Mission Aviation Fellowship
The Barber Family
What Goes On Under the Skin of an Aircraft?
In the wheel well of a Boeing 737
Aren’t you glad that there are highly skilled, highly trained mechanics fixing all these parts?
What happens when you’re flying along in a single en-
gine aircraft and your engine quits? MAF takes this very
seriously, and we do everything in our power to make
sure it doesn’t happen. Engine “health” is something we
monitor very closely and even a small hiccup can lead
to devastating results. Later this month I (Rob) will be fly-
ing down to Wichita Kansas to take a one week course
where I will be learning all about one specific engine,
the Pratt & Whitney PT6. The PT6 is a turboprop engine
that is in almost 100 different aircraft and even some
helicopters as well. It weighs about 425lbs and produces
about 675 HP. This turbine engine requires a lot of detail
and precision. Even a minor fault, only visible with a 10x
magnifying glass, could turn into a major problem if not
dealt with correctly. This is one of the reasons MAF re-
quires skilled mechanics—accidents are not an option
and we must do everything in our power to keep the air-
craft running well and in the air. Operating aircraft on
gravel and dirt runways often leads to a lot of mainte-
These last two months have been a whirlwind of activity. We
had to go to the UK in January for a two week training course
with MAF on living and working cross culturally. Everything
went smoothly and the children had a great time bonding with
their grandparents while we were gone. It was Karina’s first
time on a 9-hour flight, and we both thoroughly enjoyed our
time there and are ready for the adventures of Africa.
(continued on back)
April 2011
Rob & Karina Barber
604-755-4439
MAF Canada
264 Woodlawn Rd. W.
Guelph, ON N1H 1B6
1-(877) 351-9344
www.mafc.org
Checked Out Our Blog Yet?
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nance. For example you might blow a tire by hitting a
pothole. Often the rocks kicked up by the main wheels
head straight for the tail and leave lots of dents in it:
dents that require fixing. My job will be making sure the
aircraft remain flight ready and safe to fly, so missionaries
and pastors can get to villages when they need to. It
means when someone is hurt and requires medical
evacuation the plane will be ready to take them to the
much needed doctor. When natural disasters strike we
are ready to help, all the while showing them the love of
Christ as we help develop a nation spiritually and physi-
cally.
Ashburnham Christian Retreat Center, UK
Where we had our training course with MAF on
cross cultural missions.

Our Journey Ahead
 April 10-15: Rob is in Wichita, KA for the
PT6 course
 May: Baby #4 is due to arrive
 June: Final packing for Quebec &
Madagascar
 July: Fly to Quebec City
 August: Begin French language train-
ing
 January 2012: Final induction training
in the UK
 February 2012: Arrival in Madagascar
These dates are dependant on the
Lord’s timing and the rest of our minis-
try’s support being complete before we
head to Quebec in July.
(continued from front) In February, we were able to visit Quadra Is-
land Bible Church. We really sensed their passion for overseas mis-
sions, and we were blessed to share MAF’s ministry with them. It was
also our privilege to share at Pitt Meadows airport for Maple Ridge Al-
liance’s LAFF group. If you or anyone you know would like to hear about
our ministry, we’d love to come share with you as well.
Between finishing up the last of the reno project around our house,
ordering enough school curriculum for the next 2 years, meeting with
individuals, writing packing lists for Quebec and Madagascar, finding a
shipping company to send Rob’s toolbox and some of our belongings
overseas, plus caring for 3 little ones and being 7 months pregnant—
these past weeks have been more than a little stretching. It’s easy to
feel somewhat paralyzed or like “Where do we begin?” We are humbled
to realize that our anxiety and worry really stem from our lack of trust
in God. As much as He wants us involved, He wants us to wait on Him
and watch Him orchestrate details and events. God has only given us so
many hours in each day, and He wants our hearts; our obedience. Please
pray that our focus would remain clearly on Christ, and that the Holy
Spirit would direct us as we prioritize all the tasks ahead.
Thank you to all of our ministry’s financial and prayer partners!

Rob & Karina, Faith Wesley & Joyanne

Because of many new ministry

team partners, we have almost
85% reached our ministry’s monthly
support requirement of $6000/ Would you prayerfully
month. consider joining our ministry
Our ministry’s one-time outgoing fund support team?
has risen to 85% of $35,000 thanks to
many special gifts received over the Please contact us with any
past 2 months. questions (604-755-4439) or
How You Can Pray for Us:
send us an e-mail.
 To effectively prioritize all the things left to do before we leave
 That God would bring a buyer for our house If you write a cheque to
 Safety for Rob as he travels to Wichita for a PT6 course MAF Canada, please put
Praise God!
 Our children bonded well with their grandparents during our 2
our project number C484 in
weeks stay in the UK the memo line.
 Some big projects are being finished to prepare our house for
the market