Not by Words

It’s early. 4:45am in Antananarivo, Madagascar’s capital. The sun is slowly beginning to transform the world with light. But life has already begun here in the MAF hangar.

Passengers begin to arrive and the Cessna Caravan is prepared for departure. Coffee is poured and I sit to hear one passenger’s story. Her name is Hilde, and she looks very alive – even at this unearthly hour. I already sense God’s love within her.

Hilde Vlaminckx is a nurse. Origionally from Belgium, she first came to Madagascar in 1997, with a deep sense of God’s calling and a yearning to follow His plan for her life. Having worked for many years in a government hospital with pleasing benefits, a comfortable salary and a convenient proximity to her family, she began to feel God stirring her heart. Change was on the horizon, and Hilde didn’t feel comfortable any more.

Her first visit brought her to the Good News Hospital in Mandritsara, approximately an hour and a half's flight north of Antananarivo, the route we are flying today. This trip would take two long days by road. Her journey in Madagascar had only just begun, but it ended abruptly when she reached the hospital; Hilde knew this was where she would stay.

Since then, Hilde has never looked back. After initial stays between one and two years, she now lives permanently in Madagascar. Sponsored as a missionary by the international Christian NGO Tearfund, Hilde feels completely settled in this remote town. She shares a house with a Malagasy doctor who now feels like her sister. ‘And Mandritsara feels like my home.’

Although she began as a practicing nurse at the Good News Hospital, Hilde now trains Malagasy to become nurses. 'They come to Mandritsara for three years, then leave fully qualified,' Hilde told me, once we were in settled in the aircraft.

'It's a very practical way of sharing Jesus. We may not speak about Christ with every word, but in our actions we do. Many have come to the hospital and have been trained, helped and healed. It's our way of doing the Gospel work.'

Hilde says that it is the Malagasy people coupled with God's call on her life that keeps her going. 'Yes there are challenges, but I know I am meant to be here,' she says.

'I'm not trained as a teacher but I am teaching - so this job can be challenging sometimes. But so many come from far away to be treated, I know it’s worthwhile. Women can give birth safely and babies are saved. Major wounds are treated. That's what keeps me going.'

Hilde says that a lot of the patients they treat come with injuries suffered on the road, because travelling overland can be extremely dangerous.

'Taxi-bus accidents happen a lot where vehicles turn upside down. Also people get injuries from cow horns, or they can lose an arm during tree-felling. Sometimes people walk for three days carrying others on a stretcher. The next hospital is 250km away.'

When I ask her about her experience with MAF, she doesn’t hesitate. ‘There is a lot of coming and going with MAF! People have become so used to seeing the aircraft that at the hospital people say, “Look! There’s our plane coming!” I hope no one thinks it’s really ours – we don’t have that kind of money!

‘But the MAF pilots – they are so flexible, helpful and always kind. Today I almost didn’t have a seat, but now I’m here! They work hard to find a solution and fit everyone in. I’m very thankful.’

Hilde and the rest of the team at the Good News Hospital are certainly humble. They have followed God’s call to work in a very challenging and deprived part of the world.

‘Sometimes I feel like such a small part of God’s big plan,’ Hilde says. ‘I even think, “Oh, other people are actually doing much more for the Gospel than me!” But then I realise that we can all believe that. Perhaps you do it in your office, or in the plane, or in the hospital – but we are all part of God’s big plan. We must each do our small part, be part of a project but also know our own personal vision and faith within ourselves. As long as we are giving to the poor, feeding the hungry and visiting the prisoners - together we can all make a big difference for Christ. It’s not our words. It’s what we do with our lives.’

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

It was all incredibly formal, yet extremely pleasant. The room of roughly 150 guests stir softly, waiting. Great men and women of God’s Kingdom, and those whose lives are spent serving the poor sit shoulder to shoulder, crisp suits and delicate dresses, a joyful offering to honour the work of the King. That’s why we we’re here. It’s for God’s Glory.

Twenty-five years is almost my lifetime. For the last quarter-century, Mission Aviation Fellowship has been flying help, hope and healing across one of the largest, least developed islands of the world. And Madagascar is grateful. The imminent arrival of our most distinguished guest is a warm affirmation of this.

A few more minutes and cameramen arrive. Low murmurings begin to hush. Then enters the Minister of Economy and Planning; General de Division Herilanto Raveloharison. All stand.

But today’s formalities are not stifling, they are honouring. It’s a privilege to be here. The Minister opens with a smile. ‘I am here as your friend, your colleague – as someone who has known you not as a Minister, because being a minister is a nomination which passes through sooner or later. But friendship – that lasts forever.’ What a testimony of MAF’s mission; physical healing, practical help and relationship with people.

This room is a living, breathing testimony – many partners old and new, gathering to celebrate God’s achievement through the joining of our hands.

Then a reflection from Proverbs three: By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place. ‘Our God is great, He only does great things,’ the Minister reminds us. ‘And an organisation blessed with the Wisdom of God can only do great works. That is the blessing of MAF, and many other missions of which we are a part.’

Pastor Serge Razafitsambaina, a remarkable man of faith, has been serving Madagascar’s poor since before MAF’s arrival. He prayerfully proclaims that our God always keeps His promises. And MAF is part of that promise on this island. ‘New spiritual life is being born through the Gospel, and MAF is bringing hope to us who are working here, right where He has called us to be. People are hearing of a life that endures through Christ. And one day we will all enter His promised land.’

More reminders from grateful friends follow – days of driving and walking saved by MAF’s little plane;, gracious service of MAF staff; pioneering achievements through technology and aviation; the milestone achievement of 25 years.

