MAF in Mexico
MAF began operating in Latin America in 1946, with Betty Greene piloting the inaugural flight to Mexico.
Located in southern North America and the largest country in Latin America, Mexico boasts deserts in the north, lush rainforest in the south, high mountains and deep canyons in the middle and oceans on either side.
Despite being a land rich in natural resources and cultural history, the mostly Indian population in the mountain regions remain poor and isolated. 25% of all homes in the state of Oaxaca do not have electricity, 70% have no sewer system and 50% still have dirt floors. Approximately one-half of the population is under the age of 18.
MAF have been supporting the efforts of the Wycliffe Bible Translators since the late 1940s, and have a base in the mountainous state of Oaxaca.
In 1958, MAF purchased property and built a house and hangar next to the Wycliffe Bible Translation Center in Mitla, Oaxaca.
In 1998, our Mexico lifeline changed from being run by MAF to being managed by a Mexican legal entity, Alas de Socorro de Mexico (ADSM), which is now an MAF affiliate.
Today, with 2 Cessna 206 aircraft, 6 staff, enabling 10 partner organisations, ADSM works mostly in the mountains surrounding the town of Oaxaca. Flights are dedicated to community service, supporting the Church and evangelism. Our aircraft have also helped provide hurricane and famine relief.
Over the past six years, ADSM has come up with a unique strategy. Instead of basing their flight service on the needs of missionaries, they began a regular flight service to assist villagers in a mountainous area south-west of Oaxaca that was originally resistant to the Gospel.
Having built the trust and respect of the village people, they were then able to bring in a pastor who began teaching and preaching. As a result, there is now a small group of believers in almost every village we serve.