SLPC MISSIONS TRIP
June 26 - july 14, 2023
Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. Matthew 28:19-20
One way SLPC shows its commitment to this great commission of reaching the nations with the gospel is since 2005, SLPC has supported Pamoza International’s work in Zowe and surrounding communities in northern Malawi, Africa. In the summer of 2013, SLPC sent its first missions team to Zowe with a focus on Christian outreach (including running VBS’s), health clinic, and Pamoza business operations. Since 2013, SLPC has sent individuals to do follow-up work every other year.
In the summer of 2023, SLPC will send another team to Malawi with these goals:
- Give more SLPC members first-hand exposure to the missional work of Pamoza
- Come alongside Pamoza in advancing the Gospel through its initiatives
- Get to know, encourage and pray for Pamoza staff.
The value of hands-on experience is immeasurable. Those going on this trip will gain a deeper understanding of the life and needs of people in Malawi and a better appreciation of what God is doing in the communities through Pamoza International.
The communities that the SLPC team will visit are in a very remote part of northern Malawi. Most families have no electricity and no running water. Those going will need to be comfortable living without amenities such as warm water, showers, and toilets. They will also need to be able to withstand long travel time on the plane and on rough roads.
What the SLPC Team will be Doing in Malawi
The trip will consist of a combination of teamwide activities as well as assisting Pamoza staff and community members on existing projects. The team will be divided into subteams based on each person’s area of interest or expertise. Each subteam will focus on a specific Pamoza Initiative and will work directly with Pamoza staff who will also be working as translators.
Here is a tentative overview of the trip schedule:
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Mon, Jun 26 |
Meet at SLPC. Drive to airport. Begin flights to Malawi. |
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Tue, Jun 27 |
Arrive in Lilongwe, Malawi |
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Wed, Jun 28 |
Drive to Zowe in northern Malawi (7 hours on paved & dirt roads) |
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Thu, Jun 29 |
Teamwide & subteam activities in Zowe and other nearby communities. Worship in Zowe on Sunday. |
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Sat, Jul 8 |
Say goodbyes in Zowe and drive to Mzuzu |
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Sun, Jul 9 |
Worship in Mzuzu. Begin drive along Lake Malawi shore areas. |
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Mon, Jul 10 |
Continue drive along Lake Malawi shore, including water & land safaris. Return to Lilongwe. |
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Thu, Jul 13 |
Drive to airport & begin flights home. |
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Fri, Jul 14 |
Arrive in US and return to SLPC. |
Pamoza International Initiatives
CHRISTIAN OUTREACH Conducting evangelism meetings, Bible studies and other discipleship activities for adults, youth and children; conducting family ministries; visiting households for prayer and one-on-one witnessing and discipleship. Subteam will participate in village Bible study meetings, help distribute Bibles, participate in Bible lessons, visit and pray with families, learn the struggles around sharing the gospel in these communities.
HEALTH CARE Improving health and nutrition in the communities by running medical clinics, monitoring growth of children and malnutrition rates; and training people in nutrition, healthcare, sanitation, and other disease prevention methods. Subteam will bring medical supplies, support the out-patient clinic daily, share about healthy living, and help with assessing needs for expanding the clinic to a Medical Dispensary.
EDUCATION Supporting education in the communities by providing loans-based scholarships and running school breakfast programs, adult literacy and numeracy classes, and vocational skills training. All team members will visit a school, community farm, and school breakfast preparation activity to understand rural Malawi educational challenges and opportunities. Team members will also meet students who have benefited from Pamoza scholarships and learn about the activities at the Vocational Skills and Counseling Center.
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT Establishing and running community business ventures; Pamoza cooperative; savings and loans through Village Savings & Loans Groups and the cooperative; and developing marketplaces. All team members will visit Pamoza businesses, village savings and loans groups, and learn about the Pamoza Cooperative activities.
AGRICULTURE & FOOD SECURITY Demonstrating productive and sustainable farming technologies appropriate for local farmers; encouraging improved livestock rearing; planning and implementing food security for vulnerable households. All team members will visit the Pamoza Farming Institute and participate in some farming work including the harvesting of crops. They will also visit food insecure and food secure households.
CHIEF FAMILIES Community outreach initiative for improving Character, Health, Income, Education, and Food Security in families. Community development workers instruct and support families to address all five areas in a holistic and sustainable way. All team members will visit a sample of households benefiting from the CHIEF approach, learning from the families, sharing scripture and praying for them.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS There will also be opportunities to provide support to the Pamoza organization in the areas of financial management and promotional marketing. Finance subteam will provide internal auditing support and identify ways of ensuring accountable and integrous use of funds and other resources. Marketing subteam will make video recordings of all aspects of Pamoza’s work in Malawi for use in promotional videos and will document (written, photos & video) a number of households being recruited into the CHIEF Sponsorship Program.
To learn more about the mission and ministry of Pamoza International, visit pamoza.org.
How to Participate on the Trip
Participants must be at least 16 years old (unless accompanied by a parent).
Attend one of our Information Sessions after church in the sanctuary on March 20, April 3, or April 24.
Email your completed application to dana@swieson.com or send to the SLPC office
How to Support the Trip
- Pray for trip planning, preparation, and team members.
- Sponsor the trip by donating any amount (cost is $4,000 per person).
- Donate money to purchase Bibles and medical supplies.
- Participate in our fundraising activities (look for upcoming announcements).
Make checks payable to Springton Lake Presbyterian Church with “Malawi Missions Trip” on the memo line. Mail donations to:
Springton Lake Presbyterian Church
Attn: Malawi 2023
3090 South Newtown Street Road
Newtown Square, PA 19073
Keep Updated on Our Progress
Follow us on our Facebook page @SLPCMissions to get regular updates.
Questions?
If you have any questions about the trip, please contact the trip leaders:
Dana Swieson: dana@swieson.com (610-202-3711)
-or-
Mike Mtika: mmtika@eastern.edu (610-517-2925)
Malawi
Malawi is among the world’s least developed and most densely populated countries in the world. Its 18 million people are subject to poverty, low life expectancy, low literacy, food insecurity, high levels of preventable diseases leading to high infant and under-fives mortality.
