Verna Chapman: In God’s care
It is with mixed emotions that we announce that one of the MAF greats, Verna Chapman, passed into the presence of her Lord last Saturday, 10 August 2013. Verna had been suffering declining health, particularly over the last couple of years. Husband Max and one of his daughters (who has been an attending nurse) were present when Verna passed away.
As many of you will know, Max and Verna Chapman have a very long history with MAF. Max and Verna, together with their four daughters, served with MAF from 1977 and worked in PNG, Arnhem Land, Hooker Creek and opened the Indigenous program in Central Australia. From 1996 Max and Verna were based in Melbourne where Max worked as a Training Manager at the MAF Headquarters in Box Hill.
Since their retirement in 1999, Max has regularly filled roles as a relief pilot in Arnhem Land, Aceh, Timor-Leste (East Timor) and as a ferry pilot while Verna cared for their home. Wherever they have been living, Verna has exercised a supportive calming influence.
In 2010 Max and Verna were honoured at the annual Hillsong conference for their longevity and integrity and their faithful service to the Lord through MAF (see the video below). We, in MAF, want to honour Max and Verna too. We have been blessed to have them as part of our team. Please uphold Max now in your prayers as he grieves the loss of his precious wife, Verna. And remember also daughters Karen, Joanne, Alison and Deanne and their families.
A memorial service is to be held this coming Thursday, (15 August), at 1 pm in the Heathmont Baptist Church, 78 Cuthbert St, Heathmont.
Max and his family warmly invite you to join with them in commemorating the life of Verna.