Back Home

Hello from Lilongwe

We spent 2 nights and 3 days in Chiwengo. It was a 2 hour drive from where we were staying at COTN. All of the people are so kind and so grateful for what we do. The village in Chiwengo was orginally built by president Kamuzu, the first president of Malawi, for his family. It had many cottages. That is where many of the orphans stay who people support through COTN. We got there around 12:30 and set up our clinic and worked for about 3 hours. It was nice because we could leave up the easy-ups and it wasn't as much work to set up and take down each time. We still needed to lock up all the crates where we keep the medications and supplies, but set up and take down was much faster.

We had a delightful surprise when the children of the orphanage had a program prepared for us after dinner. There were about 40 to 50 children. Their program was wonderful and was a highlight for all of us.

The next day we had a full day clinic, starting about 8:45 a.m. and going until around 5:00 p.m. Many people walked from surrounding villages to be seen. These people live a higher standard as most of them have shoes and brought cards from a clinic where they apparently get seen from time to time. I would love to include pictures, but they are not on this computer. Hopefully when we get home we can add some pictures.

We wrapped up clinic yesterday around 2:30 p.m. and were packed and on the road by a little after 3:00. We got back to the COTN village in Lilongwe. The people at COTN take such good care for us and cook all our meals. It was nice to be able to relax a little yesterday.

Today is Sunday and we went to Brian Biedebach's church and spent the day with a little down time before we go on to another village tomorrow. For the remainder of our time in the clinics we will be setting up the clinic and taking it down on a daily basis. We go to one local village for 2 days and another one for 2 days. It is so hard to believe that we are half over with our clinics. We all love these people so much.

Thanks again for prayers. We have seen so many answers to prayers in God providing medications at just the right time, to people being found who were on the verge of death, to many professions of faith. We are all holding up and continue to feel your prayers.

Chiwengo

Today we go to Chiwengo, about 2 hours north of here. We will spend 2 nights there.

There are so many stories to tell that we could go on forever. One very exciting story was when some of our team was making housecalls in Chirombo village and a mother came with 2 preschool children. They were extremely sick and were driven back to our clinic where we gave them IV's and antibiotics. They responded well and perked up quite nicely very quickly. Dr. Ted Moore said they would probably have died by the next day if we had not been making the housecalls.

Will try to update more on Sunday.

3 Days in Malawi

We are finding it very difficult to connect to the internet and update the blog, but we are finally here. We only have dial-up so we are unable to post any pictures.

We just spent the last 3 days in Chirombo. It is difficult to even describe what we have done so far. Yesterday we had people making some housecalls while we ran our clinics under the easy-ups. Just as they were about to return to the clinic a mother came with 2 young children who were dehydrated and septic. They drove them back to the clinic where we were able to treat them with antibiotics and run some IV's on them. It kept us there pretty late, but Dr. Ted Moore said they probably would have died by the next day. There are so many stories to tell and awesome answers to prayer, we are all keeping journals and will tell you more when we get home.

Tomorrow we go to another village 2 hours from here and we will be staying 2 nights there. We probably will have no access to the internet from there, but hope to update the blog more on Sunday and maybe even add a few pictures if we are able.

Everyone sends their love to our families and friends. We so covet your prayers. We leave as early as we can load our 6 SUV's with all our supplies, go to the village and set up the clinic and work until dusk. Then we come home and have to restock supplies and get ready for the next day. We all feel your prayers and are all holding up.

We are in Johannesburg

Hi Everyone,

We made it without a glitch to Johannesburg. We were not able to check our baggage clear through Lilongwa, but ALL of it came through. Thank you everyone for your prayers, we are all feeling them. Even the long flight went better than most of us expected. We had a lovely dinner with some of the missionaries here and are about to retire. We fly to Lilongwe, Malawi tomorrow after breakast and hit the road running on Monday. Keep praying for diesel fuel.

Thanks from all of us on Team Malawi - will try to add pictures are we are able.

