Connect: Facebook Twitter Flickr YouTube LinkedIn
You are here: Home > About MAF > Ministries/Programs > Congo (East)

Congo (East D.R.C.)

Photo Supplement

Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) provides vital aviation and communications services to national churches, Christian missions, and non-government organizations (NGOs) ministering in east Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

MAF fills a strategic role in touching countless lives for Jesus Christ by standing with, and supporting, Congolese churches, missionaries, and an increasing number of short–term mission teams. Five MAF missionary families and 16 Congolese staff members with two aircraft serve the northeastern region of DRC. MAF is committed to supporting the emerging interdenominational and intertribal Christian movement that is facilitating ministries of healing, reconciliation and Biblical community development. Other mission groups and humanitarian agencies utilize MAF services to help with rebuilding efforts and alleviate the suffering of those displaced or affected by a destabilized east DRC.

Though stability is returning to the region, DRC continues to be a place of great need and uncertainty. Tomorrow's ministry opportunities will be shaped by the future level of security in the country. The fledgling, democratically elected government faces an almost insurmountable task to bring government services to the population. Business, NGO, and mission interests will be greatly affected by the function or dysfunction of the tax, administration, and regulation services of the government. The potential need for new relief and development work is vast, but will be tempered by the ability of organizations to work unmolested.

Some of the organizations that depend on MAF services to carry out their ministry efforts include Africa Inland Mission (AIM), Congo Church, SIL International, Doctors Without Borders-Switzerland (MSF), Medair (a Christian relief group), Christian Blind Mission (CBM), Centre Medical Evangelique (CME), International Cooperation (COOPI, an Italian organization addressing malnutrition in children), ISTB (Bunia Graduate School of Theology), WEC International (Worldwide Evangelization for Christ), and YWAM International (Youth With a Mission).

Impact

In the past 12 months, the MAF program in east DRC ...

  • Saved Christian and humanitarian workers 4,956 days of travel time—or 20.5 work years redeemed for productive Kingdom work!
  • Executed 1,988 flight hours, transported 7,662 passengers, and delivered one million pounds of cargo in order to provide access to the Gospel and to basic services such as health clinics, medical emergency evacuations, and education—services otherwise unavailable in jungle locations.
  • Installed a VSAT system at the MAF Bunia base, providing reliable Internet service for MAF as well as local church, mission, and humanitarian work.
  • Provided intensive flight support for MSF as the organization responded to medical emergencies throughout east DRC. This included response to epidemics as well as support of a hospital providing maternity and post-rape trauma care to women and children. MAF also supports MSF efforts to treat and lower the prevalence of sleeping sickness in Duruma.
  • Continued essential transportation services for SIL International, supporting 10 Bible translation and literacy projects in remote areas of east DRC. MAF provides flights at least monthly, supporting ongoing endeavors including Scripture usage workshops.
  • Provided USB with Internet services via the new MAF VSAT system in Bunia.
  • In March 2008, transported an evangelistic drama team from a California church into Bunia. The team presented 13 performances of “The Marriage Supper of the Lamb” to over 20,000 people, resulting in some 2,000 people indicating a desire to follow Christ. A special performance for the police of Bunia resulted in 69 responses, while a performance for political and judicial leaders also bore fruit. Some 100 Congolese Christians from multiple churches are providing follow-up.
  • Arranged for the MAF Uganda program to assume the Entebbe-Bunia-Entebbe flights. This allows the east DRC program to focus on service and effectiveness within DRC.

MAF Staff Serving in East DRC

Donate to the E. DRC Program

Adopt "Alpha Uniform"

Learn more about 9Q-CAU, a Cessna Caravan airplane serving in E. DRC.

Menu