Safe transport for Bible translation: Three decades of relying on MAF

Story by Annet Nabbanja

Jackie Hainaut’s first experience flying with Mission Aviation Fellowship came in May 1994, following a serious car accident near Kélo.

Jackie was in severe pain and unable to move her neck. Her organisation’s aviation arm in neighbouring Cameroon was initially contacted for a medical evacuation, but fuel shortages made the flight impossible.

MAF stepped in and flew to nearby Fianga, where she was uplifted and flown to N’Djamena.

Doctors feared she might become paralysed due to displaced vertebrae. A neck brace was fitted, and the following day she was evacuated to Canada.

“Because of MAF,” Jackie said. “I was able to get timely medical help and avoid being paralysed, so was able to return to the field.”

Born in the Congo, Jackie grew up in a missionary family. In 1968, her family immigrated to Quebec, Canada, where she later became a citizen. She came to faith at the age of twelve, but her journey with God was met with challenges.

After a painful church split involving her father, who was a pastor, she became angry with God and walked away from her faith. 

Five years later, a serious car accident on Canadian roads nearly cost her life. It became a turning point, and through that experience, God called her back to Himself.

Not long after, Jackie felt led to attend Bethel Bible Institute, where she completed a Bachelor of Theology. It was during her first year at Bible school that God called her to missions. Though it took six years to say ‘yes,’ she eventually sensed a clear leading to serve in Chad as a Bible translator. She arrived in Chad in May 1989 with SIL/Wycliffe.

For thirteen years, Jackie served as a linguist and exegete working with the Kera language. The New Testament was completed in 2002 and later dedicated in 2006. She also served as Translation Coordinator and Consultant for SIL Chad, training Chadian translators to work in their own languages and checking their translations. 

Each rainy season, and for three months afterwards, it was not possible for Jackie to drive out of the Kera area due to flooding and extremely bad roads – plus the fact that she was without a vehicle for six years following a bad accident. 

Jackie relied on MAF – but she was not the only one helped by MAF aeroplanes.

“MAF has certainly advanced the cause of Bible translation – but has also been a tremendous help to the Chadian church,” she said. “It has been a lifesaver for many who have needed to be evacuated to get medical help. 

“The MAF pilots have always been professional; being gracious and modelling Christ and His love to the people they serve, which is a tremendous testimony.”

Bible translation among the Kera has transformed the church. Since the Kera New Testament was dedicated in 2006, not only have they grown in number, with many people coming to the Lord, but many men and women of God have been training to become pastors and leaders in the church.

Literacy has had a huge impact, considering their language wasn't written before SIL started work with them. There are now over 10,000 readers, and literacy has become something of value not only in the church, but in the community at large.

“The Kera people were marginalised for many years and looked down on by other people groups that had a written form of their language and the Scriptures, but they now have a sense of dignity and are proud to be Kera,” Jackie said.

While Jackie no longer lives in Chad due to health reasons, she hopes MAF will continue to be a blessing to many.

“I count it a privilege to have served alongside MAF and thank them for their faithful service to the Lord and the peoples of Chad. 

Jackie signed off with the blessing of Hebrews 6:10 for MAF:

“God is not unjust; He will not forget your work and the love you have shown Him as you have helped His people and continue to help them.”