An all-female flight
From the pilot to the passengers, you won't find any men aboard this MAF mission flight in Madagascar!
From the pilot to the passengers, you won't find any men aboard this MAF mission flight in Madagascar!
As we enter our 70th year of operation, we are marking yet another significant milestone – our first all-female flight in Madagascar!
And it really was all about the girls – the trio of lady passengers from Assemblies of God flown by pilot Becki Dillingham to Manakara in south-eastern Madagascar to speak to the women at the church there.
Cary Rostorfer, with the help of translator Tolotra Razafimahefa, talked about the role of older women in helping and mentoring the younger women, engendering a culture of positive role modelling between the generations of Malagasy women.
Meanwhile, Heather Santmyire gathered the young women and teenage girls of the church (and many boys too) to discuss the hot topic of abstinence before marriage - a major issue in the coastal areas where many young 'Christian' men believe women should prove they can provide a child before they will marry them.
The high numbers of single young mums in the area - the result of entrenched norms - is not helped by the cramped living arrangements of most families who typically have only a single room. With the bed as the only comfortable place to sit, the temptation is that bit closer for young courting couples!
The team also got the chance to visit and support colleagues Jo and Billy Wilson, long serving missionaries who had delayed their retirement two years earlier to continue serving in Madagascar.
They also paid a very special visit to Vivian, a young Malagasy pastor who co-leads a nearby church with her husband. Vivian grew up at the Assemblies of God Orphanage in Antananarivo run by Cary and now by Heather. So for both women to see 'their little girl' all grown up with a church of her own was a blessing and a real encouragement.
It is exciting to think that the witness and love being sown into the lives of women in Madagascar by Cary and Heather is, in turn, being sown into the lives of younger generations.
And with MAF pilots like Becki on hand to help bridge the vast distances in her little plane, let's hear it for the girls this International Women's Day!
Madagascar is the fourth largest island in the world, and one of the poorest. Nearly 50% of children under 5 are suffering from malnutrition
Our smallest and most economic aircraft is ideal for flying individuals and small teams
MAF's vision is to see isolated people physically and spiritually transformed in Jesus' name
Becki is serving as a Pilot and Operations Manager in Chad.
Patrick Keller is a pilot for MAF in Madagascar, and the family has been in Madagascar for over 10 years.
In 2018, MAF carried out their 100th Medical Safari in Madagascar. Patients, including a little girl called Liny received surgery. She had a tumour the size of a grapefruit removed.
Good News Hospital (HVM) in Mandritsara Madagascar is helping women heal and move on with their lives through their annual fistula camp.
Last week, the MAF team in Madagascar flew thousands of live vaccines to assist in the fight against measles.
MAF partners Mat and Katy Linley work with AIM (Africa Inland Mission) at the Good News Hospital in Mandritsara, Madagascar.
In November 2018, pilot Patrick Keller flew a team of Italian eye doctors who had spent a fortnight restoring sight in Madagascar.
In Madagascar, thanks to The Seed Company, an affiliate of Wycliffe Bible Translators, life-transforming portions of scripture are in progress for speakers of ten Malagasy languages.
Leoni Bouwer tells how MAF Flies Wycliffe Bible Translators from Mananara in the north of Madagascar to workshops in the capital Antananarivo several times a year.
In April 2016, MAF organised for a medical team to be flown to a patient called Melanie in a critical condition. She returned to the hospital in September 2017 to say thank you. Story by Pilot Josh Plett
Jesus’ teaching about the Kingdom of God is remarkably consistent with the vision of a sustainable future recently adopted by the United Nations (UN)
Lives are changed on every MAF medical safari to the remote town of Beroroha
MAF in Madagascar was excited to support SIL International and Wycliffe Bible Translators by bringing together translation teams from every corner of the island.
Little Rosella’s cleft lip meant she couldn’t eat, talk or smile like any other girl. When Ruben Plomp from Mercy Ships examined her in remote Bekodoka, she made him realise how great the need is in Madagascar.
The Dillinghams arrived in Madagascar just a month before MAF’s marine partner Mercy Ships, the largest charitable floating hospital ship in the world, docked in the eastern port of Tamatave.
Two-year-old Fitia suffered severe burns when a pot of boiling water fell on her, but a medevac flight in an MAF plane meant she could receive the life-saving treatment she needed.
