My lovely friend Melissa Cairo suggested I post our itinerary while we are in Malawi so you can all know how to best pray for us!
August 1- Depart from San Fransisco in the evening
August 3- Arrive in Malawi around 12:30 p.m.
Go into town for lunch and post on our BLOG FOR YOU!
August 4- Visit Mtsiliza Village to observe and invest in the widow's sewing ministry in the morning
Visit Mtsiliza Village to observe and participate in their feeding program in the afternoon
Visit Mtsiliza Village to join village church in the evening
August 5- Visit Mgwayi Village to observe ministry in the morning
Visit Chisomo Idea sport ministry to observe and participate in the afternoon
August 6- Visit Lake Malawi to purchase souvenirs and relax (in lue of Safari to conserve time and money) all day
Augut 7- Visit the Crisis Nursery in the morning
August 8- Visit Flood Church in the morning for church and to share devotions with the Flood staff before church
August 9- Visit African Bible College to tour the college and their clinic all day
August 10, 11- Visit Muzu Village to check on the status of the well and distribute the 300 dresses!
August 12- Possibly visit Muzu in the morning
Board the plane FOR HOME at night!
August 13- Arrive in San Francisco in the afternoon
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Prayer request!
Our tickets are secured with British Air but it looks as though there are two spelling mistakes. Our travel agent is talking to BA to see what can be done. Rebooking would be almost $2000. Were praying for a miracle with BA or airport workers with grace!
Posted by Amanda
Posted by Amanda
Monday, July 26, 2010
Down to the wire....
Hey all!
We just had our final meeting last night! So unreal we will be on African soil in a week. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. The closer we get the more trials we all seem to be running into. I ask everyone to be praying for our focus and graditude. There is so much we are not prepaired for, and i have been praying to just keep our eyes and hearts on the Lord. We may not beable to do everything on a planned agenda, and I know for some of us that will be hard. :) I pray that the Lord watches over our loved ones here at home and that they have calmed minds and hearts while we are across the world.
Thank you thank you thank you to every single person that supported us. Not only financially but emotionally as well! You are our rock this wouldn't have been possible with out you! God bless you!
Whitney
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
We just had our final meeting last night! So unreal we will be on African soil in a week. I feel so blessed to have this opportunity. The closer we get the more trials we all seem to be running into. I ask everyone to be praying for our focus and graditude. There is so much we are not prepaired for, and i have been praying to just keep our eyes and hearts on the Lord. We may not beable to do everything on a planned agenda, and I know for some of us that will be hard. :) I pray that the Lord watches over our loved ones here at home and that they have calmed minds and hearts while we are across the world.
Thank you thank you thank you to every single person that supported us. Not only financially but emotionally as well! You are our rock this wouldn't have been possible with out you! God bless you!
Whitney
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:S Walnut St,Loomis,United States
Friday, July 23, 2010
Eva: The Battle of Control (PS 10 Days Left!)
Eva here--
So we made it! All of the funds were raised, including some extra funds for the momentous event of leaving for the continent of Africa for our entire TEAM! We have 10 Days left! I'm pretty excited. I still feel like I might forget something... eek! That's the only part of all of this I'm sorta nervous...strangely I've been fine when I think about traveling nearly 1/2 way across the world?
Building up our departure, I've been having issues with the crazy disagreements (small ones), all around frustrations, weird dreams, illness... including a sizable headache that lasted all of yesterday! What I have to say to that is: HA! Today I laugh at the face of adversity or more like: squint-in-the-day-light. I have tried to let go all of the lame stuff that has occurred recently without having a complete melt-down, or have it completely steal my joy. Honestly I have had my moments...which were honestly quite chaotic.
My God is good. Even when times are hard. That is the most important. I am staying pretty optimistic. Especially today :) I am very realistic: that with any mission event, we (as a team) might come into some issues/disagreements/setbacks. That happens whenever you do anything unknown and you are open and flexible to God's calling... Spiritual attacks are all over the place! I'm just saying this from direct experience. It is also non-exclusive to mission trips, but in our daily lives as people of God.
