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Every time I visit one of the MAF operations,
I am always impressed by the quality of the staff and the value of MAF services
to the isolated communities. MAF is an amazing organisation that is an honour
to be a part of and associated with.
A recent survey conducted by MAF US called
‘Operation Access’ identifies 189 regions in the world that are still unreached
with the gospel of where there is no effective Church. Over half of these
regions would benefit significantly from MAF’s services, as access to them is
the major barrier to the gospel being shared. While MAF has accomplished a lot
in its 60+ years, there is still plenty to do, and this for me, provides
sufficient motivation for us to do our very best to eradicate barriers to the gospel.
Focus for MAFNZ
As a resourcing Nation we want to do our best
to achieve our maximum contribution through sending people and funds to support
the existing work as well as establish new operations. Our focus is on these two
main goals; to increase staff, both in numbers and in quality, as well as raising
funds to be sent overseas.
Recruiting
It has been good to farewell the Nel’s and Sims in the last half of this year and with the Wilkinson’s preparing for PNG we are continuing to provide quality
staff for MAFI. There are several in various stages of their applications, so
may see another two or three families depart in 2008. We have some plans for
improving how well we prepare people for MAF service. Part of this could well
be achieved through having an aircraft for training purposes and I would like to
have a Proposal compiled for consideration next year.
MAFI are currently introducing a new
psychometric test for pilots known as GPSS. The online tests take a few hours
to complete and the results are collated in Holland. This will give a MAFI standard for
all applicants and measure each against the specific requirements for MAF
operations.
Fundraising
Wayne has been instrumental in
restructuring our thinking and practices in how we go about increasing the
level of funds raised and we are beginning to see an improvement from his
input. Fundraising is a skilled task which needs to be done well and finding
the right people to do this is a challenge.
MAFI has a goal to double the income by 2010
to meet the growing demands for our services. MAFI also recognise that for this
to happen, there is a need for the resourcing nations to be better equipped and
through the visits of Keith
Jones (November 06, May 07) as
well as hosting a Fundraising Conference in the UK in May 07, we have gained
valuable insights into what can be done. I am very grateful to MAFI for their generosity
and availability to help us.
MAFI - What has Changed for Us?
MAF Australia has run management training for
some years in Cairns
and we have been privileged to be able to participate in these events. MAFI
have identified key staff in different roles to share their expertise helping
to improve our overall standards and adopt the best procedures. MAFI are very
much committed to being effective not only in the field operations, but also in
the home personnel. This training is continuing and is a huge benefit to us. While
not every idea or practice is transferable from another country, it does help
us to know where to begin and to learn from their experiences. The willingness
to share information and resources is incredible and a fine example of the
commitment to serve the vision of MAF rather than national pride.
The Way Ahead
Perhaps the main challenge for us is to
increase the number of people on the data base mailing list, and consequently
the number of people who are able to support MAF in prayer and with finance.
The strategy is to appoint MAF Representatives
in the major cities and towns. These volunteers would be carefully selected,
trained and resourced to build up the support network of MAF. Their main
purpose is to find mission minded people who can be included on the mailing
lists, and facilitate Church or Home meetings for staff on leave.
It is expected that it will take another 3 years
to substantially increase the donated income, anticipating that by 2011, we
will be close to making our maximum contribution to MAFI.
We now have the equivalent of 3 full time
staff and I would like to add other people to the team in the near future to
help with the work load. It’s not essential for them to be Auckland based and a ‘positions vacant’ list
will be distributed early in the new year.
I have been very much aware of God’s
provision in many ways this year and I am deeply appreciative of the Lord’s enabling.
I am also humbled by the generosity of so many mission focused people who through
their prayers, giving, and faithfulness enables MAF to continue to show God’s
love to people.
Thank you, Blessings
Rick Velvin
General Manager
This month, the
founding documents that formalise NZ as a member of MAF International will be
signed. The Declaration of Internationalisation was signed at the Council
Meeting on Nov 1st, and the Covenant of Partnership signed at the
AGM. As a member of MAF International, we can celebrate being part of a global
organisation and working with the other member countries to show Christ’s love
to those who live in isolated regions.
