For Michael and Naomi Lindsey, moving to the Northern Territory to serve with MAF feels like a God-orchestrated return journey. But it’s unfolded in round-about and unexpected ways over several years of planning and preparation.
After a few years of on-and-off dating through high school, Michael and Naomi got serious. However, Michael wanted to make his calling as clear as possible to Naomi from the outset – even at the risk of losing the relationship.
“When we got together the last time, I was pretty set on a career in mission aviation in some way, shape or form,” said Michael.
“And so, I just said, ‘Look, this is pretty early days, but this is what I'm going to be doing.’ And I had such a conviction in my heart, to the point where I was willing to risk upsetting that new relationship again.”
Fortunately, Michael’s risk-taking reaped rewards, and his calling and feelings were reciprocated.
“It was one of the first things we talked about,” said Naomi. “Cross cultural mission work is something I grew up hearing a lot about as my mum’s family lived and worked as missionaries in Ethiopia for many years.
“Hearing Michael’s heart for mission aviation excited me as I felt God calling me to use my teaching skills in the places Michael would fly.”
Now, eight years later, Michael and Naomi, with their daughter Florence, have moved to Arnhem Land, where Michael will serve as an MAF pilot after four years at the MAF Training Centre in Mareeba – first as a student and then as an instructor.
Michael and Naomi are both from the Northern Territory, but for Michael the posting in Arnhem Land will be both the beginning and the endpoint of a circle that started when he was a MAF kid growing up in Numbulwar, in Arnhem Land’s southeast.
The plan has not looked how I initially thought it would, but I can tell that God's sovereign hand has been in it.
He’s been back a few times over the years, including several times with MAF as lead instructor on the Training Centre ‘safari’.
“It's always a good feeling,” Michael says of his visits over the years. “Three of those times was the safari, and we landed at Numbulwar, which is where I had lived for quite a few years.
“That was cool, just doing the same sort of approaches that Dad used to do day in, day out.”
Like so many pilots, Michael lives and breathes all things aviation, but people are his ultimate focus, and he values his time at the MAF Training Centre in terms of the lives he has touched.
“I've seen maybe two or three full cohorts come through from the start to the end,” said Michael.
“Each cohort has had their ups and downs, but it's been good to be at least a little part of their story, from coming here to leaving with a whole lot more than they came with.
“It's been a very transient community, but the family undertone has been the thing that has definitely set us apart from other training providers. What we offer in that regard is very, very unique.”
Michael originally planned to complete his pilot training in Mareeba and immediately head off to Arnhem Land, but God had other plans. Michael served for three years as flight instructor and Naomi worked as a primary teacher at a local Christian school.
“The plan has not looked how I initially thought it would, but I can tell that God's sovereign hand has been in it,” Michael said.
“And we can pretty much guarantee that the future is not going to look like we expect it to look. I feel it's helpful knowing that.”
Arnhem Land is in Australia, but it’s a long way from anywhere, geographically and culturally. However, in the near-term future at least, that’s where the Lindseys’ gaze is fixed.
“For the time being, we'd love to stay in Australia, specifically Arnhem Land, and go about building relationships there as best we can. And MAF is a great way to do that and serve the people at the same time.”
