Derek & Ruth Hyde and their family returned in September 2010 from serving with Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Uganda and Tanzania, where Derek worked as an accountant for seven years, supported by Bunyan. Below are some reflections by the family on their time overseas...

“Seven Years with Mission Aviation Fellowship - a drop in the ocean but small ripples are still spreading where God wants them to. We were surprised to learn that the Haydon weekly safari enables over a 1/4million people access to health care in North Tanzania. The numbers were so large for a 15-seater aircraft!

‘MAF operate light aircraft, bringing essential aid and spiritual sustenance to many of the world’s most inaccessible and inhospitable locations. For tens of thousands of people in such places, seeing a doctor, getting a Bible or having adequate food and clean water only happens when our planes arrive. When infrastructure is missing, when conflict threatens safety, when famine and drought wreak devastation, our flights offer fast, safe transport of vital supplies and assistance.’ In addition, MAF provide logistical (and financial) support for missionaries up country, vehicle maintenance and accommodation. They are someone people can trust to do what was promised and we found that sometimes people were glad that MAF (and MAF families) were just there for them.

Whilst Derek worked as an accountant for MAF, Ruth put her Early Years degree to good use teaching nursery children both in Dodoma (Tanzania) and Kampala (Uganda). She enjoyed her involvement in teaching English to mothers at the International School of Uganda and leading Alpha courses.

First impressions stay with us - children dancing with joy at the first rains in April. Dusty roads and long journeys meeting few people in the many hours travelled. What a difference from Derek’s current commute to London! Holidays will be different now, probably with smaller camp fires, less dust, fewer bugs, and no lions, hippos or giraffes to share our food with!

We believe our family was very fortunate to have the opportunity to serve God with Mission Aviation Fellowship and would like to encourage you if you are considering a spell on the mission field. We have been blessed by meeting missionaries, long or short-term, teenagers to retired people, all walking with God. Yes, sometimes they felt that they were walking backwards, but with God’s help and your prayers they persevered.

The family would like to thank everyone for their support, prayers and love during the time they were overseas and on their resettlement back into the UK”.

Further Information 

MAF Tanzania web site: www.maf-tanzania.org

MAF Uganda web site: www.maf-uganda.org