Mission Aviation Fellowship Timor Leste

22/04/2026

When the local hospital told Marcelino that either his wife or newborn might not survive without urgent help, hope arrived in the form of a small MAF aircraft.

“It was after midnight when the doctor told us that an operation was badly needed to save both my wife and our baby,” Marcelino said. In the middle of the night, he had woken to find his wife Amonia de Lima in premature labour.

“If it were not for the MAF plane,” he said, “it would be like the old days when we had to travel by bus or ambulance when there was no plane — and maybe baby Amonia or my wife might not have made it.”

15/04/2026

“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.”

Inggrid took on the chaplaincy role in 2024 after studying public health in Indonesia.

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.

08/04/2026

In Timor-Leste, our team flies hundreds of people to hospital each year, with almost-daily requests for help. But the ministry of MAF doesn’t end when patients get to the capital – MAF’s 'Closing the Loop' programme helps them get home again.

This programme allows medevac patients like Francisco and their families to return to their home villages for the cost of a boat or bus fare, thanks to donor support. For patients recovering from recent surgery at Timor-Leste’s national hospital, or those still needing further treatment, the comfort and speed of a flight means a lot.

See the full story here https://buff.ly/phHSMsF

01/04/2026

Ping – Life-changing numbers story
Iha tinan 2025, ami semo aviaun medevac hamutuk 321 ba pasiente iha Timor Leste. Aleinde ne'e, liu husi doadór sira-nia jenerosidade ne'ebé suporta ita-nia projetu Closing the Loop ami bele ajuda pasiente 100 resin no sira-nia família fila ho seguru ba sira-nia distritu. Liuhusi ami-nia vizita iha ospitál semana-semana, ekipa MAF iha priviléjiu atu halo orasaun, fó suporta pratiku, no Kristu nia domin ba família no komunidade liu 1,000.
Haree istória kompletu iha okos…
……………..
In 2025, we flew a total of 321 medevac flights for people in need in Timor-Leste. In addition, through the generosity of donors supporting our Closing the Loopproject we have been able to help over 100 patients and their relatives return safely to their districts. Through our weekly hospital visits, the MAF team had the privilege of offering prayer, practical support, and the love of Christ to more than 1,000 family and community members.
See the full story here… https://buff.ly/jT7ILW8

Country Director and pilot Lungpinglak ‘Ping’ Domtta reflects on the team’s ministry in 2025 – a year of overcoming isolation and sharing practical love with Timorese people who are experiencing pain.

25/03/2026

20/03/2026

MAF partners with Timor-Leste’s national ambulance service and Ministry of Health to provide hundreds of medevacs each year. But the partnership is not one-way. Both teams have worked to strengthen patient care through training.

“MAF provided training for our ambulance team on the equipment used during medevac flights, such as oxygen, scoop stretchers and patient harnesses. Now we also provide first aid training for MAF staff,” said Dr Simplicio Amaral de Deus, a director from SNAEM, the national ambulance service.

MAF Country Director Ping Domtta said the cooperation between the two teams has grown stronger over the years.

“The partnership between MAF and SNAEM has grown and strengthened over the years,” he said. “We have supported SNAEM by providing training and helping to empower the team."

17/03/2026

MAF partners with Timor-Leste’s national ambulance service and Ministry of Health to provide hundreds of medevacs each year. But the partnership is not one-way. Both teams have worked to strengthen patient care through training.

12/03/2026

It's Women in Aviation week!

Here is Suzanna Nunes, the Bookings Officer with MAF in Timor-Leste. She takes a moment to describe her role and what it means to work for Mission Aviation Fellowship.

"In my role, I assist customers with bookings and reservations and help coordinate important details that allow our flights to operate smoothly. I also support check-ins, handle payments, and prepare flight manifests to ensure everything is well organised for both our passengers and the operations team. Every day requires careful attention and teamwork so that each flight can depart safely and efficiently.

One of the most meaningful parts of my job is when I have the opportunity to assist when medevac flights arrive. Seeing patients being transported for urgent medical care reminds me how important this service is for many communities across Timor-Leste. In those moments, I feel deeply thankful to be even a small part of something that can make such a real difference in people’s lives.

As a Timorese, I feel very grateful and proud to be part of an organisation that values life and is driven by faith. Working with MAF has shown me that our aircraft are more than just planes, they are lifelines that connect people, bring hope, and provide access to critical services for those living in remote areas of our country.

Being part of this mission is very meaningful to me. I am thankful to work alongside a team that genuinely cares for others, and through this experience I have also grown personally and spiritually. It is a privilege to serve in a role that supports both our communities and the wider mission of MAF in Timor-Leste."

Let's appreciate Suzanna with reactions and comments below!

04/11/2025

Haksolok ho ami, bebé Alfredo seguru no di'ak, obrigadu ba imi-nia apoiu ba ami-nia aviaun sira ne'ebé muda ba moris. 🤱

Rejoice with us, baby Alfredo is safe and well, thanks to your support for our life-changing flights.

Read the story here:
https://mafint.org/news/2025-premature-baby-alfredo-flown-emergency-care

03/11/2025

Goodbye Lobs!

This last week we farewelled our Communications Officer, Lobitos "Lobs" de Jesus Alves. May God bless and lead you in the next chapter of your journey, Lobs!

Read Lobs' personal story with MAF: https://timorleste.mafint.org/news/2025-one-mans-trash-anothers-treasure

23/10/2025

Mai hasoru Andreas Caetano!

Ami nia membru ekipa ida ne'ebé dedikadu liu, nia hala'o papél importante ida iha kotuk hodi asegura ami nia seguransa.

Andreas hamutuk ho ami nia ekipa iha tinan 2024, hahú nia viajen profisionál ne'ebé ikus mai bolu nia ba iha dalan ida ne’e inesperadu — misaun salva-moris iha Timor-Leste.

"Tau fiar ba iha Maromak, no nia sei dirije ó! Ida-ne'e hanesan Maromak nia bolu - ha'u nunka espekta katak ha'u bele tama iha MAF loron ida," nia reflesaun kona-ba ninia viajen.

"Hau agradese tebes tanba ha'u hola parte iha misaun ida ne'ebé salva moris iha Timor-Leste ho MAF, hodi tulun atu asegura seguransa ba ami nia pilotu no pasiente sira bainhira sira semo iha ami-nia aviaun."

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Meet Andreas Caetano!

One of our most dedicated team members, he plays a vital behind-the-scenes role in ensuring our safety.

Andreas joined our team in 2024, beginning his professional journey that soon turned into an unexpected calling — a life-saving mission in Timor-Leste.

“Trust in God, and He will lead you! It’s like a calling from Him — I never expected I’d be able to join MAF one day,” Andreas shares as he reflects on his journey.

“I’m very grateful to be part of a life-saving mission in Timor-Leste with MAF, helping ensure the safety of our pilots and patients when they fly on our planes.”