Hands and Hearts for Africa

Please go to our new website:

http://www.handsandheartsforafrica.ca/

Coffee Klatch for Malawi Update: December 2007

I would like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who contributed to this coffee klatch for Malawi initiative. Your participation is most appreciated. Thank you for helping to make a difference!
I would like to share with you some of my reflections of this past trip. For me, going back to Malawi was like going home to see friends you couldn’t wait to see, apprehension about surprises/changes, an excitement and a gift. It’s along way to go and a lot of work over many months leading up to the mission trip. You hit the ground running when you get there and there’s always a sense there’s so much to do in such a short time- and it’s not always little things but some are big, important, life altering stuff too. And you know what!! It’s all worth it!
The people are amazing, resilient, beautiful, and hopeful yet there’s an undercurrent of desperation. They want for their children what we want- good health, education, food, opportunity but their chances for this are not what our chances are. Many strive to be independent and good providers but their reality is they are 1 or 2 droughts away from famine, malaria and other illnesses are an ever present threat and in spite of their perseverance and dedication the situation is very difficult.
For us, all of it is in God’s hands. We are well aware while there that nothing good happens with our efforts- it’s God at work and He blesses us by often being right in our faces. He did that last year and He did it again this year. For one thing, He put people in front of us who might be able to help us help our friends. It’s an ongoing, pleasant surprise to see who He has lined up next to meet us. We are constantly on guard for these opportunities.
The 2 schools we had connected with last year met different fates over the past year. For the one, Nanthomba, where we moved bricks and helped get a foundation up for one block of 2 classrooms, this year there were 4 blocks, 8 classrooms in total, an increase in enrolment form 350 to 625 and an additional teacher. At Nanthomba School we worked with the children and teachers on several occasions introducing them to resources and activities. It’s important to remember these 6 teachers are volunteers who all have children to raise and training they want to receive. Of those 625 children, 395 of them are orphans- double and single. The Kafulafula School is a government school. Last year we attended the term end celebration as honoured but humbled guests. Village elders, board of education members, parents, and grandparents were in attendance, and it was a great day of celebration for the 1000 students and 7 teachers. This year, there are 600 students in attendance and only 2 teachers are left. Other teachers are promised for January. Meanwhile some of our team whitewashed walls, drove the bats out and shared resources with the headmaster and his one staff member and worked with the children.
As far as the medical clinics go, the existing one at Ulongue has had its small maternity hospital opened for 6 months. 120 babies are born monthly and their mothers receive the necessary HIV/AIDS medication to stop transference of the disease to the baby. Also HIV/AIDS testing can now be down there. These are good steps forward but the clinic does all it did last year plus these new initiatives with the same staff as last year- 2 wonderful but very tired nurses, an administrator, a few volunteers and a monthly visit by a Doctor.
At the other yet to be opened clinic in Nandomba, the money has been raised for the necessary work to get it open and now we wait and pray for the right contractor-an honest one, to present him/herself.
Something new this year that is a huge blessing to us was our time walking in their communities, extending the invitation to come to the feast and offering prayer. Almost all folks asked for healing prayer for a variety of aliments such as headaches, backaches, problems with chests, legs, and with some, difficulty walking and sight problems. There was a window open to heaven and God’s healing power was reigning down on these beautiful people. And we never doubted that God did not want to heal. We were extremely humbled to be used by Him. To Him be the glory and honour!!!
We visited the Njoho day orphanage where 200 orphans are cared for and provided with a meal and learning and playing activities.
At the feast/revival this year we were praying for months for 5000 to come-you may recall we had 2000 in attendance last year. In the days leading up to the feast we were out walking in the communities inviting all to come and bring their bowl, sing, dance, hear words from God. Over 8000 people came and we fed over 10,000 mouths as many came for more rice, goat and chicken. Choirs sang and we had another opportunity to pray for people. God used us in amazing and powerful ways that day and in the week prior to bring His healing. Our Malawian friends have no hesitation or doubt that when they ask God for healing they will receive it and they did/do. Praise God!!! God is healing there, in Africa in a mighty way!
There is much to do in Malawi. The needs are endless- clean water, sanitation, education, opportunity, improved health, food- the basic necessities of life!! These people lack all of this and we are blessed to have the opportunity to be used in a variety of ways, here in North America with all the resources we have available to be His hands and feet for our brothers and sisters. It’s a huge challenge but together, under God’s direction, we can make a difference! And everyone can play a role. Thank you again for being one of those people. Maybe you’d like to join us next year!

