Explore every episode of the podcast The Learning Journey

Matthew Sampias recently joined MAFI as Global Data Manager, however his journey involves more than just computers. In this episode Matthew shares about the value of data, his journey to joining MAFI, and what a bush medical clinic in Kenya taught him about life.

Marcus Grey has conducted 200 plus commercial pilot licence tests in his more than 40 years working with MAF. In this episode of the podcast, Marcus shares some of the lessons he has learned during that time, including the importance of resilience and perseverance.

Pieter Room, Manager Flight Training, is our guest on this episode of the podcast. Pieter and his family have spent the last four years serving with MAF in Uganda and he shares the lessons learned navigating traffic, building teams and providing specific training for MAF pilots.

Senior Training Captain, Volkher Jacobsen, is our guest on this episode of the podcast. Having started working in aviation more than 30 years ago, Volkher shares some of the lessons he has learned as both a missionary kid in Papua New Guinea and in his time serving with MAF.

Faith Susan is Country Director of the programme in Kenya and she joins us on this new episode of the podcast. Faith shares her journey from breaking barriers in Kenyan aviation to navigating cultural landscapes with wisdom. She also reveals why mistakes can lead to powerful growth.

Stephen Charlesworth, Director of Strategic Development, initially hesitated to join MAF due to his parents’ involvement as missionaries with the organisation. Fortunately, he reconsidered — and in this episode of The Learning Journey, Stephen reflects on the many lessons he has learned throughout his years of service with MAF.

Marco Koffeman, Director of Mission Aviation Training Centre (MATC), joins us on the latest episode. Marco shares the lessons learned from serving in Africa, and how the realisation that training, rather than flying, was his passion changed the direction of his journey with MAF.

In our latest podcast episode, we’re joined by Lisa Blomberg, Country Director in Guinea. She opens up about the powerful lessons she’s learned leading a team in Africa, how she balances her work with MAF while parenting five young children, and why humility has been an essential part of her journey.

Kees Barendse has been serving with MAF for more than three decades, and is currently the Director of Maintenance in Uganda. In this episode of the podcast, Kees shares some of the many things he has learned training and equipping numerous staff in his role with MAF.

Renee Muhlematter joins us again on The Learning Journey, 2 years since her last appearance. During that time Renee got married, made it to programme and learned a lot.

In this special edition of The Learning Journey, we take a look back at some of the best moments from Season Two.

In this special edition of The Learning Journey, we take a look back at some of the best moments from Season Two.

Chief Financial Officer Anna Beck shares some of the many lessons she has learned over the last decade with MAF, including as part of the Executive Leadership Team.

Joe Farren, a pilot with MAF, shares the insights gained while living and working in Timor-Leste, reflects on how God's plans often unfold unexpectedly, and discusses balancing his upcoming wedding with his passion for missions. 

Matt Henderson joins us on his final day as Country Director in Arnhem Land. He reflects on nearly a decade of experience working in the field, sharing key lessons he has learned along the way. Matt also opens up about new insights he's gaining during a season of uncertainty.

Our guest on this episode of The Learning Journey is Doug Ring, Chief Information Officer. He has spent many years working in telecommunications and Doug shares what he has learned during the transition from commercial to missions work.

Our guest on this episode is People Care Manager, Angela Harding, who passionately shares the need for people to take care of themselves.

Micheni Ruriani, is our guest on The Learning Journey today. He shares his journey from Kenya to Uganda, and what he has learned from working in various roles within aviation over the last 30 years.

Ping Dommta grew up in remote northern India and rarely saw aeroplanes. Today he is a pilot with MAF in Timor Leste. In this new episode of the podcast, Ping shares his journey to aviation, lessons he has learned from conducting hundreds of medevacs, and how to overcome adversity.

Our guest on this episode is Vaughan Woodward, Executive Officer and Director Global Disaster Response. Vaughan shares some of the lessons learned from working in major humanitarian crises over many years.

Our guest in this episode, Joost de Wit, shares his transition experience to the MAF family after more than 20 years of flying as a commercial pilot.

Our guest in this episode is Sonali Ghosh, who shares her insight into living and working in Papua New Guinea, MAF International’s biggest programme.

