Well I felt compelled to write a few things on mission work from my years of experience working mainly in Africa and some other places in the World. Below you will find some tips that will better prepare you for your first experience on the mission field and find some specific things to pray about to prepare yourself for the experience ahead. May God bless you as you work for HIM
Brother Blake Mullins...
PRAY PRAY PRAY AND THEN PRAY SOME MORE!
1. You must have a passport, and it will take some time to get it, I have the applications for them here, or you can pick them from any travel agency or maybe your local court house. You will also need to have some passport pictures made to be placed in your passport to help id you, (look in the telephone book for help locating this service) most 1 hour photo places can assist you concerning this matter.
2. Here comes the part many don't like: Shots...... You can go to your local Health Department and tell them you are considering a mission trip to East Africa especially Uganda, there will be a few required shots that you must have for your protection and then a few are just common sense to help protect you from disease. Below is a list for you to discuss with them and your own Health care provider. This is what I had to take:
1. Yellow Fever injection is required by Law to enter into most of these countries and a special certificate is then placed in your passport to show that you are protected against this disease.
2. Cholera Vaccine
3. Update tetanus/diphtheria,hib, measules/mumps/rubella,polopneumococcal, varcella amd influenza as
appropriate, as well as typoid talk it over with your Doctor. Local Health Dept has good information on
what you will need and normally can give you your shots. Check them out~~~~
4. Diarrhea Risk is High in this area, due to many reasons bring something to help with it.
Note: Landmark Ministries is in no way responsible for the medical information listed below is was copied from the CDC
site on the net, please consult with you local docotor
Below is some info on anti Malaria Medicines
Mefloquine: Side-effects ('Lariam') Minor side effects such as nausea, vomiting, heartburn and loose stools occur in about 20% of users, but this is no more frequent than with other antimalarials and usually subside with continued use. Taking ½ tab twice a week with food, and drinking copious water with medication will help reduce these.
Unfortunately mefloquine frequently produces annoying adverse neurological effects such as insomnia, vivid dreams, dizziness, mental clouding, anxiety and coordination problems. These are sufficient to interfere with daily activities in up to 10% of users and are probably aggravated by use of alcohol and cannabis.
Disabling side effects sufficient to recommend the cessation of mefloquine occur in 0.5% of users. However despite this, some 5 - 10% of users will stop the drug. Consequently any person requiring a clear mind and good co-ordination should not use mefloquine. This may involve travellers to high altitude and definitely those contemplating aqualung (scuba) diving. Other contra indications include persons with a history of seizures, neuro-psychiatric disorder, the first 3 months of pregnancy and those with cardiac conduction problems. Women are advised to use contraceptives during and for 3 months after administration of mefloquine.
Mefloquine is probably best commenced 3 -4 weeks before entering a malarious area as it takes this long to build up to satisfactory blood levels. (half life of 21 days). Also this provides time to detect those travellers that develop unacceptable side-effects and thus enable a change in medication. Commencing 1 or 2 weeks before departure is not adequate.
A recent report involving soldiers taking mefloquine 250mg daily for 3 days to enable a quick build up in blood levels was surprisingly well tolerated.
US authorities are prepared to use mefloquine for up to 2 years continuously in Peace Corps Volunteers overseas.
Serious neuropsychological side effects can occur when mefloquine is used in high doses. (click important note FPRIVATE )
Doxycycline (many brand names and generics are available)
Doxycycline is related to the antibiotic tetracycline.
Directions for Use
The adult dosage is 100 mg once a day.
•Take the first dose of doxycycline 1 or 2 days before arrival in the malaria-risk area.
•Take doxycycline once a day, at the same time each day, while in the malaria-risk area.
•Take doxycycline once a day for 4 weeks after leaving the malaria-risk area.
Doxycycline Side Effects and Warnings
The most common side effects reported by travelers taking doxycycline include sun sensitivity (sunburning faster than normal). To prevent sunburn, avoid midday sun, wear a high SPF sunblock, wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and a hat. Doxycycline may cause nausea and stomach pain. Always take the drug on a full stomach with a full glass of liquid. Do not lie down for 1 hour after taking the drug to prevent reflux of the drug (backing up into the esophagus). Women who use doxycycline may develop a vaginal yeast infection. You may either take an over-the-counter yeast medication or have a prescription pill from your health care provider for use if vaginal itching or discharge develops. Most travelers taking doxycycline do not have side effects serious enough to stop taking the drug. (Other antimalarial drugs are available if you cannot tolerate doxycycline; see your health care provider.)