Change happens, no matter HOW much a few of us Type-A perfectionists like to plan stuff. I'm on my way to "recovery" in the level of being a perfectionist. This level of planning has always been a survival mechanism for me..."the master of my own destiny" as I've been told?? ugh! That is such deep level of deception that has taken a stronghold on my mind. Granted, I control my actions (free will) but it takes a lot for me to realize (again) that it's not all about me. It is one of those life-long lessons where I will need to be constantly reminded. This level of control manifests itself within the amount of work I take on, how I do it and how I balance my time (which has been extreme levels of trial and error). I am the type of person that freaks out if this post I am writing on this blog has improper spelling and is grammatically incorrect.. lol!!!
I'm in a constant state of learning and re-learning that life is full of situations that I can't control. I don't always give that impression. I am pretty laid-back as well. I am trying my best to not let this level of control hinder the team or myself at all:
Proverbs 19: 21 (NLT)
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail"
So, I'm pretty convicted. Proverbs is so straightforward. It's pretty amazing. I'm working on giving God the rest...I'm still a work in progress... now were is my checklist..?
:)
So we made it! All of the funds were raised, including some extra funds for the momentous event of leaving for the continent of Africa for our entire TEAM! We have 10 Days left! I'm pretty excited. I still feel like I might forget something... eek! That's the only part of all of this I'm sorta nervous...strangely I've been fine when I think about traveling nearly 1/2 way across the world?
Building up our departure, I've been having issues with the crazy disagreements (small ones), all around frustrations, weird dreams, illness... including a sizable headache that lasted all of yesterday! What I have to say to that is: HA! Today I laugh at the face of adversity or more like: squint-in-the-day-light. I have tried to let go all of the lame stuff that has occurred recently without having a complete melt-down, or have it completely steal my joy. Honestly I have had my moments...which were honestly quite chaotic.
My God is good. Even when times are hard. That is the most important. I am staying pretty optimistic. Especially today :) I am very realistic: that with any mission event, we (as a team) might come into some issues/disagreements/setbacks. That happens whenever you do anything unknown and you are open and flexible to God's calling... Spiritual attacks are all over the place! I'm just saying this from direct experience. It is also non-exclusive to mission trips, but in our daily lives as people of God.
Change happens, no matter HOW much a few of us Type-A perfectionists like to plan stuff. I'm on my way to "recovery" in the level of being a perfectionist. This level of planning has always been a survival mechanism for me..."the master of my own destiny" as I've been told?? ugh! That is such deep level of deception that has taken a stronghold on my mind. Granted, I control my actions (free will) but it takes a lot for me to realize (again) that it's not all about me. It is one of those life-long lessons where I will need to be constantly reminded. This level of control manifests itself within the amount of work I take on, how I do it and how I balance my time (which has been extreme levels of trial and error). I am the type of person that freaks out if this post I am writing on this blog has improper spelling and is grammatically incorrect.. lol!!!
I'm in a constant state of learning and re-learning that life is full of situations that I can't control. I don't always give that impression. I am pretty laid-back as well. I am trying my best to not let this level of control hinder the team or myself at all:
Proverbs 19: 21 (NLT)
"You can make many plans, but the Lord's purpose will prevail"
So, I'm pretty convicted. Proverbs is so straightforward. It's pretty amazing. I'm working on giving God the rest...I'm still a work in progress... now were is my checklist..?
:)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
12 days!!! Wooooo!
Hello family and friends! I can't believe we are leaving so soon! I have to admit I was a nervous wreck about 3 days ago! I had lists on ever surface of my house haha. I have been praying non stop for focus on what the Lord is sending me to do! I talked to our amazing team leader Amanda and she calmed me by simply saying "if you forget anything were a team... We'll help!" so thanks girl! Well anyways I ask for everyone to keep praying for us as we depart here very soon!
God Bless
Whit :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
God Bless
Whit :)
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:El Paseo Ln,Sacramento,United States
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
The start......
