Thomas & Patricia McKelvey
(MAF : Tanzania)  

In late 2003, Thomas commenced an engineering scholarship programme with MMS Aviation in Ohio ; sponsored by Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF). His studies were completed in June 2006 when he qualified as an FAA approved Aircraft Maintenance Engineer.

In December of 2006, Thomas left Ballymena to take up his first field assignment with Missionary Aviation Fellowship (MAF) in Tanzania. During his first term, he continued with his engineering studies and supervised training at the MAF base in Dodoma while serving as an aircraft engineer. In addition to adjusting to the change of life and culture in Tanzania he has also had an opportunity to get involved in an African church and to learn Swahili.

During 2007, Thomas met Patricia Kestle from Auckland, New Zealand. They were married in New Zealand in April 2008. Patricia is a primary school teacher who, after a short term mission in Vanuatu, went to The Bible Collage of New Zealand, followed by the CMS mission school in Melbourne, Australia. She has been sent by Church Mission Society of NZ to the Diocese of Central Tanganyika to work in a local primary school as the Deputy Principal.

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