December 2012

A local girl selling lava rocks

Greetings friends and family! Often I am asked by individuals at home how I am enjoying my role as Chief Engineer. I love my job here! This position keeps me very busy with many responsibilities weighing on my shoulders, but I love being here and the people I work with. In October, we had the MAF Day of Prayer at the hangar and it was great to see our local staff leading prayer times, worship, and preaching that day! It is also encouraging to see how much of an impact MAF is making in Madagascarnot only for the locals, but for the missions we serve as well. MAF is not just about flying people in and out of remote places. We specialize

in logistics, vehicle maintenance, and communications too. Our large vehicle maintenance garage serves hundreds of different missions vehicles to help make their work possible here. Also, we handle logistics work for other organizations: importing containers, applying for drivers licenses, visas, etc. As Chief Engineer, my role is multi-faceted and at times, intense, but despite the steep learning curve and new systems being implemented by the local aviation authority, I really love my calling here. It has been fantastic to be a part of the work in Madagascar this year.

182 is high! And we are still developing our parts inventory at the hangar for doing repairs and maintenance, so when the aircraft is down, missionaries are waiting! The biggest challenge we currently face with this new aircraft is lack of spare parts on hand and knowing what parts to keep on hand! Because all parts must be imported, the shipping costs are extremely high and it can take 3 to 4 days minimum to receive them.

Please continue to pray for the MAF program in Madagascar as we grow and develop more resources to see the vision continue. Thank you for being a part of this The demand on the Cessna- ministry with us.

Working under the dash

Working on the new engine mount

Is it Christmas time already? Its beginning to not feel a lot like Christmas in Madagascar. The rainy season has begun, and the heat of summer has set in. The rain is welcome after a 6-month absence! I found myself smiling one morning lying in bed listening to the rain pound down on our roof. The flowers are blooming, school is in full swing, and the activities of family life continue. Over the past several months we have enjoyed some new activities and a long-awaited visit from a very special Oma (Robs mom). We celebrated birthdays and visited new places. Once a week, Faith goes to a local equestrian center. She loves the horses and always looks forward to riding. During Omas visit it was evident to me how much we really have adapted to life in Madagascar. Suddenly places we took her to, traffic we were caught up in, long waits at the bank, and being surrounded by the make-shiftness of a 3rd World City were fresh for me again. I realized how used to it I had become. It encouraged me, but also challenged me. I am encouraged by the idea that we are adapting first of all. Homesickness still plagues me at times primarily for people, but also for the niceness of a North American store, and nice residential areas, and nice parks. Then I am challenged to not become complacent where I am. Raising kids here, in many ways is the same as in Canada. Mothers and children face the same challenges: becoming discontent with our season, setting priorities, becoming weary in training and discipline. Suddenly those things distract us away from Madagascar and why we are here! I pray that our love for the people continues to grow, and we do not become blind to their needs that we literally live in the midst of. Speaking of needs. We had the privilege of loaning our helper school fees for her family. Saving a large sum of money is not exactly cultural here, nor easy as most people live hand to mouth. So when the time comes for children to return to school, many locals are looking at a full months wage to

cover it. And then all of the school supplies on top of that, probably another months wage. We have also offered to be her bank. So while she is paying back her loan, we are also putting away part of her wage so when next September is upon her, she will have money for school and not require a loan. She loved this idea! It seems to me, these systems only work as well as the employer and employee work together. Firstly, the employer must have the good of the employee in mind, and secondly the employee must trust their employer. We have seen too often, the rich taking advantage of the poor. And each time we discuss finances with her, its like a burden is lifted off her back and she becomes more and more open to share her struggles with us. School is so important here! Too often, parents are unwilling to sacrifice for it, or cannot rather, and instead force their children to beg on the streets, or work the streets. Here, giving children an education, is the difference between giving them a future, or no future. So by these things, we are so humbled, that God placed us in the families that He did. And we are so thankful that you have helped put us here to be instruments to help first-hand.

Merry Christmas.
We pray this season is also filled with blessings and opportunities to share those Blessings.

Praise God! This ministry is a partnership and we are so thankful for each and every gift that continues to be received from our loved ones in Canada, the U.S., mafbarbers.blogspot.com and the U.K.! Your partnership is vital in keeping the mission of MAF going.
The Barber FamilyServing God in Madagascar through MAF MAF Canada 264 Woodlawn Rd. W. Guelph, ON N1H 1B6 1 (877) 351-9344 http://www.mafc.org MAF USA PO Box 47 Nampa, ID 83653 1 (800) 359-7623 http://www.maf.org

Prayer & Praise: Praise the Lord. Michel (Robs co-mechanic) is doing much better after his heart issues a few months ago. Please pray for Rob as many things are pressing and he is extremely busy with paperwork and aircraft maintenance! Pray for discernment and wisdom to balance it all. Praise God for the great demand We are so encouraged to receive on the Cessna 182!

emails and news from home! barbers.rk@gmail.com