The MAF Application - from the Recruiter Side

I love it! I love reading the written application from candidates coming into MAF.
I suspect, (and recall from my own experience) that filling out the application is a long and nerve-wracking process. But, reading them is like watching 'cardboard testimonies - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvDDc5RB6FQ - if you have seen some of those.

Each application is a story of God at work. Each candidate has learned about God's love and grace through Jesus Christ, and is living and walking with God. There are stories of how a person has changed the course of their life with God's help - walking away from patterns that would have kept them trapped. Others have grown with encouragement and support from their earliest years, and made their faith personal and are now eager to use their talents to serve God.

For me, it is a praise and worship time as I read and thank God for His amazing work, and for the people He calls to MAF. Our candidates as well as MAF will use the application process to help discern God's leading. Candidates will continue to grow and serve - and many of them through MAF - using their gifts and skills, sharing the love of Jesus Christ so that others may be physically and spiritually transformed.

Did I mention I love being in on the story?!

Should you train for a triathalon?

There I was eating some potato chips when my daughter came in from work and said she was going to start training for a marathon with a friend. I kind of laughed because I thought no way would she follow through. Then I thought about my own efforts to get into shape and how I always seemed to let it slide. I am not sure why (maybe the Lord) but into my mind popped the idea of training for a triathalon. It kind of excited me. All of a sudden I had a reason to train and get into shape. I did however have to walk out the door and go to the gym to start. I have stayed with it now for over a month and am still enjoying the training (swimming, biking, and running). The event is August 7 so hold me accountable to it.

What does this have to do with MAF and recruiting? I have talked with so many people over the years who would love to get involved with missionary aviation and MAF. The concept is great and motivation is good but the next step is doing, getting started. The requirements are not easy or simple (bible training, flight and mechanics licenses) but they are doable. You need to get started and keep the goal in mind and not just the obstacles. Myself and the other recruiters are all here to help you get to where God is wanting you to be. Why not take some bible classes to just get things started. I will be glad to start holding you accountable to what you think God may be leading you into, just let me know. The other recruiters will too, just like they will with me and the triathalon. God bless.

Alaska Aviation Trade Show

I had the privaledge of attending this years annual Aviation Trade Show in Anchorage Alaska on May 1-2. We had many good conversations/contacts at the booth and a lot of interest in MAF. Lots of people came by and said how great it was to see MAF at this event this year. I ended up giving out all of my pilot/mechanic brochures and general brochures. It was also exciting to share the work of MAF around the world to those who had never heard of MAF before. There should have been around 20,000 people that attended this event, but I have not heard any reports of the latest results, but for MAF this was a busy, full event with some great support shown for what we do. We're looking forward to the follow up responses from those that had specific interest in serving us or with us. We hope to return next year as I got to meet some of my recruits for the first time after e-mailing and phone calls. There's nothing like a face to face contact!

Sun N Fun 2010

MAF had the privilege of participating in the Sun N Fun fly-in from 13-18 April in Lakeland, FL. We hadn't participated since the mid 80's and were asked to come back by John Burton, the president of Sun N Fun. He saw the Fly for Life exhibition at EAA AirVenture 09 (Oshkosh) and wanted a similar representation at SNF.

Of course we wouldn't be able to participate at Oshkosh each year if it wasn't for the Mission Aviation Support Association (MASA) who provide housing, transportation and meals for our time there. And the same would have be true of our time in Florida.

But in God's providence a MASA-FL group formed, headed up by John Hoke and ably assisted by Rob and Teena Ray - International Association of Missionary Aviation (IAMA - who led the Fly for Life project at Oshkosh 09). We were wonderfully cared for by 9 local churches who provided meals and transportation while members of the churches hosted us in their homes. I believe I put on 5 pounds over the course of the week!

Since this was MASA-Florida's first time to run an operation, Lee and Debbie Smoll, head of MASA-WI drove down and were invaluable in giving counsel and help to John Hoke. (If you get a chance, ask them about the miracle the Lord did in keeping them safe in what could have been a life-ending accident.)

To me this was just another example of the Body at work, each part coming together to make the whole successful. No one part could have done it by itself, but as each did its part, we evidenced the unity of the Spirit and I believe brought Glory to God.

Besides MAF there were 3 other mission groups represented: Indigenous People's Technology and Education Center (i-tec), JAARS (Wycliffe Bible Translators Technology arm) and New Tribes Mission Aviation (NTMA). We 4 shared a feature tent (40x40) situated on a prime display lot (75x75).

New Tribes had their first Kodiak on display which attracted LOTS of interest. JAARS had both a Helio Courier and Robinson R-44 helicopter and got to do Helio demonstrations in the airshow a few days. And i-tec showcased their flying car - The Maverick in another corner of the lot.

