Here we sit, still awaiting the first snowfall of the season as another year draws to a close. The last 12 months have left us with much to reflect on, and not a lot of time to do it before Christmas - 12 sleeps, woo!
You Shall Not (Not) Pass
In the last few weeks, both of our junior students at the Training Centre have gone on to pass their private pilot licence flight tests. This licence will allow them to now fly anywhere in Australia without the ever watchful eye of their flight instructors. The bad news for me (Michael) is that my time in the air will be significantly reduced as they both begin the solo hour-building phase of training.

The first licence is a big milestone! I'm sure the mo helped Tim over the line.

Almost couldn't fit Abi's smile in the photo!

A set of fresh bars.

Out and about during navigation training. Thomas (far left) is the director of MAF Switzerland and was visiting Tim, a MAF Switzerland candidate. (From left: Thomas, Abi, myself, Jacob, Tim)

Tim and I returning from a flight into Cairns.
Ferry Flight
October brought with it the opportunity to fly the new twin engine trainer from Leongatha in Victoria back to Mareeba. The trip took 2 days and just over 10 hours of flight time. This is a significant jump for MAF in Mareeba, as we haven't owned a twin for about 20 years! We will now be able to provide twin engine training without hiring an aircraft from elsewhere, and our skilled engineers will be able to maintain it to a high standard.

Joe and I at the start of our 2500 mile journey home.

Not the worst view...

The green, rolling hills of Victoria very quickly turned into the smoky, barren outback of Queensland.
Naomi's World
What a fun-filled term it has been! My Year 6 students have now finished primary school and it was with sadness that I farewelled them on their last day. It’s hard to say goodbye to a class you’ve taught for two years - I had them in Year 5 as well - but I’m looking forward to a new adventure in Year 3/4 in 2024!

In other news, my highlight of the past few months was travelling to Espiritu Santo, the largest island in Vanuatu, on a two-week mission trip. Working alongside local missionaries from Medical Santo
and Up and Up Ministries, we visited three villages to run children’s outreach programs and provide basic healthcare to adults. I was involved in facilitating the outreach activities with an amazing team of local and Australian youth helping me. We read picture book versions of Bible stories, which had been translated into Bislama (the local language) prior to the trip, did some craft activities and played lots of games. The children especially enjoyed using different coloured beads to make bracelets which represent the gospel story. All in all, we ministered to over 500 children and were incredibly blessed by the way they warmly welcomed us into their villages.
        It was also humbling to see the children’s love of learning despite the lack of resources at their schools and in their villages. I was invited into a kindergarten classroom at one of the schools we visited – it didn’t have any chairs, just a dirt floor and one tiny table. The children each had a small blackboard to use, though their pieces of chalk were no more than 5cm in length. I will never forget the joy on their faces when I brought out paper and coloured pencils. It’s easy to take everyday items, like paper and pencils, for granted when we have them in abundance. My visit to this classroom reminded me to be thankful for what I have and to use what God has blessed me with to bless others. I have many more stories to tell about Vanuatu but I’ll let the pictures below do the talking.

Colouring in while waiting to make bracelets...
The coloured cards that the children are holding tell each part of the gospel story (in Bislama) and match the beads used for the bracelets.

The primary school we visited in the village of Fanafo.
Ministry Partnership

We are still sitting at 76% of our ministry partnership target. Thank you for supporting our ministry with MAF, both prayerfully and financially. If you'd like to give this 'silly season', you can go to: https://maf.org.au/give/michael-naomi-lindsey/Â
Prayer Points
Please join us in thanking God for:
The ministry opportunities on Naomi's trip to Vanuatu
A fantastic year filled with many adventures
Please pray for:
The enrolment of more students at the Flight Training Centre
Our ministry parternship target to be reached
We wish you all a blessed Christmas as you spend time celebrating the birth of Jesus with family and friends.
In Christ,
Michael & Naomi
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