July Hilltopper Article

Malawi 0808

Time to get things packed and head for Malawi, Africa. The Malawi 0808 Team leaves on Friday, August 1, to work with Steve and Marion Spencer at African Bible College in Lilongwe and assist Dick and Charlotte Day and GoGo Grandmothers in Zomba.

Pray for the team each day from now until our return in August. Pray for us as we continue preparations through the month of July.

Here is a list of specific prayer requests the team has as we go to Malawi:

1. Pray for the missionaries we will assist during our time in Africa: Spencer Family, Dick and Charlotte Day and GoGo Grandmothers.
2. Prepare the hearts and minds of the children and families in Malawi for the message of love and the Gospel we bring and share with them.
3. Health and safety of the Malawi Team. Malaria is a concern.
4. Continued spiritual growth on the team.
5. Traveling mercies to and from Malawi.
6. Openness to what God has for us to do and accomplish in His name.

This is our tentative schedule of activities for our time in Malawi. Some of the group may stay in Lilongwe to assist the Spencers while others go to Zomba to help the Days. There is also the possibility of using the Sports Camp to present the Gospel to representatives of the U.S. and Japan Embassies by scheduling a basketball game between the Malawi 0808 Team and the national teams. That would be a fun time.

Fri, Aug 1 Leave from LAX at 6:00AM. Fly to Washington DC
Sat, Aug 2 Arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Sun, Aug 3 Fly to Lilongwe, Malawi. African Bible College
Mon, Aug 4 Orientation at African Bible College
Tue, Aug 5 Sports Camp and VBS with local Malawi children
Wed, Aug 6 Sports Camp and VBS with local Malawi children
Thu, Aug 7 Sports Camp and VBS with local Malawi children
Fri, Aug 8 Sports Camp and VBS with local Malawi children
Sat, Aug 9 Travel to village outside of Lilongwe. Jesus Film
Sun, Aug 10 Village outside of Lilongwe. Jesus Film
Mon, Aug 11 Zomba: Days and GoGo Grandmothers
Tue, Aug 12 Zomba: Days and GoGo Grandmothers
Wed, Aug 13 Zomba: Days and GoGo Grandmothers
Thu, Aug 14 Return to Lilongwe and African Bible College
Fri, Aug 15 Fly home: Lilongwe to Johannesburg to New York
Sat, Aug 16 New York to LAX. Arrive LAX around 7:00PM
Sun, Aug 17 Report on trip during morning service at GHFC or sleep all morning and wait until next week?

Below is a list of those going to Malawi. Place a name next to each day on the schedule. Pray for that particular person and the activities taking place on that day. There are 16 of us in the group and we will be gone 16 days:

Kathy Hotz - Home School Mom and VBS Leader
Kyle Hotz - Student at Whittier Christian High
Megan Hotz - Student at Biola University
Mike Sanborn - Adult Pastor at GHFC
Clayton Smith - Student at Whittier Christian High
Grady Smith - Student at Whittier Christian High
Janel Smith - Teacher and VBS Leader
Mike Smith - Coach and Sports Enthusiast
Danny Thompson - Coordinator and College Instructor
Emily Thompson - Student at Whittier Christian ISP
Sandi Thompson - Teacher and VBS Leader and Home School Mom
Zac Thompson - Student at Whittier Christian High
Natalie Wilch - Student at Whittier Christian High
Callie Winters - Teacher
Paul Winters - Student at Sonora High
Will Winters - Student at Sonora High

We cherish the love, support and encouragement we’ve received from Granada Heights Friends. We are excited for what God has planned for us while in Malawi.

We will report on activities through our blog. If you have not seen or read the information on the blog, go to the following web address and bookmark it:

http://malawi0808.blogspot.com/

Keep up with what we are doing and add your comments of support and encouragement. It helps to know you are keeping us in your prayers and is a great source of encouragement to read and hear your comments.