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Malawi Mission Trip 2010

Annual Mission Trip to Malawi, Africa
July 5-15, 2010
Sponsored by: WorldHope Corps, Inc.
Led by: Dr. Michael J. Christensen, Founder, WorldHope Corps, Inc.
Hosted by: Mzuzu United Methodist Church
DATES: July 5-16, 2010 (10 days)

Travel Plan: Depart New York on Monday, July 5 to Lilongwe via Addis Ababa (Ethiopia)
Arrive in Lilongwe, Malawi, on July 6
Return on Thursday, July 15 and arrive JFK on Friday, July 16.

Destination: Malawi, a small land-locked, developing country of 12 million people bordering Zambia, Tanzania and Mozambique, is particularly vulnerable to famine and disease, and suffers from extreme poverty and AIDS. The July Mission Trip team will carry out its mission in and around Mzuzu City in Northern Malawi where WorldHope Corps supports HopeHomes orphan care program, Hope Tailoring School and Village Well projects in partnership with Mzuzu United Methodist Church and Malawi Shalom Zone Committee.

Reverse Mission: To raise hope in vulnerable communities through cross-cultural relationships, “reverse mission” and the ministry of presence. Our service team will focus its activities on being present in communities need and to vulnerable persons, who have their own gifts to share. By focusing our mission of help and hope on relational support and being with those who are economically poor, we hope to fulfill a ministry of presence (God’s presence through us) which may result in our own spiritual transformation. Henri Nouwen calls this “reverse mission.” In encountering the rich spirit of Christ in those whom we would serve, we ourselves are transformed in the process. A good way to prepare for the trip is to read Henri Nouwen’s book Gracias to deepen your understanding of “reverse mission.” Other reading material will be recommended to team members preparing for the trip.

Projects and Objectives: We will assist in food distribution, volunteer at selected mission sites, meet and encourage students receiving Hope Scholarships, assist participants in economic ventures that support the mission, and visit village well projects with the objective of mutual ministry and service. We will also explore with local experts social justice issues affecting Malawians, including the HIV/AIDS pandemic, extreme poverty, and local effects of economic globalization.

Specific Activities:
1. Serve daily meals to orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children and lead recreational and educational activities at two community orphan care centers, including HopeHome program sponsored by Mzuzu United Methodist Church with support from WorldHope Corps.
2. Visit with some of the youth recipients of Hope Scholarships and support for their secondary school education and vocational training
3. Visit CitiHope Malawi projects and meet local staff
4. Visit prisoners in Mzuzu Central Prison, delivering food and hygiene supplies
5. Possibly dig a village well and dedicate other village wells recently installed by WorldHope Corp as part of our community development program.
6. Help local community members develop micro-financed small businesses
7. Help organize a new ‘shalom zone” within the Mzuzu Circuit of the United Methodist Church
8. Conduct art workshops and recreational activities for vulnerable children and youth in remote rural area (possibly overnight).
9. Visit Livingstonia Mission (legacy of David Livingstone)
10. Worship with our Malawian brothers and sisters on Sunday in church

Local Ministry Partners: Mzuzu United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Synod of Livingstonia, Malawi, Mzuzu Shalom Zone Committee, and CitiHope Malawi

Meals and Accommodations: In Malawi, we will stay together in a Guest House in Mzuzu. Most rooms are double rooms, simple and clean, with shared bathrooms. Single supplements are available if needed. We will stay in a hotel in Lilongwe the night before our return to the USA. Group meals and accommodations to and from Malawi are included in the base price of the trip.

Cost: $1,300 for group meals and accommodations, in-country transportation by minibus, and hosting/facilitation expense. Cost for international travel is approximately $2,000 plus $30 per person departure tax from Lilongwe. Thus, the total budget for this 10 day trip to Africa is approximately $3,300 per person , payable to WorldHope Corps, Inc. as a tax-deductible donation supporting volunteer service in Malawi.

Funding: Although no scholarships are available from WorldHope Corps, team members are encouraged to request mission funds from their local church or association which can be channeled through WorldHope Corps. A sample “appeal letter” is available by request that can be adapted and sent to family members and friends.

Availability: Limited to 12 mission-minded people who have previously donated to WorldHope Corps, with priority given to official representatives of local churches and organizations that help sponsor projects in Malawi.

Who Should Participate? Service-minded people of good faith and good will who share a concern for orphans and widows in Africa and who want to do their part to help end extreme poverty and AIDS in the world in our lifetime. Those who cannot go on this particular trip but want to participate through financial support are invited to donate to WorldHope Corps www.WorldHopeCorps.org

Deposit Required: A $300 deposit with application is required by March 5, 2010 to reserve a space. The next $2,000 payment is needed by April 5 to purchase tickets. The final $1000 payment is due before June 1, for in-country costs. Or, the total amount may be sent in or paid online before due date.

Disclaimers: WorldHope Corps is prepared to facilitate the Malawi Mission Trip, but has no corporate or leadership liability for medical emergencies or logistical failures. Mzuzu United Methodist Church is prepared to receive and host visitor, but accepts no corporate liability for mission team organization, travel or activities. Individual travel insurance is required of all team members.

Next Step: Request an application/information form (available via email or from website) which must be completed and returned before May 15, 2010, with the $300 deposit payable to WorldHope Corps and sent directly to Dr. Michael Christensen at
11 Ardsleigh Dr. Madison, NJ 07940. This donation reserves your place on the trip and is non-refundable.

For further information, contact Dr. Christensen at mchriste@drew.edu or 973-408-3738. To support the mission, donate at www.WorldHopeCorps.org
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