Ashley Leyenhorst explains why she took time out from university and the comforts of home for a short-term volunteer role with MAF.
Could you be the next young person to take this life-changing experience?
Story by Mandy Glass
As a 20-year-old university student from Canada, Ashley Leyenhorst has a world of opportunities ahead of her. But she chose to put it all on hold for six months to test herself in the beautiful but challenging environment of Papua New Guinea.
The business and marketing student joined Mission Aviation Fellowship’s communications team on a Mission Experience Placement which has allowed her to experience a different way of life, engage in mission work, and undergo personal growth.
It has shaped a greater dependence on God and appreciation for what God provides. There's an atmosphere of faith and Christian support here in MAF. A new family is found through God's family.
Ashley admits that it felt a big step moving across the world, but she has acquired new skills and learned a lot about herself.
“I have been able to learn a lot of different skills while being here,” says Ashley. “Some of the skills I knew back home were able to apply.
“But there’s been a lot of things that have been pushing me out of my comfort zone in the best way.
“I was able to learn a lot in regards to communicating and interviewing people.”
Ashley's connection with MAF dates back to her childhood when the organization's work was introduced in her church. The dream of becoming a pilot lingered briefly, but her fascination with MAF persisted, driving her to explore voluntary opportunities overseas.
PNG, she describes, is a visually stunning land with friendly people. However, beneath the surface lies the need for economic growth and infrastructure development, highlighting the crucial role of MAF's air services in connecting remote villages.
“The flight ops here are very necessary because there is a lot of isolation, and many villages are only accessible by flight since there are no roads. Walking to a health centre or the nearest city would take days,” explains Ashley.
Capturing stories is Ashley's day-to-day work, joining flights to report on MAF’s impact, managing social media posts and crafting engaging content.
This also involves mastering softwares like Photoshop and InDesign. However, the highlight of Ashley's learning journey was embracing the local language.
“I've been able to learn a lot of Tok Pisin. It has been an awesome skill to be able to pick up, to be able to communicate with those around you. And it provides a certain level of comfort knowing that whatever situation you're in, you can communicate with those around you,” said Ashley.
Ashley's journey in PNG not only shaped her professional skills but also deepened her faith. The isolation from family and friends, coupled with limited freedom of movement for safety reasons, led to a stronger reliance on God.
"It has shaped a greater dependence on God and appreciation for what God provides. There's an atmosphere of faith and Christian support here in MAF. A new family is found through God's family,” reflects Ashley.
Her advice for young adults is to consider whether a placement could be the right next step for you.
"This is a life-changing experience. I strongly recommend it. God had it all in his hands, and he brought it all together,” says Ashley.
If you're up for an adventure that can change your life, check out MAF PNG’s MEP program.
Here's the link for more information.
Mission Experience Placement in | Careers at MAF I - Mount Hagen (icims.com)