Vision Africa
physical needs met; spiritual lives nourished
The effects of injustice are seen all over the world, but perhaps the most widespread demonstration can be seen in sub-Saharan Africa. Vision Africa partners with numerous organizations to bring sustainable help to orphans and widows who struggle to live in adverse poverty, rampant disease, and the aftermath of HIV/AIDS.
In May of 2007, through a partnership with Somebody Cares, Mission Community Church made a commitment to the village of Chikudzulire that we would walk, work and pray along side of the people of this village. We began the partnership by funding the drilling of a borehole which would enable 5000 people to have access to clean water.
At the same time, MISSION began our partnership with Home Based Care Workers. There are currently about a dozen workers being supported with monthly donations and more than twice that awaiting to be sponsored. If you'd like to help sponsor a worker please click here. Be sure to choose "HBC Workers" from the drop-down fund list.
Then in February 2008, a Feeding Center was built and rocket stoves were purchased for the village. This made it possible for 920 children to receive a hot meal once a day while attending school.
That summer, we sent a team to work alongside of the men and women of Chikudzulire to raise the walls of the CCCC. The widows, older men, mothers and children would spend hours watching the building go up – knowing that this could only be done through the greatness of God.
At this same time, hundreds of Bibles were purchased and distributed to leaders and youth in the nearby village of Tambala where no one previously had a Bible.
In the summer of 2008, a ten week donations drive on the campus of Mission Community Church filled a 40 foot container with clothing, medical supplies, bicycles and other needed items. The container arrived and was unloaded in Malawi in March 2009. The generous gifts were distributed throughout Chikudzulire and neighboring villages throughout the year. The joy from the village that followed was offered up through songs and dances of appreciation to the church and of praise to God the Father.
In October of 2009, a team from Mission built a playground for the children of Chikudzulire. The children had never seen a playground before, and the surrounding communities were amazed that we would show so much care for the children.
Mission Community Church continues to send teams and support to Chikudzulire, Malawi. To learn about the projects for 2010 or register your interest in going on a trip, click on the "get involved" tab at the top of this page. Stay tuned for 2011 projects...coming soon!
Pictured above: Pastor Mark Connelly from Mission Community Church, Karl Mueller from Visionledd, Chief Theresa Malila from Chikudzulire, Africa and Bill Sass who heads up Vision Africa here at Mission.
Vision Africa Blog
trips, updates, needs, justice
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posted by Jacqui Strange on September 7th, 2010
For the past 3 months Mission has been able to provide a meal a day for 600 children and 100 pregnant mothers in Chikudzulire area! This one meal of fortified porridge provides all the vitamins, minerals and nutrients children need for the day – so even if they do not get another meal, they are covered! Half of the funds ($2,800) were provided through the offerings from Children’s Ministries and the other half came from Vision Africa funds. Here is what $5,600 buys:
- 11,880 pounds (almost 6 tons) of fortified meal
- 18 bales of sugar (about 1,620 pounds)
- 1,200 bars of soap – 2 per child
- 6 bicycles for women who help provide the meals for the children
- Floor mats for 400 children to sit on while they eat
Below are a few pictures from the feeding program and there are more on our Flickr site. Most of them are from Chikudzulire proper – where 200 children are being fed everyday in the community center we provided funding for. The picture of the children under the tree is from the village of Sichongo (a village in the Chikudzulire community) where another 200 children are fed daily.
posted by Jeffrey Wine on July 27th, 2010
Do you remember the story told in service from the May trip about the elderly man whose sight was terrible that received pink glasses and could see? If yes here's a recap with a picture this time and if not well check it out!
Our team helped so many people see better as a result of our trip, but this one really stands out. In the picture is a man who literally went from being 5 times WORSE than legally blind (he could only see at a distance of approximately 3 inches in front of him!) to being able to pass a driver's test. I was told that after he received his glasses, he was so excited and overcome with joy that he spontaneously started dancing and telling everyone he could see. Then, he ran home to tell his family.
Praise be to God for the saints of Mission Community Church who, by giving up of their time and resources, helped our team do justice in the name of Jesus Christ! I don't think "Vision Africa" could have been named more appropriately...
posted by Janet Sass on July 21st, 2010
Yesterday we spent the day is Sichongo, one of the regions of Chikudzulire. The only other time this village had seen white people was a year ago when we were there. So the children were completely terrified of the doctors and medical team. We examined 168 children and de-wormed a total of 250…truly amazing!
Last night, 10 of our team members spent the night in the Community Center with the youth from Chikudzulire and Mgona. We can't wait to hear what glorious things to place during their all night prayer and worship vigil. We go into Chikudzulire today to hand out uniforms to the early childhood children who come to the center and for the 'Good-bye' celebration.
Get Involved
it's not always easy, but it's always right
Go on an Upcoming Trip
Register your interest by clicking on a trip below and filling out the form. Cost for each trip is approx $3000.00 (excludes vaccinations and passport).
Oct152010
We will focus on pouring into the youth and pastors.
Sponsor a Home-Based Care Worker
What is Home Based Care?
Home Based Care (HBC) is a ministry designed to comfort, feed, care, and pray for the sick, dying, elderly, widowed, and orphaned in a neighborhood or community. HBC volunteers from the community visit homes on a weekly basis.HBC workers are often the last person someone sees before they die, the first person they meet after losing their parents, or the first safe person they can trust after they have been sexually assaulted.
What Can You Do To Help?
With a small gift of $35 a month, you can adopt a Somebody Cares Home Based Care worker. The money enables the worker to get the much needed medicine, food, and supplies to the patients. Your monthly donation goes not just to your worker but to the community he/she works in. It is used to make tremendous life changing differences for many. The hungry are fed, the sick are given medicine, and the love of Jesus is spread to a whole family and community.
Next Steps
To see the latest updates on the Home Based Care program, you can click here and choose the Updates option.
If you are interested in supporting a Home Based Care worker you can click here to give online. Be sure to choose "HBC Workers" from the drop-down fund list.
A one year initial commitment is strongly encouraged.
MISSION is pleased to offer an online giving method for Vision Africa trips. This method allows you to donate to the Africa trip fund or to a designated trip participant. All donations will be directed where best needed to support and further the vision of MISSION. Please note that all donations are non-refundable.
Mission Designated Giving Policy
For ministry, tax and legal purposes, we prefer that you not designate your contribution, however if you would like, we can best take your wishes under advisement using the following understanding;
a. The expenditure in question must be a Mission event/trip/expenditure rather than an individual initiative. E.g. it must be contained in the church budget or otherwise approved as a Mission sanctioned ministry.
b. In order for the contribution to be deductible, IRS requires that Mission have final say over the funds and that they do not represent personal inurement an individual. After consulting with our accountants, providing funds that have requested uses, but that are ultimately under the control and discretion of Mission does not typically represent personal inurement.
c. Gifts designating family members may require additional discussion.
d. These gifts are not refundable.
e. You are welcome to give online or with a check.
f. You must disclose/discuss the nature of the contribution to your tax advisor to determine ultimate deductibility.
To give for a 2010 trip click here.
To give for 2011 trip click here.