Fran Gray

Malawi Trip Blessing

oct 21 2007 - vid00001.avi

New desks in new school

Here are 2 wonderful photos of some of the children sitting at their new desks in their new school where last year at this time they gathered in the dirt or sat on the bricks and wrote with sticks in the hot sun or under the straw "shelter".

Thank you all for the support, prayers, encouragment, & interest. Zikomo, Zikomo, Zikomo!!!

Malawi Garden Party

Many Thanks to all who supported this event! What a marvelous time was had by all.
Malawi Knitted Dolls and Teddies –Please place finished items in Malawi blue bin at Wellington Square in St. Paul’s hall under our table with your name so we can thank you!
Malawi—Baby and toddler clothes are needed.

Wine & Cheese Party for Malawi

September 29th from 2 - 6 pm at Torry Lane Farm, Bruce and Joy Magwood’s.
Silent & Loonie Auction including a Quilt, Jewelery, Gift Certificates,
Music by Trinity Soul & That Band
Tickets $50.00 each with all proceeds to support Malawi Mission work.

Malawi Update Impact team 2007

As we continue to make plans for the upcoming mission back to Malawi, in sub-Saharan Africa, we want to take this opportunity to update everyone on the progress made since we were there in the fall of 2006 and the plans for this fall.
God has put together a team of folks from various backgrounds, interests, passions, skills and gifts. There are 2 “waves” of people going and for 5 days our time there will overlap during which we will all take part in the crusade and feast for which our friends on mission road have asked for assistance.
On the first wave we have from WS Brian Redding, Fran Gray, and formerly from WS now from Haliburton, Gary Trapp. Also with us are 5 from St Thomas/London area, one from BC and several from our partner church in Minnesota, Hosanna!
On the second wave from WS there is Joy and Bruce Magwood, Nancy Walker, Mary Jane Pearson, Cindy Trapp (now in Haliburton), a second timer from Oakville, and several from Hosanna!
Besides visiting the progress on the schools, teacher houses, irrigation and agriculture initiatives we will again be meeting with the village elders and headman to review their priorities and the sustainability factor. We already know their number one priority is to get the medical center open and operational. It was built several years ago as a vote gaining initiative but never opened. We have an agreement with the Malawian Ministry of Health and the Malawian government to make this happen. The center requires clean up and some completion tasks, a security fence, water tower, generators etc. Our plan outlines work to be done by the local folks we hire, and funds will be offered as work is completed in stages. The opening of this clinic means the local people can avoid a 32 Km return trip walk to the present, nearest clinic. Again, we are going to volunteer in this initial clean up, painting, clearing out, as we did with the new school last year.
Also, we will again have the chance to meet with the wonderful volunteer teachers and conduct a workshop using resources we are taking for them. As well, playing and interacting with the children with conversations, games and songs is a rewarding experience we look forward to.
As in everything, this is God’s mission not ours and we look to Him for His leading.
Our brothers and sisters along mission road are the poorest of the poor- no running water or electricity, no material possessions to speak of, many orphaned children, children with no toys, who wear the same clothes every day and eat only mangos and maize BUT they have hope and look to us to bring that to them as we build relationships with them, listen to and interact with them and pray they will have reason to trust us, and show them Jesus’ love for each one of them.
We thank you for your support - your prayers – your interest-for them and for us.
Please see the display case for prayer requests, the blue bin under the table in St Paul’s hall for donations of summer clothes for children of all ages as well as young women and men, school and medical supplies.
For more information about the Garden Wine and Cheese awareness/ fundraising event at the Magwood’s Saturday September 29th please call Joy and Bruce at 905-659-3219
God’s blessings to you all and Zikomo!!!!!!!!
Frannie Gray on behalf of Impact team 2007

Update on Malawi

For those of you who have gone, have gone and are going again, and who are going but have not gone.....

These are pictures of the school blocks and teachers houses that our Canadian and USA Malawi Mission team have helped fund and have worked on last November.

Prior to this the kids were taught on a reed covered open air shelter and they sat on bricks and stones for chairs.

