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2012 HONDURAS MISSION TRIP INFORMATION
June 16, 2012 through June 24, 2012
Can you be a team member and not travel? Yes - there are several opportunities other than actually going to Honduras such as prayer partner coordination, donations coordinator, etc.
Destination: El Paraíso (el pah-rah-EE-so)
Area of Honduras: Located in the southern part of Honduras almost to the border of Nicaragua.
Travel time from Tegucigalpa (teh-goo-see-GAHL-pah) airport to El Paraíso : 2.5 hours.
The hotel (named Isis) is very basic but clean. Team members share a room with 2/3 people. Each room has a private bath with a shower. Linens and towels are furnished. The rooms have a fan and color TV. Phone service is NOT available in the rooms. Electricity is 110V, 60 cycle--the same as the US. Purified water is provided by the hotel for drinking and brushing your teeth.
Meals: Breakfast and dinner are served at a restaurant nearby. The restaurant prepares lunches to go in the morning to take to the worksite.
Transportation: UMVIM van from airport to El Paraíso. Church van from the hotel to the worksite.
Other comments on this site:
In the downtown area, there is an internet café (but with slow connection), and a small convenience store (pulpería) within walking distance of the hotel. Across the street from the hotel is a park with pick-up basketball and soccer games. If you want to walk around town always have someone else with you. No one should walk around town at night.
Cultural considerations: See the general cultural awareness page on this website - http://www.gbgm-umc.org/hondurasini/
Cost of trip: Estimated Per Person Mission Trip Travel cost this year is $1,400. The first 15 adults to signup for this trip that are active in Hope’s fund raising activities will be required to pay $650. The balance will be paid by church fund raisers like the annual Rummage Sale, Golf Tournament, Night at Hope and team fund raisers. If a person does not take part in fundraising activities they will be responsible for the total trip cost of $1,400.
Will the whole $650 be required in one payment?: NO if you sign up early. A $100 deposit is required when the Volunteer Mission Application, International Missioner Profile and Release of Claim Form is turned in to team leader. This should be done no later than January 2012 meeting. To help spread your cost over time, payments of $100 will be collected at monthly team meetings with whatever balance that has not been paid due in May 1, 2012.
Other forms that will be required later: Medical Information and Release and Notification of Death Forms. At the end of the trip an UMVIM Team Member Evaluation Form and a Hope Evaluation Form will be given out to be completed before leaving our lodging on Sunday morning.
Sponsor Letters: Team members are encouraged to contact friends and families and ask them to support the team through their prayers and other assistance. These are very important to help finance trip supply expenses.
Team Members are required to: Attend all team meetings, unless excused by team leader, and participate in Missions extra activities/fund risers. This is so all team members can get to know each other by working together before the trip. As previously noted the fundraisers pay more than half of the cost for each team member. If a person does not take part the church fundraising activities they will be responsible for the total trip cost.
Will I get a refund if an unforeseen problem requires me to cancel? YES
Full refunds will be given if cancellation occurs prior to plane tickets being purchased. Plane tickets are usually purchased 2 to 3 months prior to trip in order to get a favorable rate. After that the ticket cancelation fee may be deducted from the refund.
What will we be doing: Show our love for God and our neighbors by providing a Vision Clinic, Bible School, building environmentally friendly stoves, and fluoride treatments for children at the church. Team members may choose where they want to work and change work area with team leader approval. Some areas, such as the vision clinic, require a minimum staff to function effectively.
Day Off: Saturday June 23, 2012 we will leave El Paraiso in the morning and travel to lodging in Tegucigalpa. After settling in we will probably travel to a town named Valley of the Angles. This is where you will have an opportunity to buy souvenirs, art work, etc. The team could also decide to do something beside shop for souvenirs.
How much spending money do I need to take? About $100.00 is what most people take.
Passport: If you do not have a Passport, the one you have has expired or will expire after March 1, 2012 you will need to apply for one. Your Team Leader will need a copy of the photo page. If you have a passport make sure that the expiration date is at least more than 3 months (preferably more) before the trip start date of June 16, 2012. If shorter than the 3 months the Honduras laws will not let you in the country. For information concerning United States Passports go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Shots: If you are concerned about the vaccinations that you may need for Honduras contact the Pinellas County Health Department in Clearwater. Vaccinations can be obtained there as well, though there is a charge for the service. Please be aware that Pasco County does not provide this service. The address of the Clearwater Health Dept. is 310 North Myrtle Avenue, Clearwater, FL 33755, Phone: (727) 469-5800.
Shirts: Why do we have special shirts? There are two main reasons. The first is for those traveling out of the country. Having everyone in the same shirt, greatly speeds up the customs process, it also makes Hope’s Missions Ministry more visible during our local activities. The cost of the shirt is about $25. Since sizes vary among manufacturers it is strongly suggested that you try someone’s on prior to ordering.
Meetings: December - Information Meeting
January – Turn in your initial paperwork and
deposit if you have not already done so
February TBA – Update and Q&A
March TBA – Update and Q&A
April TBA - Update and Q&A
May TBA – Orientation
June TBA – Training & Packing Supplies
More information about what the United Methodist Church is doing in Honduras can be found at http://www.gbgm-umc.org/hondurasini/
Questions should be addressed to Butch Howell – rhowell10@verizon.net
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