A note from MAF Kiwi's, the Hitchins Family, as they say "Ate logu" (see you soon) to Timor-Leste.
After three years serving in Timor-Leste with Nick as the Country Director, the Hitchins family are relocating to Cairns, Australia, where Nick will take up the role of Business Analytics and Innovation Manager with the MAF International Strategic Development Department.
“As we share our baby lemon-grass plants, moringa tree-food, and hibiscus cuttings with those we are leaving behind, and sell other “plant babies” to raise funds for the schooling of one of our Timorese sons, we are so grateful for lessons learnt and relationships cultivated in the particular soil of poverty and richness that is Timor-Leste. We’ve seen that suffering of all kinds is no barrier or limit to finding true contentment.
Nick is excited at the possibilities of taking his strategic ideas onto a more global level within MAF, and Ruth can’t wait to see how her ongoing research collaboration within the Timorese emergency healthcare sector plays out. Our now predominantly Timorese MAF team is well placed to continue and strengthen the Closing the Loop programme and other initiatives and partnerships we’ve established.
We’ve been so aware of your invisible presence alongside us, amidst all the intense loves and losses on this tiny island at the edge of the world, and can’t wait to take you with us on the adventure as “the road goes ever on and on” (thanks, Tolkien).”
Nick & Ruth Hitchins
Ruth Hitchins writes from the perspective of a Timorese mother of twin girls who needed extra care in hospital. Her story shares how MAF is helping to care for patients beyond the plane.
PHOTOS / DIVYAN AHIMAZ (CROSS OF JESUS), RUTH HITCHINS.
This story was originally published in "Flying for Life - Spring 2024". To view the full magazine, click here.