Team Prepares for Upcoming Trip
The August team is getting ready!
Posted 07/07/2010
On Wednesday night, June 23, 2010, the August team had their second meeting to prepare for their upcoming trip to Africa. The team will consist of 16 people, made up of men and women spanning the age bracket, some affiliated with FBCS and CPH, some partnering from distant churches, with experience ranging from seasoned missions veterans to the wide-eyed but brave first-timers.
The training meetings are how the teams learn to come together as a unit and prepare for the things they will experience while in the field and the jobs they will need to be prepared to do. While many administrative, informative and practical items are addressed, evangelistic and teaching methods are covered as well. Last night the teams worked through writing and sharing their testimonies, working with a translator, and learning different ways to share Christ with individuals and groups. Future meetings will continue to expand on some of the things previously covered, as well as get more specific in regards to what responsibilities individual team members will be assigned to.
Mission trips are always a challenge to see how many things the team can do during the time that they have in the area. The goals of the August trip are many:
- Disciple the people of Malawi. There are so many people in the village areas that have professed to know and believe in Jesus Christ, but simply have no idea what it means to live a Christian life. The desire is for them to experience a complete life change; not only to set an example for others by their actions, but to learn how to actively lead those around them to Christ as well. The team will lead afternoon sessions designed to teach the people more about what it means to be a Christian, talk about Christian values and character traits, and share Bible stories that illustrate how God wants them to live.
- Share Christ with the unsaved. For many rural village residents, someone coming to them with the Good News is the only chance they will have to hear the gospel. The team will use tools such as the Evangecube, walk people through the Romans Road, and share their personal testimony or other stories from the Bible to help people understand their need for a personal relationship with the Lord.
- Plant a new church. The team will go into a new village, walk from hut to hut meeting people, sharing Christ with them, and inviting them to be a part of an afternoon celebration time. A new church will be formed, dedicated, and new members embraced and encouraged to meet and grow week to week.
- Hold a medical clinic. There is little or no access to medical care for many of the village residents. The August team is fortunate to have medically trained members in the group. The team will hold a 2-day clinic in which patients are not only treated of their physical ailments, but also treated spiritually to the gospel presentation as well as given discipleship opportunities.
- Host a pastor's conference. Area pastors will come together for training and encouragement as they learn how to better lead their congregations. New ministry tools called Proclaimers will be demonstrated and given to the pastors to aid in Bible teaching. Proclaimers are digital devices that read the Bible audibly in the local language. These devices will be incredibly instrumental in helping to facilitate Bible learning to the oral-learning village residents.
- Work on Esther's House. There is always physical work to be done. Building, painting, organizing, cleaning...the list is endless and varied. The team will have the opportunity to leave a lasting mark not only on the village residents in a spiritual way, but on the campus of Esther's House in a tangible way as well.
Help the August team prepare for their journey. The constant prayer of God's people over the team and the work they are preparing to do is of utmost importance. Pray for the team as a unit. Pray for individuals on the team. Pray for the people of Malawi, that God might open their hearts and prepare them for a spiritual awakening. Pray that no matter what circumstances arise on the journey, God will get every bit of the glory! Amen!
