by Hannah Braly
If I had two words to describe my first trip to a Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) program, they would be eye-opening and convicting. Not long after arriving in Indonesia, we boarded our first MAF airplane, and I was nervous. In tropical environments, MAF planes can get hot because AC units are removed to free up weight capacity for passengers or supplies. That’s helpful for the communities we serve … but not so helpful for someone prone to motion sickness. With some medicine, prayers, and the distraction of this beautiful view, I was fine.
Though their surroundings are beautiful, this island’s occupants sometimes need MAF for medical evacuations. Before now, patients have had to take a long boat ride over this stunning—but often choppy—water in order to receive medical attention
We flew to a small, unreached island. Traveling with us were members from a church eager to connect with and encourage the island’s believers. After arriving, we took a short boat ride, then waited for a pick-up truck to drive us to the home of one of the island’s believers. Without a church building on the island, the two dozen or so believers rotate hosting in their homes.
Sitting on the cool floor, a fan mercifully oscillating around, we worshipped and encouraged each other. Though I couldn’t understand most of what was being said, I sensed the Holy Spirit in the room. God is truly working here, I thought.
That’s when the first wave of conviction hit me.
Here I was, surrounded by a group of people who surely would love a church building. Believers who are a minority religion, who likely feel like outsiders in their own community. And yet, they worship with joy, grateful to be among brothers and sisters. Meanwhile, I have been so picky about the church my family attends in Idaho.
After worship, we were served a spread of pastries and tea
A few days later, we flew into the isolated village of Binuang. MAF has served this community for years, providing medical evacuations, supply drop-offs, and transportation for church workers, like Bible translators. In fact, we had the privilege of picking up some of the translation facilitators on our way. For months, they had been taking flights to and from Binuang to translate the book of Luke into this community’s dialect. On this particular flight, they brought something special: final copies, ready to distribute!
The people of Binuang welcomed us with dances, music, and elaborate feasts (using 100% homegrown ingredients like rice, bamboo, and ferns). People from surrounding areas also joined to celebrate the arrival of God’s Word in their language and MAF’s visit!
Just one of the many delicious meals cooked for our team!
What an honor it was to be at this celebration! I will remember it forever, as well as the conviction that came with it.
There are hundreds of communities in Indonesia like this one that don’t have the complete Bible in their own language.
Meanwhile, I have the Bible at my fingertips in nearly every major translation! Yet how often do I opt to scroll on social media instead of opening one? Or power through fiction books to hit my annual reading goals?
More often than I’d like to admit.
This is what I was thinking about as I watched the people of Binuang celebrate having a single book of the Bible in their language.
Now, back home and reflecting on this trip, there are a few verses I want to encourage you with.
Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. —Acts 2:46-47a (NIV)
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another. —Hebrews 10:24-25a (NIV)
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” —Matthew 4:4 (NIV)
As we see from later in the book of Acts, the early church wasn’t perfect—just as no church is today. But these verses sound exactly like my experience in Indonesia: people gathering in homes, breaking bread with glad and sincere hearts.
Many of us have grown accustomed to having a church on nearly every corner and a Bible always within reach, yet we often feel too busy to take advantage of either.
So, as I remind myself as well, here is your encouragement for this week: when you attend church and open your Bible, approach both with the Acts mentality—do it with a glad and sincere heart.
And finally, please pray with me that the people of Indonesia would continue to gain access to the Word of God and feel encouraged.