Soon - very soon - we'll be back there to "love 'em up... to help build more... and to be a part of their society" as honoured (honored) guests who leave memories and hope, and the love of Jesus.... but not our footprints

Zikomo!

Bob Swan

Some Webshots of June's 2006 Mission Trip

Malawi 2006 from June

Some Webshots of Shirley's 2006 Mission Trip

Malawi 2006 from Shirley

Webshots from Bob

Pictures from Bob

Medical Center

Empty Medical Center. Nandumbo, Malawi









Empty Tummies. No nurses, no doctors

NANDUMBO MEDICAL CLINIC
VILLAGE OF NANDUMBO, MALAWI

EMPTY. IN A SEA OF NEED

Built in 2004 for political favor, this clinic never opened. 30,000 people, mostly children, live within a couple of hour’s walk of this facility… their best hope for medical care.

But it sits empty. A memorial to broken promises, greed and hopes-not-filled.

The Vision Africa team of Hosanna! Church in Lakeville, Minnesota, Wellington Square United Church in Burlington, Ontario and St. John’s United in Oakville, Ontario wishes to open this clinic through donations from friends, associates and other organizations. US$70,000. is required to finish the project including wells, water tanks, a protective brick wall around this (approx) 2 acre compound, lighting, a maternity facility, sewage systems and the finishing of the existing buildings.

Agreements are in place to staff and pay medical professionals at the clinic. They are already employed at a clinic in Balaka, about 30 miles away. The agreement includes consistent supplies of medicines appropriate to the diseases / sicknesses in the area. The project will be overseen by a friend in the High Court of Malawi.

These Funds Are Needed By Nov. 2007 (before our mission teams arrive on site)

“Where You Live Shouldn’t Determine If You Live”
(Bono)

Will You Help? Please make checks made payable to Wellington Square United Church with a memo of “Malawi Mission, November 2007” and mail to Wellington Square United Church, 2121 Caroline Street, Burlington, Ontario, Canada, L7R 1L7. Your contribution is tax-deductible when the check writing instructions are followed. Blessings to you.

School block at Nanthomba

Our schoolhouse, just waiting on the roof and doors etc. Our project almost finished. Note the vegetation.

New pictures from Nanthomba orphan school

Here are some of the finished school rooms and teachers home's that we contributed to.

To everyone on the last Malawi Trip and new people who are signing up for the next Malawi trip... Welcome! - as you can see things are progressing very nicely at the Nathomba school project.

Stayed tuned!

My Mission Trip

MISSION TRIP TO MALAWI, "THE WARM HEART OF AFRICA"
NOVEMBER 7 - 18, 2006 - BY JUNE

Why did I go to Malawi, Africa? Why Africa?

I had just returned from a Mission Trip to Mexico, in February 2006, and was attending a small group, Living Prayer. The group members had lots of questions about the Mexico Mission. As I had been so blessed I was very excited as I retold my experience. Someone asked me if I would go on another mission trip and where. My answer was YES, and the place was Africa. I was thinking Sierra Leone, as I did not know there was a Malawi trip planned. A few days later Fran approached me, and the rest is history. Fran said there were four airline seats left, three more would be added later. The nature of the Mission Trip was to assess need, educational, medical, irrigation, planting, and nutritional, as seen by the people of villages along Mission Road. I felt that I could add to this mission with my spiritual experience, education, missionary work, and Social Work skills.

ARRIVAL IN MALAWI

Eight months later we arrived in Malawi, Africa and joined up with groups from Minnesota and Saskatchewan. Fortunately all fourteen of our suitcases of donated items arrived safely. When combined with the other members of the group there were 44 suitcases, maybe more, filled with supplies. We were met at the Airport by staff from the

MVUU Camp to start our overland trip of five hours, by bus, and then by boat, arriving in time for dinner. It had been a very long few days. For the next week we would travel everywhere, first by boat and then by pick-up truck.