Malawi Itinerary & Prayer Requests

Please pray specifically for the following:
•On 8/31/08 there was no Diesel Fuel available in Malawi – This happens from time-to-time, but without fuel we cannot drive to our clinics as Malawi only uses diesel.
•Pray for our luggage logistics. We hope to check our luggage straight through from LAX to Lilongwa. Since we must spend the night in Johannesburg, we do not want to have to gather the luggage (about 56 pieces) only to recheck it to Lilongwa the next morning. It would also be wonderful if everything gets to Lilongwa!!
•Pray for the health, strength and safety of each of our team members.
•Pray for the people we are ministering to that they will be open to the gospel.
•Pray for the Biedebachs - that we will be an encouragement to them.

See the sidebar (below the Africa Map) for our schedule and where we will be each day.

Send off lunch/BBQ with Family and Friends

On Sunday, 8/24/08 we had a great turn out of team members, family and friends for our team BBQ and prayer send off. We were challenged by our Team Leader, Jeff, to remember that we are first bringing the gospel and are using our medical skills as a vehicle to plant seeds for the salvation of these dear Malawian people. Our final meeting will be this Sunday, August 31, and then we are off in the wee hours of the morning (we meet at the church at 2:30 a.m.) on 9/5/08.

Team Prayer Card

On Sunday, August 17th, our team had a great time at a packing party as we packed 20+ plastic crates with medical supplies for our trip. We hope to see as many as 1800 patients while ministering in Malawi. Please pray for the health and strength of our team. Also pray that many lives will be touched spiritually as we are able to meet some of the Malawians' physical needs. Also pray for the Lord to oversee getting all those medical supplies to Malawi without any glitches as we will certainly need them when we get there! Please also pray with us that we will be an encouragement to the Biedebach family as we minister to these faithful servants. Thanks everyone for all your prayers.

The Biedebach Family, Malawi

Brian & Anita and children Church Strengthening and
Leadership Development
Serving since 1999

Most Recent Prayer/Praise
• As the church plant continues to grow,
pray that God will provide qualified
men to be discipled by Brian to become
elders in the church.
• Pray for a potential seminary or
preachers’ institute to begin in Malawi by September 2009

Chichewa Language 101

5 vowels A, E, I, O and U – If 2 vowels follow each other each retain their own pure sound.

Consonants generally have a similar sound as English with the following exceptions:
‘j’ is pronounced as ‘dj’
‘ch’ is softer than in English
‘ph’ is a breathy ‘p rather than ‘f” as in English
‘r’ is often interchangeable with ‘l’

Phrases and helpful words:
Hello - Moni
How are you? - Muli bwanji?
Fine (and you?) - Ndiri bwino (kaya inu?)
I don’t understand - Sindikumva
Thank you - Zikomo – or ziko
What’s your name? - Dzina lanu ndani?
I want…/I don’t want - Ndikufuna…/Sindikufuna
Goodbye - Khalani Bwino

animal - nyama       ·       meat - nyama
arrive - fika       ·       milk - mkaka
chicken - nkhuku       ·       mosquito - udzudzu
elephant - njobvu       ·       name - dzina
English - Chizungu       ·       near - pafupi
far - kutali       ·       no - ai
fish - nsomba       ·       person - munthu
food - kudya       ·       rain - mvula
friend - bwenzi       ·       salt - mchere
egg - dzira       ·       tent - hema
enough - basi       ·       today - lero
god - mulungu       ·       tomorrow - m’mawa
government - boma       ·       water - madzi
house - nyumba       ·       yes - inde
large - kula       ·       yesterday - dzulo
hospital/health center - chipatala      

My name is Sarah Zannella and I am a pediatric nurse.
The weirdest thing I have eaten is Haggis.
Other than the bible one of my favorite books (there are many) is A Chance to Die, by Elisabeth Elliot.
Of all the places I've been, Belarus was most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are reading, traveling, learning to play my guitar, spending time with friends and of course those laugh until you cry moments. :)
My favorite color is red.
I have been a Christian for 8 years and have been attending Grace Community Church 6 years. One of the ministries I enjoy most is prayer.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my second ministry trip.

