Indonesia (MNN) — As many as 2,000 people are feared dead in the aftermath of the earthquake in Indonesia. The quake measuring 8.7 on the Richter scale devastated an area already devastated by a similar quake that sent the region into despair as tsunami waves flooded the region.
Mission Aviation Fellowship was one of the first to respond to the latest tragedy. MAF’s Dennis Fulton says, “Right after the earthquake hit, it hit at night, the next day we were able to make some flights into that area and help make assessments of what had taken place. What they saw was a large number of buildings damaged, especially concrete structures, they saw many dead and injured.”
Medical supplies and personnel were also flown into the region immediately as MAF was already based in Indonesia. Fulton says, “MAF is so well-positioned because we’ve been in the country a number of years and have great relationships with the government and so we have been able to really respond well and then to act as sort of a coordination with the various groups.”
MAF has been doing more than helping physically. Fulton says, “As we’re flying relief flights or medical evacuations our pilots themselves who are missionaries are able to sit and listen to people’s stories and just be the hands and feet of Jesus as we go about doing our job there.” These relationships have helped dispel some of the misconceptions many in this Muslim area have about believers.
However, with the extra flights needed and higher fuel prices, funding is needed just to keep the planes in the air. It costs at least $300 (USD) an hour to keep an airplane in the air. Your financial assistance can help take the Gospel to even more people in this Muslim area of the world.
