We arrived back in PNG on 18th January after our first Christmas in the UK since 2003.

We had a special time with all our family together including Andrew, Querida, Gabriel and Rhys over from America, and Peter, Gilly and Timothy down from Cheshire. Our house was full!

As Richard and Bekah and Philip and Tina live only a short distance away they came round whenever they were able to, and both our mothers enjoyed some time with their great grandchildren.

MAF NEWS

Jetlagged or not, Michael was back flying the day after we arrived back. The following week he ran the Crew Resource Management component of a Twin Otter Ground School, which helps with the development of team skills in an aircraft flown with two pilots.

After a ground school comes the flying training. Michael conducted the Command (Captain's) endorsement training for Swiss pilot, Philipp Sutter. Philipp is now flying in command under Michael's supervision while he gains experience.

Give thanks that Philipp's training is going very well, and pray for him as he gains experience and prepares for his instrument rating flight test.

A team from MAF-UK and MAF-Denmark visited during the second week of February to collect stories, photographs and video for publicity material. The Danish couple were particularly thrilled to be able to fly on the GA8 Airvan that was funded through MAF-Denmark.

We took the team for an overnight visit with our friends Tom and Salome Hoey at Mougulu in Western Province. Nicki also had her first visit to Mougulu as she went to help Salome with the cooking for the team and their two pilots.

During the two day trip she also had an opportunity to investigate and at least partially solve a computer problem at our base in Kiunga, and to solve one at Telefomin.

Give thanks for the MAF-UK & Denmark team. Pray that their material will be effective in giving people an understanding of our work here, and that it will also lead some pilots and engineers to serve with us.

Please pray for wisdom as we try to work out how to crew all our aircraft effectively over the coming months. With pilots on leave and some restricted to particular bases because of schooling needs for their children, it is very difficult to ensure that the aircraft can all be used to their maximum potential.

Audits are an integral part of aviation that make sure that procedures are followed and that our flight operations are safe. During February we have an internal (i.e. an MAF) audit, which will hopefully prepare us for the PNG Government audit that is due later in the year. The government audit is necessary for the renewal of our Air Operator Certificate, which allows us to fly in PNG.

Please pray that the audit will go well.

It's the start of the academic year in the southern hemisphere and Michael and other pilots have been flying bible college and school students back in to the main centres where the schools are located.

Give thanks for this essential work that MAF does. Without MAF many young people would not be able to go to school or college, and many church leaders would not be able to receive training.

A new pilot, Andrew Little, arrives with his wife and young boy on February 15th.

Please pray that they'll settle in well, and pray for their orientation and Tok Pisin course that Nicki will be starting on February 20th.

OUR NEWS

There has been a major breakdown of communications in the PNG highlands. For a couple of weeks we have been without good internet access at home, which means it is difficult to speak with our mothers and families.

Please pray that the damaged network will be repaired quickly.

There's an opportunity for the boys to visit us for the first time in over a decade (except for Philip who left PNG in 2004) during the next couple of years. Richard and Bekah are hoping to come early in April, and Philip and Tina during July/August. Needless to say we are incredibly excited about this! It might help our daughters-in-law understand both their husbands and their weird parents a bit better!

Please pray that they'll be able to make good travel arrangements.

Nicki's translation of some youth ministry training material from English into Tok Pisin is progressing, albeit slowly. She recently sent the latest module through to the Christian Leaders Training Centre (CLTC) for them to check, amend as necessary and include in their courses.

CLTC trains pastors from all over the country and is also involved in youth ministries. MAF flies many of their students to and from very remote communities at the beginning and end of each year. Give thanks for the work of CLTC and for the way MAF makes their ministry much more accessible and effective for rural churches. Please pray that the material that Nicki has translated will be useful in reaching and training young Christians.

Thank you for your prayers. We'll try to send out a short update early in March so that we can get back to the usual monthly schedule for our News from the Duncalfes.

With our best wishes
Michael & Nicki