First Methodist Houston El Salvador Mission Trip November 9-15, 2014 783 million people lack access to an improved source of drinking water - 1 in 9 people. Where water is inaccessible, poverty is pervasive. Productivity is lost to illness and time is spent walking for water. Most who lack water live on less than a dollar a day, and there’s no way out without water. You can be part of this team of 12 that delivers the hope of the Gospel by digging a water well with Living Water International. This is a picture of living water - the good news that God wants to transform people, communities, and the whole world through the person of Jesus Christ. Itinerary (tentative) Day 1: Depart IAH for El Salvador. Settle in. Debrief. Day 2: Enjoy church and relaxing with the locals. Days 3-6: Work on the well, and facilitate hygiene training. Day 7: Sightseeing. Day 8: Depart Nicaragua for Houston. Housing and meals: We will be staying at the Living Water Team House near Acajutla. Meals are prepared by LWI cooks. Cost: $1,900 includes airfare, meals, lodging, ground transportation, taxes, ministry materials. Cost does not include passport, immunizations, incidentals or souvenirs. Payment Schedule Deposit - $100 due June 1 2nd Payment - $500 due July 1 3rd Payment - $400 due August 1 Balance Due - $900 due October 1 Money: You will need money for all meals in the airport. Required documents checklist: Mission Application Medical Release Parent permission to travel (if under 18) Passport (check expiration date – must expire after May 8, 2015 – if earlier, you must renew) Passport A passport is required for this trip. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry (if your passport expires in less than six months from the date of entry, it must be renewed before traveling). For information about applying for or renewing a passport, including required documents, fees and processing times, go online to www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. Emergency insurance: You will be covered for international medical and emergency insurance. Immunizations Talk to your physician and tell them where you will be traveling. The following are suggestions from the CDC. See your doctor 6-8 weeks before traveling. Tetanus Hepatitis A and B Malaria: Discuss with your doctor the best ways for you to avoid getting sick with malaria. Ways to prevent malaria include taking a prescription antimalarial drug, using insect repellent and wearing long pants and sleeves to prevent mosquito bites, and sleeping in air-conditioned or well-screened rooms. Be sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date. Routine vaccines, as they are often called, such as for influenza, chickenpox, polio, measles/mumps/rubella (MMR), and diphtheria/pertussis/tetanus (DPT) are given at all stages of life.
First Methodist Houston
El Salvador 2014
First Methodist Houston El Salvador Mission Trip November 9-15, 2014 Suggestions for a Successful Trip Begin praying for the trip and the people we will serve. Be flexible and bring a positive attitude. Active participation in small group Bible study and worship. Luggage Requirements – Remember to pack light. The size limitation of your luggage is calculated by adding the total outside dimensions of each bag (length + width + height). Each traveler is allowed one checked bag at 62in/157cm. Maximum weight – 50 lbs. If you have an extra bag that we can use to carry supplies, please let the team leader know. Packing List Bible, pen and journal Clothing DRILLERS: Leather work gloves Work boots or rubber boots (whichever you prefer) 3-4 pairs of long pants: Dry-fit, durable cotton ("fly fishing"), jeans, or overalls (shirt must be worn underneath). Note that you will be hot wearing denim! T-shirts or dry fit shirts At the village: No open-toed shoes, shorts, tank tops HYGIENE TEAM: 3-4 long skirts (to the knee or longer), lightweight slacks, or capris Cotton, sleeved t-shirts/blouses Comfortable walking shoes At the village: No shorts, low-cut or sleeveless tops, tight clothing, or white shirts EVERYONE: Rain jacket (no ponchos or umbrellas; needed for rainy season, May- October) Modest, comfortable clothes to wear around the house Flip flops for the shower Comfortable shoes for travel Durable, reusable water bottle (e.g., Nalgene or similar) Towels, Hand towels, Washcloths 2 trash bags for dirty clothes Personal care items (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) Cash for souvenirs in crisp, small bills with no tears or marks and <5 years old (no more than $200) Sunscreen, insect repellant Pre scription medicine(s) in original bottles Bible, journal, pen RECOMMENDED: Flashlight Earplugs (roosters crow at night!) Modest swimsuit (no bikinis) Ha t/ sunglasses Bandanas (to wear under hard hat) Antibacterial wipes Soccer balls, frisbees, or other acceptable gifts (refer to our gifts/ donations guide for complete list) Gatorade packets to add to water bottle Snacks (e.g., granola bars, trail mix, crackers) Camera Drill Team: Please bring old clothes, as they will become muddy, greasy, and may not be rewearable. Everyone: Please remember to dress modestly. Carry a copy of your passport and any important medical information in your luggage. First Methodist Houston
El Salvador 2014
First Methodist Houston El Salvador Mission Trip November 9-15. 2014 Sample Support Letter Consider sending a support letter to friends and family to raise funds for your trip.
Dear ______________, Hello, (Greeting, according to who you’re writing and how well you know them.) I am writing to tell you a little about what has been happening in my life and the opportunity I have for this summer. This fall, ___date_____, I will be traveling with a mission team from my church, First Methodist Church in Houston, Texas to El Salvador on a short-term mission trip. My team will be drilling water wells for a needy community in El Salvador. The cost of the trip is $1,900. Would you consider becoming a partner with me and being a part of this outreach to the people of El Salvador? All of my support must be raised by June 1. If you are interested in being a part of this ministry, you may make your check payable to: First Methodist Houston – Nicaragua Missions. All donations are tax deductible. You may send the check to me directly at __ your address________. I would also like to ask for your prayers for the people we will meet and serve and for my team as we prepare to go. Please pray that God will use me in a great way and that many people will come to know God’s love for them. Please pray that our hearts would be open to however God wants to use us. Thank you in advance for your support through donation or prayer. I know God will do great things for the people of Nicaragua whom we will be serving, as well as our team this summer! May God bless you and your family,
(Name)
First Methodist Houston
El Salvador 2014