Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) provides vital aviation and communications services to national churches, Christian missions, and non-government organizations (NGOs) ministering in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
THE NEED
Today, out of a Congolese population of 62.7 million, 90 percent profess Christianity. However, large numbers have no clear grasp of repentance and faith in Christ or of salvation by grace and not works. As a result, animistic thought patterns, fear of witchcraft, and the blending of Christianity with tribal religions are major problems.
Formidable barriers stand in the way of evangelism and the provision of critical resources to nurture struggling indigenous churches. Some of the ministry challenges include continuing unrest and danger due to intermittent outbreaks of violence; • witchcraft; • tribalism; • inter-ethnic hostility; • widespread corruption; • collapsed infrastructure including education, transportation, health, communications, and financial systems; • and exploitation by political leaders.
In September 2002, the MAF base in Nyankunde was the site of heavy fighting between two tribal factions. In all, an estimated 1,200 people died in the ethnic massacre, a number of which were killed on the mission station. As a result, the mission hospital was shut down and all other mission work in the area came to a sudden stop. The MAF base was destroyed, the equipment looted, and personal effects pillaged. Yet in the midst of the conflict, MAF conducted evacuation flights.
“The 2006 democratic election in the DRC, the first in more than 40
years, marked the country’s transition to democracy and development
after years of civil war, which officially ended in 2003 but the east
has remained volatile due to militia activity.The country is likely to
face post-electoral challenges such as an opposition weakened by a
pro-government judicial and legislative system and corrupt
institutions, as well as the security risk of a nill-disciplined
national army and active militias in the eastern and northeastern parts
of the country, the ICG said.”—Reuters, 10 Jan. ’07
Today, more than 10,000 people have returned to Nyankunde, and that number is
growing each month. Yet, with underlying tribal and political tensions still present throughout the northeast, the peace is fragile. A substantial number of Congolese Christians continue to be displaced, and thousands still live in refugee camps in DRC and Uganda. As security improves, many are beginning to return to their home areas.
THE SOLUTION
MAF fills a strategic role in touching countless lives for Jesus Christ by standing with, and supporting, Congolese churches, missionaries, and an increasing number of short-term mission teams. Six MAF missionary families and 16 national staff members with two aircraft serve an area the size of the U.S. east of the Mississippi River. MAF is committed to supporting the emerging interdenominational and intertribal Christian movement that is facilitating ministries of healing, reconciliation and Biblical community development. Other mission groups and humanitarian agencies utilize MAF services to help with rebuilding efforts and alleviate the suffering of those displaced or affected by a destabilized eastern DRC.
Some of the organizations that depend on MAF services to carry out their ministry efforts include Africa Inland Mission (AIM), Congo Church, SIL International, Doctors Without Borders-Switzerland (MSF), Medair (a Christian relief group), Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Centre Medical Evangelique (CME), International Cooperation (COOPI, an Italian organization addressing malnutrition in children), ISTB (Bunia Graduate School of Theology), WEC International (Worldwide Evangelization for Christ), and YWAM International (Youth With a Mission).
In February 2004, the first on-site visit was made to the MAF base in Nyankunde since the 2002 evacuation. The destruction was massive. The infrastructure of the base was badly damaged; all contents were looted. Roofs on all 11 MAF houses and school buildings were destroyed, and all equipment was stolen from the hangars and office buildings. The entire community was devastated.
Military groups have occupied the facilities intermittently, making it difficult for MAF to rebuild. Since the 2002 evacuation, MAF has been providing services as effectively as possible from a base in Kampala, Uganda. In 2005, five Congolese MAF staff and their families returned to Nyankunde and began the challenging task of clearing the airstrip and MAF grounds of more than two years of debris and tropical growth. In 2006, MAF completed the installation of new roofs on missionary houses, and in December the military finally vacated the MAF Nyankunde compound.
