5th Team to Malawi

This is really the fifth team from Ankeny First United Methodist Church to be going to Malawi?

How many are going? 16? Not possible. Four teams already and 16 on the 5th. Something is happening here.

Here we go again. Think we are in charge. Think we know what to expect. Think that after five times to Malawi we have all the answers.

Oh yeah - "We" is me. The skeptic, the doubter, the planner. The I know what to expect guy. The I've done this many times now so I have this down to a science guy.

One small problem. I'm not in charge. I don't know what to expect. My plan will be God's plan. Every year is different. Every year is exhilarating. Every year is life changing. Not because it's my plan but because it's God's plan.

God's plan is for 16 of us to go to Malawi in July. His plan is for us to raise $15,000 so everyone that wants to go can go. His plan is to send five more youth this year so they can have their lives changed before they may even know what they want their life to be. His plan is to send a Pastor who will be overwhelmed as we have all been overwhelmed. His plan is to send a church staff member that has a passion for Bible School. His plan is to send her daughter with her so they can share the experience of a lifetime. The list goes on and on. 

This isn't a mission trip. It's a Partnership of Hope. It's a Ministry of Presence. It's a life changing experience. It's ultimately indescribable. It's God's way of allowing us to do our small part of helping the Malawi UMC. Not by building things. Not by digging. painting or repairing. By just going. By just praying with them and singing with them. By sharing with them, cooking with them, laughing with them and crying with them. Sometimes all of that in one day.

Let's start the prayers earlier this year. We need to raise $15,000 so everyone can go. We need prayers for all the hard work the fundraising is going to take. We need continued prayers for the people of Malawi and the Malawi UMC as they attempt to break the bondage of poverty we can't even imagine. We need prayers for the team as they begin to prepare for what they cannot imagine. They need prayers to be open to what God has in store for them. For now, praying is job one.

Much more to share. Where will we go? What will we do? What is God's plan? All questions to be discussed in future posts.

Your support is more important than you can ever imagine. Your prayers are even more important. Not just while we are in Malawi, but now. Thanks.
Peace,
Dennis White