Malawi Music Showcase

Well our next big fund raiser is tomorrow. We have a program that will begin with a potluck (yes, we are Methodists and we belive in "Feed them and they will come!") and it will include a two-hour music extravaganza! There will bells, children's choirs, rock bands, and soul music, puppets, and a good old fashioned barbershop quartet. There should be something for everyone. Of course the serious side is the prayer and the offering. I am praying that this is the first of our remaining fund raisers that will seriously exceed our expectations. God is good all of the time and I know that he did not place this Mission Trip on my heart to end up short of money! The Holy Spirit is simply to powerful and we are simply too blessed of a church for that to happen. So look out world, the Malawi Music Showcase is coming your way! Mike Gudka

Taking Up an Offering - Malawi Style

When Dennis and I were in Malawi last September, I was overjoyed with the way they take up an offering. It is done with great passion, great joy, and an absolute trust in God. Everytime I experienced this I would get taken by all the power of the Holy Spirit during an offering. During one of the offerings, I even saw orphans coming forward to give their treasure to God. Keep in mind that most orphans go hungry every day and most of them will never live to see adulthood. In America, some have this belief that the poor should not give. But given what I saw in Malawi, the reason for this belief is found in our disbelief that God will provide. In Malawi, everyone gives because they trust that God will provide. So if you ever get worked up over money and whether or not you should tithe, then give a watch to the attached video! God bless, Mike Gudka.

Bringing the Team Together in Christ's Name

We have been meeting as a team since June, 2008 and this has made an enormous difference. Also, Dennis White (Malawi Mission Team C0-Leader) and Mike Gudka (pastor) made a preparatory trip to Malawi in September. The experience was absolutely incredible. While I know we can financially make an enormous difference in their lives, their spirit will make an eternal difference in the lives of the team. We simply cannot wait for them to come. By Mike Gudka

AFUMC Mission Possible: Malawi 2009

The Great Commission (Matt. 28:16-20 NIV): Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Ankeny First United Methodist Church is sending 22 people to Malawi in south-central Africa on June 15-28. This blog site will serve as a way for our team to tell their story. The goal of this initial mission trip is first, to make a big difference in the lives of the people of Malawi and second, to establish a long-term partnership with the United Methodist Church of Malawi.

So we invite you to journey with us as we act as an instrument of the Holy Spirit to change lives and in turn we will be changed.

God bless,
Rev. Mike Gudka