Karina Mills describes a marathon that changed many little lives in Papua New Guinea
In Kompiam, deep in the mountainous highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG), November 2014 was MAF marathon month. For students at Kompiam International School (KIS), the airstrip never looked so long, yet our appreciation for MAF had never been so deep.
Kompiam is a remote out-station in Enga Province, where the Kompiam District Hospital can be found. Serving about 60,000 people scattered across remote mountainside villages, the hospital is a unique and vital project. KIS supports the hospital by providing high-standard education for the children of the hospital's dedicated staff, along with some local children.
Inspired by MAF
MAF has served PNG's highlands for over 60 years. Countless people have been evacuated for life-saving treatment, vital supplies have been delivered to the hospital and the love of God has been distributed through Bibles. What would we have done without MAF's little planes?
The Conwell family moved to Kompiam in 2012, and were quickly impacted by MAF's work. They wanted to 'give something back', so decided to organise a marathon to raise awareness and prayer support for MAF flights. The international school also got on board.
Candidates agreed to run the length of the airstrip and back (roughly 1 mile) each day for 26 days, equating to a full marathon distance, resting on Sundays. Runners hoped that as they ran, people around the world would pray for MAF – mile by mile, day by day.
Learning curve
'Was it fun?' the students of KIS were asked. Amidst some 'No's' and 'Sometimes', one 16-year-old summed it up when she said, 'At the beginning it was fun, but it got harder as the days went on!'
The students have done so well to run consistently every day for a month. Once the novelty wore off, it became a matter of sheer determination to not give up!
'It helped us remember MAF and know what it's like for them when it gets hard,' mused Chelsea (10). This was an important lesson for us all. There must be days when MAF staff lack motivation to keep going, but they remain determined to faithfully meet the demands of each day.
Many 'hot days', 'stitches', and occasional mocking comments from passers-by made the project a gruelling one. We realised that often people don't understand why we do what we do. But we ploughed on anyway!
Pressing on
It was a truly character-building experience, and not one of the students pulled out. We came to value each other more, and support one another when we were came under criticism.
When Kondy stated that she was looking forward to the end, it reflected how all of us were feeling! But it also formed a challenge – to acknowledge that the end is what gives our present difficulties focus and meaning.
In some way, we hope that this marathon has demonstrated a measure of support and appreciation we have for MAF. May we all be encouraged to press on towards the goal that God has placed in our hands.
Then we will eventually hear His precious voice saying, 'Well done, my good and faithful servants.'
On 21 February, the United Nations marks International Mother Language Day to recognise the importance language plays in education, development and social integration.
Two German medical students recently spent their semester break volunteering at the Kompiam Hospital, Papua New Guinea (PNG). Magdalena (Leni) Bonleitner recalls their experiences of rural clinics and flying with MAF.
World Radio Day is celebrated on 13 February. Radios are a vital form of communication for remote areas, helping them feel connected to the rest of the world. In late 2019, Lukas Schadegg installed a HF radio for Biadi, Papua New Guinea.
MAF Papua New Guinea (PNG) pilot, Ryan Cole, explains the role which MAF plays in promoting education - just one of the responses to the question, 'what does a MAF pilot do?'
Support Raising and Training Manager Adam Pope speaks to Michael and Nicki Duncalfe
on their return to the UK, following an incredible 25 years of service with MAF Papua
New Guinea (PNG)
Clare and Paul Woodington are based at Wewak, where Paul is one of our experienced Caravan pilots serving the communities in the northern part of mainland PNG
Bonifas P.Korangia, known as Boni, served as a technician missionary for 22 years, until last year when he felt called to take a year off and reconnect with his village.
While husband Neal is hard at work in the MAF hangar, Lois Semanison spends her time blessing the community in Mount Hagen where they live. Many have come to faith through her witness and care.
Many of Papua New Guinea's 800 languages are spoken by just a few hundred people. The Ende language has 700 speakers in three villages around the Upiara airstrip in the South Fly, Western Province.
