Week 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4
WEEK 1: Staff Focus – KARLOS AND CAITLIN WILKINSON-SARUNIC
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.” – Matthew 19:29 (NIV)
Karlos, how did you and Caitlin come to the decision to work with MAF in Bougainville?
It has really been a long journey. After joining MAF in 2019, I became good friends with Bryan Mathews and was continually inspired by his passion for using technology to serve people and support mission work. Over the years, Bryan often spoke about Bougainville, and those conversations planted a seed that stayed with me. Later, I had the opportunity to help establish the technology infrastructure for MAF’s new operation in Bougainville, where I fell in love with the place and its people. For Caitlin and me, Bougainville seemed uniquely suited to both our callings, allowing me to use technology in a hands-on mission role, while giving Caitlin opportunities to pursue her passion for conservation. After much prayer and reflection, I felt God leading me to apply for the role.
What kind of preparations have you had to undergo for this transition?
There has been quite a lot of preparation involved, both practically and personally. We completed orientation with MAF Australia, cultural training, program induction and security training to prepare us for life and ministry in the field. A significant part of the journey has also been building a prayer and financial support team, which has stretched us well beyond our comfort zones and become a real opportunity to grow in faith. Alongside that, we have been preparing for a major move by working through housing, logistics, possessions, and even finding a new home for our dog, Sasha. Earlier this year, I also spent a month in Bougainville working alongside the team in the Carteret Islands, which gave me a much deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities of serving there, and confirmed that this is where I believe God is calling me.
WEEK 1: August 1-8 PRAYER POINTS – Karlos and Caitlin
- Pray for a strong prayer and financial support team to grow and be a solid connection and encouragement for Karlos and Caitlin, as they embark on this new chapter with MAF.
- Pray for the logistics of moving overseas and condensing their belongings in order to take what they need with them on the airplane.
- Pray for a wonderful new home for their dog Sasha.
- Praise God for Karlos and Caitlin’s commitment to the work that God has gifted them for and called them to.
- Pray for Caitlin as she explores opportunities to use her gifts in environmental, marine conservation, that God would open doors for her to pursue her passions and honour Him in her work.
- Pray that Caitlin and Karlos will make great friends who can fellowship with them and support them as they settle into their new home in Bougainville.
- Pray for spiritual protection during this challenging time of transition. Pray for peace and assurance of God’s presence. Pray against discouragement and fear.
Week 2: fuel prices
“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of His glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19 (NIV)
As fuel costs rise around the world, MAF continues to serve those in isolated communities whose need for help, hope and healing has not diminished.
We praise God for His provision. Jehovah Jireh, our provider, is able to do abundantly more than we can hope or imagine.
Fuel keeps our planes flying to remote communities. Fuel enables lives to be saved and the light of the gospel to reach those who otherwise would not have access to God’s Word.
Your prayers are our fuel as we all face the challenges of rising fuel costs. Thank you for partnering with us during difficult seasons.
WEEK 2: August 9-15 PRAYER POINTS – Rising Fuel Costs
- Praise God that we have been able to continue flights.
- Pray for wisdom, discernment and provision for our programs around the world, who are all facing the same challenge of rising fuel costs.
- Pray that we can keep on serving those in isolation who rely on the life link MAF provides, no matter the cost of fuel.
- Pray for our ‘Fuel for Father’s Day’ and ‘Fuel Fund’ campaigns, that they will be well received and the outcome will result in people continuing to receive help, hope and healing.
- Pray for those who live in remote places where being able to afford fuel means the difference between having access to healthcare, education and fellowship – or restriction and isolation.
- Pray for those for whom the cost of fuel is rising beyond affordability, exacerbating daily challenges and resulting in people having to make difficult decisions between buying fuel or buying food, or medicine, or paying school fees.
WEEK 3: MAF AUSTRALIA OFFICE STAFf
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.” – Romans 12:6-8 (NIV)
The team here at MAF in Australia are part of the global MAF family. We are committed to raising prayer, people and provision for the MAF programs, and work hard to make sure MAF can continue to operate out in the field.