Josefin Brandstrom is the Interim Country Director in South Sudan and in this episode she shares the many lessons learned from living and working in 3 African countries.

International Development Director, Bill Harding, has been part of MAF for over 30 years. During that time Bill has seen the organisation change, but he also seen himself grow and develop as well.

Trainee Aircraft Maintenance Engineer, Fanova Razafindrakoto, shares his MAF journey and what he has learned along the way.

Country Director Sundar Daniel shares his journey from India to Chad, via Bangladesh, and what he has learned along the way.

Manager Strategic Partnerships & Resourcing, Caleb Bjorem, talks about working with perspective, the importance of partnerships, and how to value people.

Check out more curated highlights from Season One of The Learning Journey. Our focus in this episode is culture and passion.

In this special edition of The Learning Journey, we take another look back at some of the best moments from Season One.

In this special edition of The Learning Journey, we take a look back at some of the best moments from Season One.

Learning and Development Trainer and Co-Ordinator, Dierdre Foulkes, is our guest today as she shares her journey from The Netherlands to Australia, and some of what she learned along the way.

In this episode of The Learning Journey, we head to Uganda and chat with LAME Mark Draper. Mark shares a fascinating journey of his family's aviation legacy that began with his grandfather.

Timor Leste Country Director, Nick Hitchins, joins us on this episode as he shares the lessons learned from leading a team in one of the world’s newest nations.

Lucia Jacobsen shares her journey from being a MAF missionary kid to becoming a MAF missionary worker, and what she has learned along the way.

South Sudan Ground Ops Manager Wek Chol joins us in this episode of the podcast. Wek shares his experience and insight from working in many roles with MAF.

Manager Flight Training, Andrew Jenkins, is our guest on this episode of The Learning Journey. Andrew shares about the need for standards, how to encourage space for your team and he provides a performance review on my first experience in a MAF flight simulator.

Area HR Manager (East Africa), Ilonka Barendse, joins us on this episode of the podcast. Ilonka shares her passion for learning, the reasons she is an advocate for development, and the lessons learned during nearly 30 years with MAF.

PNG Programme Safety Manager and Technical Training Specialist, Dom Sant, joins us on the podcast this episode as we learn about his time working with submarines and why he spent significant time learning new software.

Andy Hedley-Smith, International Security Manager at MAF International, joins us this episode and shares the lessons he has learned from a journey that has seen him protect Prime Ministers and Presidents, among other things.

Bastiaan De Waal, Regional Director for Africa, is our guest on the podcast today. In this episode, Bastiaan shares what he has learned from many years as part of the MAF family.

Our guest on the podcast this episode is Peter Fryatt, MAF Manager Technical Training & Innovation, as he shares his learning journey across many years with the organisation.

In this episode, we head to Northern Australia and chat with Ben Brown, an Englishman who has recently joined the MAF family.

MAF spouse Ruth Hitchins shares her family's journey to Timor Leste and what they have learned in the 2 years since first arriving in the country.

MAF International CEO, Dave Fyock, shares what he has learned through more than 30 years with the organisation, and provides some helpful advice for listeners to grow on their learning journey.

In this episode of The Learning Journey, we head to Madagascar and chat with Andry Rajaobelison, a man who overcame several obstacles just to work with MAF. Andry shares his experience with learning and how it has helped not only himself and his team, but also the people of Madagascar. You are sure to be inspired by Andry's story.

Our guest in this episode is new MAF pilot Renee Brewer. Renee shares about her journey into the MAF family, what she has learned about the importance of God's timing, and why she doesn't plan to return to Egypt any time soon.

Stuart Fitch, Director of Flight Operations at MAFI is our guest on this episode. Stu shares about mission, mentoring and the importance of mistakes.

Keith Ketchum is a Maintenance Training Coordinator with MAF, and in this episode Keith shares his journey into MAF, a little about his current role and why the working title of his book features the Archbishop of Canterbury.

In this episode, we head to Uganda to hear the remarkable story of Ruth Jack, Country Director for Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in that nation.

Join Hilda Fyock, Learning and Development Manager at Mission Aviation Fellowship International (MAFI), as she shares her heart and vision behind The Learning Journey podcast