The 2006 presidential elections still bring hope of increased stability in the Ituri region as well as progress in the disarmament of militias. MAF has established an interim base in Bunia—45 kilometers from Nyankunde—staffed by two families and a Cessna 206. This facilitates rebuilding efforts in Nyankunde while providing air service for church and humanitarian workers. MAF hopes to return full operations and aviation services to Nyankunde in 2009, as soon as security is stabilized.
IMPACT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
In the past 12 months, the MAF program in Eastern DRC:
- Saved Christian and humanitarian workers 5,444 days of travel time—or 22.5 work years redeemed for productive Kingdom work!
- Executed 2,818 flight hours, transported 11,122 passengers, and delivered 1.3 million pounds of cargo in order to provide access to the Gospel and to basic services such as health clinics, medical emergency evacuations, and education—services otherwise unavailable in jungle locations.
- Provided intensive flight support for MSF as the organization responded to medical emergencies throughout eastern DRC. This included efforts to counter a bubonic/pneumonic plague outbreak in the Uele region as well as supply water, food and healthcare to an internally displaced persons camp in Gety, provide vaccines to fight a meningitis epidemic in Adi, continue efforts to treat and lower the prevalence of sleeping sickness in Duruma, and provide ongoing health care in that area.
- Continued essential transportation services for SIL International, supporting 11 Bible translation and literacy projects in remote areas of eastern DRC. MAF provides flights at least monthly, supporting ongoing endeavors including Scripture usage workshops. With MAF assistance, three new translations of the Gospel of Luke were published in the past 12 months.
- Transported Campus Crusade for Christ International teams to Isiro, Auzi and Bunia to dub the Jesus film into nine new languages.
- Provided flights to support major evangelistic outreaches and crusades by the Assemblies of God church in Kisangani.
- Partnered with Bunia area churches in an evangelistic outreach. Showed the Jesus
film six nights during Christmas week, in a different neighborhood each evening.
KEY GOALS 2008
- Continue nurturing a strategic ministry partnership with the Congolese Church, supporting those involved in crucial reconciliation ministry, Bible translation, medical care, crisis aid, and rebuilding.
- As stability returns to the region, move forward with the restaffing of the MAF base at Nyankunde.
- Phase 1 (ongoing): Protect and secure the MAF base in Nyankunde.
- Phase 2 (ongoing): Conduct day visits each month to Nyankunde to assess the local situation, encourage national MAF staff, strengthen community relationships, supervise reconstruction efforts, and facilitate the decision-making process for reopening the base and establishing missionary families in Nyankunde.
- Phase 3 (2007-2009): Continue operating Bunia as a transitional base with a Cessna 206 and two MAF pilot/mechanic families. Continue the Caravan flight and maintenance operations in Uganda as well as major C206 maintenance.
- Phase 4 (late 2009): Move full aviation services and operations to Nyankunde
- Expand use of the JESUS film as a tool for sharing the Gospel message in new regions of eastern DRC. Partner with pastors, churches, and restoration ministries in Bunia as well as at all airstrips, with the goal of bimonthly showings.
- Continue flight services for SIL International to support 11 Bible translation and literacy projects.
- Assess the need for MAF-Learning Technologies (MAF-LT) distance education services in eastern DRC.
- Expand ministry to the North Kivu, South Kivu, and Maniema regions by obtaining a second Cessna Caravan or other aircraft that does not require avgas. Recruit staff to operate and maintain this additional plane.
- Facilitate the opening of a new airstrip for MSF in Bokoyo.
- Coordinate a cooperative flight following program with the MAF program in Uganda.
- Develop a field orientation program for new MAF missionaries, including a field orientation checklist, opportunities for French and Swahili language study, and “Congo Culture” learning sessions with Congolese teachers.
- Explore communications and information technology needs in Bunia and Nyankunde, including the need for VSAT systems.
- Discuss a youth outreach partnership with the Nyankunde community, local churches, and CME, including assistance in recruiting and supporting a youth pastor.
- Continue providing logistical services for missionaries, churches, students and others serving in eastern DRC, including mail forwarding, money forwarding, channeling funds for students, and supporting special projects.
MAF STAFF SERVING IN EAST DRC
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