With the global Covid-19 pandemic, things around the world for a majority of people, has meant change. Widespread panic, fear and anxiety combined with a shortage of essential supplies and services seem to be the new norm.
How do we respond? How does the Covid-19 pandemic affect MAF as we seek to serve people in isolated communities through aviation and technology?
At MAF, we firmly believe that at this time, we will choose faith over fear, being mindful of the needs of our staff and those that we serve and doing what we can to shine God's light in the darkness.
Practically speaking, MAF has formed a Crisis Management Team (CMT) to address the implications of Covid-19 for our work and those we serve. Under the guidance of the CMT, each MAF programme is making sure they are prepared to address the implications of Covid-19 in their respective locations.
In some of the countries that MAF serves we continue to operate in line with official government advice, while in others we have closed down flight operations temporarily. Still others are operating with local governments to provide assistance by delivering aid to remote communities and conducting medical evacuations. We hope to continue to bring help, hope and healing for as long as possible, keeping the risks to our staff and beneficiaries in mind.
At MAF, we have had a heart for isolated people for the last 75 years, and as more and more people are isolated within their own homes in urban areas, we pray for hope for each person. As we continue to seek to bring God's light in the darkness, let us encourage our friends, neighbours and co-workers and look for ways through which we can offer help.
We ask at this time for special prayers for our staff in our programmes and away from home, that they will have all that they need and will continue to bring light and hope where they are. We also ask for prayers for the people and communities we serve, that they will be protected from Covid-19, and will have access to food, water and medicine, and that we will be able to continue to serve them in a way that does not put them at risk.
If you, our supporters and readers, need any encouragement or would like to get in touch, please send us an email at maf.philippines@mafint.org. We would love to encourage you, and hear how you are bringing hope to isolated people near you!