When I reflect on 2011 and the kind of work MAF did over the past year, it’s truly amazing. Looking at the amount of things accomplished as a direct result of MAF’s involvement, it’s quite satisfying to see how both the demonstration and proclamation of the Gospel occurred.
The demonstration—the “hands and feet” of Jesus—is happening in powerful ways.
In Papua, Indonesia, MAF delivered food to more than 55,000 people in an area suffering from severe flooding. In Kalimantan, more than 100 people were provided life-saving flights for medical emergencies.
In Haiti, MAF continues to support development and aid organizations as well as mission agencies rebuilding the country from the devastating earthquake two years ago. In Africa, we have supported the MozMed flying doctor service, provided critical air service for Doctors Without Borders in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and provided water to four villages through the Mali Well Drilling Project.
The Gospel is also being proclaimed through MAF.
In Africa, MAF helped an indigenous mission group in Lesotho translate God’s Story Project material into the Sesotho language. In the DRC, MAF also distributed Bibles to military camps. In Indonesia, MAF supports Bible translators as well as a large church that provides ministry support and training to Bible students.
MAF’s Learning Technologies team also helped equip Latin American church leaders from four language groups with oral strategy workshops, enabling ministers and lay leaders to share the Gospel in effective ways.
In 2012, the challenges continue to seem immense. Nothing is easy in the remote places where MAF works. There are even times when true change seems impossible. But the Gospel is going forth, good is being done, and seeds are being planted.
Fortunately, we aren’t doing any of this in our own strength. The impact that we make in any of these countries is a direct result of God working through and in his people—both MAF missionaries and those we so diligently serve—to shine the light of His love in places that are desperate for the Good News. We are excited about the opportunity to serve God again this year and see what amazing things He will do through willing vessels.