Hey everyone! Whitney here.... Taking a day off to reflect on everything were getting ready for. The closer and closer it gets the more reality kicks in that we are going to be in Africa!!!! I'm so excited! Obviously I linked our blog to my facebook so all of my friends and family can keep updated through out our trip!
I just ask for you all to keep praying for us. We are still a little short on funds so pray that God will provide with that. Thanx for stopping by and stayed tuned as the countdown begins!!!!
18 days!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
I just ask for you all to keep praying for us. We are still a little short on funds so pray that God will provide with that. Thanx for stopping by and stayed tuned as the countdown begins!!!!
18 days!!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:King Rd,Loomis,United States
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
Excitement Arising!!!
Hmm, I think it's my turn to post to our fantastic blog. I just wanted to say a quick hello! It's Vanessa...the quiet one...or AM I??!! I tend to come off that way at first, but they probably won't be saying that for long! ;o) I think God put a well balanced and dynamic group of people together for this trip. I'm interested to see how He will use us. My team is amazing, and I'm excited to get to know them more and see them nonstop. For two whole weeks. Night. Day. Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner. :) NINETEEN more days until the journey begins! And also nineteen more days of re-assuring my mom that I will be okay...
So excited!
Pray. Serve. Go!
Hello Bridgeway family, friends, etc... Eva here. :) yay! I've been preparing for the Malawi trip like everyone on my team..who are so diligently are raising funds for the remaining amounts for the $3400 due this week.
Now I've been in a place of deep reflection upon what God wants to reveal TO me, through me and around me. I feel that God has been screaming out in my soul: Pray pray pray! Not only for myself or my team but for the people for Malawi (and the other teams from Bridgeway leaving and gone during the same time).
I truly believe that much will be revealed and prophecy in my own life fulfilled. (I have known for a long time I was supposed to go on a Mission trip abroad).
There was my season of life where I needed to serve within my community of Sacramento. I believe all of my experience working with impoverished communities, international students, multicultural groups, networking, research, technical skill and even community/clinical based healthcare makes me highly equipped and capable. Yet in times of these, I still doubt?? Wow. That's pretty lame. I am so glad God is good.
I have great confidence to know God will do great things even in my "lameness". He always does.
:)
Prayer request: Focus for me and focus for the team.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Now I've been in a place of deep reflection upon what God wants to reveal TO me, through me and around me. I feel that God has been screaming out in my soul: Pray pray pray! Not only for myself or my team but for the people for Malawi (and the other teams from Bridgeway leaving and gone during the same time).
I truly believe that much will be revealed and prophecy in my own life fulfilled. (I have known for a long time I was supposed to go on a Mission trip abroad).
There was my season of life where I needed to serve within my community of Sacramento. I believe all of my experience working with impoverished communities, international students, multicultural groups, networking, research, technical skill and even community/clinical based healthcare makes me highly equipped and capable. Yet in times of these, I still doubt?? Wow. That's pretty lame. I am so glad God is good.
I have great confidence to know God will do great things even in my "lameness". He always does.
:)
Prayer request: Focus for me and focus for the team.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Location:Chicago Ave,Fair Oaks,United States
Monday, July 12, 2010
Top 20 reasons I love Malawi
In honor of today marking 20 days till we leave for Malawi I thought I'd post the top 20 reasons I LOVE Malawi! Here goes nothin!
20. The people, the people, the people! Malawi is known as the warm heart of Africa and they do it justice!!!
19. Perfect "winter" weather! Seriously... It's like San Diego! In 20 days we'll be out of Sacramento's blistering 100 degree plus heat and sitting pretty 72 degree afternoons and warm sun! Don't worry, we'll send postcards ;)
18. Fanta! I've never enjoyed an orange fanta like I do in Malawi!
17. Mini buses. Where else can you sit on a strangers lap on public transit and it's totally normal? Don't worry moms, we won't take mini buses often!
16. Physical touch. Similar to Hispanic culture Malawians touch often! Greetings of hugs, kisses and long embraces are normal. The fun isn't just reserved for the ladies either! It's common place to see men holding hands or embracing in public!
