Serving with Mission Aviation Fellowship in Papua, Indonesia, as a pilot/mechanic family, Tom’s main responsibilities have included a variety of roles. During his time in Merauke, Tom focused on flying the amphibious float plane, serving as base manager, and supervising routine maintenance of the airplane. More recently, Tom accepted the position of Assistant Chief Pilot for Papua which meant a move to MAF’s main office in Sentani. This new role means Tom is involved in the training of new pilots, keeping current pilots up to MAF standards, and lending his years of experience to the general management team. For Tom, the highlight of this term has been training the new pilots and watching them gain the skills they need to serve as missionary pilots, and then to see them doing what God has called them to do.
Julie’s role as mother of four precious children has been her primary focus, as well as maintaining a comfortable and loving home for the family. She spent three years homeschooling Christopher and Elizabeth, but with the family’s move to Sentani, Christopher, Elizabeth and Brennan now attend Hillcrest School. Julie has enjoyed the extra time with her youngest, Annalise. Prior to their move to Sentani, Julie was involved in maintaining good relationships with their neighbors and MAF national employees as well as helping in their local Indonesian church which sometimes included teaching Sunday School. In Sentani now, Julie is part of a Bible study and helps the other MAF wives in their ministry of feeding guests and supporting the larger MAF team.
Julie shares that Psalm 86:11 is important to her. In the midst of the fullness of life around her, she longs to have an undivided heart towards the Lord. This can be difficult with four energetic children to take care of, but she knows she can rely on the Lord to always teach and guide her in His truth.
Tom grew up in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, where his parents were missionaries. From his childhood, living on a remote mission station, he saw the need for MAF. This was where God put the desire to be an MAF pilot in his heart. After attending Moody Aviation, Tom joined MAF in 1990. Tom shares that this term God has been teaching him through “themes” in the Bible. One strong theme is seen in taking time with people during the busyness of each day – as Jesus always seemed to do.
Julie grew up as a child of MAF missionaries in Zaire, Africa for 8½ years where her parents served. After completing high school in California, she attended Bethel College in St. Paul, MN, where she earned a B.A. in sociocultural studies. During that time, Julie participated in a semester abroad in Indonesia, where her heart was opened to the possibility of living and serving there in the future.
Tom and Julie met in Indonesia when Julie served as a short-term teacher’s aide for three years with MAF at the mission school in Wamena, Papua, and then four months homeschooling two boys in Aceh. Tom and Julie were married in January 2006, in Wamena.
God calls the men and women of MAF to serve Him in unique ways. He may also be calling you to a special role in the Bolsers’ ministry. Please prayerfully consider becoming a ministry partner with them through prayer and/or financial support.
