Current News, Day In The Life, PNG Updates, Prayer Requests

And the story continues….Part II of

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What Does a Country Director Do has taken an unexpected turn!

We came home to the US the first part of July.  Tired and in great need of rest and refreshment for our souls.  We love what we do in PNG – even though the hours are long, there never seems to be enough help to get everything done and conditions are sometimes less than desirable with local unrest and such.  Our time as CD has been incredible; we have seen significant positive change in the program with a true focus on the spiritual aspect of why we do what we do.  Working with such an amazing group of people from around the globe and a large group of wonderful national staff whom we have grown very close to. But as we were debriefing with the MAF US team, we realized all that we had laid aside in order to go to PNG and work for so many years, giving it everything we had.  We realized how much we are needed here in the US with aging parents, our only grandchild who is almost 9 now and with our children as well, the boys have disassociated themselves from all family ties while we have been overseas serving. Despite our best efforts to support and love them from afar.

We have spent countless hours in prayer and seeking wise counsel from various sources within the mission and outside Christian counselors as well and we have made the difficult decision to resign from our position as the Country Director of the PNG program and focus on caring for our family at this time.

We spent the months of July and August working through this decision and then in September we finalized plans and are currently – on our way – returning to PNG for a few weeks the beginning of November to pack a few belongings that we would like to keep and then selling/giving away the rest of our belongings we have collected over the 6 years in PNG and returning to Idaho to be near family.

We will be living in our home in Caldwell, Idaho along with Connie’s parents who have lived in the house since 2019.  Prayers appreciated for all of us as we adjust to living together.  Adjusting schedules and ways of doing things.  We are here to be a help and a blessing to our parents – both sets – and we are in the process of figuring out what that looks like for each one. 

So many of you have partnered with us in ministry for many years, following us from our first assignment in Yap, Micronesia (1992) where we went with our 17month old daughter Jessica, and where  Courtney was born and we adopted the twin boys.  To Africa then with Hands of Hope NW in the US and on to Philippines ending in PNG. 

Your love, care, cards, gifts and encouraging notes & emails along with many prayers over the years have deeply impacted us.  Many of you have given sacrificially and we have always tried to honor your gifts and sacrifice by being good stewards of the gifts and resources God has provided through you. 

We want you to know that there are other opportunities to continue giving through MAF or through many other wonderful organizations. 

We don’t know when or if God will have us continue in ministry abroad, but we do know that He has us here for this time and we are at peace with that.  We have seen His hand in so many ways confirming this to each of us. 

Please do keep in touch—you all have played a significant part in our ministry and lives and you are loved!

Current News, Day In The Life

What Does A Country Director Do?

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The Vital Role… Part I

Folks often understand the roles of Pilots, Engineers, Accountants, Mechanics…but what about Country Directors? We’re often asked, “What do you do?”

Since 2017, Connie and I have been serving as the Country Director for MAF in Papua New Guinea. Last year, MAF New Zealand wrote a great article on the Vital Role of a Country Director. Here are excerpts from that article….

Like the captain of a ship or the conductor of an orchestra, Country Directors often work in the background – yet they play a central role in each of MAF’s overseas programmes. MAF is a guest in each country we operate in, and our ability to stay there often relies on the Country Directors. They build and maintain strong relationships with national churches, NGOs, host-country officials, local leaders and government departments. They communicate a clear sense of vision and purpose to get these groups ‘on board’ with the vision and work of MAF. Finally, leading by example, they set the Christian tone in the MAF work environment and make sure the whole team is heading in the same direction.

Ian McBride, served in Arnhem Land from 2006-2010. He believes that the key focus of the role is, “setting the culture’ of a programme, with a strong focus on pastoral care of the team. He likens it to wearing many different hats – along with the ability to switch hats, depending on what is happening on any particular day.”

Doug Miles (along with wife Yvonne) who has most recently served as Programme Director in Arnhem Land says that, “…the role is about teamwork and ensuring the team functions to its full potential. A highlight is seeing the impact we are making on the people we serve.”