It will mean some
changes. In due course, we’ll shift our financial year into line with other MAF
countries (Calendar year), start using the old MAF-Europe logo more in our
publications until a new logo is produced, amend some of our polices to reflect
the preferred standards and practices, revise our strategies for promoting MAF
and fundraising, all with having greater access to the resources and assistance of MAF International.
This is a challenge for
us and it’ll be great for us to realise the full potential for us here in NZ in
supporting the ministry of MAF worldwide.
Andre & Caroline
Falconer are the newest family to be joining MAF in Arnhem
Land. Earlier this year Leo & Glen Hume left for Ache in Feb, Kylan
Diprose started a short term assignment in Arnhem Land
in July (6 months) and Geoff & Leanne Calder arrived in PNG during Oct. We are get ting a lot more people enquiring
about MAF and its good to see more people committing to the training and
discovering God’s call on their lives. Over the previous few years, we haven’t
seen many leaving for service, however we currently have a number who are
working towards serving with MAF in the future. We are blessed with having
William Nicol to do flight assessments and help evaluate potential staff.
Information (Training)
Days have been reintroduced to keep those enquiring about MAF better informed.
Two PD (Partnership Development) courses have also been run to help staff with
raising supporters and keeping them better informed about what’s happening.
Leon Muir started with
MAF in 1996 when he went to Arnhem Land and
later onto PNG in 1999. He excelled with his visits to many of the isolated
villages in the Goroka region, showing films and later videos which he had had
dubbed or translated into pidgin. With his marriage to Lynn in Jan 2004 and the birth of Nathan in
May this year, his 11 years in PNG has been a very significant period in his
life. We wish them well as they have resigned from MAF and are in the process
of moving to Kentucky in the US. Thank you
Leon & Lynn for a job well done and the ministry that you have lived in the
Eastern Highlands of PNG
We have been fortunate
to have had Denis Lorimer (Development Manager MAF Asia Pacific) and Keith
Jones (former CEO of MAK UK)
spend time with us recently. Its good to liaise with Denis and look for ways to
work more closely together for MAF. Keith was here in Oct for 12 days offering
advice and suggestions to help work better and increase the support for
MAF. As a member of MAFI, we can benefit
a lot from their resources and experience, something which they are very
willing to do.
Dianne joined the Team
in April and has been able to accomplish a lot in the last few months. Wayne started in July and
brings a lot of expertise which we are very grateful to have access to. I’m
excited about the future and the possibilities that we have for promoting the
ministry of MAF. We will need to look for other key people to fill positions in
the office in the near future as well.
Being able to travel to
Africa in Sept was a real privilege. Madagascar, Kenya
and Southern Sudan are very different
countries but share similar levels of poverty, lack of basic resources such as
clean water, a very high risk of diseases and no easy solutions. Our families
there, Carl & Michelle Ramsey, Gavin & Jo Prentice and John &
Kristina Tipper, are very well respected by the nationals, other MAF staff and
all are doing an excellent job. They are very appreciative of the support from
churches and individuals and love having
visitors!
Its great to have
Cherie looking after the Coffee project and she has taken it to a new level,
where we’ll see the benefits for the growers in PNG and MAF continue to
increase.
The biggest threat that
the world is facing isn’t global warming. Sin is rampant and reigns in the
hearts of people who are oblivious to its effect on their lives and the
decisions that they make impacting others. After many years of Church work in
countries such as PNG, we see declining economies, increasing corruption and
instability. The barriers to the gospel are still there for the following
generations, and so we continue with a renewed determination to play our part
here in NZ, to see that the ministry of MAF is as effective as it can be. Quality staff, faithful prayer warriors,
generous donors, all sacrificially giving for the sake of bringing the love of
Christ to those who probably have never experienced being loved.
Thank you for your
support for a fantastic cause.
Rick Velvin
General Manager
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