As the saying goes, you blink and it's March. I suppose the only fix to time passing by is to stop blinking. This update will be fairly short and compact, but by golly it will still pack a punch.
We're in!
We are so happy to officially let you know that we have received our Acceptance to Field letter! This means that MAF have sealed the deal and accepted our application to serve with them as a family. We are thrilled to embark on what, God willing, will be a life-long journey of humble ministry and service.
What will this look like, you ask? For the next couple of years we will stay on at Mareeba and I (Michael) will join the team of flight instructors here as I gain experience and learn from the very best of them. From there, we will begin serving in an operational programme (Arnhem Land, Timor Leste, PNG etc.) where I will fly as a line pilot.
We are so thankful for your prayers over the last year and a bit, and can't wait to continue walking this path set before us.
Line Pilot Standardisation

As part of LPS, we will be flying the Airvan around for the next 3 weeks
Before flying for MAF, every pilot goes through LPS where they learn the art of operating a MAF aircraft safely and effectively. The aim is to introduce them to procedures and practices that have been developed and refined through many years of operational experience in the toughest of conditions. There are three of us in the course, and it has been a pleasure to get into the nitty gritty of all things MAF.

Another soon-to-be MAF pilot, Jacob, doing a daily inspection on MFA. Once we have completed LPS, Jacob will head up to Arnhem Land as a pilot.

A full hangar is a good hangar! We are lucky enough to be using two Airvan's as there is currently one down from Arnhem Land for maintenance.

No bolt is exempt from focused scrutiny. It is our job as pilots to make sure the bird can fly.

Navigating weather has been a lot of fun, and there is zero sarcasm in that statement.
What a blessing it has been to pick the brains of those who have gone before us on our journey to becoming more knowledgable and useful in an operational environment. Please be in prayer for Jacob, Steven and I as we progress through this course together!

On the ground in Chillagoe for some much needed refreshments.

Volker (left) and Steven (right). Steven is doing the course with us as he is training up to deliver it himself as an instructor.
Naomi's World
The past few months have flown by and it's hard to believe Easter is almost here! I (Naomi) have 13 students in my class at the moment and am enjoying teaching some of the same students as last year, as well as some new ones. It has been a privilege to work alongside my new teacher aide, who is studying to become a teacher herself. I'm learning as much from her as she is from being in our classroom! There are certainly days when teaching feels overwhelming, even though I have a small class. I believe, however, that God has placed me where I am for a reason. It's a blessing to journey alongside my students and show God's love to them.
At the end of last year, I made a decision to step back from being a youth leader at church. I've started serving on the children's ministry team, which is where my passion lies! This term in kids' church, we've been learning about God's power. Our memory verse is from Matthew 11:28, where Jesus promises to give us rest when we come to him. This is a beautiful verse to hold on to; it reminds us how loved we are and how much God cares about every aspect of our lives. He wants to be our 'number one' and the first person we go to in both good times and hard times. I hope this verse encourages you as much as it has encouraged me.
Ministry Partnership
It has been a blessing to see God at work in our journey to 100% funding, but at the same time there have been times when the target feels just a bit too high. Through it all, the Lord has shown us that he will not leave us, and that even though we feel like we are stumbling, he is faithful.

To those of you who have jumped on board financially, prayed, organised bush dance fundraisers, or even asked how we are going in the last three months - thank you. As of a few weeks ago, we are now just over 50% of our ministry partnership target.
Please pray that we will continue to press into the goodness and steadfastness of God, and for encouragement and perseverance.
That's all from us this quarter. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading along! It has been a joy to keep you all updated on our whereabouts. Until next time!
Michael & Naomi
"Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen." - Ephesians 3:20-21
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