Sometimes, it’s not until you stop that you realise how much you need a rest. That is a little how we have felt in the last few days. We have really enjoyed meeting new friends in the Church and communities of Matlosane and have enjoyed wonderful hospitality – but it has been very tiring too. So we have really appreciated the chance we have had to sleep and rest well whilst here at the Mercy Air base in White River, Mpumalanga. We have had time to think, write and reflect on our time in Matlosane and it has been valuable to do this. We have also had time to find out some more about the Mercy Air organisation… and we thought you might like to hear a little about it too.
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| Pilot -Paul Middelton with one of Mercy Air's planes |
Mercy Air is a Christian Charity based in White River, which uses light aircraft and a helicopter to fly people, goods and equipment to remote places in other parts of southern Africa. (A bit like MAF Mission Aviation Fellowship, with whom they often work in partnership). There is a small grass airstrip and a heli-pad all set in the grounds of a farm. The farm allows the organisation to offer hospitality too – which we have been glad to make use of. Most frequently, the users of the hospitality flats are missionaries from Mozambiuque who come for a rest, and a chance to get their cars serviced or have medical needs attended to.
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| Mercy Air's Helicopter |
Mercy Air sometimes will take on commercial hired/chartered flights, so that they can use the income generated to fly others in need at no cost or subsidised rates - eg medical evacuations.
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| Every boy's dream! Andrew and Sam in a "Kit fox" plane built at Mercy Air (think Meccano but very difficult) |
Our friends Paul and Cathy Middleton have worked for Mercy Air for several years. Paul is a Pilot of the planes and Cathy is a midwife and nurse trainer as well as overseeing the hospitality side of the organisation.
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| Rose with Paul Middleton Inside the "Kitchen" Container |
We have been staying here at an interesting time for Mercy Air. They have been planning for several years to set up a “remote base” in Chimoio in central Mozambique. This is to allow them to refuel and have storage and a place to stay- so that they can cover more of the northern remote regions of Mozambique. This is now nearing completion and another remote station is being planned in Marromeo, Mozambique. Part of the ingenious plan for this second base involves using converted metal storage containers for living accommodation. They have been converted here at Mercy Air, fitted out with kitchen, sleeping and washing facilities and will be transported to their new site in the next week.
Looking from the outside, it’s not possible to tell what is inside, but the team involved have been creative in their work- including air conditioning for the sleep unit (temperature are often around 35oC).
Looking from the outside, it’s not possible to tell what is inside, but the team involved have been creative in their work- including air conditioning for the sleep unit (temperature are often around 35oC).
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| The "Sleep" container (with all important Air Con) |
The work here is steady and purposeful for most of the time- maintenance, planning, & communication but with an increase in pace when a flight has been scheduled. Often there will be a sudden surge in activity if a flood or medical emergency demands a fast response – all of which makes the routine planning and maintenance all the more important.
It has been good to see how another part of God’s church is quietly getting on with the job he has called them to… supported by other members of the one church across the world. If you would like to find out more about the work of Mercy Air then you may want to visit their website www.mercyair.org or Paul and Cathy Middleton’s blog which is at
www.pcm-mercyair.blogspot.com
We will leave Mercy on Monday 5th March for an 8 hour journey to Sannieshof in Matlosane and feel well rested for the next stage of our visit.
Richard
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