Week 3 and I am just about to board a plane back to the UK. This last week I have been at Treetops in Cairns. Treetops is a joint guest house run by MAF and Wycliffe. It is often used by missionaries from different organisations who work in countries in this region for short breaks. It is in a beautiful location with access to the beach and other amenities. I have been here for meetings with other members of the MAF International Human Resources track: Gene Jordon (MAF US), Annie Russell (MAF Africa region), Mark Outerbridge (MAF Canada) and Alrena Martis (MAF Asia Pacific). MAF across the world is seeking to work together more closely in a number of ‘tracks’ to enable sharing of resources and to improve efficiencies. We have spent the week looking at a range of issues from the layout of application forms, the content of induction and orientation courses, standardisation of pilot testing, Knowledge Management, pastoral and members care, and the development of staff. It seems like a world away from the excitement of my recent experiences of medical evacuations, or landing vital supplies and church workers in remote locations often in hazardous flying conditions. Yet those of us in the home staff are passionate about raising up an army of supporters who pray and contribute financially where possible. Along with the HR team role in Folkestone and other supporting countries we are recruiting staff who are called by God, have the technical skills and will fit into the various MAF programs around the world. We are the backroom boys – the support staff to all the operational programmes.
My visits to Arnhem Land and Papua New Guinea have reminded me of the importance of what I am engaged in. My part in the MAF vision of bringing physical and spiritual hope to remote communities through aviation. As a supporter you are vital in MAF throughout the world fulfilling this mission. We need your prayers in the MAF supporting offices around the world that we will be faithful in all we seek to do in raising support in prayer, funding and finding the right people to fill the much needed vacancies in operational programmes. Pray for our Boards and leaders, particularly in the international work of MAF, that they will make wise decisions to enable MAF to have an impact for remote communities around the world.
