Work placement with mission impact for engineering student

Story by Kathy Burrows

“This is the first time in my life where I’ve seen how something as niche as aviation can be used in such a powerful way for the kingdom of God,” said Nathaniel. 

“It’s been brilliant learning practical skills but also learning how to take the problem-solving skills that I’ve been taught and actually apply them to real planes.”

Whilst studying Design Aircraft Engineering at Queens University in Belfast, Nathaniel chose a very different kind of industry placement to his fellow students. Instead of seeking a corporate role in the UK, Nathaniel opted to travel halfway across the globe to serve in a not-for-profit helping some of the world’s most isolated people.

“It’s quite incredible to have the opportunity to work and serve in a really practical way,” he said. “I came to spend time in the hangar, to work on the planes and see how my own degree and skills can be applied within this role. It’s been a really enriching experience.”

Nathaniel first heard about MAF when he was in his early teens, but it wasn’t until he was at university that he discovered MAF’s mission experience placement: an opportunity for those contemplating a career in missions to experience life in an overseas programme.

His placement took him to PNG, where MAF have been providing an essential air service to isolated communities since 1951. Joining their Engineering Maintenance department, Nathaniel spent nine months supporting the team with their vital work maintaining the programme’s light aircraft.

“A big part of the enjoyment in work comes from the team that I’m in,” he said. “There’s a great team of engineers here who’ve been really patient with me, eager to teach and enable me to work with them.”

For the people MAF serves, these planes can be a real lifeline of help and hope to their remote communities. Knowing this has been rewarding for Nathaniel as he has seen firsthand how the work he is doing is making an impact.

“The people I have been surrounded with and the opportunities that I’ve been given to make a difference have been quite incredible,” he added. “I feel like I’ve moved from being purely a student to a contributing member of the team.”

However, leaving the comfort of home and moving overseas wasn’t easy. It challenged Nathaniel to put his faith in God whilst he embraced the unknown. 

“I think it was the first time, given my privileged background, where I saw just how incredible God is at providing,” he said. “Providing me with people and a community here has been a real blessing but also, He’s never let me down.

“The standout is the community that MAF provides. I’ve come to this country where I know nobody and suddenly, I’ve met people from all over the world,” he said. 

“I’ve found brothers, and I've found sisters, and I’ve made real, deep, lasting friendships… it’s been a really awesome encouragement that the love of Christ supersedes all cultural and physical boundaries.”

Nathaniel has now returned to Northern Ireland to complete his studies and hopes to use what he has learnt from his time in PNG as he considers his future career. 

To others considering a mission placement or a career in missions, Nathaniel gives this advice: 

“I encourage anyone to look at their own skill sets and the passions that they’ve been given, to see where they can work to serve God – be it quietly in a workplace or maybe going to the other side of the world.”