The Yindi “Big one” Aircraft
After its long journey across the world from MAF in Uganda through to Australia, VH-MEP (Cessna 208 Caravan) AKA the “Yindi” aircraft, underwent a major overall at the MAF Mareeba engineering base. The team worked very hard preparing the aircraft for use so that it could be then assigned to the Arnhem Land program. On Monday the 25thth of April, the aircraft was ferried across to Gove, welcomed by MAF staff and dedicated to the Lord. Since that day the Aircraft has been utilised in many ways and is a huge benefit to the Arnhem Land program. The following are a few examples of some of the flights that the aircraft has done:
SPORTS CARNIVAL
Most Yolŋu children love sports, in particular Australian Football! Often MAF is called on to help move children from place to place to participate in sports carnivals. These sports events help create a sense of community with the Yolŋu children. There are often huge smiles on the faces of the children who are travelling on these types of trips.
HEALTH CARE FOR THE YOLŊU PEOPLE
MAF is regular carrier for health patients in and out of the communities. Remote community residents who need extra health care that the remote clinics cannot provide are transported into Gove to visit the main hospital, where they see the doctor, receive further treatment and pickup required medicine. Often this all happens in one day and MAF helps return the patients to their respective communities in the afternoon. This is a vital service that MAF is able to assist with as it contributes to healthier and stronger families.
NOAHS ARK FLIGHT
One particular day, MAF received a request to relocate a family from Darwin to Elcho Island. The special thing about this request was that there was to be a collection of animals needing transportation as well. So on the 15th of June, MAF Pilot Rene Don flew to Darwin and picked up the following:
Two large olive pythons, two lap dogs, 1 bearded dragon, 1 shingleback lizard, 1 goanna, 1 galah, 1 baby saltwater crocodile, 1 woomer python, 2 black-headed python, 2 carpet pythons, plus their owner and belongings!
All crawly creatures and their owners were safely delivered to Elcho Island thanks to the Cessna Caravan and the extra space in the pods to secure these animals.
SUPPORTING OUR PARTNERS
It’s not easy working in Arnhem Land. The remoteness, humidity and conditions make it hard especially for those living in remote communities. One of those communities is Gäwa, where a small Christian School is located. For many years MAF has supported the community by providing transport in and out of this remote place. Every so often the staff need time to revitalise themselves and MAF is often called on to either take them to Gove or Darwin so that they can simply have a break! Gäwa Island community is often very quick to express thanks to MAF for the partnership and support given.
BANANAS FOR THE FUTURE
On the 6th of September, MAF Pilot Michael Beath flew VH-MEP loaded with banana suckers to start a new plantation at Gäwa Island community. Going back a few years this particular community was hit by a cyclone and as a result the banana plantation was wiped out. This particular flight was a great way to support the community by giving them opportunity to start again and grow food within the community.
RESOURCES FOR MAF
Due to the remoteness of Arnhem Land, obtaining bulky items such as furniture for homes is often expensive and time consuming. Operationally, aircraft are sometimes required to return to Mareeba to receive specialised aircraft maintenance. Whenever this happens, MAF grabs the opportunity to take freight from Gove and have freight transported to Gove. Therefore ferry flights are always full! Cargo can include office and home furniture, aircraft spares and parts, IT equipment, building resources, vehicle parts and much more.
THE GROWTH OF THE CHURCH
Since VH-MEP’s arrival in Arnhem Land, it has been a vital link in connecting different areas of the Church family together. The plane has been used to transport Bible Translators to one central place, so that they could spend time together, encouraging one another and brainstorm on how to move Bible Translation work forward. The plane has transported local people to Church rallies, dedications and events such as the Youth ministry week at Elcho Island, put on by ‘Generation Fire’, a visiting group from NSW. The plane has transported key Christian leaders around to encourage and build up the church in the homelands. MAF staff have been transported in the aircraft to encourage and build up the Yolŋu homelands under the Homeland Outreach initiative. There are many more flights, that are not mentioned but MAF can say with confidence that the church in Arnhem Land is growing with the assistance of VH-MEP.
GETTING PEOPLE FROM PLACE TO PLACE
Earlier this year VH-MEP was used to take two MAF families from Milingimbi and Ramingining to Katherine. Due to the remoteness of their locations these MAF families are required to do home-schooling. This means there is little connection with other children and therefore the trip to Katherine enabled them to connect with other home-schooling families who are doing the same curriculum. This was a week of fun, learning, and friendships, so vital!
VH-MEP has been used for a wide variety of purposes already. It has proved its usefulness and the Arnhem Land program is extremely grateful for the aircraft. In the near future the aircraft will be used in a somewhat different way. So watch this space!
Thanks to all those who have worked so hard to make this aircraft available for use and thanks to God for provision of finances and resources needed to keep this aircraft flying.
* In Arnhem Land the Yolŋu people identify the plane as being the ‘Yindi’ aircraft. The big one! After years of travel inside either a 206,210 or GA8 the step up to the Caravan is quite a treat.
