A few weeks ago we had the privilege
of retiring Maman Ibaya. She has worked for MAF for 30 years! Her commitment
and hard work has been an inspiration. We are blessed to have known her. Here
is Nicks speech he presented at her going away party.
___________________________
Our Mama.
Maman Josée Ibaya.
This name is almost always associated with the MAF in Congo. "You must call Ibaya" is a sentence I hear perpetually. If it is necessary to know the information about a flight in the past, present or future “The only person you need to call is Ibaya. "
Maman Josée Ibaya.
This name is almost always associated with the MAF in Congo. "You must call Ibaya" is a sentence I hear perpetually. If it is necessary to know the information about a flight in the past, present or future “The only person you need to call is Ibaya. "
Ibaya was hired at MAF on April 14, 1986. She was just a
young girl looking for work, but I don’t know if she expected a lifetime at our
organization but that is what she recieved. It was the director of the time a
Mr Jon Lewis, in 1986, who hired her as a "receptionist, secretary of
director, flight follower. "
“It is a privilege to
offer some thoughts on the outstanding contribution of our sister Ibaya. I
consider it an honor to have hired Ibaya, because although there are many MAF
employees around the world, there are very few who have had the consistent impact
that Josée. As she is often the first person seen at the MAF office, it was
Ibaya who has been the face of the MAF. And It was a positive face and one that
well represented the reputation of the entire organization. Surely when people
think of the MAF, they think of Ibaya. " He adds," As Ibaya knows,
not all the Congolese staff at MAF have completed their careers, that is why
today is very special! Because she has finished well. "
A while after she started with MAF, the girl found a young
boy. His name was Mr Lumona Augustin and on December 12 in 1992 they were
married at Sims Chapel. Before long she was not only was advancing in her work
and with her husband, but soon 2 became 3! The baby Lumona Fideline was born on
Oct. 15, 1993. Then she really became Maman! Then, the little Lumona Noella was
born on 25 December 1995, and their family was full and filled with joy. We all
know that eventually she became not only mama of two, but mama of us all at MAF
Kinshasa!
The time continued as it does without stopping, and MAF moved
from our office at CBCO towards Kintambo magasin, settling into the ECC in Gombé.
It was Tom Howard who was director at that time and his wife Valli also worked
in the office with Ibaya. So Mama Ibaya took her life, her belongings and her
office and she opened the new MAF office at the ECC in September 1999. It was
there she remained faithfully manning her desk until today.
At the ECC she also worked alongside Mr Greg Heller and
often his wife Ruth Heller. Greg also, had a few words to share.
“This is the end of
an era! You were the face and voice of the MAF in Kinshasa for as long as we
were in Kinshasa. Even in Lubumbashi, we heard your HF radio voice during
flights. I did not know to whom the voice belonged, but it was obvious that it
was the voice of the "big boss". When I was the program manager in
Kinshasa, I appreciated your many years of experience, your good command of the
English language, and your thorough knowledge of missionary and expatriate
communities. May the LORD lift up his countenance on you and give you peace.”
After the departure of Greg Heller, our Ibaya remained.
That's fidelity, is not it? How many missionaries and directors, missionary
children, and others has she known?... Only God knows! MAF then transitioned to
Garth Pederson a program manager, who is still with us tonight, and who will
later share a word. I'm not finished yet! ;-)
It is with sadness but with contentment also that we convey
our message to Ibaya. The world is constantly changing and despite this we
sometimes have difficulty changing ourselves. Since the first day we saw her at
CBCO in 1987, we enjoyed her smile and her mind. We did not know at that time
how much she would be involved in our lives.” Ron was director from 1995 to
1998. Ron admired and relied heavily on Ibaya in order to arrange the flight
schedule. Then as Ron and Roz returned to Kin from 2011 to 2013, they had the
blessing to benefit from a little more time with Josée. Ibayas influence in
their lives will never be forgotten.
And finally for me. I have the difficult duty, but also the
privilege and honor to retire our sister, our maman, our beloved in the Lord,
Josée Ibaya. The only thing I can add in relation to what the other directors
have already said is that MAF in Kinshasa from today will always have a void.
And you, Ibaya, you will also have a void. But what does the Bible teach us?
God Himself He creates voids, and I believe that is so that we always bond
ourselves to him, and bond ourselves to others. Who must fill these voids? ...
it is God Himself.
To help you a little with this void and to remember us by, we
wanted to offer you a gift. So that you can continue to arrange the planes and
flights as you please ... Here is a small model MAF Cessna Caravan.
Thank you Maman, and may God keep you and guide you.
Nicolas
Mamaa Ibaya in her element :-) We miss you! |