Sumatra
A Higher Plane Podcasts featuring Sumatra
Ministry Impact, part 4b, Disaster Response: Tsunami
The Need
Sumatra is the second-largest island in Indonesia, and home to approximately 45 million people. In ancient times Sumatra was known as the "Island of Gold." Despite its deposits of oil and natural gas, as well as other resources, some 27 percent of the people of northern Sumatra live in poverty, compared to 17 percent in Indonesia as a whole.
In December 2004, a 9.2 magnitude earthquake caused a devastating tsunami to crash across the Aceh area of northern Sumatra. More than 170,000 people were killed and 550,000 displaced. Geographical areas were disfigured, and the transportation infrastructure was destroyed.
Though MAF did not have a base in Sumatra at the time, the agency was one of the first to respond to the disaster, initially sending aircraft and personnel from the MAF program in Kalimantan. MAF also provided communications services to support the relief efforts.
Four years later, life is assuming a semblance of normalcy for many people in the tsunami-stricken area. Most of those who were displaced now have homes to live in, and the healthcare system is continually improving.
Many of the humanitarian agencies involved in the rebuilding efforts have departed. MAF is one of only a handful of Christian agencies remaining in the area, providing the predominantly Muslim population with a tangible expression of God’s love.
The Solution
Having served in Indonesia since 1954, the long-term commitment of MAF is recognized and deeply appreciated. Government officials have invited MAF to extend its ministry indefinitely in the province of Aceh. This opens a door of unequaled opportunity to demonstrate practical expressions of God’s love while establishing transformational relationships.
In most other areas where it operates, MAF provides air services to missionaries and Christian workers living in remote villages. Because there are no other Christian missionaries ministering in Sumatra, the presence of MAF staff is even more critical: with the departure of most of the aid groups previously working in Sumatra, MAF staff are the only Christians that most Sumatrans will ever meet.
The departure of aid agencies has reduced the demand for air transportation. To continue serving Sumatrans, MAF is pursuing the establishment of public flight services. However, MAF is not currently authorized to fly the public in Sumatra, and is therefore limited to charter flights until permission to begin commercial flights is received. MAF staff are also developing initial plans to establish an aviation school and are approaching the governor of Aceh, requesting a grant as well as his sponsorship.
Impact 2008 Highlights
In the past 12 months, the MAF program in Sumatra ...
- Saved humanitarian workers 3,417 days of travel time—or 12.9 work years redeemed for productive work!
- Executed 1,440 flights and transported 8,640 passengers.
- Conducted safe, regularly scheduled air service for more than 20 nongovernment organizations (NGOs) and humanitarian aid groups, as well as government officials.
- Maintained meaningful relationships with many Sumatrans, including the governor of Aceh province who has become a frequent passenger. These relationships have allowed the people of Sumatra to develop a more positive view of Christians.
- Taught three English classes for Sumatrans.
Key Goals 2009
- Obtain government permission, upgrade aircraft as necessary, and develop procedures to establish public flight services to Medan and Banda Aceh.
- Expand MAF English classes to students as young as junior high age.
- Devote more time to developing transformational relationships within the communities where MAF staff live and serve.
- Initiate discussions with the governor of Aceh to establish an aviation school for Sumatrans. This will allow MAF staff to develop discipling relationships while modeling a servant heart.
- Continue providing safe, regularly scheduled air service for some 12 NGOs, aid organizations, government personnel, and others.
The Cost
This year, it will require $1,121,422 to continue MAF services supporting the rebuilding of lives in Sumatra. Total funding from support raised by MAF missionary staff and from field revenue amounts to $844,595—or 75 percent of total operating costs.
We seek the remaining 25 percent—$276,827—from caring partners: individuals, churches, and foundations.
MAF Staff Serving in Sumatra
Donate to the Sumatra Program
Adopt "PAK MAN"
Learn more about "PAK MAN," an Cessna C-208 airplane serving in Sumatra.
