Kimin Mauwe grew up flying with MAF – his father a missionary. Now, for more than three decades, he has served his community as a pastor and as the local MAF agent.
Story by Matt Painter
“My father, Mauwe Kamaya, left his home area to do mission work here in Karimui in 1963,” said Pastor Kimin Mauwe, who serves at Karimui Baptist Church.
“My father came with MAF, in an aeroplane that had a wheel at the back end and no wheel at the front.”
Kimin flew back and forth with his father during his childhood years. But as he grew older, he realised that his faith journey was much the same as these early flights – he was just a passenger in church.
“When I went to church, I felt like I was worshipping, but I hadn’t changed my heart. Some of the things the Bible says I shouldn’t hold, I was still holding onto those. Some of the things the Bible says I shouldn’t touch, I was still touching those,” he said.
“And it came to this: My worship was worthless.
“So, when I repented, I felt like I wanted to break away from sin, to be far away from it. My God is holy, and I wanted to worship Him with a right heart and a clean way of living.
And it came to this: My worship was worthless.
“When I turned my heart, I worshipped, and I felt God’s peace. I felt the Holy Spirit direct my speech and all my ways, and he taught me many things from his Word.”
But Kimin’s worship did not stop there. He began a life of service not only as a husband and father, but serving in his community too.
“Later, in 1992, I became a pastor. I then started work as an MAF agent in 1993 and have continued until now.”
Across PNG, MAF relies heavily on airstrip agents, each appointed by church and community. They prepare passengers and cargo, communicate with route and load planners, and give invaluable weather reports.
“Pastor Kimin has been instrumental in keeping the MAF service to Karimui going for all this time,” said Brad Venter, MAF General Manager – Aviation for PNG. “He is a humble and gentle man and always has a cheerful smile.”
Pastor Kimin grows peanuts, and he flies his produce to Goroka using MAF because there are no roads linking Karimui to any town. The alternative is a two-day walk to the nearest road.
“MAF have done a huge work in this country,” said Pastor Kimin. “They don’t serve the people of the town, they don’t serve places where cars go. They serve the bush people really well.
From his father’s time until now, Pastor Kimin has seen MAF’s service for the people.
“When I plant coffee, or when we plant peanuts, only MAF helps us. Only MAF serves us. The community, also, rejoices in the work of MAF,” he said.
“One thing I really love about MAF: When a woman is about to give birth, MAF comes empty. They don’t fill up with cargo first, they just come with fuel only, consuming fuel to get here, pick up one medevac passenger and they go back again.
“When I’ve been working as an agent, and I’ve sent a message that a man went into the bush and a wild pig gored him, or a person fell, and broke a bone, MAF comes quickly. To save one person, MAF does good work. They just come and get them and go.”
Pastor Kimin’s wife, Susan, agrees.
“It’s like, if MAF is in another area, flying around Simbari or whatever area they’re in – or Madang too – still they will come,” she added.
