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)
