Mission Trip Program Details
Each year we attempt to live out the following seven initiatives for our mission trips:
1. Medical Team
This team is made up of doctors, nurses, PA's, ET's, etc. We do check-ups on all the kids in our programs as well as leaders and teachers. We would like to also bring dental staff. We treat scabies, ring-worm and other parasites, topical anti-biotic needs, and infections. We also do first aid training and teach basic hygiene to the leaders and the children (ex. Teaching them to brush their teeth, treat cuts, wash hands regularly etc.).
2. Teacher Training Team
This team is composed of teachers from our local school systems who provide workshops for the teachers in Malawi to help equip them on teaching techniques and curriculum. Over the years, we hope to provide resources, books, and tools for the teachers to use in their classrooms.
3. Construction Teams
Depending on the project, we usually bring a contractor or someone who has building expertise. The entire team can contribute in this area. Past projects include painting, carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, teams have built benches tables and games and painted signage.
4. VBS/Sports/Choir
This team has a VBS theme along with games and singing. We take and leave soccer balls and other sports equipment in the hands of local pastors and leaders to use after we leave. We teach bible lessons, songs, sports evangelism and build relationships with the children.
5. Leadership Appreciation Team
This team focuses on the "agogos" or the grandmothers, usually widows who are leaders in their village and who have taken on the responsibility of orphans within their homes. The team invests in the women and gives them a time of rest, encouragement and discipleship. Gifts are often given; these gifts usually consist of clothing, toiletry items, reusable bags, food or other supplies helpful for running their household.
6. Pastors' Conference
During these conferences local pastors are assembled to build friendships, and to be encouraged and equipped. We bring ministry tools to distribute to these men of God. Tools vary from books to soccer balls
7. Evangelism and Church Planting
When teams come love the people and share our time often people ask why. The answer is simply because of our God. This act of meeting the physical and emotional needs leaves a great opportunity to help meet spiritual needs also. Our teams spend time in hut-to-hut evangelism, out in the villages praying for the needs of the people and assisting new Malawian Pastors in planting churches.
