Mission Aviation Fellowship provides vital aviation and radio communications
services to national churches, Christian missions, and non-government
organizations (NGOs) ministering in western Democratic Republic of
Congo (DRC).
THE NEED
An estimated four million people—most of them women, children, and the elderly—have died as a result of civil war and tribal unrest in DRC. Thousands lost their lives in a human catastrophe caused by the war’s disruption of food production and trade. Without access to shelter and medical care, many became victims of disease and malnutrition brought about by displacement, or died at the hands of foreign forces or Congolese armed groups. Entire communities suffered severe food shortages and starvation and continue to remain beyond the assistance of international humanitarian organizations.
Though stability is returning to the region following the 2006 presidential elections, formidable barriers hinder the provision of even basic services to millions of survivors living in desperate conditions. These barriers also prevent evangelism and the provision of critical resources to nurture the struggling indigenous churches of western DRC.
Ground travel is difficult, dangerous, and slow due to the poor state of roads and the lack of security. Local air services can be expensive and do not meet acceptable safety standards. Communications systems are unreliable and costly with no communications infrastructure available in the bush.
Some of the ministry challenges include civil unrest and continued • instability; • thousands of refugees flowing in from neighboring countries; • witchcraft; • tribalism; • interethnic hostility; • widespread corruption; • collapsed infrastructure in education, transportation, health, and financial systems; • and exploitation by political leaders.
THE SOLUTION
In western DRC, MAF light aircraft and communications networks offer a valued solution to barriers created by vast distances, jungles, and ever-changing rivers.
Ten MAF missionary families and 33 national staff members operate and maintain four aircraft from bases in Vanga and Kinshasa. MAF sustains and multiplies the ministry efforts of expatriate missionaries, national Christian workers, social workers, and a 350-bed hospital in Vanga. MAF pilots and planes conduct emergency medical evacuations, transport medicines from the hospital to outlying areas, deliver evangelistic materials, as well as enable training events, learning institutions, social action projects, and crisis relief. MAF communications services facilitate short-term projects and events, and link church leaders, remote centers, and outposts.
Though the 2006 elections brought hope for democracy and development, the threat of violence continues. In March 2007, the MAF offices, hangars, and aircraft in Kinshasa were damaged during an outburst of violence. On two different occasions MAF airplanes and vehicles were seized by government officials in pursuit of illicit financial gain. By God’s grace those situations were favorably resolved, though two planes were grounded for more than a month.
In the midst of these threats, life-changing ministry is taking place. In December 2006, five MAF staff visited the headquarters of Unité de Police Intégrée (UPI) in Kinshasa to distribute New Testaments and evangelistic literature, sharing the Gospel with a group of 400 police officers. At an adjacent location 60 officers heard the Gospel message, and 29 indicated a decision to follow Christ.
IMPACT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
In the past 12 months, the MAF program in western DRC ...
- Saved Christian and humanitarian workers 4,456 days of travel time—or 18.4 work years redeemed for productive Kingdom work!
- Executed 1,881 flights, transported 6,917 passengers, and delivered 788,669 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.
- Began renovation of the jet fuel installation at N’Dolo Airport by refurbishing the 20,000 liter tank.
- Provided regular flights to Bandundu and Bas-Congo provinces as well as charter flights to anywhere in the DRC.
- Completed the guesthouse at Vanga, providing a hospitality ministry along with lodging for travelers.
- Installed seven VSAT Internet systems in remote areas. These connections support eight partner organizations, including mission hospitals, schools, and an orphanage, as well as a monkey pox research project.
- Facilitated a Youth Sports Camp evangelistic outreach in Vanga.
- Conducted a Christmas outreach in N’Dolo.
- Began training national staff in the use of the audiovisual equipment. Launched a Jesus film ministry.
- Provided the students from Pastoral Institute of Kikongo with air transport in order to conduct evangelism and lay leader training.
- Transported tens of thousands of vaccines to children in isolated sections of the Bandundu province.
- Added an additional flight per week to the Bas-Congo area, enabling medical
patients to travel to Kimpese Mission Hospital.
- Supported the operation and improvement of the Nkara-based Christian radio
installation by transporting critical personnel and equipment.
- Supported a Swiss medical research project fighting sleeping sickness by flying doctors and researchers to isolated areas.
- Facilitated and subsidized the transport of 12 national pastors and missionaries to Vanga and Lodja, allowing them to conduct conferences for more than 200 national pastors.
- Supported the Vanga Mission Hospital by providing regular flight service to Vanga for doctors, residents, other medical staff, and medical supplies.
- Operated and maintained wireless networks in Kinshasa and Vanga, connecting
MAF staff and ministry partners to the Internet and email.
- Implemented a program allowing national MAF staff to borrow from their
accumulated retirement funds in order to buy homes and land.
- Transported nine leaders from the Presbyterian Church World Mission and the
Congo Helping Hands foundation to the Kasai province to visit church and
development projects. Also provided transportation for teams from the Covenant
Church and American Baptist Churches USA.
- Increased flights to the province of Sud Kwango.
KEY GOALS 2008
- Acquire an additional aircraft—based in Lubumbashi—to serve the isolated people of the Katanga region.
- Acquire one full-size Toyota Land Cruiser to provide transportation between the Vanga airstrip and the hospital. Acquire a station wagon or similar vehicle to replace the current station wagon in Kinshasa.
- Retrofit one Cessna 206 aircraft with a diesel engine.
- Acquire video scope equipment for turbine engine inspections.
- Complete the N’Dolo hangar reconstruction and refurbishment, including roof
repair, as well as electrical and water/plumbing installations.
- Add two flights per week to Bas-Congo. Coordinate with representatives from the
Swedish Covenant Church to determine which days would be most desirable.
- Complete the renovation of the jet fuel installation at N’Dolo Airport. Research options for purchasing additional fueling equipment. Work with government officials to gain approval of the renovation plans.
- Fully subsidize medical evacuation flights for indigent patients in the area
surrounding Vanga.
- Expand the JESUS film ministry to 12 showings annually.
- Conduct four evangelistic outreaches and literature distribution in Kinshasa.
- Develop an IT internship and training program to allow nationals to develop job skills.
- Facilitate VSAT training and certification for a Congolese staff member.
- Install two new VSAT systems. Maintain wireless network connections for MAF
staff and partner ministries in Kinshasa and Vanga.
MAF STAFF SERVING IN WEST DRC
ADOPT "9Q-CMO"
Learn more about "9Q-CMO," a Cessna Grand Caravan airplane serving in W. DRC.
