Trip Resources – Malawi

LODGES close to where we will be doing ministry

Convenient to the areas we serve and the places we will evangelize, these facilities have been serving our teams for years.

Your accommodations are part of the estimated costs for the whole trip (depending on cost of airfare).

A word about our housing. Remember this is the third world.
Remember, that we are also on a budget. We will can assure that you will be fed for every meal time, and that your accommodations will be safe and place where you can rest. You may or may not have hot water. You may or may not have electricity. Welcome to Africa. Sometimes at the lodges, we have bucket baths with hot water.
Bring your toiletries. Bring some washing detergent or extra shampoo to wash your clothes. Clothes dry quickly in the African sun.

1. We leave on time. Respect your team and get on the truck 3-5 mins early. Get your seat picked! (Well chosen).
2. Don’t drink water from sink or faucet. Keep mouth closed in shower.
3. Don’t brush your teeth with faucet water. Use purified water.
4. Deet Before You Eat. Say it 3x. Mosquitoes love the dining area. They dine!
5. No leaving the hotel without permission from leader and never alone

(Any accommodations related to, or in preparation for your departure from or upon returning to the United States are not included. If, for example, you need to get a hotel prior to your departure close to your originating airport, that will be at your additional expense.)

Visit your physician to let them know that you will be participating in mission work in Malawi and adhere to all immunization recommendations. Check with the CDC travelers health information.

You will carry two(2) pieces of luggage, including one suitcase that you will leave behind. The one Suitcase is the one that has the contents of which will be for the needs of the mission; the other will be your personal belongings; both will need to fit on the plane.

WE DO NOT CHECK LUGGAGE. (If you or someone you know does not have an old suitcase to donate, purchase one inexpensively at a thrift store. Consider asking friends, relatives, and parishioners to help support your trip by donating some or all of the following items.) Items you will supply:

• Children’s Vitamins
• Small Dress Shoes BLACK
• Basketball (Deflated)
• Pencils – both regular and colored
• Sharpeners
• Crayons
• Glue
• Erasers
• Rulers
• Protractors
• Paper
• Markers
• Pens
• Fans
• Umbrella/Poncho
• Hand Sanitizer
• First Aid supplies
• Sound cables/old phones

For your personal luggage, you will bring a carry-on bag which will need to fit on board the aircraft. Be sure to check the size requirements and weight limits for your specific airline. Here is what we recommend for you to pack in your carry-on:

Six sets of clothes:

• One for travel and one for each of the days of your trip. We wash our clothes in the shower usually and hang up to dry, so we can wear them twice. We recommend that you take old or second-hand clothing for each workday.
• One pair of old sneakers or shoes: These must be close toed shoes!

We recommend that you do not bring any valuables or electronic devices with you.

Use only bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. The hotel offers many bottled water stations. Some individuals bring a water bottle/container with them on the trip that they can refill.

Yes, we may get souvenirs or go on a Safari, you will be made aware of this before the trip. The trip fee covers all expenses in country, including food, water, and transportation and lodging. Consider bringing one credit card for emergencies.

Your trip cost includes:

• Transportation on the ground, fuel, and a driver
• Interpreters, when needed
• Meals
• Lodging during your stay (we do not guarantee a specific hotel/lodge)
• Airfare: each person is responsible for coordinating airfare to arrive in ATL to travel to Africa.

As you plan your trip, you may decide to fundraise to cover the expenses. We know it can feel uncomfortable to ask people for money, but here at the Mission, we believe that fundraising can be an opportunity for ministry. When you ask people to partner with you, you offer them a chance to be a part of the Mission too, even if they can’t go on a trip themselves. You also open up the door to encourage them with stories from your trip after you return. Below are some ideas that maybe helpful for you to fundraise:

• Write letters to people who may be interested in partnering with you.
  • One way to do this is by breaking down the total cost of your trip by day or expense. For instance, divide the total cost of your trip by the number of days you will be serving, then ask someone to partner with you for one day.
  • Fundraising Letter Template
• Host a car wash with others who are also fundraising.
• Sell baked goods or frozen meals.
• Offer childcare or babysitting services.
• Host a silent auction with donated items from friends, family, or local businesses.
• Offer lawncare or maintenance services. These are just a few ideas to assist you as you seek to fundraise over the coming months. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our stateside office!

While you’re on the ground with us, you will have several opportunities to share your testimony. We believe that your story is important! Revelation 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimonies. For they loved not their lives even unto death.” Sharing a part of your story in a way that displays the love and sacrifice of Christ is how we overcome the enemy. It’s a way of showing others how you love Christ more than your own life. This being said, we want to equip you to share your testimony in the most effective way we know how! To simplify your story, you can break it up into five short phrases that complete the following sentences:

• Once upon a time…
• Everyday…
• Until one day…
• Because of that…
• Until finally… You don’t have to use these exact words, but it can be helpful. Let’s break it down:
• What you used to believe or how you used to act. Who were you? What was the context?
• How this belief or action impacted your everyday life. What did you do every day before the Lord transformed this part of your story?
• The moment that began to change you. What was the turning point or realization?
• The result on your daily life. What changed about your life?
• What you believe or how you act now. Who are you now? What is the new context or theme of your life because of this change?

Here is an example of what your testimony might look like:

I used to be frustrated with myself because I felt like I couldn’t ever do anything right. I felt so guilty for not being as good of a person as I thought I should be. One day, someone shared with me that God still loved me and that He sent Jesus to die for me so that I didn’t have to get it right all the time. Because of this, I was more joyful and happy because I didn’t feel guilty. Now, I feel free to obey God no matter what because even when I mess up, He still loves me!

You will have the opportunity to share a character sketch in the field. This is a fun way that you can help children and youth better understand the Bible. So, here is what you need to prepare, in order to effectively teach in a creative way!

1. Choose a Bible Character.
2. Write down 5 -7 facts about the character you chose.
3. Come up with a costume that you can bring with you to wear as you act out the characteristics/facts that you wrote about your chosen Bible character. For example, if you chose Solomon, here are some possible facts/characteristics that you could say about him:
4. I was King David’s son.
5. God told me He would grant me one thing.
6. I asked God for wisdom.
7. I was the richest king in the whole world.
8. I wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. Who am I? After you recite and act out your character in front of the kids, they will guess who you are!

You can view our cancellation policy here.