Mission Aviation Fellowship December 2010

The Barber Family

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise;
give thanks to him and praise his name.
For the LORD is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5

A s 2010 comes to a close and we reflect on all God has done we have so much to be
thankful for. This year, as you hang lights on your Christmas tree, or bake yummy
treats, or write a simple Christmas card, try and think of ways God has blessed your
family this year! Maybe it was a difficult year for your family with many bumps in the road and lin-
gering issues, but take a moment to celebrate our ultimate blessing, which is not dependant upon
our circumstances! The birth of Christ and why He came to this sin-filled earth. We have much to be
thankful for when we remember the most important gift we have: eternal life through Christ; this gift
won’t ever get lost or broken or stolen! It is priceless, and could only
be bought with the precious blood of God’s Son.
“We are learning day by
This year we’ve had many opportunities to share the direction we’re
heading as a family. It has been challenging in ways we hadn’t antici- day to step back and
pated. It has been exciting too. We are learning day by day to step
back and watch God’s hand work rather than our own. Yes, He has
watch God’s hand work
given us work to do, but only He can produce a harvest, just as only rather than our own.”
He makes the seed grow. Our family experiences growing pains as we
learn these lessons, as we re-prioritize, as we begin to let go of things
we have here, as we take on new responsibilities, and yes, even as our family physically grows! But as
we have seen in other peoples’ lives who so faithfully demonstrate God’s strength, He is the provider
of all we need no matter the circumstance.
The past two months we have enjoyed being stationary in our own home. The to-do list is settling, or
perhaps we are just getting used to what seems a never-ending list! As we write this, our family is
recovering from some nasty colds that persist in hanging around. Wesley has successfully potty
trained, so we are once again a one-child-in-diapers family. Not for long however! Karina is expect-
ing number four in May, which we are very excited about! The early pregnancy fatigue is starting to
go away now as she enters the second trimester. This is a very good thing.
We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas and hope to be able to connect with you in
the coming year.
We cannot thank you enough for
Rob & Karina Barber MAF Canada MAF US prayers over the last several
barbers.rk@gmail.com 264 Woodlawn Rd. W. PO Box 47 months. We really sense our spiri-
Guelph, ON N1H 1B6 Nampa, ID 83653 tual family praying for us.
1-(877) 351-9344 1-(800) 359-7623
www.mafc.org www.maf.org Rob & Karina
Faith, Wesley, Joyanne
mafbarbers.blogspot.com
 stopped counting their MAF flights when they passed the 100
mark. The couple came to the DRC in 1973, joining the medical
work in Nyankunde. They flew almost every week taking medical
help to remote areas. Today, with many more trained
Congolese doctors and nurses, planes primarily carry medicines
and supplies.
When shooting started in Nyankunde in 2002, Dr Philip sheltered at
home with 14 other people for 24 hours. Three men armed with
rocket-propelled grenades demanded money. As they got more
Three weeks by road Nebobongo, deep in Ituri Rainforest in the menacing, he prayed a long, drawn-out prayer, and they left with-
Congo, is home to 7,000 people. The 40-mile road journey from out harming anyone. The next morning, MAF planes flew six mis-
Isiro takes 4 hours in the dry season, but a whole day in the wet sionaries and their children along with endangered Congolese to
season – if possible at all. The main focal point of Nebobongo is its safety. From long experience, the doctor insists, “MAF is a lifeline in
hospital, which is part of Worldwide Evangelization for Christ (WEC) and out. It provides us with what we need in order to work and live
International’s medical network. In February, it hosted the mis- and also vital support in life threatening situations.”
sion’s annual conference to create strategies for the year ahead.
While MAF flew five people to the conference, others travelled News from Madagascar
there the hard way. Hospital Administrator Jean-Maria Abwau ex- Things in Madagascar have heated up politically over the last few
plains why MAF’s service is invaluable. “The nearest large centre months but this hasn’t put a damper on the flights that MAF has
for medical supplies is 300 miles away. That could take three weeks been providing. MAF has been able to remain operational and
by road. Without MAF, we would face massive problems – and a hasn’t had to withdraw like they did in 2009. Continue to pray that
real lack of crucial medication.” things will settle down and get back to normal, as well as for the
safety of the people working in Madagascar.

Ministry Partnership Update

Thank you to all who have helped us
reach 54% of our ministry’s monthly
support goal of $6000/month.
Dr. Philip Wood in the operation room

Flight To Safety Dr. Paul Omelebati, who

attended the conference from Isiro’s
Gamba Hospital, points out that without
aircraft, his work would either be far less
effective or cease to exist at all. “We
would not be able to bring in our students
from rural areas to be trained. All of our
activities would either be a major problem
As well, our ministry’s one-time outgoing
or completely impossible without MAF.”
Also at the conference, Philip Wood and fund has risen to 45%
Dr. Philip Wood
his wife, both doctors, revealed they had Thank-you Thank-you!

Would you prayerfully consider joining our Items for Prayer:

 That we would continue to spend time in the Word
ministry partnership team together through  That our joy in Christ would shine for others to see
MAF through prayer and financial support?  Continued health and protection in pregnancy
 That we would find a renter for our house
Please contact us for more information.  That God would provide strength as we transition and continue to
We would love to personally connect with re-prioritize
you! To Praise Him For!
barbers.rk@gmail.com  For the gift of another baby on the way
 For new ministry partners joining our team
(604) 755-4439  For the special ways in which He continues to confirm our steps on
Each gift designated toward an MAF board-approved program will be used with the
this journey
understanding that when any given need has been met, additional designated gifts will
be used where most needed. Story from Congo taken from MAF South Africa Newsletter Page 2/2