Golf tourney funds directed toward Malawi mission work

Thousands of miles from Fallbrook in an east African region called Malawi lives have been changed because of the generosity of many Fallbrook area residents. “After the Village News article last year multiple people called me at home and donated funds for supplies,” said Kelly Ullery, who made the trip last year. Kelly is a nurse and was able to minister to the physical needs of the people. There are no medical facilities in the area.

The missions group found one ‘family’ of five orphans living together in a thatched roof hut. The oldest was only twelve and the youngest was three. The Fallbrook group was able to help improve the lives of these children through the generosity of our area residents. Last year clothing and funds for medical supplies were taken to these villagers. “We are committed to do this to the end of the age in the name of Jesus,” said Kelly.

Since the group that they minister with is a Christian ministry, the short-term missionaries focused on the spiritual needs as well as the physical. Solar-powered cassette tape units called “Talking Bibles” were given to villagers. These recorders allow listeners to hear the entire New Testament in their native language of Chichewa, which is important because most of the villagers have never had direct access to the scriptures.

Members of the Fallbrook Presbyterian Church are involved with Miqlat Ministries of South Africa. “The name ‘Miqlat’ is taken from the Hebrew word meaning ‘Place of refuge and hope.’ The name reflects the aims of the ministry that was started by Hester Veldsman in 1994 and operates as a qualified Section 21 (nonprofit) corporation under South African law,” according to their Web site. The Miqlat Mission in the United States, headed by Dan and Kristen Gillespie, focuses mainly on sending out short-term missionaries.

According to Brad Fox, a Fallbrook resident who made the trip in 2005, “The purpose of the mission is multifold: to make basic medical healthcare available, provide Christian education for children and youth and supply critically needed food during the ongoing drought and famine in Malawi. Extensions of the original mission have included building a multipurpose community center in one of the rural villages, providing training for pastors and their wives, beginning a village preschool with training for teachers and caregivers and training farmers in techniques that are appropriate for their circumstances.”

The First Annual Golf Tournament, a fundraising event sponsored by the Fallbrook Presbyterian Church Africa Missions Team, will be held at the California Golf Club in Fallbrook. The event will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, June 5. The tournament will feature several awards including team prizes and awards for longest drive. The event will be followed by a banquet and auction at 5:00 p.m. Teams are being formed now, and players can register online at http://www.fpc.golfreg.com. Sponsorships for the tournament are welcomed. More information can be obtained from Sandy Goodman at (760) 723-0770 or [email protected].