Contraindications
The following travelers should NOT take doxycycline (other antimalarial drugs are available; see your health care provider):
•pregnant women;
•children under the age of 8 years;
•persons allergic to doxycycline or other tetracyclines.
Protect Yourself from Mosquito Bites
Malaria is transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito; these mosquitoes usually bite between dusk and dawn. If possible, remain indoors in a screened or air-conditioned area during the peak biting period. If out-of-doors, prevent mosquito bites by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats; apply insect repellent to exposed skin.
When using repellent with DEET at least 35% if possible, follow these precautions:
•Read and follow the directions and precautions on the product label.
•Use only when outdoors and wash skin with soap and water after coming indoors.
•Do not breathe in, swallow, or get into the eyes. (DEET is toxic if swallowed.) If using a spray product, apply DEET to your face by spraying your hands and rubbing the product carefully over the face, avoiding eyes and mouth.
•Do not put repellent on wounds or broken skin.
•Higher concentrations of DEET may have a longer repellent effect; however, concentrations over 50% provide no added protection.
•Timed-release DEET products may have a longer repellent effect than liquid products.
•DEET may be used on adults, children, and infants older than 2 months of age. Protect infants by using a carrier draped with mosquito netting with an elastic edge for a tight fit.
•Children under 10 years old should not apply insect repellent themselves. Do not apply to young children’s hands or around eyes and mouth.
•For details on how to protect yourself from insects and how to use repellents, see Protection against Mosquitoes and Other Arthropods.Travelers should also take a flying-insect spray on their trip to help clear rooms of mosquitoes. The product should contain a pyrethroid insecticide; these insecticides quickly kill flying insects, including mosquitoes.
If you are not staying in well-screened or air-conditioned rooms, you should take additional precautions, including sleeping under mosquito netting (bed nets). Bed nets sprayed with the insecticide permethrin are more effective; permethrin both repels and kills mosquitoes. In the United States, permethrin is available as a spray or liquid (e.g. Permanone) to treat clothes and bed nets. Bed nets may be purchased that have already been treated with permethrin. Permethrin or another insecticide, deltamethrin, may be purchased overseas to treat bed nets and clothes.
Malarone: New Malaria Medication With Fewer Side-effects
Malarone is a newly released medication for prevention and treatment of chloroquine-resistant forms of malaria, including cerebral malaria caused by Plasmodium falciparum. Studies have shown Malarone to be 98% effective in prevention of malaria which is as effective as mefloquine or doxycycline.
Malarone is a fixed-dose combination of two antimalarial agents, atovaquone and proguanil hydrochloride. These interfere with different pathways in the biosynthesis of pyrimidines that are the building blocks of nucleic acids involved in DNA structure. Thus, the agents block malaria replication both inside and outside the red blood cell.
Malarone is taken once daily with food or milk, starting two days before entering a malaria risk area and continuing daily until seven days after leaving the area of malaria risk. A pediatric dose is available for children weighing less than 88 pounds. Dosage in children is calculated based upon body weight.
Malarone appears to be extremely well tolerated with fewer side effects than other available medications. Side effects may include GI upset or headache. This contrasts with neuro-psychiatic side-effects of mefloquine and GI upset and sun sensitivity with doxycycline. Malarone has been available in Denmark since 1998 and was approved for use in the United States in August, 2000. The drug combination has been used in Denmark for the past year with an excellent safety record. Malarone is not licensed for pregnant women or nursing mothers.
The cost of Malarone is more expensive than other commonly used medications for malaria prophylaxis. Doxycycline costs pennies per day. Lariam (mefloquine) and Malarone are considerably more expensive; coverage for a two week trip using Malarone daily or Larium weekly may cost between $75 and $100. Malarone becomes more expensive than Larium after two weeks because it requires a daily pill whereas Larium is taken weekly. The price per pill decreases as more pills are purchased and pharmacies have considerable variance in pricing.