Radio: a constant and reliable communication channel. Reaching across high mountains and treacherous landscapes, radio communication has been used as a tool to penetrate some of the most remote areas.
When reports began to circulate of a move of God in a remote village in Papua New Guinea, Judith Dupuis, wife of MAF Pilot Michael Dupuis, just had to see for herself!
Almost 3,000 families in the communities surrounding Simbai make a living growing coffee. Frequent MAF flights serve the community's needs and fly the precious cash crop to market.
In the beginning was the cocoa pod – the beautiful, freshly picked, raw product – grown in tropical equatorial climates around the world, including Papua New Guinea (PNG).
What can you do with a cargo of solar lights and tarpaulins, Bibles, guitars and tambourines, soccer balls and volleyballs, hinges, padlocks, saws, and spanners...?
Much of the food flown by MAF to remote communities after the recent earthquake was donated by local churches motivated to help their countrymen in need.
Aid has reached remote communities in Papua New Guinea following the recent earthquake. Pilot’s Mathias Glass gives an account of a relief flight he flew to Muluma and Bosavi
Pilot Steven Eatwell flew a medevac and earthquake relief flight to the remote communities of Huya and Bosavi. He brought relief supplies and assessed the condition of the airstrips while he was there.
Recently in Papua New Guinea, short-term Swiss staff member Remo Ruegg's plans for the day took a different turn when one of his neighbours knocked on his door.
Story Remo Ruegg. Photos Remo Ruegg (RR) and Nawi Mabo (NM)
At MAF, we know that when we provide access to remote areas those areas are helped, resourced and receive medical assistance. However, sometimes it is when access is withdrawn for a time – often for unavoidable reasons – that it brings home the reality of our absence.
Paul Woodington, a pilot with MAF Papua New Guinea, recalls a medevac flight which happened just before Christmas 2017. Thanks to quick thinking, good decision-making and trust in God, Paul managed to help two severely ill patients, including the son of a missionary partner, reach the medical care they needed.
In August 2016, Geoff Boer was having a normal day. Just after dinner, disaster struck as he experienced a heart attack. he was flown for treatment the following morning and after surgery, has made a full recovery. Without the quick thinking and acting MAF staff and partners, Geoff may not have survived.
Kompiam Rural Hospital in Papua New Guinea is at the end of a road, inaccessible except by walking or flying, to the people it serves. The area is troubled by tribal skirmishes which have claimed more than 40 lives in the last six months.
As exam season the UK comes to an end - to the relief of children and parents alike - Glenda Giles shares how students in Tekin, Papua New Guinea nervously awaited the arrival of their exam papers.
What's it like to date on the mission field in a culture drastically different to your own? British Siobhain Dales and Canadian Ryan Cole discovered just this...
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.
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 mountain village community of Megau came together to build a life-saving medical aid post in just 24 hours. Everything down to the last nail was flown in by MAF
Michael Duncalfe has been flying Twin Otters since 1998, clocking up over 6,500 hours in the process. MAF Partnership Manager – and resident aviation enthusiast – Olly Nunn asks him to share with our supporters why this aircraft is so special
A 23-year-old woman is experiencing labour complications, but as she lives in a remote village in Papua New Guinea, she needed an MAF aircraft to get the urgent hospital care she needs.
MAF women in Papua New Guinea come together a few times a year to pack Care Bags for women we fly for emergency hospital care. Madeleine Bischoff, wife of MAF pilot Markus, shares the joy of blessing two new mothers, with bags and shares their stories.
No more killing: When a young schoolgirl heard that 17 innocent people were about to die, she decided to do something about it. Story and photos Anton Lutz.
Gebrau airstrip in the highlands of Papua New Guinea is finally open, after twenty years! It will be a huge benefit to the economy of this remote community.
MAF's scheduled flight from Wewak was cancelled at the very last minute. But then the phone rang! An urgent medevac flight was required. And Agatha's village was in the opposite direction. (Photos: Ludmer Meiko)
Mandy Glass, our Communications Officer in Papua New Guinea, shared her love of reading recently with 80 high school students through the gift of books.