Yesterday we received notice that the final report into the investigation of Hadleigh’s fatal accident is now available. I had wondered when this report would come about and what it would reveal. It’s hard to think that it will be two years since the accident come this October. I haven’t finished reading through the report yet, but reading parts of it has brought back good memories of Hadleigh and also that of the accident. Despite all the evidence and factors looked at, the investigation was unable to identify any that could of contributed to the accident. Which I expected considering the circumstances of the accident, but has given me some more details. Please pray for Hadleigh’s family during this time.

To look at the report on the ATSB website click here

To download the preliminary report click here

To download the final report click here

Abstract from ATSB website

“On the morning of 16 October 2008, a Gippsland Aeronautics GA-8 Airvan, registered VH-WRT, was being operated on a freight charter flight from Elcho Island and return, Northern Territory. At about 1230, it was realised that the aircraft was missing. A witness reported seeing the aircraft during the early stages of the flight and, shortly afterwards, a column of dark black smoke rising from the eastern side of the Napier Peninsula. On 17 October 2008, items of wreckage from the aircraft were found in the south-western part of Buckingham Bay. The pilot, who was the sole occupant of the aircraft, and the main wreckage of the aircraft have not been found. After consideration of the available evidence, the investigation was unable to identify any factor that contributed to the accident.”

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Following the PT6 course in Sydney I was expecting to return to PNG. During the course I was still awaiting my work permit to come through. Come the end of the first week of the course, I received news that my work permit had been issued after a three month wait. Which was a big praise point. It looked like I would be able to return to PNG on my second attempt following the course.

1. View from one of my rooms at Treetops in Cairns

My entry visa had expired, but was normal practice for it to be extended to be able to enter the country again to renew it. But come Monday afternoon in the second week of the course, I learned that I needed to apply for a new entry visa due to a new rule change. Straight away i went to the local police station to get my police check sorted out as that takes two weeks to be processed. During the week I did the required medical tests and examinations after the course. Following the course and being in Sydney for fifteen weeks, it seemed the best option was to fly up to Cairns and work out at Mareeba until the new visa came through. Mareeba is MAF’s maintenance facility supporting the Asia Pacific region, focusing more on heavy maintenance. It is over 60 km’s from Cairns, about a 45 -60 minute drive depending who is driving.

2. Hangar section of MAF Mareeba

I arrived in Cairns on the Tuesday after the long weekend, not being too emotional on leaving Sydney. Not sure if it was due to being emotionally drained, or it gets easier to say goodbye each time or I had been in Sydney for an extra five weeks. I started working out at Mareeba hoping to get my visa in time to return for MAF PNG’s annual conference. The visa should only take four days to be issued, but the main thing was waiting for the police check to come through. The police check came through on time the second week in Cairns. But the following week cutting it close to conference it seemed it would not come due to another delay. So my third attempt to return to PNG seemed not possible. I was quite gutted on hearing of another delay, one due to paperwork, that I would not make it to conference. It was then that I started to get a little frustrated.

3. P-40 Kitty Hawk at Mareeba Warbird Adventures (sounds amazing flying over, couldn’t imagine an entire squadron)

The week following conference, arriving to Mareeba one morning I recieved news that my passport and visa had arrived in Cairns. It was a bit of a shock as it was a little sooner than expected, but a relief. It seemed like every possible delay took place along the way with my work permit and entry visa in delaying my return to PNG (but I’m sure there could of been others). What was a ten week planned time in Australia turned out to be nineteen weeks. But in that I was able to do so much, I was able to do the PT6 course plus attend JJ and Soona’s wedding, was able to take care of everything that needed to be done while in Sydney and I was able to spend almost four weeks in Cairns working at Mareeba. In the end I just had to accept each delay as it came.

4. Flag Staff Hill lookout at Port Douglas (didn’t do too much sight seeing, but did drive up to Port Douglas one Saturday afternoon)

My time in Mareeba was quite good, as most jobs I did were a first for me and was able to get back into Engineering. But it was good to get to know the guys better there or get to know those I didn’t know. So my highlight in Cairns was working with the guys in Mareeba. Winter in Cairns is very nice and I quickly adjusted to life there. I flew back up to Mt Hagen via Port Moresby last Monday. In Sydney I didn’t really feel like I fitted in there or had my place there. But arriving in Mt Hagen was like arriving home. So despite the changes and long delays, I am grateful for the way God worked it all out, for His provision in all that I was able to do and to be home.

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They say that 98% of all statistics are made up. Well these statistics were put together with last years records. I used some of these stats while visiting different churches in Sydney. They are encouraging to see the amount of work achieved for God’s Kingdom with the resources MAF PNG has.

1. P2-MFT at work - DHC-6 Twin Otter (workhorses of the fleet)

But after dwelling on them, in the end they are numbers. They don’t completely show the number of individuals and communities spiritually and physically impacted last year. What came to mind was 1 Corinthians 13:1-3.

