Volunteer Missions

In all its mission partnerships and activities, WHC engages in what the spiritual writer Henri Nouwen calls “reverse mission”—the idea that those who serve the poor find themselves to be the poor that are served by others. North Americans who desire to travel to areas of need to make a difference in the world frequently find themselves transformed by the process. WHC Mission Trips tend to raise hope among those with whom we serve, and transform those who go together on mission.

New Mission Announced, 3/1/09
Mission Trip to Malawi, Africa

Led by: Dr. Michael J. Christensen, Director of the Shalom Initiative, Drew University and Stacy Radmore, WorldHope Corps Volunteer

Hosted by: CitiHope Malawi and Mzuzu United Methodist Church

DATES: May 20- June 1, 2009 (12 days)

Travel Plan: Depart JFK on Wednesday, May 20, for Johannesburg to arrive in Lilongwe, Malawi, on May 21; Return on Sunday, May 31, and arrive JFK on Monday, June 1.

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 May Mission Trip team will carry out its mission in and around Mzuzu City in Northern Malawi where WorldHope Corps supports an orphan care program and village well projects in partnership with CitiHope International.

Mission: To raise hope in vulnerable communities through cross-cultural relationships, “reverse mission” and the ministry of presence.

Reverse Mission: 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 emergency food distribution, visit selected mission sites, and participate in 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. Visit at least one Orphan Care Center and Help feed 100+ Malawian orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children their daily meal, joining them in recreational and educational activities.
2. Visit the Mzuzu United Methodist Church HopeHome caring for AIDS orphans and abandoned children with support from WorldHope Corps.
3. Visit with some of the youth recipients of Hope Scholarships and support for their secondary school education and vocational training.
4. Deliver nutritional food products in hospitals, schools, churches, prisons, and social service agencies supported by CitiHope.
5. Visit prisoners in Mzuzu Central Prison, delivering food and hygiene supplies.
6. Help dig a village well and dedicate other village wells recently installed by CitiHope and WorldHope Corp as part of our community development program.
7. Help local community members develop micro-financed small businesses.
8. Help organize a new ‘shalom zone” within the Mzuzu Circuit of the United Methodist Church.
9. Conduct art workshops for vulnerable children and youth.
10. Worship with our Malawian brothers and sisters on Sunday in church.

Local Ministry Partners: CitiHope International, Mzuzu United Methodist Church, Presbyterian Synod of Livingstonia, Malawi

Meals and Accommodations: In Malawi, we will stay together in a Guest House near the CitiHope Mission Center 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 departure. Group meals and accommodations in transit and in Malawi are included in the price of the trip.

Cost: For international travel, hotel and guest house accommodations, in-country travel, group meals, and hospitality expense, the total budget for this 10 day trip to Africa is approximately $3,200 per person, payable to WorldHope Corps, Inc. as a tax-deductible donation.

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 10 mission-minded people who have previously donated to WorldHope Corps or CitiHope International, 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.

Deposit Required: A $300 deposit with application is required by March 20, 2009, to reserve a space, with the total amount due before April 20, 2009.

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

Next Step: Download our application/information form which must be completed and returned before April 1, 2009, with the $300 deposit payable to WorldHope Corps and sent directly to Dr. Michael Christensen at 11 Ardsleigh Dr. Madison, NJ 07940.

The team will remain in touch by email and meet once (by phone or face to face) in April to discuss final trip preparations and assess team dynamics before departing for Africa on May 20. For further information, contact Dr. Christensen via email at mchriste@drew.edu or direct phone at 973-408-3738.

For Malawi Mission updates, see: http://michael-christensen.blogspot.com

Prayerfully count the cost and consider joining us.
It will change your life and make a difference in the world!

 

 

 

New Mission Trip Announced, 3/1/09

DOWNLOADABLE FORMS:
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• Mission Invitation

• Mission Policies & Application

• Mission FAQ's

Through Their Eyes: Volunteers Recount Personal Experiences