Mission Aviation Fellowship Dedicates New Plane for Service in Haiti

Will Allow International Ministry to Expand Much-Needed Missions and
Humanitarian Work There

Contact: Alex Coffin,
704-364-2049

NAMPA, Ida., Sept. 21 /Christian Newswire/ -- Mission Aviation
Fellowship (MAF), a faith-based, non-profit ministry that serves
missions and isolated people around the world with aviation,
communications and learning technologies, today dedicated a new plane
that will allow the organization to expand significantly its ministry
in Haiti.

Photo: More than 100 supporters, friends and staff of Mission
Aviation Fellowship gathered for the dedication of the ministry's
latest addition to its international fleet – a Cessna T207A bound for
expanded mission and humanitarian service in Haiti. Download photos
at www.maf.org/news

The dedication ceremony for the 1997 Cessna T207A took place at the
MAF headquarters here, as MAF board members, staff and ministry
supporters assembled for prayer and remarks from ministry leaders.

'We are grateful to God for the many donors who have allowed MAF to
acquire this plane to expand our ministry in Haiti,' said MAF
President Kevin Swanson. "Because of their gifts, MAF will be able to
more efficiently and effectively transport ministry teams, deliver
food and medical supplies, and conduct emergency medical evacuations.

"Thousands of people who are living far beyond the reach of normal
transportation and communication services will receive life-
transforming blessings because of these wings," Swanson said.

"This plane will fly more than 500 hours a year in difficult-to-reach
areas of Haiti, transporting work teams, national pastors, medical
and dental supplies, building materials and evangelistic materials,
such as Bibles and tracts," said Greg Ryle, MAF's program manager in
Haiti. "The 207 is truly the workhorse of our planes in Haiti. Having
a second aircraft will greatly enhance our ministry and the ability
to meet the needs of the larger groups that come to minister to
Haitians."

The new 207's registration letters will be "LLS," referring to "Louez
le Seigneur," which in English means "Praise the Lord."

"We want to express our thanks to all those who made it possible for
us to have this new plane in the MAF fleet. You are partnering with
us in ministry to reach Haiti for Christ," Ryle said.

MAF has served the missionary community and the people of Haiti since
1986.

The highly reliable and versatile aircraft is a proven, sturdy bush
plane with a total payload of 1,600 pounds. It can accommodate up to
six passengers and a pilot. With an additional baggage compartment,
the plane is ideal for hauling larger pieces of equipment and more
medical supplies. The powerful 300-HP engine allows for takeoffs from
runways as short as 985 feet. The aircraft is capable of flying at a
speed of up to 144 knots.

The gift of the plane will allow MAF to transfer one Cessna to
Ecuador and a turbo Cessna to Lesotho.

Founded in 1945, MAF (www.MAF.org) stations some 200 missionary
families in the remotest regions of 26 countries on five continents.
MAF pilots fly approximately 40,000 flights a year, transporting
missionaries, medical personnel, medicines and relief supplies, as
well as conducting thousands of emergency medical evacuations. MAF
also provides telecommunications services, such as satellite Internet
access, high-frequency radios, electronic mail and other wireless
systems, in isolated areas.


Pix Mahler
pcusa Haiti Partnership Facilitator
pix@...
1022 Floyd St., Lynchburg, VA 24501
434-385-9486
http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/mahlerp.htm