Bill Harding, who is currently Director for International development for MAF International and who previously served as a Country Director in Kenya from 1996-1999 says, “A few things about the role have changed, but it remains hugely challenging and rewarding. At a professional level you are running a small business using a ‘developed world’ technology in a developing country, which brings many challenges. You oversee the people and systems which ensure the operations are safe and compliant with local authorities. You lease, buy, or build housing and hangar space, manage budgets, ensure the import of aircraft parts and fuel is assured, not to mention pilots, engineers, and other staff. You manage a range of staff, some of whom are international, come are local, some are highly trained while others are learning and growing. Above all you are aiming for the team you lead to most effectively respond to the need of access to bring help, hope, and healing. “

“At a mission level you are leading a group of Christian missionaries called by God to ‘take the road less travelled.’ They are typically determined and resilient, with hearts of gold, but they come from different cultural, denominational, and personal backgrounds, so they may see the world and God at work in it very differently. “

“Along with management there is a pastoral care element because unlike a normal employer, the mission takes responsibility for spiritual wellbeing. the physical welfare of the team is a challenge too, if you are in a place where car jackings and break-ins are the norm. “

Connie doing blood pressures for the team members on Friday – a regular occurrence as we show Care to our team!

Bill continues. “At a personal level it means being flexible with people and adaptable to circumstances. The scope of the work that I undertook on any given day ranged from grand things like talking to the United Nations about access to South Sudan or deciding on a new hangar design, through to trying to find out who’s gone home with the keys to the MAF van, which is now urgently needed to pick up a visitor from the airport or sorting out the blocked toilet in a neighbouring MAF house because it’s late at night!”

Bill Harding in 1996, preparing to show the Jesus Film

In Part II of this blog on the vital role of Country Directors, we’ll focus a be more specifically on the role in the, “Land of the Bird of Paradise,” Papua New Guinea.

Current News

Home Assignment Dates Set – We’re On Our Way!

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I lift my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth…the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore! Psalm 121

It’s hard to believe that our last formal Ministry Partnership Tour was in 2019, this due to the challenges associated with Covid! But…praise the Lord, those days are over and we are headed to the US in July for our 2023 Ministry Partnership Tour. We’ve just been able to finalize the dates, secure programme management coverage, and purchase the tickets!

We are working on the schedule now and would so appreciate the opportunity to be able to share with your church, small group, family, or personally, about the tremendous work that MAF is doing in one of the most remote nations in the world. Below is just a small sample from one of our flights around Easter.

We would so greatly appreciate your prayers as we: pack up our home to be used by others while we are gone, finish the 5-year strategic ministry plan, host a leadership summit of 32 participants (both from inside and outside the country), prepare for a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) team who will be arriving in May for a month, complete our 5-year Civil Aviation Safety Audit for our Engineering Department (8-12 May), work on budget submissions, and prepare to depart to the US in just a few short weeks!

As I was out walking the runway this morning, pondering the above list that needs to be completed before we can step on the plane, my mind went to Psalm 121. I’m so glad that the Maker of the heaven and earth is carrying us along, every day, and every step of the way!

Current News, PNG Updates

MAF Pilot Ryan Koher Released from Prison in Mozambique!

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𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐀𝐅-𝐔𝐒𝐀 𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐌𝐀𝐅 𝐩𝐢𝐥𝐨𝐭 𝐑𝐲𝐚𝐧 𝐊𝐨𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐳𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) is pleased to confirm that pilot Ryan Koher has been granted a provisional release from prison in Mozambique.

Koher, an American pilot, along with two South African men, W.J. du Plessis and Eric Dry, also detained, left prison late on Tuesday afternoon. They have been held for more than four months.

They are required to remain in Mozambique and the case is still ongoing. We are continuing to learn more about next steps in the case from our legal counsel.

Ryan has talked with his wife, Annabel, and his two boys multiple times now and he is doing well.

The executive leadership team of MAF-US expresses its thanks for all those who have been praying for Ryan and his family. We ask for continued prayer that the final outcome will be a full release of Ryan from any charges and trial.