Hello, my name is Sophie Hom. I'm a paramedic nurse. I work in the emergency department.
My favorite book other than the Bible is Pride and Prejudice.
If I could be an animal I would be a dolphin because I love the water.
My favorite color is aquamarine.
What makes me laugh out loud is my family. We love to laugh!
Of all the places I have ever been, the Great Wall of China is one of the most memorable because I climbed the very steep and uneven steps with my Pops to the top. The Grand Canyon was pretty remarkable too, to experience a portion of the magnitude of God's grandeur.
Some of the things I enjoy most are listening to music, dancing and singing (but, I can't sing)
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 4 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is serving in the nursery. I love playing with the kids. Yes, I'm just a kid too.
God used Catholicism to bring me to Him when I was 9 years old. Then as an adult, I church hopped. I didn't know what true Christian living was until I came to CA 4years ago.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my 1st Ministry Trip.
I give thanks and praise to our Lord and Father for this privledge to serve next to all of you for Him.
"For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen." Romans 11:36

Hey Everybody,
My name is Allen Janzen. I am 19 years old (As of July 30th). :)
This will be my first missions trip and I am very excited to be a part of this team. I am an EMT and currently working for McCormick Ambulance. Lord willing, one day I hope to be a fire fighter.
I play the guitar and drums and have played both in the high school band and Bible studies, as well as at the SCV Bible study from Crossroads.
I went to Los Angeles Baptist High School, Class of '07. I played football, and in my senior year I had the opportunity to be the Team Captain as well as the Team Chaplain leading in daily devotions and weekly Bible Studies with my team, which was a great blessing to be able to do this.
I also work at Claim Jumper Restaurant.
I currently don't have any pets. They all ran away, or at least that's what my parents told me. Just jokes!
My first time out of California was two years ago when I went to New Mexico for a Grace Church Camp. Since then, last summer I went to the Bahamas with a friend and his family after graduation. I am very excited to get to know you all and work with you while in Africa.
To God be the Glory!

Hi! I'm Jacob Moore and I am an EMT.
My favorite book other than the Bible is The Erasers, by Robbe-Grillet.
My favorite color is blue.
Of all the places I have ever been, Normandy was the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are reading, discussing with people.
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 3 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is helping to fix things.
I have been a Christian for 3.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my 1st Ministry Trip.

My name is Stacy Moore (married to Jacob). I don't have any medical expertise, but will be helping the team in whatever capacity I am needed.
My favorite book other than the Bible is Little Women.
If I could be an animal I would be a hummingbird because they can fly! And also because they spend their days poking their beaks into sweet-nectared flowers.
My favorite color is pink.
Of all the places I have ever been, The Blue Cave on Kauai was the most memorable. Looking into the water, it appears completely black, but once you jump in, it seems that the light is shining up through the water, from the depths of the cave!
I have been going to Grace Community Church for almost 4 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is writing letters of encouragement.
I have been a Christian for 4 years.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my first Ministry Trip.

My name is Philip Chang and I am a physician. I grew up in the church and in a Christian home. During my junior high years, I began to get more involved with my home church and was eager to serve in my youth group. I enjoyed doing the 'Christian' things but soon found myself living part of my week in the 'Christian' world and the other part as a pagan trying to fit in - pleasing people, impressing friends, having the proper image, etc. Needless to say, what I said and what I thought about were not God-glorifying but I thought that I was fine as long as I kept up in church. God was merciful though in opening my heart to the reality that I wasn't really a Christian, but merely one who was 'Christian-ized', yet still lost. He convicted me of my sin, the emptiness caused by the sin in my life, and my need for Him. I dedicated my life to him in junior high and was baptized during the summer between my 7th and 8th grade years.
Of all the places I have ever been, Lake Louise (Banff, Canada) and Yosemite were the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are music (playing guitar, singing), hiking/camping, sports, grilling, and spending time with my family.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is leading people in praise and worship.
I have been a Christian for 19 years and the Malawi Medical Trip will be my first Ministry Trip.

I am Jenny Lam. I was born in Stanford, CA and grew up in Silicon Valley. I am a part of the support team.
The weidest thing I've eaten is a tie between antler soup and swallow spit!
My hobbies are drawing, traveling, adventuring, talking with people,and reading.and
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 3 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is discipleship.
I have been a Christian for 7 years.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my 7th ministry trip.

