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Mission Team – Malawi 2006

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Evening Service @ 6pm Malawi team Commissioning

              Welcome Call to Worship

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           SeekingtoreceiveGod letter to thank sponsors

Dear all,

Thank you for your support for our Mission Team - Malawi 2006 (20th May to the 5th June)
As you are aware, First Magherafelt Presbyterian Church sent a team of 18 people to Livingstonia in Malawi. One of our members, Dr Maureen Stevenson has been the medical officer in charge of the hospital there for the past four years.
Thanks to the support of so many people, over £25,000 was raised and we want to give you a brief overview of how this money has made a difference to people in Malawi.
Half of the money has been spent on the project work at Zunga and Luwuchi.
Five of the team worked at Luwuchi where they painted the Health Centre and a number of the staff houses.
Nine of the team went to work at Zunga Health Post where they :-

• Replaced all of the tin roof and some of the timbers.
  
• Built internal walls to provide toilet, shower and examination areas.
  
• Installed new windows and doors.
  
• Plastered new walls and painted the building.
  
• Left materials and finance to complete the septic tank and plumbing and to install solar panels to provide lighting, and provide basic equipment.
  
  

Four of the team worked in the hospital - a Doctor, Nurse, Ambulance Driver and First Aid Trainer. Their work included, surgery, health clinics and setting up a CPR training team.
With the remainder of the Money we will provide assistance to paying the staffing bills at the hospital for vital positions not funded by the government.
We will also be setting aside £8000 to build a Maize Mill at a local orphan care centre. A local community of 5,500 people with over 400 orphans will be able generate income and serve the community through this mill. The local people have made the bricks and built the foundations by voluntary labour and now need finance for the materials and equipment. We are excited about the potential for this project to make a difference in this community.
Thank you for your part in making all this possible and we look forward to continuing our support of the work at Livingstonia in the future.

Rev Jonathan Curry

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     PRAISE      "As we are gathered"        MP 38
                         "Thank you for saving me  MP 937
                         "I cast all my cares upon you"

     Responsive Psalm (Psalm 40v1-5,v16-17)
     Prayer
     PRAISE "Praise my soul the king of heaven" MP 560
     Presentation of the Team
     Malawi Team "Christ Above me"
     Commissioning of Team by Rev Graham
     Prayer for Malawi Team Willie Gilmour (Mission Awareness Group)
     PRAISE "Beauty for brokenness" MP 806
     Reading Acts Ch 10v1-8 (David McCullagh)
     Sermon by Rev Graham
     Prayer
     PRAISE "We rest on thee, our shield and our defender" MP 735
     Benediction.
     There will be a retiring offering for the Malawi Project (Plates in the Vestibule)

Malawi

Members of the team Tina Diamond, Hugh Stewart and Jackie Smyth being presented with shirts by Barbara McNarry sister of George Best on behalf of The George Best Foundation. We are taking them to the children of Malawi.

This Saturday a team of 18 people from Maureen Stevenson’s home congregation of First Magherafelt leaves for Livingstonia. The team hopes to complete repair work on two health posts at Zunga and Luwuchi on the lakeshore; assist with some medical work at the David Gordon Memorial Hospital (DGMH); and carry-out repair work on staff housing at the hospital. They are due home again on Monday, 5th June. Prayer Points –

• The health & safety of all on the team, both in traveling & while they are in Malawi.

• The much-needed practical work will go well and according to plan.

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DGMH has recently received a demand from the Malawi Revenue Authority (MRA) for tax which they did not know they were liable for. It is a large bill that will be very difficult for the hospital to pay. However, it is hoped to be able to discuss the problem with the MRA and to have the bill reduced. Prayer Points –

Wisdom for DGMH staff as they seek to negotiate with the MRA for a reduction in this unexpected tax demand; and for the funds needed to cover any bill.

Dr Maureen Stevenson, a member of first Magherafelt is working in the David Gordon Memorial Hospital (DGMH), Livingstonia, Malawi.
The hospital caters over 50,000 people, through the main hospital and a number of health clinics.
As a congregation we have been supporting the work there by prayer and by providing finance for; Staff Training, Kitchen Garden Projects, Bibles for the Sunday School, etc.
Now as a congregation we are sending a team of 18 people.
Projects We have been asked to do the following …
1. Zunga health Post - re-roof, build partition walls,
put in windows and doors, finish, paint etc.
2. Luwicha - repaint the Clinic.
3. Livingstonia - repair staff housing as time permits
and to provide support and training for staff.

Team Members - Malawi 2006 

Melanie Boyce, Hester Clark, Laura Crossett, Jonathan Curry, Tina Diamond, Irene Duncan, Harold Duncan, Richard Evans, Derek Finlay, Tom Gourley, Jackie Hamilton, David McCullagh, Rhonda Savage, Heather Shiels, Jackie Smyth, Vanessa Stewart, Hugh Stewart, Eric Wylie.

Giving Thanks for Finance
Our target was £10,000 for the projects to be completed while in Malawi. Any additional finance to go DGMH in Livingstonia, Malawi.
We would like to thank all who have contributed in so many ways including;

• The three fundraisers arranged by the Team (i) Coffee morning, (ii) Gospel Concert and (iii) Belfast City Marathon.
• Other fundraisers run by friends.
• Companies and individuals who have given donations.
• Local companies who donated all the tools.
• Those who have provided clothing, blankets, football shirts, etc.
• The team who have paid for their own flights, accommodation, food, vaccinations, insurance, etc.
  