MAF is grateful to the courts in Mozambique for this decision. Out of respect for the legal process in Mozambique, MAF will make no further comment at this time.

To our team – thank you so very much for your committed prayers on behalf of Ryan, Annabel, their family, Eric, Willem, and all involved! The Lord is good and to be praised!!!

http://maf.org/press

Current News, PNG Updates

Triple Medevac from Sengapi

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We are blessed to have Swiss Civil Service Volunteers serving with us here at MAF in Papua New Guinea. One of those volunteers, Ralf Hartmann, normally busy in the office assisting our IT department, had the chance to join a medevac flight for three patients with broken legs from Sengapi to Mt Hagen. Here is his story…

One sleepy Saturday morning, I was jolted out of my book by a knock on the door. The neighbour was asking if I would like to observe a medevac of three patients with broken legs. I immediately agreed and 30 minutes later I was at the Mt Hagen airport helping the ground crew move seats out of the plane so that two stretchers could be fixed to the floor of the cabin.

Before take-off, the pilot asked if I still wanted to come as he was expecting heavy turbulence. I decided to go, nevertheless. Shortly afterward, I buckled myself into the aircraft at the co-pilot’s seat and we were waiting for clearance from the control tower to take off for Sengapi.

Soon, the pilot received the take-off clearance from the tower controller, and we were airborne, heading to Sengapi. Fortunately, there was almost no turbulence during the 20-minute flight, and upon landing, we were greeted by about a hundred people and three injured patients.

 For more than 50 years, MAF has been helping [the village] by transporting cargo and injured people. Without this lifeline, many of the people would have suffered permanent damage or even died if they could not be treated in a hospital.  – Ralf Hartmann

– Ralf Hartmann

One of the patients was a child of about five years, carried by his father. The second one, a young teenager, was carried on a make-shift stretcher and obviously in a lot of pain. The third patient, a middle-aged man, was carried to the plane in a wheelbarrow.

While this man was transferred to the MAF stretcher and onto the plane, the teenager’s fracture had to be stabilised with the help of two branches. As the boy was stabilised and also transferred onto the plane, I came into contact with many kinds of people. They told me what life is like in a village without road access and how grateful they are to MAF. For more than 50 years, MAF has been helping them by transporting cargo and injured people. Without this possibility, many people would suffer permanent damage or even die if they could not be treated in a hospital. After the patients were loaded and the pilot was still busy with paperwork, they showed me what infrastructure they had in their village. They were especially proud of their church and their own school. (MAF has been serving in PNG for more than 72 years – beginning operations here in 1951).

When all the administrative work was done, we could start our flight back to Mt Hagen. Thankfully, there was hardly any turbulence, and we soon landed safely at the Kagamuga airfield.

Now it was time to take the patients from the plane to the waiting ambulance. We transported the three patients to the ambulance using one of the cargo trolleys. The ambulance, a normal Toyota Land Cruiser, did not have any in-built stretchers like our ambulances in Switzerland, so we had to move the people from the stretcher to the seat benches. After another 15 minutes, the patients were on their way to the Kudjip Nazarene Hospital to receive professional medical care.

Thank you for continuing to pray for and partner with us and the MAF International Team as we serve here in Papua New Guinea!

For more great stories about the work here in PNG, please visit this link!

Current News, Prayer Requests

Mission Aviation Fellowship Issues Urgent Call for Release of U.S. Citizen Wrongfully Detained in Mozambique

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Pilot Ryan Koher taken into custody when preparing to fly supplies to orphanages

NAMPA, Idaho , December 2, 2022

NAMPA, IDAHO – Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) today urged officials in Mozambique to expedite the release of pilot Ryan Koher, a U.S. citizen who has been wrongfully detained in the country since November 4. MAF also called on U.S. government leaders to do everything in their power to bring Koher home, and invited Christians around the world to pray for Koher’s safety and swift release. 

