MAF-Tarakan's newest Kodiak, built by Quest Aircraft, taxis up to the hangar at the end of its ferry flight from Papua, Indonesia. This Kodiak was donated by an anonymous benefactor. The Tarakan fleet now consists of two Kodiaks and three Cessna 206's. I have been fortunate to be in Tarakan for the arrival of both Kodiaks. All of the MAF staff - the missionaries and their children and the national staff - encircled the airplane and had a time of prayer dedicating the airplane for Kingdom-building. It's a big deal here to have a brand new airplane arrive, because airplanes are the tools MAF uses to minister to people. Here is the MAF mission statement: Sharing the love of Jesus Christ through aviation and technology so that isolated people may be physically and spiritually transformed.
I'm including just one pilot's account of his typical day: *(F.Y.I. Pak roughly translates Mr.)
Today I flew almost 6 flight hours,with 12 landings in the Krayan
region. This involves many short 10 to 15 minute flights that greatly serve the
people living in these villages. Here are some highlights of my
day:
- I flew an evangelist, Pak* Jeffry from the city of Tarakan to Long
Bawan for his ministry
- I flew another Indonesian pastor to the village of
Paupan.
- While in Paupan I got reconnected with another local pastor who
is based in that village.
- I flew people home from a cultural festival from Binuang. There
were more than 75 people wanting to leave Binuang. After two flights I was able
to help 9 of them.
- I flew almost 900 pounds of crop treatment to the village of Long
Layu so that their harvest will be healthy.
- I flew some government workers to Malianau so they could further
do their jobs.
- I picked up and flew five young seminary students to the village
where the CMA seminary is located.
- I flew a young girl back out to medical care who was very sick
and may have died without the flight.
