We talked to a hospital chaplain to find out how MAF supports patients and their families – beyond the flights that almost daily connect Timorese people with urgent treatment.
Story by Matt Painter
“I think what we do as a team is really helpful for the Timorese people,” said Inggrid Pinto I, MAF’s hospital chaplain in Dili. “Because MAF does not just help to bring them here to the hospital, but we also give them care and support.
“Sometimes we might think it’s not a big deal, but we can see that, for the patient, especially in their difficult situation, what we do is so meaningful to them. MAF do more than bring people to the hospital.”
Since the early days of the flight operation which began in 2007, members of the MAF team have often visited hospital patients who have been flown in on medevacs from isolated communities. However, in 2023, MAF increased their holistic impact by adding a hospital chaplain to the team.
Inggrid took on the chaplaincy role in 2024 after studying public health in Indonesia. The 28-year-old from Viqueque is excited about MAF’s impact on patients and their families.
We provide them with emotional support and our presence makes them feel less alone.
“We provide them with emotional support and our presence makes them feel less alone,” she said.
“We don't just bring them here and then just let them go. We are with them in their difficult situation to provide what they need.”
After providing an initial ‘care pack’ of essentials on arrival, Inggrid and other MAF staff make weekly visits to patients and their families who have been flown to the national capital. These chaplaincy visits include further practical gifts and an opportunity to chat and pray with patients together with their families.
Though the task is often physically and emotionally draining, Inggrid finds joy and encouragement in her role.
“The thing that I enjoy most is building a good relationship with the patient and the family. We really feel happy if they want to open up with us because we really want to help them, to listen to them,” she said.
“We know that God can perform miracles. But I know that miracles don’t happen to everyone. But what I really admire is how even in difficult situations, the families still believe with their faith in God. I really see that faith becomes their hope. And I see how God also blesses them with a brave heart, even in the worst situations.”
I can say it was a miracle
Not long ago, Inggrid visited baby Marcelina and her family. After a medevac from Maliana, Marcelina was unconscious, severely ill with meningitis. The possibility of recovery was so low that the doctor told the family that the only option was to pray for their baby.
“We see a lot of patients with meningitis, and there's no hope,” Inggrid said. “And with this one, we thought it would be the same. She was unconscious during our first visit.
“But the next visit, she was already conscious and just doing fine. They even discharged her and she returned to Maliana with our flight. And that's how we see God really work, because even the doctor that treated the baby also said that it's a miracle that the baby can regain her consciousness. I can say it was a miracle.”
Inggrid is also pleased to develop new skills while working with MAF. She also serves in administration and finance; and will soon join the safety team.
“When I started, I couldn’t drive,” she added. “I never imagined that I would drive someday!
“I can say it's been a great big opportunity for me to learn. I grow through MAF. They offer me the opportunity to learn, and learning how to drive is one example of that.”