“Relations between the Republic of Sudan and the South Sudan are very tense,” share Stefan and Christine Hageneier. “The republic to the north has attempted to militarily neutralize the remnants of the rebel movement along the border area. This has caused streams of refugees to flood into the South Sudan and Ethiopia.” Between the attacks from the North on refugee camps and  groups of rebels in South Sudan causing local instability, many relief and aid organizations are unable to work.

Fortunately, the Hageneier family feels safe in the southern city of Juba and not directly affected by the fighting. “Nonetheless, we feel perturbed when we have to carry out evacuations,” they wrote recently. “Last week we hosted five missionaries after bombs had been dropped in their area.”

The Hageneier family moved to Juba as Stefan took over supervision of the MAF station (Missionary Aviation Fellowship) there. He is responsible for the organization of flight operations, and personnel matters for approximately 15 mostly local staff and short-time employees. “The administrative responsibilities reduce my share of the flight duties to only one or two flights on one or two a week,” says Hageneier.  “We pray for good cooperation among a very international team.”