Tanzania Mission 08
Tanzania Overseas MissionTeam
24th July – 14th August 2008
Mission Aviation Fellowship has been running short term overseas teams for over seven years, and the organisation has a wealth of practical experience in this area, as well as the back up support of seasoned, resident mission staff. The team will be led by Andy Martin, MAF in Scotland’s Volunteer manager, who has led many of our teams in previous years.
The 2008 summer team will have the opportunity to minister in various ways:
Children’s Work
A week-long children’s summer club will be run by members of the team for the benefit of the children of MAF staff and their friends. Run as an English speaking club, activities will include Bible teaching, worship, crafts and games.
There will be opportunities to provide input to regular children’s ministries among local Tanzanian children. These clubs are run on a weekly basis by the MAF staff that live on the base in Dodoma.
Previous teams have also been able to participate in children’s evangelism in the wider community, including open-air work on the local meat market site.
Renovation and Practical Work
Various practical projects are planned in and around the hangar area of the base. Tasks to be undertaken may include roofing and structural alterations, and (from past experience) will almost certainly involve copious amounts of painting!
Airstrip development work is also planned. This will involve members of the team travelling to a village location to assist in the creation or maintenance of an MAF airstrip. Work to be done will include digging, weeding, clearing undergrowth, filling and levelling land.
Tanzanian life
Each team member will have the opportunity to experience a flight in an MAF aircraft (although this is not compulsory!). A visit into the Tanzanian Bush is also planned for the whole team to experience life in a traditional village and participate in evangelism and worship in the local context. Team members will also be able to share fellowship with believers in local churches in Dodoma, and to spend time socially with MAF staff on the base.
A Treat!
We plan to include an overnight stay in a game park near Morogoro towards the end of the trip. This will provide team members with the chance to get up ‘up close and personal’ with some spectacular wildlife and acquire some stunning photographs as a memento of their trip.
Shopping
At the end of the trip, there will be time for a day’s shopping and sightseeing (and maybe even a swim!) in Dar es Salam, together with the opportunity to spend some time with the MAF support team in this part of the country.
Practical Information
The trip will cost in the region of £1500 -£1600 depending on the cost of the international flights. This includes all travel, accommodation, food and materials, together with attendance at Orientation and Debrief weekends. Attendance at orientation and debrief weekends is mandatory for all successful applicants.
Important Dates
Orientation Weekend Friday June 6th -8th 2008
Trip 24th July - 14th August 2008
Debrief Weekend October 10th – 12th 2008
Who is going?
The team is comprised of ten members, all of whom are committed Christians. The minimum age is 18. There is no upper age limit, but a reasonable level of physical fitness is required, due to the nature of the work to be done.
Half of the team will focus on children’s ministry and the other half will participate in renovation and practical work. For children’s work an aptitude for communication with 3-12 year olds is an advantage. Practical workers must be able to drive a paintbrush, steer a wheelbarrow or operate a spade. Additional skills in carpentry, electrical, roofing and plumbing or other trades would be advantageous, but are not essential.
All team members will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure with regard to Child Protection.
What happens next?
I went to Glasgow for the interview and selection day on Saturday 16th February and have been selected to be on the team.
I now have to start raising the funds to go, and prepare for the Orientation Weekend at Prestwick at the end of May. As plans progress please can I encourage friends and church members to uphold me in their prayers? Prayer is by far the most important aspect of my preparations and the more people praying for me the better. As we get closer to the trip regular prayer updates will be posted here.
24JUL Depart Glasgow at 1405 on Emirates flight EK 26
Arrive Dubai at 0030 on the following day.
25JUL Depart Dubai at 1050 on Emirates flight EK 725
Arrive Dar Es Salaam at 1520 on the same day.
14AUG Depart Dar Es Salaam at 1720 on Emirates flight EK 726
Arrive Dubai at 2350 on the same day.
15AUG Depart Dubai at 0750 on Emirates flight EK 25
Arrive Glasgow at 1225 on the same day.
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