The Story

Between Top Gun and living under a flight path, Jacob was defenceless against a love of aviation. After achieving his Commercial Pilots Licence, he faced unexpected challenges in both health and opportunity, and waited another seven years before God gave him work in aviation. His love for God and passion for flying directed him to MAF, and as he waited, he prayed that God would give him someone to do mission work alongside.   

Eliza felt called to missions as a child, her home church regularly hosted missionaries, and their stories of faith, challenge and adventure inspired her to the point of tearful frustration (“Why can’t I be there now?!”). Between multiple short- and medium- term missions she completed a nursing degree and practiced paediatric and neonatal nursing. All these experiences fostered a deep love for vulnerable people groups, and cross-cultural ministry. 

Jacob and Eliza met at a church plant in 2018 and spent three years sussing each other out in a Bible study before they married, and one month later they contacted MAF. They began serving in Arnhem Land in 2023, where they were blessed to have their son, Oscar. 

Now God has led them to Timor-Leste. 

‘

8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” – 1 Peter 4:8-11 (ESV)