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.”

• Fleet age in years - 297 years
• Fleet age avergae - 23 years
• Aircraft in fleet - 15
• Total hours flown by pilots - 10884 hours
• Total hours flown in PNG - 6890 hours
• Number of airstrips on MAF records in PNG - 592 airstrips
• Number of airstrips MAF landed at in the year - 272 airstrips
• Total flights - 14063 flights
• Fuel used - 776,318 ltr (JET A1); 227,612 ltr (Avgas)
• Flights per day (sectors) - 54 flights
• Estimated distance flown - 1,433,149 km’s (35.8x distance around the globe)
• Church subsidy tickets used - K 851,649
• Medical evacuations - 480 (960 passengers, including patient & guardian)
• Total passengers - 36,998 (15% church/mission work; 9% education)
• Total freight - 2,593,264 kg’s (38% community development)

Despite the great amount of work achieved last year and lives impacted, if we do it without love, than we don’t accomplish much before God, quite a challenging reminder.

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Two men from Bendigo Victoria, Tim Pryse and Ken Evers recently circumnavigated around the world in an aircraft designed and manufactured in Australia. Setting off from Bendigo on the 8th of May and arriving back today. A world first! All in order to promote awareness of many countries still affected severely by Malaria, especially those that they would be flying through. Plus to raise money for two charities, their goal being set for $1,000,000. And also to celebrate 100 years of aviation in Australia.

The two charities that they chose to support by their mission were AFAP (Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific) and MAF. Interesting enough the GA8 Turbo Airvan is the same aircraft that MAF PNG currently have three of in it’s fleet and also used in other MAF programs with the normal aspirated Airvan.

1. GA8 TC Airvan (MAF PNG airvan at Gippsland)

Part of their trip included flying through PNG, you can check out their blog entry on it here. What amazed me was the statistic given to them by the PNG health department of how many people die of Malaria in PNG each year, a figure that I was ignorantly unaware of. How high it is I am not sure (but seems a bit too high, whether this is accurate or not I don’t know).As HIV AIDS is one of or the main focus of prevention and awareness in PNG and living in the Highlands, malaria sort of takes a back seat at times.

2. The Flight Route (8th May to 8th July)

From what I know the guys arrived in Cairns yesterday and returned to Bendigo today.  Please check out their website and their story. You can also donate online.

3. Tim Pryse & Ken Evers

Congratulations Tim and Ken!

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MAF International Annual Review from last year is here. It gives a good overview of the work done by MAF in different programs all around the world, it is a worth while read. Without people’s support both prayer and financially, the work achieved would not be possible and ultimately not possible without the Lord. Check it out here.

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Originally my furlough in Australia was planned for ten weeks. There was two factors in deciding when to return to Australia. Being back in Sydney for a wedding or be in Sydney for a PT6 gas turbine course. I was only able to attend one of them with the time I had, so I chose the wedding. I was due back to PNG on the 12th of May.

1. Maips encountering a shark

Come the week before leaving, my work permit had still not been issued. My Engineering Manager  considered the possibility for me staying on for the course, despite what would happen with my work permit.  I was disappointed, as I was really wanting to get back to PNG, especially after seven weeks in Australia. But come a few days before due to leaving I was given permission to attend the PT6 course in Sydney for two weeks, starting 31st of May. A type course which covers all models of the PT6 and is required to be passed as part of the requirements of attaining a PT6 engine license.  The engine that is used on MAF PNG’s Twin Otter’s and Cessna Caravan.

2. Supporting the Eels at the Grand Final rematch

Attending the course would also allow Maipson to come to Sydney for the first time to attend the course. The extra three weeks before the course started, allowed me to finish everything I needed to get done before leaving for PNG again. The first time I have ever been able to get everything done before leaving. With Maipson arriving on a Saturday and departing in two weeks time, meant outside of the course we wouldn’t have too much free time. From the afternoon he arrived we were off into the city.

3. Ferry to Circular Quay, first via Darling Harbour

The course itself was very saturation in information and things we needed to know. It had been almost six to seven years since I had done my gas turbine theory, so I was a bit rusty. But most of the PT6 stuff was new for me. After the first week I felt like my brain could not absorb any more information. After the course each day Maips and I would spend time studying at a library. It was a busy time, but was good to get back into a routine. It was great for both of us to get through the course and pass both exams. It was a lot of work.

4. Sydney Harbour Bridge Pylon lookout

Some of the things we were able to do during Maips two weeks in Sydney were two trips into the city, one via train and the other via ferry. Which included Sydney Aquarium, walking from Darling Harbour to Circular Quay, the Opera House, visit my home sending Church, Thursday night shopping at Parra Westfield, seeing the Parramatta vs Storm game, going up Centre point tower, Sydney wildlife world, Sydney Harbour Pylon lookout, Manly ferry, dinner at Manly, visit a church to raise support, lunch at Dee Why and catch up with the Paix’s (former long term MAF pilot/Engineer couple).

