A tribute to our “Maroon Mean Machine”

Macedonian Ministries prayerfully purchased this vehicle in 1997 as a people carrier, to transport members of Short-Term Missions Teams to rural/remote South Africa and beyond into neighbouring African countries.

"She" was around 3 years old at the time and the odometer read +120 000 kilometres - meaning that she was only just "run in" and that the best service was about to begin.

This Nissan Patrol GLX Genuine 4X4 off-road vehicle with a straight six-cylinder 4160cc petrol engine was the "real deal".

Twin choke Weber carburettor.
Slow revving, long stroke pistons with pushrod-driven tappets.
Huge gearbox with transfer box and vacuum-assisted clutch.
Old man Emu suspension with coil springs and gas shocks all around.
Solid axles with differentials, front and back.
Power-assisted disc brakes on all four wheels.
High-riding aluminium rims for the off-road.

Power-assisted steering, and very good headlights for night driving.

Commissioned by a Missions Team from Todd, North Carolina, she was ready to be tested in Northern Zululand and Southern Mozambique where roads were sand tracks, ruts at times more than 12 inches in depth or no roads at all.

The vehicle payload was 8 adults in the cabin and just over one ton of commodities in the off-road trailer.

The "Maroon Mean Machine" proved that she was up for anything that missions threw at her. The approximate statistics tell it all:

- 900 foreign Short-Term Missionaries transported

- 1300 tons of cargo, especially building materials

- 145 000 garments of clothing/blankets/linen for the needy

- 15 000 New Testaments/Bibles

During all this active service the only mechanical breakdown down...2 punctured tyres (thorns) which we were able to rectify in minutes.

On the 23rd May 2024 at 3.30 pm the "Maroon Mean Machine" was decommissioned, still running just like she did 26 years ago.

We are sure that many of our co-workers, both local and foreign, will read this tribute and thank God for the gift of this wonderful machine for Missionary Service. As you recall fond memories, give thanks to God for His bountiful providence, and pray for the multitudes to whom you were able to minister in Africa as a result of the "Maroon Mean Machine" getting you to the mission field and home again.

Sad to see her go, but rejoicing in the memorable assignments completed for the Glory of God's Eternal Kingdom.

Trevor Eayrs

South Africa