Strange Last Day…
Today was supposed to be Ryan’s last day flying before we go on Sabbatical, but unfortunately, for the first time in 10 years of flying in PNG, Ryan was rostered to fly, but smoke stopped him from getting off the ground the whole day! A disappointing farewell, as we are very aware of the huge need for MAF’s service, and Ryan was looking forward to his last few flights…
Mass Drug Administration Program
Ryan flew Shiv’s friend, Alice and her health-worker colleagues, out to Tumolbil near the Indonesian border. They were providing training for local health workers and volunteers in preparation for the distribution of drugs to deal with tropical diseases, alongside a childhood vaccination program, planned across the province later this month. Without the MAF plane this health program would not be possible.
Pray for Rain!
The lack of rain due to El Niño, has left water tanks empty, the air full of smoke and the land scorched by bush fires. Like the rest of our community, we rely on the rain for our drinking water!
Shiv Helping a Customer
Nerinda is a friend, a neighbour and sometimes a customer too, often flying to Vanimo, the Provincial Capital of Sandaun Province. She recently had some trouble confirming her seat on Ryan’s flight from Vanimo back home to Telefomin, so Shiv stepped in and sorted it out for her. She was so grateful to get home that she popped round to our house to say thanks!
Easter Newsletter Out Now!
Our Easter Newsletter is out now and should be in your inbox if you have already subscribed! If not, give us your email at the bottom of any page and we’ll add you to our mailing list.
Shiv is recovering well…
After being mugged on 27 January 2026, Shiv is home, grateful and recovering slowly but surely. We wanted to record a short video to thank everyone for their prayers and support over the past few weeks…
Things a pilot does when he lives remotely
Ryan’s day job is flying his plane, but being a bush pilot, living in Telefomin, with very little daily support, means he has to do so much much to support MAF in this remote community. Having a road from the mine town of Tabubil has not connected us with our colleagues at the HQ in Mt Hagen yet…
Ryan is a Trainer!
After months of waiting for the paperwork Ryan was finally able to start being a training pilot!
Remote Cafe
Starbucks, Bak in PNG. ;-) Ryan enjoyed a cup of coffee in Bak, with his fellow pilot, Capt. Mathias, whilst he waited for the weather to pass.
Highs and Lows
Recently Ryan had a REALLY low start to his day, but it ended on a massive HIGH! God was using a rubbish situation to remind us that we are right where he wants us to be…
First Visit to Munduku
We visited Munduku, in East Sepik Province, for the first time. Ryan had to get a self-check to land and Shiv was gifted a hand-made grass hat. But the biggest impact on Shiv was the peace and quiet of this tiny, isolated community…
Visit to the Dentist at Kompiam
Ryan chipped a tooth and needed to visit a Dentist, which is much more challenging when you live in a bush community in a developing country.
Thankfully Dr Camy, at Kompiam Hospital in Enga Province, was able to help him…
Supervisor Pilot Training
We spent 2 weeks at MAF’s HQ in Mt Hagen where Ryan completed the Supervisor Pilot (SP) course which will be really useful when we get new neighbours! Being an SP means Ryan can check junior PNG pilots into new airstrips and pass on his knowledge and experience of flying in one of the most challenging countries in the world for almost a decade!
Adjusting the Cone Markers on Telefomin Airstrip
In order to help our local community in Telefomin, after the grass was cut on the airstrip, we spent a few hours re-positioning all the cone markers so they were in line and serving their correct function. A lovely morning’s activity for the 3 of us on Ryan’s day off. Watch the video…
Enjoying a walk…
Such a beautiful sight of all the cobwebs covered in dew, as the sun rose shining on them. I couldn’t help but stop and marvel at the beauty of creation all around our home in Telefomin, PNG.
Church Building Materials Charter
In PNG, one of our most important jobs is flying to support the local Church! Watch Ryan take a load of roofing iron from our MAF base in Tabubil to Selbang, a remote community in West Sepik Province where they are building a new Church.
Getting Ready to Leave Mt Hagen
We spent a week in Mt Hagen, getting ready for the final leg of our journey home to Telefomin…
What is a Missionary?
Shiv shared at Ruislip Baptist Church - a link to the talk on YouTube is in this blog post…
The latest Cole Communique
Our June Newsletter has been delivered into inboxes…
The link to read it and watch the videos is in this blog.
Click on the picture, left, to watch a video of our friend, Nurse Rhema, one of the local health care workers who MAF supports and we fly out of Telefomin.