Pilot, South Sudan
Jono and Michele met in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and were married in 2010. They have four children, Abby (12), Daniel (11), and twins—Joseph and Benjamin (9) - all home schooled by Michele (the one thing that has remained the same since leaving NZ!).
Prior to having children Michele worked as an outdoor activity instructor in the UK, trained and worked as a chef, and flew in the RNZAF as a Navigator. Jono joined the Air Force as an Avionics Technician and after six years remustered to pilot. After completing his wings course he spent most of his career at 5 Squadron flying the Orion. It was while serving on 5 Squadron that Jono developed a passion for helping people in need through aviation, particularly search and rescue and disaster response missions.
It was also during this time that Jono and Michele developed a hunger for God’s Word and were baptised in 2011. From then on, combining their passion for Christ with their passion for aviation was on the horizon. After serving in South Sudan since 2022, Jono and Michele still believe that God is saying there is no better time than the present - to Arise and Go - to participate with God in His mission—to share His love.
Jono and Michele are excited to continue to serve with MAF and bring help, hope and healing to isolated people in Jesus name!
The Pound family treasure your prayers and know that it would be very difficult to live and work in South Sudan without the protection and peace that flows from our Heavenly Father. God bless you, and may you know God’s grace and peace, and may He continue to lead you and guide you in His will for your life!
Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. NKJV