TOUR OF AREAS TO BE ASSESSED

After breakfast the next morning, we set out to familiarize ourselves with projects along mission road, then on to the job site where the Nanthomba Primary School was being built. With much excitement everyone jumped out of the truck and immediately started to move the mounds of bricks into stacks for the bricklayers to cement in place, pushing wheelbarrow loads of cement mixtures and anything else we could do. The children were dismissed from school and were very excited. They also began to help moving the bricks. They could be heard singing and laughing along with the workers who were wonderful with the children. This exciting work proceeded into the scorching hot afternoon.
Each morning, we left Camp at 7 am to go to the work site. It soon became clear to us, that even though we were really keen, we could not continue to do manual labour in the 40+ C heat of the afternoon, so we left the building site at 1 pm for lunch. After lunch we worked at the Camp on various tasks, and sorted out the contents of the luggage into school and medical supplies. Smaller teams were formed to visit the schools and medical center to assess what the villagers saw as needs.

MISSION TRIP TO MEDICAL CENTER

On the first day we visited the abandoned Medical Center with a vision of hiring help and opening it for operation. It soon became apparent that this was going to take some time, hard work and a lot of money and would need to be done at a later date. A particular concern was the lack of electricity, the supply of which would be necessary before significant progress could be made. This needed to be discussed with the village chiefs and overall government, we would have to wait for now.

Three trips were taken to the existing Medical Center in Ulongwe, 20 kilometers away, an hour's drive, to assess need, in particular, medical supplies they deemed necessary. We spoke to three staff members and left a number of suitcases filled with supplies for them. More suitcases of supplies were sent on the following two assessment trips.

MISSION TRIP TO - NANTHOMBA PRIMARY SCHOOL

A new school was being built for the children. The cost of supplies, bricks, cement etc. was paid for by the donation money we raised and sent beforehand. As there was no building yet, and the sun was scorching they were being taught in the church and had some of their classes in the shade in the yard. A blackboard was propped against the wall as the teacher taught the children. The children were orderly and attentive. A little boy, about one and a half years old, climbed up on my lap to listen as well. This was a memorable occasion for me as I sat there and listened to the children’s input. I thought how wonderful that a Volunteer Teacher would put so much energy into teaching these beautiful children. Even though these were the same children that crowded around us after school, while I sat there, their attention was on the task at hand of learning.
Part of our investment with these five volunteer teachers was to sponsor two teachers to study to qualify for their Teaching Certificates. Part of the sacrifice for these two teachers would be that they would have to leave the village for one year of study to attend Teacher’s College in a city that was far away from the villages. It is hoped that all five volunteer teachers will be educated at Teacher’s College over time. This will become a Ministry of Education school, where all teachers will eventually be required to be qualified. I am pleased to say that we broke some ground in this regard on this trip. Prayer is needed for the teachers and this initiative.
My dream is that eventually we will be able to put in a Breakfast Program in this and surrounding schools to provide nutrition for the children, especially during times of famine. The children attend school from 6:30 am and are dismissed at 11:30 am, due to the scorching heat of the day. It is a long day if one is hungry.

MISSION TRIP TO EXISTING SCHOOL

In all, three teams of people went to the existing school on three different occasions. This was an older structure with classrooms, six teachers some with desks, others without furniture and few supplies.

On my first trip to the existing school the staff was wonderful. They were grading examinations, but took the time to answer our questions. The children were playing on the playground, and we recognized many of them from the school, the church service, the feast, and just walking along the road as we went to and from the building site. Their beautiful smiles, friendliness, warmth and vulnerability were very evident, and I knew we had to be sensitive and not hurt these children when we left to go home by not promising what we could not deliver.

Later that week we returned with school supplies. The children were happy. They would shake our hands, introduce themselves with their limited English and ask our names. On this trip we were invited into a classroom while the students sang and danced. We also visited a typical classroom where the children sat on the floor, as there were no desks and I saw no evidence of paper, pencils and school supplies.

We returned a third time on graduation day for the children. Parents, leaders in the community, and the Minister of Education attended this special day. The children performed, dancing and singing. Three of our team were invited to present special papers to the top students who graduated from each form. This was an exciting day as the teachers said that they had nothing to give the children until we brought our gifts of supplies. The remaining supplies were to be distributed to the orphan children at the new school year in January. There was much pride displayed. I was honoured to be part of this celebration.

