Category: Engineering

What first comes to mind when you think of Africa? As children we probably thought LIONS, and we were told of all kinds of wild animals and exotic creatures that lived there, but especially the lion that we called ”the King of the Jungle’! Never did I ever dream that one day I would live and work there, and see for myself some of these amazing wonders of God’s creation. Here’s a wee selection

But the main reason for my wife and I being in Africa was not to see the wildlife, but to work with Tearfund, a large UK Christian Relief and Development agency, working in city slums and also in remote areas, not only in Africa but around the world.

Working with Tearfund out of Nairobi in Kenya introduced us to many other organisations, and many different people groups, and today I would like to introduce you to one special organisation and one Trust working with a special peoples’ group, if you are not already acquainted with them.

Mission Aviation Fellowship – 80 Years of impact in Africa. MAF is not a new organisation, but still ‘new’ to many who have yet to hear of this charity flying to the world’s remotest communities! I had heard reports about MAF through our Church, but in Africa I got to experience their work at first hand. Not only did we personally fly with them, but my wife was often at the airport with messages, parcels and equipment that needed to be transported to colleagues working in some very remote places, or picking up or dropping off Tearfund passengers. If you are unfamiliar with their work I suggest you check out their website: maf-uk.org. You can also subscribe to their quarterly free magazine, which is always a great read. Here is a selection of some old photos illustrating the variety of their work.

‘Scottie” a Cessna Caravan – funded by Scottish Supporters – Commissioning at Prestwick Airport 2003

The Rendille – 40 Years transforming lives through literacy and Faith . Back in the early 1980’s the Rendille Language had not yet been put down on paper. The Rendille were nomadic people moving around the desert/wilderness of Northern Kenya with their camels, cattle and goats. Their ‘igloo’ type houses could readily be dismantled and bundled on to their camels as they searched for fresh vegetation and water. But not only an amazing people but an amazing couple. Nick and Lynn Swanepoel arrived from South Africa to live among the people, to decipher their language and to write it down. Then came the literacy classes, and the rest is history as they say! As Tearfund’s Manager for East African affairs it was a privilege to visit this programme over a number of years. Here are some pictures of these early days.

All the above photos were taken a long time ago, but what is happening among the Rendille today? Well the advancement over the last 40 years can only be described as phenomenal, so we give God thanks for all that has been achieved.. The vision of early pioneers to bring literacy to the Rendille, and to translate the Scriptures into their mother tongue has resulted in a well educated people up to secondary school standard, and many now with a `College certificate or a University Degree. Here are a few more highlights:-

• The work of the Africal Inland Church has been greatly blessed with countless changed lives, new vision and new life in abundance within the community.
• The New Testament in the Rendille language has been printed and distributed with great rejoicing, and work is well under way on other books of the Bible.
• The establishment of the Tirrim Trust – www.tirrim.org has brought 5 new schools to the area, providing excellent facilities and a high standard of education as mentioned above. Today there are camps and special weekends for the young people and a bus to transport them around.
• New literacy classes still provide reading and writing skills to many adults, new classes are still opening up in isolated areas.
• Well drilling and the building of new water tanks continues as necessary

Too many things to tell here, check out the website above for yourself, and be inspired! Here are some recent photographs.

Who would have thought that two young airmen heading off to Africa in an old Wooden Miles Gemini plane in 1945 could lead 80 years on, to the amazing organisation that Mission Aviation Fellowship is today? Now flying 115 light aircraft in 31 different countries of the world, and flying in and out of 1,500 airstrips?

Or who would have dreamed that a young couple heading off to the wilds of northern Kenya to live amongst a nomadic tribe they did not know, whose lanuage they had yet to learn, write down and teach others to read and write, would lead to the amazing transformation amongst the Rendile people which we see today?

Both these stories have one thread in common – both the airmen and Bible translators recognised a need that they themselves could not meet, but they brought that need to God in prayer, and then moved forward in faith trusting the words of Jesus who said ‘Go …. and I will be with you always’ How amazing to see God’s guiding hand in both these stories, and now we stand back in awe and say ‘How great is our God’. Praise God also for the many men and women who have followed in their footsteps as they too have heard the voice of God speak into their hearts.

So what about you and me? Do we have a calling or an issue that we recognise we cannot solve in our own? We’ve tried this and that but nothing seems to work out. Bringing it to Jesus to seek His guidance and help is a well proved and tested approach, which I personally try to live by, – see Proverbs 3:5,6. If not yet a Christian we need to consider our sin problem which separates us from a loving God. The Bible speaks clearly about the impossibility of us solving this for ourselves, but then tells of God’s love in sending Jesus to be our Saviour and friend. Jesus took our sin to the cross, and suffered and died in our place. Now He invites us to come to Him, confess our sin, and invite Him into our lives to be our Lord and Saviour. Still time to come! Yesterday I was reading in the Bible Matthew 9:18-26 another two great stories with a remarkable ending. It tells of people who came to Jesus asking for help, and finishes with eye watering results! Do have a read!

Best wishes from Scotland, thanks for subscribing. Always glad to hear from you.

Matthew