I currently recommend this medication as the drug of choice for travelers entering areas with chloraquine-resistant malaria. Travelers should also use personal protective measures such as clothing with long pants and sleeves, insect repellants with 35% DEET for exposed skin, permethrin spray for their clothing and mosquito netting to prevent infection.
Here also are 6 web sites important to check before going a mission trip:
Uganda visits rewarding but also challenging By: PAULA TATE / Editor
Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:16 am
Though his mission work in Uganda, Africa, is spiritually rewarding for Blake Mullins, his visits there can be challenging in other ways.
Mullins travels by airplane to Uganda, arriving at Entebbe International Airport. The atmosphere is that of a busy, modern city, a far cry from the places where Mullins preaches on his journeys.
According to the Census of 2002, Christians make up about 84 percent of Ugandas population. The Catholic Church has the largest number of supporters, followed by the Anglican Church of Uganda. Muslims represent 12 percent of the population, according to Census records. However, it is in the rural areas of eastern Africa, where many are unaware of Christianity, that Mullins concentrates his mission work.
His pastor friend Edwards, with whom he stays while in Uganda, greets Mullins at the airport. For his mission work, Mullins, joined by Edwards and other local Christians, travels to rural areas to hold crusades.
A typical day starts at 5 a.m. The group travels to remote areas of eastern Africa, reaching their destination around 4:30 p.m. We have taken cars in places where I wouldnt ordinarily take a four-wheel drive, Edwards said of his travels over the continents rural terrain. Services are usually held from 5 to 11 p.m., said Mullins.
As the van carrying the group nears its destination, community members awaiting the groups arrival greet them a distance from the village. Notice was sent months in advance, through word-of-mouth and posters, that Mullins was coming. A video filmed as the van Mullins is driving nears Paidha (pronounced Pie-ade-uh) shows smiling, barefoot youngsters running alongside the vehicle in greeting.
Though Mullins always has a pastor friend, Andrew Edwards, as an interpreter on his travels, plus an interpreter while preaching, he has learned to fluently speak Luganda, a major language in the Uganda. According to the free online encyclopedia Wikipedia, English is the official national language.
Mullins said his Luganda accent leaves something to be desired, however. I like to joke that its the equivalent of Ralph Stanley singing AC/DC, notes Mullins with a laugh.
Besides videos, Mullins has photo albums filled with pictures taken on his journeys. They not only depict the crowds who attend his meetings, but also the terrain of east Africa. One photo shows a small primate holding its baby, while another features a large lion resting in the shade of the wild.
The area is beautiful. However, it can also be dangerous.
Though Mullins, considered a charismatic preacher, is typically well received, it is not always that way. Witch doctors have hung so-called charms in trees near his crusade sites in an attempt to put a hex on him. One alleged witch doctor even killed a goat in the corner of the grounds where Mullins was preaching in an effort to frighten the American evangelist.
While spiritually challenging, the trips are also physically exhausting for Mullins. The heat is extreme and the food is very different from what we are accustomed to here, he noted. Meals in Uganda might include main dishes in which the protein source could be monkey, worms, ants, caterpillars, snake or goat. Many times, Mullins confessed, he skips meals.
Living conditions arent always ideal either. During one trip to Uganda, Mullins visited a hospital maternity ward, where as many as three women shared one bed. Some were even resting on the floor, he said.
Mullins experiences in east Africa have made him realize how fortunate we are here. The poorest person here would be rich there, he said
Local evangelist continues long-time work in Africa By: PAULA TATE / Editor
Posted: Friday, February 27, 2009 1:15 am
Evangelist Blake Mullins usually brings back native crafts from Uganda, such as those on the table in front of him, and sells them here in the states to benefit the people there. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Pacing feverishly on a makeshift stage covered in rough planks, the American preacher yells out to the swarm of Africans gathered to hear his message.
An interpreter follows evangelist Blake Mullins every step, mimicking his moves and outcries from his jumps to his tribal-like shouts and translating his English words into the language of those in the crowd.
It is a scene documented in one of the many videos, and likewise in hundreds of still photos, taken of Mullins mission work in eastern Africas Uganda.
