Travel Itinerary

Here is your opportunity to ride on the luxurious mobile lounge at Washington DC's Dulles Int'l Airport. Something to look forward to during 2 days of travel.

Sept. 5
0400 Meet at church
0500 Arrive at LAX
0755 Depart United #946
1545 Arrive Dulles Int'l
1720 South African Airways #208

Sept. 6
1435 Arrive Johannesburg, SA

Sept. 7
1020 Depart South African Airways #170
1245 Arrive Lilongwe, Malawi

Sept. 21
1335 Depart South African Airways #171
1605 Arrive Johannesburg, SA
1755 Depart South African Airways #207

Sept. 22
0600 Arrive Dulles Int'l
0835 Depart United #824
1039 Arrive LAX
1200-1230 Return to church

Register at http://ww4.flysaa.com/za/en/saa_home.html for South African Airways Voyager rewards program.

Team Meeting - May 20

Welcome Dr. Walter Wood to our team! Walter is an ER doctor and the fourth MD to join our team.

Dr. Boersma update: We will be working with the crisis nursery, several orphanages, and assisting in staffing the ABC (African Bible College) clinic. ABC is expanding its clinic to include a pediatric ward and ER. Our doctors will be able to help prepare for these additions.

Fundraising update: Send your letters out ASAP if you have not done so already. Our team has raised $4,146 to date. The cost per team member has been increased to $3,300.

Bring 1 copy of your passport to our next meeting on June 24. Be sure to renew your passport if your expiration date falls between September 2007 and February 2008.

Medical forms: email your suggestions for a team medical patient form.

Wish list: we are compiling a wish list of medical supplies and medicines to either have donated or to purchase for the trip. We do have permission to bring prescription medications with us.

Doctors and nurses must submit an application for permission to practice in Malawi. It was originally thought that this would not be needed but ABC clinic has requested that we submit the applications. MD's should go to http://www.medicalcouncil.org/ to complete the application. RN's application process TBA.

Reading recommendation: David Livingstone: The Truth Behind the Legend by Rob Mackenzie (ISBN 1857926153)

10 Ways to Ruin Your STM Trip

Straight Talk with Austin T Duncan

1. Misunderstand the purpose of your trip -Your trip is about serving our missionaries.

2. Openly question your team leader (in order to strengthen their leadership skills)
-Don’t bring that junk on the trip!

3. Anticipate keeping a rigid schedule
-Your team leader is your itinerary!

4. Complain openly and often
-Serve your team leader!

5. Seek personal comfort above all else
-Clean up after yourself. “Lord, I’ll put it down, You keep it down!”

6. Totally disregard physical symptoms
-Let your team leader know how you’re feeling.

7. Be a completely incompetent traveler
-Assume that your luggage will be lost.

8. Let a ‘Teen-age Heart-throb Sunflower Attraction’ distract you
-On the flight home bring out your moves.

9. Brainstorm new and innovative ways to change the structure of the [culture]
-Pending threat of a lifetime ban from STM trips!

10. Do not allow this trip to change the way you live, think or serve
“It’s not time to get spiritual on this trip; it’s time to be spiritual.”

10 Preparations for STM

Ten Ways to Get Ready for Your Short-Term Missions Trip
Rick Holland

1. Prepare your life.
· Psalm 51
· Make your plate clean

2. Understand your purpose.
· 1 Corinthians 10:31-glorigy God
· You are not to be an expert on missions or a country
· Point to God, not yourself

3. Humble your pride.
· Pride is the greatest threat to your ministry
· Don’t present yourself as an expert on GCC, a country, missions, STM, etc.
· Don’t complete with team members

4. Relax your expectations.
· Don’t overestimate your importance
· Don’t expect to be treated like a hero (here or there or when you return)
· Don’t expect perfect team members!

5. Proclaim your Savior.
· Remember your message (Colossians 1:28)
· Be ready to present the gospel at any time to anyone

6. Trust your God.
· Know that there will be problems-expect them
· For example: lost luggage, getting lost, missed flights and trains, lost passports and wallets, uncomfortable situations, getting sick

7. Commit your effort.
· Don’t be the lazy member of the team
· Serve: your leader, the team, and the natives

8. Love your hosts.
· Write thank you notes
· Listen to and care for hosts
· Ask questions
· Remember that you are going there to serve your hosts, not to used them as tour guides

9. Remember your reputation.
· You represent Jesus Christ, Christianity in general, GCC, your ministry here at GCC, yourself and your family

10. Enjoy your trip!
· Camera and journal
· Take pictures with people, not just places
· Don’t over pack!
· Tricks of the trade (ex-officio underwear, non-iron shirts, undershirts, plastic wraps for clothes, change of clothes on plane with your, put something identifying on your luggage, put seven books you think you will read, check weather for appropriate clothing, Power bars, medicine).

Baby Biedebach

Announcing the arrival of Benjamin Luke Biedebach.

He arrived at 12:52 AM on May 9, 2007 (just a couple of days after his duedate).

He weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces (3.5 KG) and was 21 inches tall (53cm).

The delivery was our smoothest yet (all natural and no pain medication).

Anita and Ben are both doing great and we are grateful to God for thisprecious gift. Anita's mom is also doing well and helping immensely with the troops.

A special thanks to all who have been praying for our third child's arrival (our only California Native).

Praise Him, for He is worthy of all our praise.

Love,Brian, Anita, Ami, Bradley (and now, Benjamin)