CHURCH SERVICE AND FEAST FOR 2000

The church service on the Sunday was an amazing experience. The chapel was full of people and the service lasted two hours. No one could move. The music of both choirs, especially the Women's Choir brought tears to my eyes. The volunteer teachers were evident in both choirs. The sermons were rousing and inspiring, and were translated for our benefit. I will mention here that the thatched roof of the church was damaged. The money required to replaced it was provided by one of the members of the Minnesota Church after our return. After the church service we went to the Feast where we were honoured with music, dance and song. 1000 were expected but approximately 2000 were fed. The feast lasted a few hours and a number of the team walked back to the boat to be taken back to the Camp. What a day!!!! What a people!!! Amen, I could hardly do justice to the wonder of this mission and the overwhelming need of the people of this village, which is truly "The Warm Heart of Africa". Thank you Linda for asking me. The chance to write has given me a new resolve that this mission must be repeated over and over again until we make more progress.

WOULD I RETURN TO MALAWI ON ANOTHER MISSION TRIP?

Once again, 'in a heart beat', God willing and I hear his urging and if it be thy will Lord. There is much still to do in Malawi.

I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; Send Me. - Isaiah 6:8.

June

Malawi Impact Mission 2007!!!

Malawi - Africa 2007

This is an overview of the Fall 2007 trip to Malawi. We see our commitment to the community in Malawi as a long term relationship. As such, there are a variety of ways individuals and organizations in North America can be involved in the short term and/or long term, whether or not you decide to go to Africa in person.
Where is the community in Africa?
Malawi is called the “Warm Heart of Africa” for very good reason as the people are very friendly and welcoming to us. The country is land locked by Tanzania, Zambia and Mozambique. It is a very poor country with extreme poverty, but is relatively stable and safe for short term mission work.
This specific project is in the south / central part of Malawi in a fairly remote area we are calling “Mission Road” which is adjacent to Liwonde National Park and is the same location as the fall 2006 mission trip.
What is the purpose of this project?
The real purpose is to come along side the people of this rural community (about 20,000 people) to assist with their priorities for improving their lives with some of the most basic human needs. This requires that we establish an open and trusting relationship before we fully jump into specific and tangible projects (some projects have been defined and are in fact underway, with the potential for many more). The currency of relationship is time. That is, we have to spend time getting to know, understand and trust one another as well as the various partners we join with. This is not always easy for us as North Americans as we often want to jump in and “fix” the problems. We are learning the culture in Malawi and how to get things done while respecting their culture and their priorities. Our overriding principle is that any assistance we provide must be “sustainable” by the people of Malawi – to the best of our ability we are providing a “hand up” not a “hand out”.
Since this will be only the second team trip to Malawi, the focus will be on continued relationship building as well as some specific projects as God leads.
Who are our partners?
The lead organization is Hosanna church from Minnesota. This is a Christian, non-denominationally minded church with over 5,000 members. They have mission experience in various countries and specifically 3 years experience in Tanzania, and now moving into Malawi.
Our vision for Canada is to have a number of individuals and organizations partnered together with Hosanna to “adopt” the Mission Road community in Malawi. This includes Canadian Christ-centred churches. Our first trip to Malawi in 2006 had representation from 3 Ontario churches (one of which was WS) as well as other humanitarians from Saskatchewan.
Our key in-country partner to date is Mvuu Camp. They have demonstrated a huge heart for kids and community through their actions and financial support. They have already proven to be invaluable to us for communication, understanding of needs, and getting things done. Mvuu is really our eyes and hands on the ground around Mission Road.
We are also partnering with the Christian community around Mission Road. This is in the early stages, but is growing quickly in a country with many different faiths and beliefs at varying levels of commitment.
In addition, we are establishing relationships with some government officials and other volunteer agencies and individuals in Malawi. One of our goals here is to mutually benefit by working together without getting “caught up” in the red tape of some of the larger organizations. Additionally, some of the larger organizations are better suited to certain aspects of providing assistance.
What are some of the projects for this trip? (subject to finalization)
On the first ever Malawi trip last November 2006, we held a community feast and celebration with well over 1,200 Malawians in attendance. Based upon the success of that event along with the
enthusiasm around an all night worship and prayer meeting that 3 of us were invited to in April 2007, we are planning an even larger “crusade” this fall. A senior evangelist, Pastor Tim Hatt from Hosanna church will be there as a featured evangelist from North America. Pastor Tim recently returned from enormous crusades in India and Pakistan. We are planning for several thousand people to join this event. Members of the fall 2007 mission team will receive training in Malawi on how to pray for people and to be the conduit for Christ’s healing of people.
Some of the other projects identified at this point include:
1.First and foremost, whatever God leads us to do 2.Physical work on a medical centre (clean up, painting, etc.) 3. Crusade preparation, crusade itself, feast participation
4. Work projects on at least one school 5. Day or two with Emmanuel International seeing some of their projects including an orphanage 6.Other village projects to be identified by MVUU Camp 7.Sunday worship
Who should go on this trip?
We believe that God will continue to lead the appropriate individuals to this trip. A variety of skills, gifts, talents and passions are required on every trip.
There will be two teams of no more than 14 people on each wave. The trips will overlap for one weekend in Malawi so that 28 people will be together for the weekend crusade described above. People who are more comfortable with evangelism will be more interested in the first wave, while those who prefer a greater focus on projects will go on the second wave. Evangelism and projects are a part of both waves – the emphasis will just vary somewhat.
When is the trip? (both waves depart from Pearson Toronto airport)
1st Wave – Oct 30 to Nov 13 (15 days) 2nd Wave – Nov 6 to Nov 18 (13 days)
What is the cost?
The total cost includes virtually everything needed from start to finish of the trip with the exception of up front medical costs prior to the trip, and personal spending money. Further information is available with respect to inclusions.1st Wave - $3,200 US Dollars 2nd Wave - $3,085 US Dollars
What are the medical requirements?
All medical requirements, examinations, vaccinations, documentation etc. will be provided later to those seriously considering joining the team for 2007.
What else do I need to know?
There is a lot of information in this document. It may seem overwhelming at first, but it is all manageable and assistance will be provided walking through each phase of preparation prior to and during the trip. You will be expected to do some preparatory work, some reading and agree to certain conduct while on the trip.
Summary
Developing and nurturing key relationships is the biggest project for our teams. It takes several trips before open, trusting, inclusive, creative and comprehensive communication can take place. From an African perspective, they have seen many people come with good intentions and never come back. We need to show and prove that we are in this for the long term. Our Malawi friends made specific reference to this – how we kept our promise to come back. We need to show them that we will keep on keeping our promises.
All participants will need to understand and accept that the only way our eventual mission programs can go very deep and very far, is to realize this is a long process that results from relationship building with patience and consistency.
How do I sign up?/get more info?
Contact Gary Trapp at (garytrapp@xplornet.com), Fran Gray, or June Jack

