Congo (West D.R.C.)

In west DRC, MAF light aircraft and communications networks offer a valued solution to barriers created by vast distances, jungles, and ever-changing rivers.

Eight MAF missionary families and 33 national staff members operate and maintain four aircraft from bases in Vanga and Kinshasa. MAF sustains and multiplies the ministry efforts of expatriate missionaries, national Christian workers, social workers, and a 350-bed hospital in Vanga. MAF pilots and planes conduct emergency medical evacuations, transport medicines from the hospital to outlying areas, deliver evangelistic materials, as well as enable training events, learning institutions, social action projects, and crisis relief. MAF communications services facilitate short-term projects and events, and link church leaders, remote centers, and outposts.

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.

As the number of viable national air carriers continues to decline, the transportation needs of DRC will likely be under served. A new focus on flight safety by NGOs and mission organizations is creating opportunities for MAF to minister. The lack of road and transportation infrastructure throughout DRC will make MAF aviation expertise strategic for the foreseeable future.

MAF will continue to provide indispensable VSAT and HF email communications services to mission and relief/development organizations working in west DRC, though the availability and price of bandwidth could prove an impediment.

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

• Saved Christian and humanitarian workers 5,460 days of travel time—or 22.6 work years redeemed for productive Kingdom work!
• Executed 2,468 flights, transported 8,751 passengers, and delivered 789,677 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.
• Initiated an outreach to evangelize Pygmy people living in the rain forest around Mimia.
• Facilitated a Youth Sports Camp evangelistic outreach at Vanga and three surrounding villages.
• Conducted an evangelistic outreach and literature distribution to UPI police in Kinshasa, as well as a Christmas outreach to airport employees and military personnel at N'Dolo Airport.
• Continued a "JESUS" film ministry. Trained national staff in the use of the audiovisual equipment.
• Provided an air link to the Pastoral Institute of Kikongo, enabling travel for Christian professors and students.
• Hosted a volunteer work team that began renovating the N'Dolo Airport hangar.
• Flew medical personnel and supplies to stop an outbreak of the deadly Ebola virus in the Kasai province.
• Completed the guesthouse at Vanga, providing a hospitality ministry along with lodging for traveling missionaries and Christian workers.
• Installed four VSAT Internet systems in Vanga, Beni, Gemena, and Kole, supporting medical research, a hospital, church work, and other needs.
• Completed VSAT installation certification for a Congolese MAF IT employee.
• Continued quarterly flights to deliver tens of thousands of vaccines to children in isolated sections of the Bandundu province.
• Supported the operation and improvement of the Nkara-based Christian radio installation by transporting critical personnel and equipment.
• Supported a Swiss medical research project fighting sleeping sickness by flying doctors and researchers to isolated areas.
• Supported the Vanga Mission Hospital by providing regularly scheduled flight service to Vanga for doctors, residents, other medical staff, and medical supplies.
• Operated and maintained wireless networks in Kinshasa and Vanga, connecting MAF staff and ministry partners to the Internet and email.
• Added two flights per week to Bas-Congo, supporting the work of the Swedish Covenant Church.

1. Expand the “JESUS” film ministry to 12 presentations annually.
2. Conduct four evangelistic outreaches and/or literature distribution events.
3. Hold Christmas and Easter outreach meetings in N’Dolo.
4. Gather more “kingdom knowledge” about west DRC, such as information about current church outreach in different areas.
   • Create a survey tool that pilots can use to gather information from pastors, missionaries, and interested laity.
   • Develop an adopt-a-region plan in which MAF staff are assigned to gather useful information and pray for a specific region.
   • Compile gathered information in a useful format. Use the information to develop future ministry projects and plans.
5. Complete the N’Dolo hangar reconstruction and refurbishment, including roof repair, as well as electrical and water/plumbing installations.
6. Locate and renovate a facility at N’Dolo Airport appropriate for an MAF office. Open the office by February 2009.
7. Develop an IT internship and training program to allow nationals to develop job skills.
8. Hire and train staff members to serve in the following areas: maintenance, IT, finance/accounting, and program management.
9. Open a combination IT/LT training and resource center.
10. Provide ongoing computer training for all Congolese staff members as appropriate to their position. Train all missionary staff in Wingman software.
11. Assess the feasibility of replacing two piston aircraft with a turbine aircraft.
12. Repaint aircraft 9Q-CMR.

This year, it will require $3,295,900 to operate ongoing programs in west DRC, launch new initiatives, and expand services. Total funding from support raised by MAF missionary staff and from field revenue amounts to $2,638,166—or 80 percent of total operating costs.

We seek the remaining 20 percent—or $657,734—from caring partners: individuals, churches, and foundations.