My name is Lisa Low and I am a UCLA nursing student. My Testimony: God showed me that my life without Him was meaningless and miserable because everlasting contentment is not found in academics, a good career, money, material goods, and relationships. More importantly, God showed me that I was a sinner who deserved to be punished with everlasting torment because I had repeatedly disobeyed Him, the holy God. I was a liar, thief, money-lover, idolater, people pleaser, disobedient child who desperately needed a Savior. The good news is that God loved me so much He rescued me by sending His perfect Son Jesus Christ from heaven to earth as God in the form of man to die for my sin and give me the righteousness I need to be justified before God. Christ rose again 3 days later to conquer death once for all! Hallelujah! God graciously promised to those who have faith in Jesus that they would receive the free gift of eternal life. So, I quickly repented of my sin, pleaded for God to forgive me, and received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. God is now conforming me to the image of Christ through prayer, fellowship, repentance, His grace and love, His Word. Come quickly, Lord Jesus, and take me home!
Jn 20:30-31 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my FIRST Ministry Trip.

Hi! My name is Kara Mia Mutia and I am a RN.
My favorite book other than the Bible is The Gospel According to Jesus.
If I could be an animal I would be a puppy dog because they can be man's best friend.
My favorite color is WHITE. (Is it still considered a color?)
Of all the places I have ever been, Philippines was the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are reading, SINGING , playing the guitar, and taking lots of pictures :)
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 1 year and a half!
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is evangelism!
I have been a Christian for 1 year and a half!
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my FIRST Ministry Trip.

Hi! My name is Ramona and I am a retired Med/Surg. RN.
My favorite book other than the Bible is Gates of Splendor, by Elisabeth Elliot.
If I could be an animal I would be a Dog because they are loving and faithful.
My favorite color is yellow.
Of all the places I have ever been, the Alaska Inside Passage was the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are Chinese brush painting.
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 11 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is Childrens Ministries.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my first Ministry Trip.

Hi! My name is Jeff and I am an EMT
My favorite book other than the Bible is Alexander Hamilton.
If I could be an animal I would be an ant because they are industrious.
My favorite color is blue
Of all the places I have ever been, Western Europe was the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are reading and spending time with my family
I have been going to Grace Community Church for most all of my life.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is serving in the high school ministry.
I have been a Christian for 14 years.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my eighth Ministry Trip.

Hi! My name is Pam and I am a ¬RN.
My favorite book other than the Bible is The Tolkien Trilogy I also like good mysteries and biographies.
If I could be an animal I would be a dog because they are so loyal.
My favorite color is blue.
I feel most relaxed when I find time to read or enjoy time with my family and dogs.
Of all the places I have ever been, Lake Louise in Banff was the most beautiful and the Grace to You Alaska Cruise was the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are the wonders of creation and scenery, flowers (especially orchids) and animals.
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 23 years.

Susanne Taylor, RN

Tom Hatter, Security & Lisa Hatter, RN


Merrychris, RN

Danny Jacinto, PT

Ted Moore, MD

Brian Smith, Team Support

I'm David Lanum and I am a Physical Therapist.
My favorite book other than the Bible is Battling Unbelief by John Piper.
My favorite color is clear.
Of all the places I have ever been, Death Valley was the most memorable and Haleakala Crater, Maui was the most beautiful.
Some of the things I enjoy most are scuba diving and traveling.
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 6 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is Short-Term Missions.
I have been a Christian for 9 years.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my 4th Ministry Trip.

Hi! My name is Amanda Yen and I am a 3rd year UCLA premed student.
My favorite book other than the Bible is Tale of Two Cities.
If I could be an animal I would be a penguin because they wobble when they walk and look cute doing it.
My favorite color is magenta and turquoise.
Of all the places I have ever been, Hawaii was the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are dancing, singing, fishing, hanging out with friends.
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 2 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is small group leading.
I have been a Christian for about 10 years.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my 3rd Ministry Trip.

