In this 75th year of MAF in Papua New Guinea, we talked to Koms Neksep, who had her first journey with MAF as an excited little girl. Since then, she’s become a mother, grandmother and great grandmother – and has seen MAF’s impact through every generation.
Story by Amanda Anton
“When I first saw MAF, I thought it was just a plane,” said ‘Mama’ Koms, as she is locally known. “But later I saw that it was like a taxi, bringing pastors, missionaries and hope to remote areas to spread the gospel of God.”
In the isolated areas of the Telefomin district, access to roads is still a major issue for most communities. Options for transport are simple: Walk for days over mountains, or board a plane and get there in minutes.
Mama Koms was a regular passenger with MAF over the years.
“I was one of those pastors’ wives,” she said. “I was helping to bring Good News to remote areas of Telefomin district, like Yapsie, Fiyak, Hotmin. People out there didn’t know much about the gospel.
“I’m happy I was part of the ministry at that time to carry out the mission work with MAF. It’s good to hear that MAF still continues this work.”
Now a mother and an adored grannie, Mama Koms has experienced God’s love and healing tremendously through MAF. Especially in every childbirth challenge, God gave her strength and courage.
“I am sitting with my granddaughter and great granddaughter today because of MAF,” she said.
It’s good to hear that MAF still continues this work.”
Her daughters have witnessed the impact MAF has had in their lives. Alice Neksep, Mama Koms’ eldest daughter, shared her experience with MAF.
“I appreciate MAF because MAF saved the life of my grandchild, Lorraine,” Alice said. “In good times and bad ones, even late in the afternoon, if there’s an emergency – MAF is present in that airstrip for the emergency medevac.”
Alice, who is a nurse by profession, sees MAF as not only a source of transport, but a lifesaver, friend and confidant.
“MAF is my life – since I was a child,” she added. “Up until 1992 when I first became a nurse and now, I have used MAF has my main transport.”
Mathilda Neksep, Mama Koms’ fourth child expressed her heartfelt gratitude to MAF for saving her and her daughter’s life.
“It is true that MAF saved me and Alvira’s life,” she expressed. “I was five months’ pregnant with her and had a kind of sickness where our lungs depended on each other.
“MAF performed an emergency medevac to Tabubil at short notice, which saved both our lives. We wouldn’t have made it if not for MAF.”
The two girls, six-year-old Lorraine and seven-year-old Alvira, both aspire to become doctors in the future.
“We want to become doctors, because they saved our lives,” they agreed.
For Mama Koms’ family, MAF has been more than just a plane but a helper.
“MAF is the wings of love, it is guarded by people’s prayers all over the world,” she said. “I can say as for me and my family MAF is Telefomin’s good and bad times aircraft.”