“Ryan Koher did nothing wrong,” said MAF President and CEO David Holsten. “His wife and children deserve to have him back home in time for Christmas, and the organization that serves the orphans in northern Mozambique needs the supplies he was trying to deliver when he was wrongly detained. I urge Christians around the world to pray for Ryan’s safety and swift release, and call on those in power both in Mozambique and here in the U.S. to do everything they can to resolve this wrongful detainment.”

Koher, 31, is a pilot for Ambassador Aviation Ltd. (AAL), which is a partner of U.S.-based non-profit MAF. He was detained in Mozambique November 4 along with two South African nationals – W.J. du Plessis, 77, and Eric Dry, 69 – on the apparent suspicion of supporting insurgents in the country. The two South Africans had brought in the supplies for the orphanages. 

Koher was detained prior to piloting a charter flight to deliver supplies to orphanages near Montepuez, Mozambique. While conducting the normal security scan at the airport November 4, police took an interest in some vitamins, over-the-counter medications, and food preservative supplies Koher was to deliver for the orphanages and adult staff. None of the confiscated material belonged to Koher nor had it been loaded onto the airplane. AAL has been conducting these annual supply charter flights to the orphanages since 2014. 

The three men have been jailed on a still undetermined written charge, but there appears to be suspicion that, due to its destination in northern Mozambique, the flight was supporting insurgent activity. In actuality, Ambassador Aviation has long sought to care for those who have been harmed by the insurgency, including evacuating innocent residents following a March 2021 insurgent attack. 

AAL has retained a lawyer for Koher and the U.S. Embassy is engaged in the situation. Embassy officials attempted to meet with Koher on November 16 but were denied access to him at a prison in Inhambane. AAL later learned Koher had been moved to the Machava High Security Prison near Maputo. 

“Ryan is a caring and gentle individual,” Holsten added. “Over the last couple of years, he and his wife have worked hard to learn the language and culture of Mozambique to better serve those who rely on our service. Understandably, this situation has been very challenging for the family. We fully believe in Ryan’s innocence, and we are all praying that this issue will be resolved very soon with the charges dismissed and Ryan released.”

Following Koher’s move to an undetermined location, MAF’s security protocols required that his wife and young children return to the United States to allow for better care by the organization and family. Information about the Koher family can be found at https://maf.org/missionaries/koher 

Mission Aviation Fellowship began serving the people of Mozambique in 1999, and in 2014, Ambassador Aviation became the operational entity as a registered charter service in the country. Based out of Nampula with two aircraft, the Cessna 206 Koher was to pilot at the time of his detainment and a Cessna Grand Caravan, typical flights include medical care and evacuations through the MOZMED project, VAMOZ, a Mozambican humanitarian volunteer organization, the Wildlife Conservation Society, and JOCUM (YWAM).

In 2021, AAL evacuated over 800 people from Afungi following insurgent attacks on Palma in the Cabo Delgado province. They also provided 24,476 kg (approximately 54,000 lbs.) of food, medicine, and relief supplies to the area. AAL delivered 29 aid workers, primarily from VAMOZ, and 32 medical workers, the majority from the Mozambican Ministry of Health. In addition, medical evacuation flights were conducted in the area for several months in late 2021 and early 2022 as the region recovered from the attacks.

In 2019, AAL provided a disaster assessment by air following Cyclones Idai and Kenneth and conducted 184 relief flight legs, delivering over 45,000 kg (about 99,207.9 lbs.) of cargo and 691 passengers as part of the humanitarian assistance response.

# # #

Mission Aviation Fellowship (www.maf.org) was founded in 1945 by WWII pilots who had a vision for using aviation to spread the gospel. Since that time, MAF has grown into a global family of organizations serving in 37 countries across Africa, Asia, Eurasia, Indonesia, and Latin America, supporting the work of missionaries, Bible translators, and relief and humanitarian agencies around the world. MAF’s U.S. headquarters is in Nampa, Idaho.

Current News, PNG Updates, Prayer Requests

Connections

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Globally, especially within the mission community, connections are amazing. Just today, as Todd and I were on the ramp to welcome Ricky Poki back to Hagen, one of the pilots from the Air Niugini Boeing 737 walked across the tarmac towards us. He walked right up and said he wanted to say hi, and showed us his phone and he was having a video chat with Abdiel David, a friend working in the MAF I office in Cairns, Australia!!