The Sandy Ridge resident operates the non-denominational Landmark Ministries, which is composed of a preaching ministry, various radio programs and an extensive audio cassette ministry. The name was inspired by Deuteronomy 19:14 in the Bible, explained Mullins during a recent interview.
Mullins has preached all over the United States, including locally and in Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee, Maryland, Alabama, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania and Georgia.
His work goes beyond the United States, though, as he has also preached in London, Holland (primarily Amsterdam) and Africa. Since 2002, Mullins has made two to four annual trips to Uganda aiming to convert non-Christians into followers of Christ.
Mullins work has rewarded him with unique and awesome experiences. He estimates that during his crusades, more than 34,000 people have been saved. Last November, he saw the largest number, 7,500, ever saved at one of his meetings, he said.
Some have questioned Mullins sanity, motive and even his sincerity in choosing the journey he is on. But it is a path from which he does not intend to waver.
EARLY ON
Mullins, 39, grew up on Skeetrock, near Clintwood. As a young man he attended Cumberland Church of the Brethren, growing up under the pastoral leadership of L. Myers Mullins.
Mullins said the Lord called him to preach in 1990. Church advisors recommended that he be certain it was the path he wished to follow, so it was 1992 before he took his place in the pulpit.
Mullins had a desire to do mission work, but wasnt quite certain where to begin. So, while preaching locally, he began praying for guidance on how to expand his mission work.
About a decade later, the work found Mullins. He received a letter from Andrew Edwards, a bishop in Uganda, who had somehow learned of Mullins desire to extend his mission work farther. Edwards has his own ministry, Salvation and Evangelical Mission. His missions churches are called Healing Springs Churches and his work is focused in Uganda and surrounding areas.
Thus Mullins began planning a trip to Uganda, a land where the mortality rate is high, the average life expectancy is only a little more than 52 years and poverty is extreme.
He completed the routine step of getting a passport. Acquiring needed immunizations are also an important part of mission work. Mullins was immunized for Yellow Fever and cholera, plus received updates on routine vaccines here in the United States.
Mullins also went armed with anti-malaria medication and over-the-counter medicine to treat diarrhea, a common ailment suffered by out-of-country travelers due to food and waterborne bacteria.
Many close to Mullins were concerned his safety would be at risk during the trip. He was headed to a different continent often portrayed as savage and scary.
Mullins was scared too, for he had no idea what to expect.
I was so nervous that I was dreaming about tragedies that might happen to me, he recalls. Mullins even made his funeral arrangements before he left.
But his need to go was greater than his fear to stay. So he pressed forward with his plans. I just knew it was the right thing to do, said Mullins.
He did not make his first visit alone, however. Greg Gooch Stanley, a member of his church, accompanied him. On later trips, other people from the region would sometimes accompany him.
Mullins, who has been a full-time evangelist since 1995, made his first trip in 2002. It was life changing. I cried a lot, said Mullins of the poverty and need he witnessed on that first visit.
But it was the reaction he saw from the people who converted to Christianity that touched him most. I was amazed at how hungry they are to hold onto something, noted Mullins.
Since then he has returned many times, with his visits funded by donations from supporters.
MOTIVE
Mullins said some people have questioned his motive for his mission work. Some have even asked how much he gets paid to go there, a question he considers ludicrous. How can they pay me when they cant even buy a bowl of rice? he wonders.
Mullins explained that his trips are planned based on available funding. His mission receives financial support in the form of private donations. The Freedom of Worship Church in Norton has also been a great supporter.
Mullins also collects old cell phones and ink cartridges, which can be sold to companies that upgrade the products for resale.
Another way folks can help is to perform Internet searches using goodsearch.com. The site allows a user to identify a charity, and for every search the person makes, a penny is donated to the organization.
Mullins said racism has, unfortunately, made some people critical of his work in Africa.
But Mullins is sincere in his beliefs and passionate about his mission. For those people who think I have an ulterior motive, there is none other than the Gospel, said Mullins.
The evangelist plans to continue his mission work in east Africa as long as he is able. I dont want to spend my life as a minister shadow boxing, he noted.
Take the first dose of doxycycline 1 or 2 days before arrival in the malaria-risk area. 
