Flying with MAF
Renee Brewer and Bridget Ingham are pilots for MAF in Papua New Guinea. They recently shared with MAF Australia some insights about their experience and their work.
Interview with MAF Pilot Renee Brewer
MAF: What is your role?
Renee: I work for MAF as a pilot in Papua New Guinea. I fly people and cargo in and out of places that are inaccessible by other means.
MAF: How long have you been working in this role?
Renee: I’ve been working with MAF in PNG for one year and have been flying solo for 5 months
MAF: What led to you serving as a pilot with MAF?
Renee: I have had a passion to help people and do something meaningful with my life since I was a child. I started taking flying lessons when I was a teenager and later found out about MAF. I was excited and inspired that I could work for an organisation like MAF and fly a plane! From then on God continued to make my path straight toward MAF.
MAF: Can you share how one of your recent flights has shown God’s love to people in need?
Renee: It’s hard to share just one because we are fortunate to do many flights that do this. Recently I was able to transport a small boy who had suffered a crocodile bite to his arm. His family was very grateful that MAF was able to bring him to a big hospital where he could get the help he needed.
MAF: What is a Bible verse that encourages you?
Renee: “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
MAF: What has been one of the challenges you have faced in this role and how is God helping you to overcome this challenge?
Renee: I’ve found flying in Papua New Guinea pretty challenging in comparison to flying in New Zealand. There are a lot more uncontrollable variables! I am bringing my challenges to God and reminding myself that he won’t give me more than I can handle.
MAF: What difference does it make to know that you have the support of churches and Christians in prayer and giving through MAF?
Renee: It’s amazing to have a team of people and churches supporting and praying for me. They greatly encourage me, and I am fortunate to encourage them.
MAF: How can MAF supporters pray for you and your ministry?
Renee: Please pray for strength and good health for the MAF pilots in PNG.
Interview with MAF Pilot Bridget Ingham
MAF: What is your role?
Bridget: I am a full-time mission pilot with MAF in Papua New Guinea.
MAF: How long have you been working in this role?
Bridget: I moved to Papua New Guinea to take up the role in January 2022. Prior to this I was serving as a flight instructor at the Mareeba MAF Flight Training Centre.
MAF: What led to you serving as a pilot with MAF?
Bridget: I first wanted to be a pilot when I was about 11 years old, and although I got my private pilot’s licence at 19, it was many years later that God got my attention through a major restructure at the government research lab where I was working. I realised that God had given me that job in the first place, and if He wanted to take it away, it was only because He had something better for me. Within five years, God had opened the doors for me to get my commercial pilot’s licence, instrument rating, and be accepted by MAF.
MAF: Can you share how one of your recent flights has shown God’s love to people in need?
Bridget: I flew a medevac from a village to the nearest town (where we have a MAF base) for a four-year-old girl who had two broken arms. Her father came along as her guardian, but he was terrified because he thought if he went to the town, the devil would kill him. So before we took off, I prayed for them both, thanking God that He is all-powerful, He doesn’t sleep, and asking Him to watch over them both. I also contacted the MAF ground staff at the base asking if they could provide some practical help. When I landed, they brought a local pastor to the plane and introduced him to the man as someone he could call on whenever he needed. You wouldn’t get that kind of service from any other airline!
Pretty much all of our flights to bush airstrips are helping isolated people, whether it’s delivering trade store goods, school supplies, transporting teachers, health workers, pastors, or medevacs. Many of these communities tell us that MAF is the only operator who will fly there. The fact that we are willing to go is both a practical lifeline, and a reminder that God hasn’t forgotten about them.
MAF: What is a Bible verse that encourages you?
Bridget: My favourite Bible verse is Isaiah 40:31, “They that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength. They will rise up on wings like eagles, they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint.” We like to soar like eagles, but there are times when we’re not able to do that, but we can still run. Then there are times that we can’t even run, but we can still walk. It is Christ who strengthens us for the work He has called us to do.
MAF: What has been one of the challenges you have faced in this role and how is God helping you to overcome this challenge?
Bridget: In terms of flying, I have found the weather in PNG very challenging. It’s taken a couple of years to gain enough experience to feel comfortable in most weather conditions. It helps to know that God is the one who is in control of the weather, and He is also the one who gives us wisdom if we ask (James 1:5).
In terms of daily life, an unexpected challenge was feeling less productive than I thought I should be, although this is a very normal experience for anyone moving to a new culture! It took awhile for me to accept it, but I have realised that for me to thrive long-term, I need to look after myself and not overcommit. I have had to learn humility and trust in God for everything, even trivial things that I thought I was able to handle on my own.
MAF: What difference does it make to know that you have the support of churches and Christians in prayer and giving through MAF?
Bridget: It makes a huge difference. I’m blessed to have a great support network that I can reach out to. There have been spiritual attacks along the way – both before I came to the field and while I have been here. Being able to let people know so they can be praying is a great comfort. I’m humbled by financial gifts that people give as well, especially those whom I have only met once or twice, or not at all. I rejoice that God rewards each one for their faithfulness, whether it is serving, giving, praying, or whatever.
MAF: How can MAF supporters pray for you and your ministry?
Bridget: Now that I have been in the program for a couple of years, I am starting to be given more responsibilities. Please pray that I can make wise decisions about what to take on, that I can maximise any down time that I have to rest and recharge, and that in all things I can serve God with excellence and represent Him faithfully to all with whom I come into contact.