Thousands of supporters helped MAF celebrate 25 years of ministry in Madagascar. And Madagascar is grateful, as Jo Lamb found out.
MAF Pilot Josh Plett talks about a recent 'MAMAFY' flight and how they are helping the pastors and missionaries in Madagascar
MAF Madagascar’s reputation as a supplier of medical aid makes all the difference to Nononje, an elderly lady wounded in a cattle raid
In December MAF flew Justin from AIM Chad for a week-long visit to the remote town of Bailli in southern Chad.
Last year a community in Chad worked hard to reopen their airstrip so MAF can fly in medical care and support the continuing work of Johannes Bocher, German missionary with Mission Evangelique au Tchad
Welcome to one of the most peaceful places in all of South Sudan – the award-winning Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron.
At 191cm tall, Eivind has to quite literally squash himself into the cockpit of MAF’s smallest aircraft; so it clearly isn’t comfort or even the plane's performance that ignites his passion for the Cessna 182!
The Dillinghams arrived in Madagascar just a month before MAF’s marine partner Mercy Ships, the largest charitable floating hospital ship in the world, docked in the eastern port of Tamatave.
MAF Pilot Paul Woodington displays professional dedication and personal sacrifice as he battles the jungle to bring the Jesus film to an isolated corner of Papua New Guinea. We hope it encourages you to continue fighting for the Gospel.
The church is thriving among the fishing communities hugging the shoreline of Lake Victoria’s Ssese Islands.
A workshop in Papua New Guinea teaches women how to be free from the fear of sorcery and magic through a deeper understanding of who God is. Story and photos by LuAnne Cadd
The Sheppards are working amongst the least reached people group in Liberia. MAF Communications Officer Sarah Newnham caught up with the family on a visit to Monrovia
Pilot Dave Forney flew Every Village mission teams to the far north of South Sudan, where Every Village is using radio to reach into the homes with the Gospel
Welcome to one of the most peaceful places in all of South Sudan – the award-winning Holy Trinity Peace Village in Kuron.
Meet the real Charlie Brown – a pioneering, practical missionary and a big inspiration to MAF's pilots in South Sudan. Karyn Ball, MAF's Communications Officer, interviews him.
Senior Communications Officer LuAnne Cadd, who joined the Kilimatinde Safari to Chidudu earlier this year, shares what our flights mean to people in this remote community. Photos: LuAnne Cadd
MAF is partnering with a group of local pastors in Lesotho, helping them reach their own people with the good news of the Gospel.
During Mozambique's vicious civil war, the displaced Mwinika people cried out to a God they didn't know for help and to know Him better. God heard their prayers... and MAF became a part of His answer.
MAF in Madagascar was excited to support SIL International and Wycliffe Bible Translators by bringing together translation teams from every corner of the island.
In Arnhem Land, our planes meant that a Gumatj woman passionate about God’s Word has received support and encouragement she needs to continue her vital project.
In South Sudan, a heartfelt request to ‘Help bring God’s Word to the Laarim people’ has been heard, and MAF is privileged to help make it possible.
MAF Pilot Kevin Spann recently had an opportunity to tour the Air Traffic Control tower at the N'Djili International Airport in the DRC and meet the controllers he speaks to every day over the radio.
A unique peace project is thriving in Marsabit, and MAF’s role in the process is increasingly crucial to its success
With MAF’s help, a remote tribe shares the Gospel in the Papuan jungle.
Pastor André is a well-respected church planter in Chad. So when he was involved in a serious road accident involving a truck, we were quick to help him.
Gord Skonik is a regular MAF traveller to and from South Sudan, and shares what he calls a 'MAF moment'
Bringing the Gospel to the roaming, nomadic Maasai in Tanzania
Stephanie Gidney tells the story of one MAF family on an Aboriginal island
MAF is making connections with some of the remotest people on earth
MAF Communications Officer Angela Harding adventures with God down Brazil's Amazon River, surprised again by His life-saving love
MAF Pilot Josh Plett talks about a recent 'MAMAFY' flight and how they are helping the pastors and missionaries in Madagascar
MAF was privileged to lend logistical support to the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, when he visited South Sudan in his capacity as Chair of Christian Aid.