Annual Report
Chairman Report 2009 PDF Print E-mail
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT 2009
 
 
Who would have thought that one of the most significant events that will be happening in 2009 for MAF in New Zealand would involve a motorcycle!
 
The story of Frank and Ruth Carter and their trusty DOT motorcycle has captured the imagination of the MAF community, not only in New Zealand but also in Australia and other parts of the MAF world. It has also attracted interest from the motorcycle fraternity in New Zealand.  The ‘Ride to Fly’ programme will be significant, not only as a fundraiser for MAF, not only for raising the profile of MAF in New Zealand, but most importantly, for proclaiming to the New Zealand public the good news of the love of God and His salvation and the power to change people’s lives.
 
This time last year our hearts were all saddened by the tragic death of Hadleigh Smith. To lose someone so young, so dedicated, and so enthusiastic to be part of God’s work was heart wrenching for us.  Sadly, the wreckage of the plane and Hadleigh’s body has not been recovered.  Despite extensive searches, no trace of him has been found.  We still mourn with Hadleigh’s family, but we have that assurance that he is in God’s care and that he will one day be reunited, with all those that love him. What a hope we have in being part of God’s family.
 
The question ‘why?’ is often asked in situations like this.  Often we have to admit that we do not know why.  These are situations where we are called on to simply trust in God and lean on Him and rely on the presence and strength of the Holy Spirit to get us through.
 
We have been delighted this year to send two teams of workers [from New Plymouth and Putaruru], to assist in the building of a new hanger and help build three new homes for the work based in Gove in Arnhem Land, Australia. This new hanger was opened in September and will be a valuable asset in facilitating the work in this area.
 
We have also sent more people who have responded to God’s call on their lives to go and serve.  It has been a joy to re-send experienced people like Rick & Lauren Velvin and Frank & Jenny Higham.  Also to send young people, like Rachel Goodfellow, who is the future for MAF.
 
It has been a privilege to serve on the Board this last year with a group of highly professional and committed Christians.  Their collective wisdom and passion for the work of MAF has made the role of Chairman enjoyable and stress free.
 
On the members’ behalf, I thank Chris Bruce, Andrew Crosbie, Lawrence Dixon, Greg Eden, Bruce Forlong and Rob Owen for their sound governance.  I also acknowledge Frank Higham, who was a valuable member prior to his departure to PNG and John Neal, who unfortunately was tied up all year with his role with the defence forces.
 
I also want to express the gratitude of the Board to Mark for his leadership of MAF in New Zealand and special thanks to Aggie, Kaye and Emma and, without whom the operations, of MAF New Zealand would not function as smoothly as they do.  We also thank Judith Stewart and Jan Shore for the outstanding contribution they have made during their time in the NZ office.
 
On behalf of the Board, we also welcome Ron Pritz and his wife, Mikel Ann to New Zealand and we trust that their stay in our country will be enjoyable and relaxing. It is great that they are here at the time of the ‘Ride to Fly’ event and will be as caught up in the excitement of it, as much as the rest of us.
 
Finally, as we approach the time of year when we remember the birth of our Lord and Saviour, please accept my best personal wishes and the wishes of the Board, for a wonderful and joyous Christmas.
 
God’s richest blessings.
 
 
Bill Woodward
 
Chairman of the Board, MAFNZ
 
CEO Report 2009 PDF Print E-mail
CEO Report 2009
 

Introduction
 
I have completed my inaugural year as CEO of MAF NZ and have survived! There has been much learning, many new people I’ve met, and some great new experiences. Among the new challenges has been much enjoyment, and I feel privileged to serve God through this important ministry. I have been very conscious and appreciative of the strong, solid foundation that has been built through many years, and I am mindful of the many men and women who have given so much to fulfil the “assignment” God has specified for MAF.
 
 
 
Overseas Staff
During this year, we have welcomed new international staff:
-           Frank & Jenny Higham
-           Paul & Abby Hobson
-           Kevin & Angela Nicholls
-           Neville & Christine Van Eerten
-           Rick & Lauryn Velvin
I have already had the privilege of staying with the Hobson’s, Higham’s and Velvin’s.
 
This year we have farewelled some of our staff:
-           Jonathan & Debbie Le Poidevin – They have served with MAF in Mareeba for many years, but now continue to live in Cairns, where Jonathan works for the Royal Flying Doctors Service.
-           Carl & Michelle Ramsey are home in New Zealand who have served with MAF in Madagascar. We welcome Michelle as a new immigrant to New Zealand and give thanks for the safe arrival of their second child, Nathan Noah Ramsey.

