supporters in the UK we use the same prayer diary. Devotions are in two languages, English and Kiswahili.
Please give thanks to the Lord for the opportunity that He has given us to encourage, witness and support many people who have been called according to His purpose.
Next week willbe a busy week again. Please pray for continued strength and safety for all the team and those we are working with. Also that we will be a good witness.
May the Lord bless and keep you safe,
Andy Martin .
Monday 28th July
Hazel
Mrs Hazel L Bell
Administrator
MAF Glasgow Office
Team News
The team arrived in Dodoma at 7.00pm local time on Saturday (26 July) after a very long and tiring journey. Having left Glasgow on Thursday we had an overnight in Dubai before heading to Dar es Salaam for a further overnight before heading to Dodoma by bus on Saturday. Although the team were tired spirits were high and there was an air of anticipation as to what lay ahead for them.
Sunday morning the team went to two different churches.
Team 1 - Derek McQuaker, Nicky Biddall, Peter Robinson all went to the Tanzanian Assemblies of God
Team 2 - Andy Martin , May Barr, Kirsty Holt, John Torrens, Chris Rossi & Nick Durston all went to the Kanisa La Mungu ( Church of God ) where Andy preached.
In the afternoon there was a welcome tea with all the staff coming to the MAF guest house to meet with the team. This was fun and it was good to be able to put faces to names that often appear in MAF News & MAF prayer diary.
Monday morning began early with breakfast at 7am before devotions in the hangar with the MAF staff. After this team 1 who are doing the kids club (May Barr, Nicky Biddall, Kirsty Holy & Chris Rossi) headed off to begin the work. The second team (Derek, Nick, Peter & John) loaded up the vehicles as they prepared to head up country into the bush at Kilimitinde to undertake runway development.
Please pray that all continues to go well giving thanks for the safe arrival of the team and their luggage, this was a real answer to prayer.
Give thanks that we are able to be and will continue to be a blessing and encouragement to the MAF staff both national and ex pat here in Dodoma . May all that we do bring glory to God and may many through our witness come to know the Lord for themselves.
Sunday 27th July
Nicky called this morning to say that she has arrived safely in Dodoma. She has been to Church (at 7.30am this morning), and is now waiting to met the rest of the team they will be working with next week. Tomorrow her half of the UK team will begin running a Holday Club for MAF children – there are various nationalities involved, including Swedish, Swiss and Dutch. It is warm in Dodoma, but not unbearably hot, as it is on a high plateau (it may even be hotter here at present!) She is working on her Swaheli! Stephen.
Latest Information
Friday 25th July
Nicky is now in Dar-es-Salaam, having flown in from Dubai today. The group will be going on to Dodoma tomorrow by bus. Nicky sent me a text from Dubai airport saying that it was 36 degrees. I will publish more up-to-date information here about the trip, as I receive it. Stephen.