Ricky and Ole with the Boeing 737 in the background

It turns out that Ole was a pilot with New Tribes for many years and is now living in Cairns, Australia. He is neighbors with Abdiel and also with Stephen Charlesworth, who we work closely with out of the MAF I support office in Cairns. Not only did we have that connection, but we discovered another connection as well. We introduced Erwin Jungen, Todd’s outgoing Admin Assistant and Ricky Poki, Todd’s former Admin Assistant. Ricky is headed to train at SMAT in Michigan, with the goal or one day flying for MAF in PNG. Ole’s son is training at SMAT right now!!

Todd and Ricky speaking at the fundraiser to get Ricky to SMAT

Saturday, 11-June, a fundraising event was held in the Capital City – Port Moresby, at Vision City in support of Ricky Poki’s flight training.  This event was sponsored by friends of the family and involved a dinner and presentations about MAF by Todd, and also the call that the Lord has placed upon Ricky’s heart.  There were more than 150 people in attendance, including representatives from key governmental agencies, and corporations.  The Lord was truly present during the event. 

Todd and the newly formed project leaders


As follow up to the contacts made on Saturday, and facilitated by Ricky’s father, Dr. Poki, we had meetings on Monday the 13th with the Managing Director of one of the major corporations in PNG and a team from PNG’s newly formed National Identity and Unification project.  Great discussions were had about how MAF, with its 70+ years of involvement in the building of PNG, could be further involved in bringing unity to the remotes areas of PNG.  More to come on this. 

Speaking of connections – if you would like to hear from us more often you can follow our new ministry instagram page @tcaeb.png which has more pictures – less words. With a glimpse of life here in PNG the fun stuff and the not so fun stuff.

Prayer Requests:

We are in the midst of the National General Elections here in PNG – one of the hot spots for turmoil is Mount Hagen where we live and operate the main headquarters. There have already been a few issues, but so far the defense force has been able to keep things somewhat peaceful and we haven’t had too many non flying days due to associated unrest.

We have so many open positions that need to be filled – critical ones include HR Manager and IT Manager, and an XO for Todd.

Transition for our daughter and son-in-law coming out to PNG to teach and help with Comms – prayer for our other daughter and our only grandchild as this will affect them greatly.

Current News, PNG Updates, Praises, Prayer Requests

We Have Great News to Share – Answered Prayers

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As you may recall, we have been in desperate need of teachers here in the MAF PNG Program – actually, teachers are in high demand all across this country and the world.   This has been a major prayer request!

We are so grateful to announce that our youngest daughter Courtney and her husband Landen will be joining us in PNG. Courtney (who graduated with a teaching degree from Northwest Nazarene University back in 2017 and has been teaching in the West Ada School District) will be Teaching at the New Tribes School in Lapilo.  They are scheduled to arrive the end of August.  While Courtney is teaching, Landen will be serving with MAF PNG’s Communications Team – doing some traveling (his previous adventure guide training definitely will help here)  to get the stories, photos and videos to share what God is doing across this great nation through the ministry of MAF. 

Landen & Courtney with their dog Seb

I had a dream a while back that all our kids were working here in PNG alongside us –I have been praying that God would work on their hearts, giving them all a desire to come and that dream is turning into reality. Two down – a few more to go! 🙂

Much prayer is appreciated as they go through the orientation process at MAF US starting on Monday 11 July, and as they pack up their home and begin to clear debt and raise funds to move across the globe to bless the lives of the children and families serving here.  If you would like to keep in contact with them and help them on their journey with prayer and finances, you can follow their progress at their MAF link here.  If you would like to bless them with funds for the needed purchase of items to bring with them, that would need to be done directly to them, I know they would appreciate that greatly!

Please join us in praising God for His answers to our needs – and His timing! And continue to pray for the PNG program as we follow the Lord’s leading and  have so many staff needs in all areas! 

