In May 2018, a team of eight from Christ Church in San Francisco, California, traveled to Malawi to serve and walk alongside the Dedza Service Center team and Care Workers in the community of Mcheneke. Here are a few reflections from team members Janice Whang, Lauren Chun, and Craig & Dani Ebersole about their trip, which they shared during Mission Highlights presentations at their church:
Janice doing crafts with Care Workers in Mcheneke, Malawi.
“Before we went, although we financially support Hands at Work as a church, the folks at Hands asked us to please refrain from “trying to help,” but to give of ourselves, to be present, listening and learning. To understand what the Lord is already doing there and the work he gave his people to do. If we really wanted to give them anything, then give some encouragement in the Lord… As all of us bowed our heads, the declarative statement, “I surrender all” became more of a supplication, a confession of how hard that was. “I surrender all” was not yet fully our reality, but our aspiration, our Spirit powered will to faith that he would do it, he would help us surrender all we were and all we had, because he deserved it and he could handle it. He was the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.” - Janice Whang
Lauren and fellow team member, Amanda Baumann in Mcheneke.
“I think my favorite part of our visit was getting to spend time with the kids. Despite having lost family members, and growing up in poverty, these kids were as happy and playful as any… Overall, our time in Malawi taught me a lot about the work God is doing on a global scale, as well as the enormity of his love for all of his children. Seeing how much the Care Workers and children love our God was incredibly encouraging, and built my faith in ways I’m still reflecting on.” - Lauren Chun
Craig and Dani with some of the children at the Care Point in Mcheneke.
“The energy from their voices pulsed into our heads and straight to our hearts as we let the beautiful sound of worship minister to us. I had imagined worship in this context to be a powerful experience, but I could never have known how it would really make me feel until I was with our brothers and sisters in Malawi worshiping by their side.” - Craig Ebersole
“Although we spoke different languages, had different styles of worship and lived on separate continents, we were united in worshiping the same God who created the heavens and the earth… God has created us to exist right here right now and not by some accident. By understanding more fully the different ways in which our God is worshiped, we become more unified with our brothers and sisters around the world. In closing, I encourage us all to consider how we can more fully engage our Lord in worship because of the great act of love that he demonstrated by sending His son as our savior.” - Dani Ebersole