When a young boy from a remote village seriously injured himself, a spontaneous MAF medevac flight became a race against time. Join visiting student Nathaniel Cunningham as he shares his first-hand experience of the life-saving teamwork in Papua New Guinea.
Story by Nathaniel Cunningham, edited by Mandy Glass
While enjoying a relaxed Sunday afternoon tea with new friends in Mount Hagen, I was invited to join this MAF medevac flight piloted by Mathias Glass. Excited, I may have forgotten to even say yes, but instantly was ready to come.
At the airport, I learned the call had come in less than an hour earlier.
Silas, from Samban in the northern lowlands, urgently needed evacuation after falling through the wooden steps of his home and puncturing his lower abdomen on a sharp-edged bamboo stick.
It was a privilege to assist loading the boy into the aircraft. I can’t help but feel honoured to be even a tiny part in MAF’s ministry, work, and witness.
Mathias explained how MAF had quickly secured an aircraft, pilot, flight plan, and authorisation despite the challenges of a Sunday afternoon when staff on a well-earned day off needed to work remotely. The efficiency of the team reflected not only their skill but God’s guiding hand, as timings became critical.
While Mathias prepared the flight plan, Mt Hagen Base Manager Isaac Alex worked on the details. I helped load the stretcher into the aircraft, feeling a small part of this incredible mission. After preflight checks and refuelling, we were taxiing within 45 minutes - a testimony to God’s timing and provision.
The weather was marginal, but the Lord held the rain at bay, allowing us to take off. We cruised at 9,000 feet as Mathias navigated around clouds and developing storms. From above, I was struck by the breathtaking scenery of Papua New Guinea’s mountains, rivers, and jungles - so unlike anything I’d seen at home in Northern Ireland. Amid the mission’s urgency, I marvelled at God’s creation.
The flight went by quickly, 41 minutes passed by in what felt like a blink, and Mathias was preparing to make his approach.
Our time on the ground past in a blur! It took just 24 minutes to secure Silas on the stretcher and prepare for take-off.
It was a privilege to assist loading the boy into the aircraft. I can’t help but feel honoured to be even a tiny part in MAF’s ministry, work and witness.
For our flight back to Hagen, God was once again making a way for our travel, with diminishing light and increased cloud cover, timings were once again looking tight. God was so good, providing a safe channel through the clouds and Mathias safely landed us back in Hagen at 5.32pm.
We transferred Silas into the waiting ambulance, and he was taken to hospital.
Two weeks later, I met Silas again as he and his father prepared to return to Samban. Seeing him recovered was a powerful reminder of how MAF’s work transforms lives.
Adding to the day’s significance for me, we flew on a Cessna Caravan with the registration P2-MAL. This was the first aircraft I had worked on since arriving in PNG. Only two weeks into my placement, I already feel privileged to contribute to MAF’s ministry, where faith and flight save lives.