We have a variety of people in different roles creating a solid grounding for MAF to continue thriving and serving. Roles in the office include administration, fundraising, finance, managers, volunteers, church connections, marketing, communications, recruitment and systems, as well as awareness and education, and pastoral care.
We would love your prayers as we seek to support our field staff and encourage more people throughout Australia to join with us in God’s mission of help, hope and healing.
WEEK 3: August 16-23 PRAYER POINTS – MAF AUSTRALIA OFFICE STAFF
- Pray for Malcolm Pass (p.19) as he undertakes 10 days of country work with MAF during August. From 15 – 23 August, he will be sharing at Newcastle Presbyterian Church, attending a CineMAF event in Parkes and speaking at a small rural church in Trundle. Pray for safety in travel, logistics, planning and for open hearts to be captured by a passion and vision to support MAF’s ministry.
- Accompanying Malcolm, Owen Blair from our education program, will be doing two school program visits – to a Christian school in Wee Waa and Carinya Christian School in Gunnedah.
- Malcolm will also be coordinating the MAF stall and presence at AgQuip in Gunnedah. Praise God for volunteers, Chris Sinfield and Ron Watts, who will be accompanying Malcolm. AgQuip is a wonderful family event and the MAF stall will have a mini plane, virtual reality headsets and some other interactive activities for kids.
- Praise God for the churches and schools who are willing to have MAF come and present to their communities.
- Please pray for Eleanor Rivers (p.18) as she collaborates with the MAF team in Jakarta, Indonesia, on an upcoming awareness and fundraising event featuring a leading Indonesian worship artist. We pray for wisdom, creativity and favour as plans come together, and that this event would effectively introduce the ministry of MAF to the Indonesian diaspora in Australia. May God bless every partnership, provide every need and use this event to inspire lasting support for His work among isolated communities in Indonesia. Amen.
- Pray for the families preparing to attend Orientation in Thailand this month. Ask God to keep them safe in their travels, bless them with meaningful learning, and provide rich opportunities to connect, encourage and build relationships with other MAF families.
WEEK 4: TANZANIA
The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.“ – Matthew 6:22 (NIV)
MAF has been serving in Tanzania for over 65 years. MAF began flying to Tanzania from Kenya in 1959. In 1977 we began a permanent program in Dodoma to meet the needs of missionaries. Today, MAF operates two planes with eight staff serving seventeen partners.
Our present focus in Tanzania is on medical and evangelistic ‘safaris’. MAF fly medical staff and pastors to remote villages so that they can provide medical care and conduct different specialist clinics, including antenatal and mother-and-child checks. While the health staff are meeting physical needs, missionaries and pastors preach and fellowship with those yearning for encouragement from God’s Word.
Thanks to these trips, isolated people can receive treatment and hear the Gospel.
WEEK 4: August 24-31 PRAYER POINTS – TANZANIA
- Pray for the many people in Tanzania who struggle with blindness, which affects every aspect of daily life, such as the ability to provide food for family needs.
- Praise God for the medical safaris carrying eye specialists and surgeons, who perform life-changing operations, giving sight to the blind.
- Pray for the safety of medical and evangelical teams who fly on MAF planes to remote communities. Pray that their time on the safaris would be fruitful and many people would receive much needed medical care, and also hear about the love of Christ. One such clinic saw almost 1,000 patients treated by medical specialists over a two-day period.
- Pray for the MAF pilots who fly the safari teams out to remote locations and stay with them for the duration of the safaris. Pray for good health and wisdom in decision making, whilst flying in challenging conditions.
- Praise God for the reopening of Looblin Clinic in rural Tanzania. The clinic provides mothers and children with basic health care including vaccinations, growth monitoring and maternal check-ups.
- Pray for the MAF Tanzania ground staff who provide support to the pilots, organise the flights and minister to the passengers who fly with MAF.
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