During the 6 days of the airshow we got to speak with a lot of folks who had no idea that aviation could be used in missions. It's always a pleasure to thank the many supporters of MAF who also stopped by our tent. In addition we had many opportunities to speak about MAF in local churches.

The Lord blessed us with a great group of folks working the MAF corner of the booth and we bonded together really well as a team. Besides myself there were 2 other recruiters - John Hook and John Lemmon. We were also very fortunate to have 2 furloughing pilot/mechanics help us out - Dan DeSalvo and Danny Hulls. They brought a freshness and excitement that only comes from recently being on the mission field. If you wanted to talk to someone you could just call out John or Dan and have a pretty good chance of getting an answer. :)

We are even now in the planning stages for Sun N Fun 2011 which runs from 29 March - 3 April. If there's any way you can make it, I'd encourage you to put it on your calendar. Next year will be bigger (more mission groups) and better! And please join us in praying that the Lord would once again be Glorified by our efforts. Thanks!

The Work Goes on - Here and There

MAF pilots, mechanics and logistics managers continue their vital work in Haiti.

This week in chapel, MAF pilots Brian Shepson and Scott Channon talked about their work in Haiti over the first weeks the Kodiak was there. One of their first flights carried patients suffering with untreated closed fractures to an outlying hospital/clinic. These patients had not yet been treated because their injuries were less critical than those with open fractures. One of the men had a fractured femur which had not even been splinted. He was in severe pain as he was lifted into the airplane - imagine if he had had to endure a ten hour ride over a rough road - IF he had been able to find a ride.
Follow updates via www.maf.org or become a 'fan' of MAF on Facebook.

Ron Hilbrands - our able manager in recruiting - leaves tomorrow to assist with logistics at our hangar in Port au Prince. So far, over 550,000 pounds of supplies have been moved by MAF, along with over 2,000 passengers. That is a lot of coordinating, scheduling, assisting with paperwork, unloading and reloading and just plain hard work. Ron will be keeping that going.

At the same time, the normal functions of MAF continue here in Nampa.

• The instructor pilot seminar is in progress with pilots from programs around the world here to refresh their skills and learn from each other.
• Our newly accepted candidate class is preparing to begin gathering their ministry partners.
• We are planning for summer vision trips for aviation students.
• Last but not least: Teachers Needed! MAF specifically needs two elementary teachers for Kalimantan, Indonesia (perfect for two friends, or a married couple who are both teachers!) and one teacher for Nabire, Papua, Indonesia.

Crissie Rask

MAF at work in Haiti

MAF is hard at work in Haiti. For information on MAF’s involvement check out this link http://www.maf.org/news/earthquake-haiti-2010 to our MAF website.

Today, Wednesday 1-20, MAF dedicated one of the new Kodiak’s and it left Nampa, Idaho enroute to Haiti. With Avgas supplies running low the turbine powered Kodiak and increased load capability will be a big boost to relief efforts.

Although our piston fleet has been doing a number of flights to outlying areas, the supply of AvGas is a concern. This morning there was a three-day supply on hand.

The Kodiak’s progress can be followed at: http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0D1PXJl3qUEr3JnlFt9jYrAhIK3fcdFYC

Email is flooded so we ask that, except for family, you not email staff in Haiti for now. The ability of headquarters to communicate with staff there is critical.

Please pray for:
A safe trip for the Kodiak.
Rest for our guys in Haiti. Enough breeze to get rid of the mosquitoes for a few hours so they can sleep.
A solution to the AvGas problem.
Wisdom for leadership as decisions are made on how to proceed.

Thanks. Never stop praying.

For Recruiting John Hook is in San Diego this weekend at the Misson Conference at San Diego Christian College. He will be traveling Monday to Letourneau for the Mission Conference there. As always you can find links to connect with us at http://www.mafrecruiting.org/.
JL

Biggest January Candidate class in a long time

The apartments are full and children are everywhere. As I write this, the candidates are on a field trip to visit a Buddhist temple and an Islamic center. We have pilots, mechanics, several teachers, an administrator, a finance manager, a speech therapist, plus many others all here for our January Candidacy. This week and next are big weeks for all these folks as they meet with the Candidate Committee of MAF and final decisions are made about where they should be assigned for service. For many, this is the culmination of many years of preparation for service. It is exciting for them and for MAF as we anticipate how they will be such a blessing to the programs they go to.

Some may even be assigned to Haiti because of the devastation we recently witnessed. Haiti will be in recovery and rebuilding for years to come and MAF will play a big part of that. Candidacy is fun time as we see the new MAFers take their place in our organization. Pray for a long and fruitful ministry for them.