Before vibrant buffet and cocktails, a short overview of MAF’s history in Madagascar from Programme Manager Bert Van den Bosch. Families that have come and go. Airstrips that have opened up life in remote areas. Aircraft that have flown hours of vital service. Thousands that have been reached with God’s love.

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 126:3)

In this joy, the colourful throng of guests spill onto the patio and enjoy fellowship together. Colourful triangles of ‘bunting’ are strung around – each one carrying a personal message from MAF supporters in the UK. These festive decorations offer a reminder that today is a result of many prayerful hearts, open hands and generous gifts from around the world; joining together to make MAF’s work possible.

God’s Kingdom is extending across the globe, and so many have played a vital part. Those who are present share the joy of honouring one another today. But those who are not must also be celebrated for being obedient to God’s call. Thousands of missionaries, pastors, medics, volunteers and families, scattered across the globe serving the poor and downtrodden.

Twenty-five years on one island is a magnificent achievement – but today we are all sure there will be many more.

My introduction to Mongolia - LuAnne Cadd

Arrived in Mongolia almost two hours late. Ryan, the Canadian MAF pilot, picked me up from the airport. I then had an hour to shower and change before we were off to a place outside Ulaanbaatar – about a 40+ km, but the traffic and bad roads made the journey so, so long and I was having a hard time staying awake.

That night Ryan had a call for a medical evacuation (medevac) at 2 am, and left for the airport at 5 am. I was crushed I missed the two text messages he sent me at 5 and 6 am. Instead, I went to church with Amanda (Ryan’s wife) and the kids. On the walk there, Ryan called and said there might be a second medevac. By the time church was over, Ryan was coming to get me for the second one – a stroke victim. It would be an overnight stay, because it was a 2.5 hour flight there and we didn't have time to get back. I had literally 5 minutes to pack and be out the door.

The scenery was beautiful – vast, vast endless landscapes of rolling green hills, flat plains, and not so high mountains. The main sign of life throughout was simply dirt tracks crisscrossing everywhere as if people just made their own tracks and no two people followed the same ones. There were very few towns in the whole 2.5 hours. The feeling of isolation is intense.

The town was called Tosotsengal – small and remote. Ryan said it was the coldest place in Mongolia - it can get down to -60 Celsius . Some of the hotels we tried were fully booked because of a festival in town. We ended up staying with an expat family, only one of two non-Mongolian families in town. They've lived there for 20 years. Nice little home, but no toilet or running water in the house. They have electricity and the house is rigged like most, with water pipes and radiators that are heated by a wood-burning stove. During the long winter the stove must run 24/7 or else the pipes will freeze. I found the whole thing fascinating.

A couple of facts:

• There are only about 25 Christians of about 7000 in Tosotsengal .
• I tasted Yak cream, which is thick like clotted cream. So yummy!

JUNE 16th

On Sunday, we follow Michael and Judith to the local church they attend. The congregation of 50 is a mix of South-Sudanese and international NGO staff. Some of the faces are familiar, from the Bible study I attended on the first evening in Juba. The sermon was challenging; hearing it was challenging too – I had taken a seat next to the air-conditioning unit which was working overtime to cool the room. I wasn’t about to turn it down though.

The distance between the MAF compound and the church is short enough to walk, allowing us to experience Juba at street level. Were it not for the masses of discarded plastic water bottles that proliferate every empty space, the city could have a certain charm. The roads are also dominated by vehicles that are either registered as belonging to international NGOs or the United Nations. While these remain the major presence on the streets, they indirectly reflect South Sudan’s underdeveloped status.

In the afternoon, I finally get a chance to justify packing my swimming shorts and take a dip in the pool that has been set-up on the MAF compound. The contrast from the searing heat is extremely welcome. Michael and Judith join me soon after and collectively we reflect on the fact that we are relaxing in a pool in one of the poorest countries of the world. It doesn’t seem right. And yet, it doesn’t seem right that Michael is an experienced pilot whose thousands of hours’ flying time could land him a very well paid job elsewhere, yet he volunteers his services in one of the poorest countries in the world. If an occasional chance to escape the heat by relaxing in a pool means Michael and Judith are willing to stay with the MAF team longer, then countless lives in South Sudan will directly benefit.

In the evening they invite me over to watch a documentary about South Sudan’s ‘Lost Boys’ who fled the country to escape the violence that was engulfing their homes during the war for independence. Scattered around the world, the plight of this group is a powerful reminder that South Sudan is one of the countries in the world most in need of prayer.

JUNE 15th

It’s the weekend! The day begins with meeting Judith (married to Mike who flew me yesterday) for a traditional South Sudanese meal of ‘rolexes’. In a country as visibly poor as South Sudan, it seems a strange idea that we are going to be munching on luxury watches for breakfast. I’ve also conscientiously been watching the food I eat so I don’t get an upset stomach, a goal that is unlikely to be helped by downing a load of metal cogs. Fortunately, the rolexes Judith returns with from a local vendor are actually rolled up chapatis with a fried egg inside. She informs us that she buys these rolexes from a trusted vendor to avoid picking up any fakes.

As we munch away, conversation turns to the subject of food. From what we saw from the skies yesterday, South Sudan is an incredibly lush land, with the potential to be a breadbasket that feeds all of Africa. With virtually no infrastructure in place on the ground, the country remains more of a basketcase.

Today is a big day for the team on the compound; a delivery of furniture for the newly built accommodation units is arriving. It’s a case of all hands on deck, as existing furniture is first moved to make way and then the huge truck is unloaded. The new desks, tables, cupboards and more all need taking to the correct houses and then require assembly. My mind is more than willing for the task, but my body is still weak. The reward for our labour is an evening meal at one of Juba’s up and coming restaurants along the Nile river.