Hi! My name is Chien-Wei James Kung and I am a RD (Registered Dietitian).
If I could be an animal I would be a lion because they are fearless. My favorite color is blue.
Of all the places I have ever been, Monteverde, Costa Rica was the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are being in the outdoors, teaching (2 favorite topics: the Bible and nutrition), playing ping pong, having deep theological conversations, telling corny jokes.
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 2 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is serving in Foundry, especially through preaching God's Word.
I have been a Christian for 14-18 years (I don't know when I was saved. I was young.)
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my 3rd Ministry Trip total. (1st through Grace Community Church)

Hi! My name is Geoffrey Drew and I am a Family physician.
My favorite book other than the Bible is The Complete works of Shakespeare.
If I could be an animal I would be a Giraffe because they are so tall.
My favorite color is green.
Of all the places I have ever been, Alaska was the most memorable.
Some of the things I enjoy most are BBQ, Rugby, June, July, hikes, biking and my Camry.
I have been going to Grace Community Church for 19 years.
One of my ministries I enjoy the most is singing in the choir.
I have been a Christian for 18 years.
The Malawi Medical Trip will be my second Ministry Trip.

Holly Drew, Team Support

Malawi Facts

For the latent Trivia Buffs in all of us, here is some Malawi information:

Location – Southern Africa, bordered by Zambia on the east, Tanzania and Mozambique
Population – 12, 013,926 as of June 2006
Capital – Lilongwe (population 646,750 as of June 2006)
Other Major Cities – Blantyre, Mzuzu, Zomba and Karinga
Language – English is the official language and widely spoken; Chichewa (a Bantu language) is the National Language and spoken by 57 % of the population.
Climate – Sep – Oct (hot & dry); Nov – Mar (hot & wet); Apr – Aug (moderate & dry)
Independence – Gained from United Kingdom on July 6, 1964
Former Name – Nyasaland
Body of Water – Lake Malawi runs along much of the Eastern Border – formerly known as Lake Nyasa
Currency – Malawian Kwacha (MK)
Economy – Predominantly agricultural
Flag – Three equal horizontal bands of black (top), red, and green (bottom) with a red, rising sun centered in the black band

Malawi Not Maui

Our team recently posed for this picture at our team meeting on June 8. We will meet for a total of seven times before our departure to discuss preparations, fundraising, and to listen to presentations on diseases in Malawi by our doctors.
We are still in need of your support. Our team needs to raise $53,000 in the next two months. Please join us for a fundraising lunch on July 6. Details coming soon.

Myanmar (Burma) Cyclone

On Saturday May 3 a cyclone hit the south east Asian country of Myanmar AKA Burma with devastating effect. Over 60,000 people are feared dead and thousands of more people are injured, displaced, and in need. To complicate matters, the communist military government is restricting aid from Western nations and have only recently permitted several flights from the United States.

For more information and to learn how you can help, visit ABWE:

http://www.abwe.org/news/myanmar_flooding.asp

World Malaria Day

Malaria kills over one million people every year, mostly children in less developed countries from sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and southeast Asia. Malaria is a completely preventable and treatable disease which is spread by mosquitoes carrying the malaria parasite. Common symptoms include light headedness, nausea, shortness of breath, fever, and tachycardia.

April 25 marked the first World Malaria Day and also the introduction of the President's Malaria Initiative. These campaigns will fight to cut malaria-related deaths by half in the hardest hit African countries over the next five years at the cost of $1.2 billion. The President's Initiative focuses on four strategies:

• Insecticide spraying



• Insecticide-treated nets



• Lifesaving drugs



• Preventive treatment for pregnant women

Malawi is one of the 15 African countries that are targeted by the Initiative. Malaria is one of Malawi's most serious health problems, accounting for 22% of all hospital admissions in 2001 and 28% of all hospital deaths. These numbers are most likely higher than reported as a result of many people who do not or are unable to seek professional medical care for illness or childbirth.

Our medical team will provide education, prevention, and treatment in rural villages in September. Please consider partnering with us as we prepare for this ministry opportunity in one of the poorest nations in the world.

http://www.fightingmalaria.gov/

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804251070.html

http://www.cdc.gov/MALARIA/control_prevention/malawi.htm