From Chris Barnes, CEO, maf in australia:
Welcome to this month’s MAF eNews!
This month, we celebrate a monumental milestone: 80 years since the founding of Mission Aviation Fellowship.
On May 20, 1945, a group of Christian pilots gathered in Los Angeles, USA. They shared a bold vision – to use aviation not for war, but to bring the love of Christ to the world’s most isolated people. That day marked the birth of MAF’s mission, which has since taken flight across the globe.
In 2024, 117 aircraft in 24 countries completed over 45,000 flights, transported more than 125,000 passengers and delivered nearly 4 million kilograms of cargo – much of it vital for survival in remote and hard-to-reach places.
Read just a few of the impact stories from 2024 below:
May 2025 also marks the 74th anniversary of our largest operation – Papua New Guinea. Just recently, Pilot Brad Venter flew P2-MAL on a life-saving medevac, transporting a man named Mark and several others to receive urgent medical care. “I’m really grateful to MAF for flying me and the other patients,” Mark shared. “Some of us had eye problems, and others brought their sick babies. We’re all so thankful – MAF always helps us and treats us well. I’m especially thankful we could come here so our sick could be treated.” Watch the full story here.
This is just one of thousands of stories each year you help make possible.
As we look back in gratitude, we look forward with faith. The need is great, but so is the opportunity—and with your continued partnership, we believe the next 80 years can be even more impactful.
Thank you for keeping this mission airborne. You can view our 2024 Annual Report and read more stories of impact here.
Chris Barnes
CEO, MAF in Australia
Assistance after horror bus crash
MAF joined a massive rescue effort after a horrific bus crash in Guinea which killed 16 people and left more than 50 injured.
The authorities called for help from aviation operators following the tragedy when a tyre blow-out caused the long-distance bus to plunge into a ravine during its journey in the south of the nation.
MAF flew seven patients who had suffered head trauma, spinal injuries and fractures, accompanied by local medical staff, from Nzerekore to the capital Conakry on two separate flights.
Saving Lives with medevacs
Natacio Gusmão, a baby boy from Atauro Island, suffered from an intense fever and required emergency medical treatment for his condition. He lives in Adara, a remote coastal village located on the western coast of the island of Atauro, where there is no road connecting it to the island’s main town, Vila Maumeta, on the eastern coast.
When he started feeling unwell, his parents had to take a local boat owned by the community to bring him to the main healthcare centre in Vila Maumeta, which took them two hours. After they reached the healthcare centre, the nurses performed a check-up and identified that he had a wound in his throat and a high fever, which caused convulsions and abdominal distention, necessitating special treatment.
Supporting schooling in wanakipa
Wanakipa Primary School headmaster Howard Hungi summed up the isolation of his community as he declared, “If MAF wasn’t here, I believe that all services in Wanakipa would cease to operate.”
“With no road access, the community cannot access basic services and the school is unable to get educational materials and resources for the students,” Mr Hungi said.
The headmaster stressed that the only viable method to transport goods and services is through MAF’s aviation service. “All new school building materials and supplies were delivered by MAF, enabling the operations in Wanakipa Primary School,” he added. “Every schoolbook we have in our library was flown in by MAF.” Samuel Walo, one of Wanakipa’s students, dreams of one day becoming a doctor and shares his struggles because of the isolation of his village:
“Children in town are very lucky that they can have easy access to school where they get proper education and can pursue their dreams. But I hope that one day I would become a doctor, and I know that I can become that.”
Mr Hungi described the alternative method of travel to the nearest town. “It would take a two-day journey by foot through bush tracks, and there are robbers, tribal enemies and hold ups along the way. You know, it’s not a good area. It’s very volatile. “Thanks to MAF, I am here today, and I firmly believe that without their presence, essential services in Wanakipa, including Wanakipa Primary School, would cease to function. Truly, it’s because MAF is here that I can be here.”
Hope for the Maasai
Daniel Siang’au has been cursed by his neighbours, had his flock stolen and been shot in the face – but he is now seeing healing and peace in his remote Tanzanian village.
The evangelist, who came to faith in 1998, suffered years of persecution before former rivals embraced Christianity. Daniel proposed the development of an airstrip where MAF aircraft could bring a team from Malambo Bible School to preach in Lemugur in northern Tanzania.
MAF provided transport for evangelists on the Malambo Safari to several Maasai villages, allowing them four nights of teaching and discipling.
One of those flights in February brought the team to Lemugur, where Daniel talked about his passion to share his good news. “As time passed, I felt a profound calling to share the Gospel within my own village, where Christianity was not known,” he said.
But Daniel reflected on how much hearts had changed. A former adversary told him, “Let us allow the development of the airstrip. It will not only serve the evangelists but also bring healthcare through MAF’s mobile clinics.”
In 2024, MAF flights visited Lemugur 15 times, allowing Maasai Christians to continue their ministry, as well as granting vital access to other partners who bring healthcare and support to this remote region.
Papua New Guinea Medevac
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