15. Nsima!!!! Their food staple, a corn meal mush. If you were at our family dinner you feel our pain. Ok you got me... Nsima is no Americans favorite thing about Malawi but the food isn't horrible!
14. Church! Church in Malawi is LONG and can last for 4 or 5 hours easily but it's one of the moving things I've experienced!
13. The music! Malawians can sing and harmonize like champs! The most beautiful sound ever! Don't worry! Well record it for you!
12, 11, 10. Yea, I can do that! This is my top 20 list! The kids, the kids, the kids!
9. Hospitality like you've never known from people with almost literally no possessions. I don't care who you are... Experiencing that is convicting!
8. The sunsets! Some of the most beautiful on the planet I'm sure of it!
7. Tea time!
6. The smell of burning fields permeates the air during the winter.
5. Dancing! Wanna learn how to shake your booty? Ask a Malawian!
4. Cadbury chocolate. Enough said.
3. Bargaining and bartering... An art long lost in American that holds strong in Malawi!
2. The smiles! Some of the most genuine and gorgeous smiles you'll ever see!
1. Their respect and honor for God. I think this is something we lack in The American church that the Malawians have mastered!
Posted by Amanda
20. The people, the people, the people! Malawi is known as the warm heart of Africa and they do it justice!!!
19. Perfect "winter" weather! Seriously... It's like San Diego! In 20 days we'll be out of Sacramento's blistering 100 degree plus heat and sitting pretty 72 degree afternoons and warm sun! Don't worry, we'll send postcards ;)
18. Fanta! I've never enjoyed an orange fanta like I do in Malawi!
17. Mini buses. Where else can you sit on a strangers lap on public transit and it's totally normal? Don't worry moms, we won't take mini buses often!
16. Physical touch. Similar to Hispanic culture Malawians touch often! Greetings of hugs, kisses and long embraces are normal. The fun isn't just reserved for the ladies either! It's common place to see men holding hands or embracing in public!
15. Nsima!!!! Their food staple, a corn meal mush. If you were at our family dinner you feel our pain. Ok you got me... Nsima is no Americans favorite thing about Malawi but the food isn't horrible!
14. Church! Church in Malawi is LONG and can last for 4 or 5 hours easily but it's one of the moving things I've experienced!
13. The music! Malawians can sing and harmonize like champs! The most beautiful sound ever! Don't worry! Well record it for you!
12, 11, 10. Yea, I can do that! This is my top 20 list! The kids, the kids, the kids!
9. Hospitality like you've never known from people with almost literally no possessions. I don't care who you are... Experiencing that is convicting!
8. The sunsets! Some of the most beautiful on the planet I'm sure of it!
7. Tea time!
6. The smell of burning fields permeates the air during the winter.
5. Dancing! Wanna learn how to shake your booty? Ask a Malawian!
4. Cadbury chocolate. Enough said.
3. Bargaining and bartering... An art long lost in American that holds strong in Malawi!
2. The smiles! Some of the most genuine and gorgeous smiles you'll ever see!
1. Their respect and honor for God. I think this is something we lack in The American church that the Malawians have mastered!
Posted by Amanda
Disclaimer
Last night at our meeting where we learned all about clean water and how to teach Malawians how to purify their water to reduce illness and death we also got super techy! All the team members linked our blogs together! We can now post blogs not just from our iPhones but you'll be able to read blog entries from each of our team members in all their unique glory from right here! We're also hopefully going to easily post pictures and blogs from our iPhones while we're in Malawi! Can I get a shout out for technology!?
Posted by Amanda
Posted by Amanda
Sunday, July 11, 2010
What up yo
Hey guys! Nikie here. Just had another team meeting. THREE WEEKS LEFT! Woohoo! Got some good info tonight, learned not to poo in your water supply. It's good info people. We may dig some poo holes for Jesus! Pray for us in these last days, some of us (like me) still need some funds. :) thanks for all the support we've gotten! We're truly blessed! Well, that's all I got :) Lates!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