  All this means you have raised over £20,000 for the projects
  and the work of David Gordon Memorial hospital. Thank you

Give thanks for,

• Maureen Stevenson and the work of the Hospital.
• Each member of the team and their willingness to go.
• The prayerful support of so many people and the provision of finance.
• The way God has been at work as the team has prepared to go.
  
  PRAYER
• For safe travel and sufficient rest as the team travels.
• For the health of team members, both physical and spiritual.
• For the work to be carried out on the health clinics and in the hospital.
• That the literature we take out will be used by us and others to bring many both young and old people to faith in Jesus Christ.
• As we see the needs in Malawi pray that God will show us the best way our congregation can help in the future.

There is an ongoing need in Malawi for provision of basic medical equipment and supplies, and also educational materials for schools, something that is being facilitated by the Containers for Malawi project.
More team details will be on First Magherafelt Church Web site - www.firstmagherafelt.org

Thank You for saving me;
What can I say?
You are my everything,
I will sing Your praise.
You shed Your blood for me;
What can I say?
You took my sin and shame,
A sinner called by name.

Great is the Lord.
Great is the Lord.
For we know Your truth has set us free;
You've set Your hope in me.

Mercy and grace are mine,
Forgiven is my sin;
Jesus, my only hope,
The Saviour of the world.
`Great is the Lord,' we cry;
God, let Your kingdom come.
Your word has let me see,
Thank You for saving me.
Martin Smith © 1993 Curious Music UK God of the poor,
Friend of the weak,
Give us compassion we pray:
Melt our cold hearts,
Let tears fall like rain;
Come, change our love
From a spark to a flame.
Refuge from cruel wars,
Havens from fear,
Cities for sanctuary,
Freedoms to share;
Peace to the killing-fields,
Scorched earth to green,
Christ for the bitterness,
His cross for the pain.
Rest for the ravaged earth,
Oceans and streams
Plundered and poisoned
Our future, our dreams.
Lord, end our madness,
Carelessness, greed;
Make us content with
The things that we need.
God of the poor …
Lighten our darkness,
Breathe on this flame
Until Your justice
Burns brightly again;
Until the nations
Learn of Your ways,
Seek Your salvation
And bring You their praise.
God of the poor …
Graham Kendrick. © 1993 Make Way Music

I cast all my cares upon You,
I lay all of my burdens down at Your feet.
And anytime, I don't know what to do,
I will cast all my cares upon You.
Kelly Willard © 1978 Maranatha Music

Beauty for brokenness,
Hope for despair,
Lord, in Your suffering world
This is our prayer:
Bread for the children,
Justice, joy, peace;
Sunrise to sunset,
Your kingdom increase!

Shelter for fragile lives,
Cures for their ills,
Work for the craftsman,
Trade for their skills;
Land for the dispossessed,
Rights for the weak,
Voices to plead the cause
Of those who cant speak.


Commissioning of Team (Rev Graham)

- QUESTION
Members of the Malawi Team
Having committed yourselves to be part of this team
do you promise to serve God in His strength
and to seek to bring Glory to Him by all you say and do?
(WE DO)
- Commissioning
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, the sole king and head of the Church
   we send you to share the love of God
to demonstrate the compassion of Christ
and to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit.
we assure you of our prayers, encouragement and support.
as you serve on this mission team.
(Shake hands of team members)
Prayer for Malawi Team Willie Gilmour (Mission Awareness Group)

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Mission Team – Malawi 2006 Fundraising events

1. Coffee Morning – Sat 18th Feb, 9am-1pm in first Magherafelt church Halls, everyone welcome.

2. Concert with Joanne Hogg – Fri 24th March. (arranged by Jackie Smyth)

3. Belfast Marathon – Mon 1st May. Relay team, fun run, walk. If you would like to provide
sponsorship please contact us via.   minister@firstmagherafelt.org

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Click here to find Malawi

3 members of the team Tina Diamond, Hugh Stewart and Jackie Smyth being presented with shirts by
Barbara McNarry sister of George Best on behalf of The George Best Foundation.
We are taking them to the children of Malawi.

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From 19th May to 5th June First Magherafelt Presbyterian Church are planning to send
a team of 18 people to Livingstonia in Malawi.

One of our members, Dr Maureen Stevenson, is the medical officer in charge of the hospital there. The following extract for the hospital report gives an overview of the hospital.

David Gordon Memorial Hospital was established by Scottish Presbyterian Missionaries in 1910 and came under Synod of Livingstonia over forty years ago. The Scottish Doctor, clergyman, educationalist and explorer, Rev. Dr. Robert Laws established the mission in 1894. The Hospital now has 134 beds, and is located on Mumbwe Plateau 4,450 feet above sea level, in the north east of Rumphi District. From the Plateau there is a panoramic view across Lake Malawi some 3000 feet below and to the mountains of Tanzania about 96km away.

The hospital, together with its 3 Health Centres and a Health Post along the Lakeshore, Luwuchi, Mlowe, Tcharo and Zunga, delivers health care and the Primary Health Department delivers services aimed at improving the overall wellbeing of the community.

The catchment area has a population of over 50,000 with 8,800 households. Approximately 60% of the population is aged 15 to 49 and 40% are 15 years and below (Msukwa, 1994 CSP/PHC, 2002).

The Team will be renovating the Health Post at Zunga and repainting the health centre at Luwuchi and helping to repair some staff housing. We will also have a number of medical people with us who will work in the Hospital at Livingstonia and we will be seeing first hand some of the projects we have supported in the past few years.

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Prayer Points

1. Planning for Trip

2. Funding

3. Materials will arrive safely

4. Safety in Travel

Thank you for your interest and support.

Further details from Jackie Smyth

Email 1stmagherafelt@totalise.co.uk
              JCurry@PresbyterianIreland.org