We believe this is a wonderful opportunity that God has provided for us in North America and at Wellington Square to be part of His Greatest Commandment AND His Great Commission!
More info will follow as to how you can be involved without going to Malawi. Zikomo!! (thank you)

Malawi Mission - How can you help?

Malawi Mission
How can you help?

Pray! :

• For the people of the village, that they will have food and health through this rainy season
• For the new primary school that is being built for the children of Nanthomba village, for it’s completion and long-term sustainability
• For the teachers, that they will get certified and retain their jobs as teachers of the new school
• For the Malawian government to support the initiatives
• For all of the "needs" and potential projects – that God will work in us and the people of the village to serve where the needs are greatest
• For the word of God to spread in Malawi and that people will come to know Jesus as their Saviour
• For future mission trips there –including Gary Trapp’s March expedition for more learning/information gathering, for any of those who hear God’s call to go!

Start saving/gathering supplies that can be sent on the next mission trip:

• Clothing – especially children’s
• Shoes – sandals, running shoes
• School supplies
• Small toys and children’s picture books
• Medical supplies – Tylenol, band-aids, disposable gloves, nurses’ uniforms, stethoscopes

Make Dolls!

• Knitted dolls with black faces – delivered to children in the hospitals

Donate!

• Money to the "Malawi Mission fund" that will help purchase supplies and fund projects for future missions - 100% goes to Malawi – tax receipts given
• Sponsor/financially assist someone who is called to go, and needs help to get there
  

GO!

• Pray and listen to see if God is calling you to GO!

Pattern for Teddy Bears for Malawi (click here)

Attention Malawi Knitters
Please call Fran Gray c/o Wellington Square at 905-634-1849 and check in so she is aware of who is knitting dolls and teddy bears. Patterns are available on the info table.