Development - Both Good & Bad
The road to Telefomin is bringing development, but also problems. To improve the roads there are diggers and dump trucks, which make noise day and night. There have been increased law and order issues too, but we hope, once the dust settles, by the end of the year, hopefully the road will be an overall positive!?
Journey from Mt Hagen to Kudjip
Our first road-trip since we returned to PNG in January. Only an hour, but with the asphalt stopping at irregular intervals with no signs, it can an intense drive. But you’re winding through the Highlands of PNG which, for the passengers (Shiv & Koda) is a lovely view!
8th Anniversary Holiday
We stayed at the Nazarene Mission Guesthouse in Kudjip for a long-weekend family holiday (with Koda), after Ryan completed his Supervisor Training. It was really restful, and necessary, to get away from the noise of the town, even if just for 3 nights.
Visit to the Dentist at Kompiam
Ryan chipped a tooth and needed to visit a Dentist, which is much more challenging when you live in a bush community in a developing country.
Thankfully Dr Camy, at Kompiam Hospital in Enga Province, was able to help him…
Supervisor Pilot Training
We spent 2 weeks at MAF’s HQ in Mt Hagen where Ryan completed the Supervisor Pilot (SP) course which will be really useful when we get new neighbours! Being an SP means Ryan can check junior PNG pilots into new airstrips and pass on his knowledge and experience of flying in one of the most challenging countries in the world for almost a decade!
“Bilum Books” Training Teachers
Ryan brought Ray, Grace & Eamon to Telefomin to run a training course for early grade teachers from remote communities around the Telefomin area. They work for “Bilum Books”, providing professional training and sorely needed resources which these teachers would otherwise not have access to.
Happy Father’s Day
Shiv surprised her Dad the day before Father’s Day when she had to return to the UK for a brief visit to attend a MAF fundraising event.
Ryan had to stay in Telefomin to keep flying as we’re currently a bit short of pilots in PNG.
Working hard or hardly working at HQ…
Spending time at the MAF HQ in Mt Hagen enables me to meet with people in person and get a lot of work done. But when you’re in town for the weekend, that makes for a great opportunity to play too…
Easter Weekend Remote Community Church Outreach
Over the Easter weekend Ryan took Pastor Christine and her friends to Ibil. She was so grateful, without the MAF plane, her outreach trip would not have been possible!
Adjusting the Cone Markers on Telefomin Airstrip
In order to help our local community in Telefomin, after the grass was cut on the airstrip, we spent a few hours re-positioning all the cone markers so they were in line and serving their correct function. A lovely morning’s activity for the 3 of us on Ryan’s day off. Watch the video…
Update on PNG Fuel Situation
We are so grateful to God that MAF PNG Management have been able to source fuel drums from a local PNG supplier again, reducing MAF's costs, which means we can remove the fuel surcharge at Easter and reduce our flying costs for the people we serve…
Enjoying a walk…
Such a beautiful sight of all the cobwebs covered in dew, as the sun rose shining on them. I couldn’t help but stop and marvel at the beauty of creation all around our home in Telefomin, PNG.
Church Building Materials Charter
In PNG, one of our most important jobs is flying to support the local Church! Watch Ryan take a load of roofing iron from our MAF base in Tabubil to Selbang, a remote community in West Sepik Province where they are building a new Church.
Saying Goodbye…
Reflecting on my Grandmother’s funeral last week and the challenge of saying goodbye from such a distance…
Getting Rid of the Rubbish
Sometimes life is not glamorous, such as when the rubbish needs to be taken out!
Join Shiv and watch the video, yes, a video about taking out the trash!? :-D
The Cole Communiqué - March 2025
Our March Newsletter is now in inboxes! It’s been a busy few months having Christmas in the UK, then a brief stop in Singapore before returning to PNG. Click to read…
First Sunday in Telefomin Medevac
Less than 48 hours back in Telefomin, Ryan was off doing his first Medical Evacuation flight (Medevac), on a Sunday afternoon.
Watch the video…
Click on the picture, left, to watch a video of our friend, Nurse Rhema, one of the local health care workers who MAF supports and we fly out of Telefomin.