Together for Him,

Connie Lou for Todd too

Current News, PNG Updates, Prayer Requests

Observed Impact

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As the crowd squeezed inside the two large tents Thursday night to avoid the drenching rain, they watched with eyes glued to the screen as Jesus was brought to life in the Jesus Film.

Watching the film

From the singing to the wrap up by Pastor Les, all was a bit difficult to hear over the pounding of the rain on the tents above and yet, in away, it caused them to lean in more than they might have otherwise.

Sunshine breaking through the clouds

What happy hearts we had as we walked to the field Friday evening in the sun and watched an episode of The Chosen along with a guest band from the Baptist church here in town which had everyone dancing with praise.

Godfrey, the MC held their attention with a story of a missionary boy growing up in the Sepik, learning the ways of the bush children he played with every day. Oh their delight when he revealed that he, Godfrey, was that boy. When he announced that his wife had just arrived from New Zealand, hundreds of children stood to their feet and waved their greetings to her as she sat by the sound booth.

Godfrey our MC on stage – and his wife Glen just arrived from New Zealand sitting in the back

Pastor Les had a powerful message bringing the children along with him as he spoke, grabbing their attention with stories and application to the scripture!

Each night on our veranda I fed about 50 staff / families over an hour and a half between the children’s program that ran from 3-5 and the main event that started at 6. I had lots of help, and thanks to the large 30 cup rice cooker Todd got me for our Wednesday night Singles Dinner/ Study, and large cooking pot that made it doable! Mandy, our Comms gal provided salads and sweet kai (cupcakes) for each evening – a huge blessing!

Our final night was Saturday, and we saved the movie End of the Spear for that night. All eyes glued to the screen, often as tears ran down their cheeks, gripped by the story. They seemed to connect with the tribal fighting and killing, and were deeply moved as they changed their ways. Their understanding of who MAF is and why so many from around the world would come to their country was furthered, as they recognized the people in the video were from the same organization – with the same mission and vision.

As I walked home carrying some stools we had used for various things, I asked some young men for help to cross the ditch that separated the field where the tents were from the road. They not only took the stools and helped me across but said they would carry them to my house for me. They excitedly said that next year, when we have the event again, they are going to invite more people and it would be bigger and better! They were so thankful for MAF for coming to PNG and for the Outreach Event. My heart and face were smiling as I listened to them and got their names and interacted with them on the short walk home.

Fast forward a couple of weeks and as Todd and I walked across the road from having Sunday lunch with one of our families, we noticed an agitated crowd gathering at the corner across from our compounds. This is typically not a good sign and we asked the guards if they knew what was going on. Ramson, a relief guard on our compound said that some young men from one settlement across from us had been in a fight the night before at the bar down the street and were planning to go and fight the men from the other settlement. But that the elders from their settlement had come and were trying to convince the young men that fighting was not the way to settle this.

We prayed that the elders would have the words to say and that the hearts of the young men would be open to listen and follow their instruction. As we crawled into bed later that night – we realized that there hadn’t been a fight! We were overjoyed and praised God for this small victory. And couldn’t help but think that perhaps the movie had impacted hearts more profoundly than we had anticipated.

We are in the midst of elections, some of our team members have already left the country for early home assignments, more are preparing to leave in the next few days. We have encouraged this for those due to return to their passport countries for home assignment, just because of the unrest that typically comes to this area around elections. However, the streets have been eerily quiet the last few nights. We are very thankful for this, and for the extra military patrols on the streets, making sure that things remain peaceful.

Your prayers are appreciated over the next couple of months as elections are prepared for, held, counted, contested etc…. May we be a light shining the love of Jesus in the midst of it all. May we have the ability to continue to serve the isolated peoples. Just today Todd was able to negotiate with a group of peaceful protesters that have shut down the airport to the commercial operators, but allowed MAF and one other small aircraft/helicopter operator to continue operations today. Please pray for wisdom for our leaders and for peace for those families who have opted to stay here through it all to continue to serve and show the love of Christ.

Formerly serving with MAF International in Papua New Guinea – Returned to USA in November to focus our ministry service on family!