Papua

MAF provides vital aviation and communications services to indigenous churches, Christian missions, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) ministering in Papua, Indonesia.

The Need:

In Papua, unreached people groups on the western half of the island live hidden away in rain forests, mountains, and swamps. From six bases of operations, MAF reaches deep into the interior, penetrating some of the world’s most remote areas to bring the Gospel and improve the quality of life for isolated Papuans.

As recently as 1997, Stone Age tribes were being discovered in Papua, still untouched and unreached. Today, other primitive tribes still live in the hidden crevices of the island. Yet to hear of Jesus Christ, they are bound by spiritual darkness and live in fear of spirits and the outside world.

Basic services such as education and medical care are unavailable in remote areas. As a result, countless Papuans unsuccessfully battle chronic malaria, rampant skin fungi, malnutrition, and intestinal worms.

The need in Papua is so great that MAF pilots report being able to accommodate less than half of the flight requests they receive. Throughout Papua, there are few viable alternatives to MAF air service in the regions served by its planes.

The Solution:

Since 1952, MAF has brought hope and support to this rugged and forbidding place. Today, MAF operates from six bases across Papua. Thirteen MAF aircraft, as well as three email hubs and communications networks, multiply the effectiveness of some 65 agencies and hundreds of churches ministering in Papua. MAF services impact more than 250 ethnic groups by maximising and sustaining evangelism, Church nurture, medical assistance, community development, education, crisis relief, and the training and leadership development of Papuans.

In addition to aviation and communications services, MAF missionaries in Papua impact their communities through a variety of ministries. In the past year, staff members have rescued and “parented” street children, taught a marriage relationship course, served on a mission school board, taught child-rearing techniques, led church worship, provided medical care, led Bible studies, taught literacy courses, counselled Papuan workers, visited patients at the hospital in Timika, taught English and computer skills to Papuans, befriended and counselled domestic workers, and volunteered at a school library.

The MAF programme in Papua has been greatly affected by the global aviation gasoline (Avgas) shortage and escalating fuel prices. To address this challenge, the program will take delivery of four Kodiak aircraft in 2010. These planes run on economical and readily-available jet fuel. Further, thanks to their greater cargo capacity, MAF will be able to transport more passengers and supplies with fewer flights.