We are excited by the number of new applicants who may be joining MAF next year. We welcome Rachel Goodfellow, our newest recruit who leaves for Arnhem Land in November. Kylan and Julianne Diprose will be heading to PNG later next year and there are another 5 applicants currently being processed.
 
 
New Zealand Staff
We have had some changes to the New Zealand office staff this year, with Judith Stewart [P/A] and Jan Shore [Finance] leaving MAF. We acknowledge their contribution and dedication serving in the MAF office for 2 and 5 years respectively. They have been replaced by Aggie Brown, Personal Assistant/Personnel and Steven Gwyn who has joined us as Finance Manager. A huge thank you to Cherie West, [LatitudeSix Manager], Kaye Martin [Admin Manager] and Emma McGeorge [Communications/Publications] who continue to work diligently towards the development and support of MAF in New Zealand. I appreciate our great team.
 
 
Financial Support/Fundraising
One of our key objectives is to raise finance in New Zealand for the work of MAF International. We do this in two ways: through staff support, and through fundraising for special projects. This year has been a continuation of a special focus on increasing the financial resources from New Zealand, with pleasing results. Nevertheless, we need to continue to raise higher overseas staff support levels as our priority, and then raise financial resources to support operational budgets overseas, also committing to meeting project needs in our operational countries. We can do this through quality promotional work, specific appeals to our donors, and the strengthening of quality relationships with our major donors. However, we also need to grow the size of our database.
 
 
Publications
This year has seen some changes to our regular monthly publications. After many years, as Prayer & Praise, our prayer calendar has been reproduced in a new format called ‘Prayer Map’. Also, the regular letter from the CEO is now transformed as the ‘Flight Deck’. These publications have been introduced on a trial basis, to assess their effectiveness as we continue to develop our important communication vehicles from the New Zealand office. I would welcome your feedback. A special thank you goes to Emma for using her creative and literary skills on this project.
 
 
Charities Commission
As reported last year, MAFNZ made an application to be registered with the Charities Commission and I am pleased to report that it has been accepted. As well as registering MAFNZ as a charity organisation, we have also been granted registration for our new ‘Flying for Life Charitable Trust’. This Trust has been set up to seek special tax donee status for gifts received in New Zealand to be used overseas. The Trustees of this Trust, including myself, are:   Chris Bruce, Lawrence Dixon, Greg Eden and Kay Liddle. We are now in the final stages of this process i.e. applying to IRD for tax donee status. Please join me as we pray for a positive outcome to this request.
 
 
Visit to PNG
It was a privilege for me to make my first trip to PNG in August to visit our New Zealand staff, view the operational work of MAF and meet with our coffee supplier. I was privileged to visit the remote village of Ande, where an HF radio was installed as a gift with money raised from our coffee business. They were very appreciative to MAFNZ and I was humbled by the experience. While in that country, I was able to visit MAF air strips in Rumginae, Mt Hagen, Goroka and Aiyura.
 
 
 
MAF International
The task of Internationalisation continues with its far reaching ramifications including some impact in New Zealand. We particularly notice this with the streamlining and standardisation of recruitment, joint focus on fundraising projects, the secondment of NZ staff to overseas fields, and the future standardisation of financials, including the change to our end of financial year date to 31 December, beginning in 2010.  We are privileged to have the International CEO, Ron and Mikel Ann Pritz, attend our AGM.
 
 
MAF NZ Board
I am grateful for our quality Board, where each member expresses their own specialist skills and passion for mission. I have also appreciated the close working relationship with Rob Owen [CEO, MAF Australia] who is on our New Zealand Board. Rob and I work closely together in a number of ways, but especially regarding fundraising.
 
May I encourage MAF members to pray, not only for our overseas staff, but also for our New Zealand operation. Over recent months, I have been very aware of the spiritual battle in which we work, and therefore, would value your prayers for protection, and also for effectiveness and efficiency in ministry.
 
 
“But my life is worth nothing
 
unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus —
 
the work of telling others
 
 
the Good News about God’s wonderful kindness and love.” 
 
 
Acts 20:24 NLT
 
 
Yours in Christ
  
 
Mark Fox
CEO, MAFNZ