Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) provides vital aviation services to mission agencies, national churches, and non-government organizations (NGOs) ministering in Mozambique.
THE NEED
Mozambique is one of the poorest countries in the world. The majority of its population lives in poverty, and one out of every six children dies before the age of five. AIDS, malaria, and malnutrition continue to present major health problems.
The country’s transportation system is severely deteriorated due to years of brutal civil war, neglect, and extensive flooding in some regions. Nearly twice the size of California, Mozambique has barely 2,000 miles of reasonably paved roads, with an additional 1,500 miles seriously undermined by potholes and huge washed out sections. Consequently, missionaries and other aid organizations lose precious time trying to reach needy people via four-wheel-drive vehicles. Tragically, people groups in the deepest interior cannot be reached at all.
Although the government has made significant progress,corruption and apathy worsen the situation and frustrate attempts by religious and humanitarian organizations to help.
Northern Mozambique is home to what maybe the least evangelized people groups in southern Africa. Islam dominates most northern villages, with animism and ancestor worship prevailing in the vast rural regions. Powerful witchdoctors and healers fuel fear, superstition, and mistrust.
THE SOLUTION
MAF has been enabling and maximizing ministry in Mozambique since 1999. From its base in Nampula, MAF serves those who work with the Makua, Makonde, Lomwe, Chuabo, Yao and other people groups of northern Mozambique.
With the help of MAF, missionaries are able to reach people with the Good News of the Gospel. A journey that formerly required three grueling days of travel by truck, and much longer on foot, now takes only hours or even minutes.
MAF emergency air ambulance service and lifesaving transport have been saving the lives of numerous Mozambicans and several missionaries. Using MAF services, humanitarian groups can more effectively provide agricultural assistance, literary programs, rural development assistance, and aid to the handicapped.
MAF supports the work of The HALO Trust, an organization undertaking the enormous and extremely dangerous task of clearing land mines that still pepper some areas of the country after 25 years of war. When accidents occur, MAF provides emergency evacuation of HALO staff. MAF also supplies air transportation for HALO management and donor visits.
Assisted by MAF, Christian missions serving in northern Mozambique significantly increase their capacity for evangelism, Bible translation, and the leadership development of struggling, indigenous churches. In addition to aviation services, MAF provides technical assistance with computers and facilitates the purchase, storage and forwarding of cargo and supplies.
IMPACT 2007 HIGHLIGHTS
In the past 12 months, the MAF program in Mozambique ...
- Saved Christian and humanitarian workers 1,220 days of travel time redeemed for productive Kingdom work!
- Transported 689 passengers, and delivered 21,272 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 remote locations.
- Served Christian agencies and humanitarian organizations including Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), the Southern Baptist Convention, New Tribes Mission, The HALO Trust, World Vision, Orphans Unlimited, Serving in Mission (SIM), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
- Provided ongoing support for nine SIL Bible translation and literacy projects. Along with flight and logistics services for their staff, MAF transports SIL management on one- or two-week trips from one project to another. Conducted two medical evacuations for an SIL family.
- Supported the work of New Tribes Mission in the remote areas of northern
Mozambique. Provided 17 families with flight and logistical assistance for staff visits, health concerns, and other needs.
- Established a partnership with Aero Visão, a nonprofit Mozambique Christian flight operator, to develop the organization’s aviation capacity. Aero Visão will lease two planes from MAF, while MAF will provide a flight crew and instruction.
- Initiated discussions with a Dutch Christian doctor to establish a mobile clinic or flying doctor service in northern Mozambique. This critically needed service would bring medical care to thousands of isolated Mozambicans who live and die under the care of feared witch doctors.
- Remained on call to conduct medical evacuations in the event of accidents involving HALO staff.
KEY GOALS 2008
- Continue to support more than 30 mission agencies in their efforts to evangelize unreached people groups living in northern Mozambique and southern Africa. As needed, provide IT and logistics support in addition to flight services.
- Address the avgas shortage and resulting high fuel prices by pursuing the
acquisition of a jet fuel powered aircraft.
- Prepare for the expected arrival of a second MAF pilot/mechanic family to
expand flight services.
- Develop a relationship with the governor of Nampula.
- Assist Aero Visão in establishing operations in Nampula. Provide counsel on
managing a flight program. Investigate the possibility of training one of their
pilots.
- Continue efforts to establish a flying doctor service by submitting a Mobile
Health proposal to the Ministry of Public Health.
- Continue flight support to New Tribes Mission as 15 additional missionary
families arrive in the area.
- Build a fuel storage room at the Nampula base.
MAF STAFF SERVING IN MOZAMBIQUE
ADOPT 9Q-CMQ
Learn more about "Charlie Mike Quebec," a Cessna 210 airplane serving in Mozambique.
earning rewards and enjoying exceptionally low rates!