5. Graduates

It was a really busy two weeks and very tiring, especially following on from the previous weeks. But really gratefully for the opportunity God gave me to do the PT6 course, something that I thought would not be possible when attending JJ & Soona’s wedding as well. Making the possibility of attaining that license before the end of my second term. I really take away a lot from the course. But also to be able to do it with Maips and for him to come to Sydney and stay with my parents, to see where I am from. Something that I never expected to happen, especially after spending time with his family in his village. The first of my PNG family to come to Sydney was my highlight for the two weeks.

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This is probably my favourite video of MAF in PNG. As it does really well showing the people and land that MAF serve in Papua New Guinea. Hence it gives a glimpse of PNG. It is close to five years old and was put together by one of our Pilot/Engineer’s Brad Ballin.

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In Mt Hagen there are about fifty eight different churches in the area of a population of 30,000 people (some say 40,000 including all the settlements). For some reason I have never done a post on my church in Mt Hagen, normally it’s others I visit. My home church in Hagen is Mt Hagen United Church. The PNG United denomination merged together around 1968 from three different groups. The London Mission Society, Presbyterian and Methodist mission.

1. Mt Hagen United Church

When arriving in PNG, one of many challenges was to find a church to be a member of and serve. Since coming to know Christ I had been part of one church family. That being a Christian & Missionary Alliance Church, I knew it would be hard to find another church. But I also knew that I wouldn’t be going to one for my own spiritual benefit. As there are no C&MA churches in PNG, I thought of starting my own (just joking). I visited a few churches around the area over roughly two months and during that time God lead me to Mt Hagen United. Interesting enough it was the first church I visited in PNG during my short term trip in 2005.

2. The congregation

The church is located close to the main market. It is a little different to most village churches, as we have a permanent building, we have electricity, we have a PA system and electrical instruments. We even have seating with a backrest (many churches sit on the floor or have no backrest). It is roughly a ten minute walk from my compound. The service is scheduled to start at 9 am, due to PNG time I arrive at 930 am when the service roughly starts. There aren’t too many in the congregation by then, but over the next hour or so people will turn up. The service is an English service, but is normally a mix of Tok Pisin and English. Most of the worship is in Tok Pisin (there is no overhead or projector), the rest of the service depends who is leading that part of the service. One thing I love is that there are fellowship groups based on provinces people are from around PNG. We have many people from all round the country that make up our congregation. Part of the service is an opportunity for the fellowship group’s to do an item, normally a song in their local language (tok ples) and from their culture.

3. The worship team

The service will normally go on average between three to three and a half hours, sometimes longer. After the service some hang around, but majority leave after the service. As in PNG having fellowship together is considered during the service, not really after the service. There are no refreshments or meals, unless on special occasions. For me it is hard sometimes to interact after the service, as the conversations don’t last very long or others aren’t really approachable to talk to besides a greeting. I am considered a member of the church and greeted warmly, but find myself at times not fitting socially. Whether that’s because people see me higher as them being a missionary, although we are all equal or something else. But in saying that despite different cultural challenges I have had to face, I know that is where God wants me to be and reconfirmed that on my last Sunday there, which was encouraging. It is my PNG church family, alongside my MAF PNG family. I am still finding my place where to serve in the church.

4. The men  normally sit on the left hand side. I try to sit up the back of the church or to the side to stop   blocking someone’s view or being a distraction for the little kids

One of many challenges has been the expectation on me to preach (there are a few stories). I have been attending the Youth Group on Friday nights when I can, but not since last year now. Whether the MAF ministry team is on, or I am studying, or working back it can make it difficult to make Youth Group. The dynamics is different to that of back in Sydney, but still much the same. It has been good to be part of that group and to get to know some of the leaders. But it is always a challenge as after the meeting there isn’t much opportunity to get to talk to people. But the hardest time having to share at Youth, was the Friday I learnt of Hadleigh’s accident being a fatal one. I didn’t want to do anything that night, but I ended up going to youth. I was pretty much forced to get up and share something. I really had nothing prepared and didn’t want to share anything to be honest. But God put two verses on my heart and in relation to what had happened to Hadleigh preached a little. It was hard to keep going back after that, but as a missionary your there to serve the people and that’s expected too, especially preaching. And you need to be prepared, something I need to improve on.

5. Central Province fellowship group’s item

There are many stories, functionality of the church and events to share. I will try and put more updates as it happens. It has been great to see God move and work in this church since attending in 2008. I am missing PNG quite a lot. I don’t think I have been homesick since being a little kid. I might go awol to  get back to PNG. So I am really looking forward to returning to PNG, especially Mt Hagen in God’s timing.

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Here is the other video I have been using for presentations at various churches. It is an epic three minute trailer with quotes from famous Christian missionaries, teachers and individuals. This was made by one of our Pilot/Engineers Brad Ballin.

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