Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) uses planes to transform the lives of the world’s most isolated people in need. They enable thousands of aid, relief and mission projects in really remote places.
In today’s ‘connected world’, the irony is that never have so many people been so isolated. Flying onto desert and jungle airstrips, lakes and rivers, tracks and roads, MAF’s light aircraft and their mission pilots go the extra miles to provide a lifeline.
Working in partnership with hundreds of other Christian and relief organisations MAF enables practical help, physical healing, and spiritual hope to be delivered to many of the most remote and inaccessible communities on the planet. For 70 years, MAF has been “flying for life”.
At St Andrew’s our focus is in supporting MAF’s work in Papua New Guinea (PNG) and, from late 2021, we have supported the Norbury family; Fraser, Tracy, Oliver (b.2014) and
Rosie (b.2017). Fraser is the Head of Finance for MAF in PNG. Whilst Fraser has served overseas previously with other mission agencies, 2021 is the first time that they have gone to the international mission field as a family. You can read more about their background here.
Before they travelled to PNG they recorded a short video for their church in Romsey which gives a good explanation of who they are why they are going to PNG: you can view it here.
The Norburys are positing regular newsletters and video updates which you can sign up for via the MAF page (link above). To give a taster, here is one from a few months after they arrived: click here.
MAF have operated in PNG since 1951 and currently have 12 aircraft there landing at over 200 different landing strips in PNG. They fly in areas no commercial airlines will fly and, in many areas, are the only medical emergency service.
Their work includes working with partners. MAF carries Bibles in the aircraft to distribute to remote communities.
With the growth of the church in PNG, MAF’s work has moved more from supporting expatriate missionaries to supporting local church pastors.
Here are the Norbury’s most recent prayer letters:
14 Norbs Abroad May 2023
9-Norbs-Abroad
8-Norbs-Abroad-May-22
7 Norbs Abroad March 2022
6 Norbs Abroad Jan 2022
5 Norbs Abroad Nov 2021
4 Norbs Abroad Aug 2021
The Norburys made the following introductory video for us at St Andrew’s in October 2021.
For more details of MAF please visit their website: www.maf-uk.org
Here are details of the Norbury’s social media accounts: