Missions Trip Package

Transcription

1 Missions Trip Package Dear Future Missionary! We re thrilled you ve taken this step to prayerfully consider joining us on a life-changing missions trip to Haiti. We consider an H4H missions trip a success when we re seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit every step of the way, and coming together in unity under His leading. The unity He is looking for is based on His Word, and the unity we re looking for is based on the lessons learned that we ve outlined in this package. To help insure we re all united, this package has 2 basic sections:! What you need to know from us! What we need to know from you After you ve read what you need to know from us and are in agreement, then fill out the information that we need to know from you. We truly look forward to seeing you in Haiti! In Him, Lance Halseth, Executive Director Housetops 4 Haiti 1

2 What You Need To Know From Us! Guidelines! Schedule! Packing List! Covenant Since Housetops 4 Haiti (heretofore after referred to as H4H) is an ongoing ministry in Haiti, we have found it helpful (since you will only be here a brief amount of time) to establish guidelines concerning expectations. We ask you to honor these at all times. This is not only a personal responsibility for you, but it is the personal responsibility of your mission trip team leader to ensure these guidelines are met. Team Guidelines: " No children under 14 years of age without a parent or guardian appointed by their parent " The team always stays together unless authorized by the team leader " No Co-habitation. We will provide separate quarters for men and women " No loud talking or noise after 10:00pm. Please be sensitive to those who need to rise early " Teams are expected to eat their meals together so please be on time " There will be no laundry facilities so please pack accordingly " Even though you might think you can t live without it, MP3 players or portable gaming devices are not permitted on this trip. These devices not only tend to isolate team members, they can easily be stolen. Dress Guidelines: " The weather and environment is harsh in Haiti, so your clothes are likely to take a beating, therefore please do not bring any article of clothing you greatly value! " We do not want to run the risk of offending people in our host culture; therefore the dress code is casual BUT MODEST! " For ladies, please leave your short-shorts, spaghetti string tops and halter tops at home (they are simply not appropriate in our setting). " Bathing suits need to be one-piece or tankinis for the ladies and NO speedos for boys! " For church, ladies dresses or skirts need to be below the knee; for the guys pants and a button down shirt (short sleeve is fine). Shorts to the knees are OK at certain times. " Footwear needs to be durable, comfortable and able to dry quickly. Sandals or flip-flops are good to wear while showering. Work boots are preferred for construction projects. " Hats can offer sun protection while working and conducting outside ministry. Ball caps are fine or hats with a broader bill will provide more coverage. 2

3 Schedule:! Mission Trip Payment. An H4H trip will cost you $455 plus the cost of airfare. Payment is due and payable as follows:! $55 Non-refundable deposit (payable to Housetops 4 Haiti), signed copies of the Covenant (page 6) and the Application (pages 7-11) mailed to: H4H Mission Trip P.O. Box Knoxville, TN 37950! $400 to be brought to Haiti and given to H4H upon arrival for food, lodging and transportation! Immunizations: Contact your local county health department to receive immunizations for Haiti. They should include the following:! Tetanus Vaccine (if you are not current)! Hepatitis A and B. (Injection). These are usually offered in multiple shots and must be completed 2 weeks before the departure date.! Typhoid (Injection or series of pills). This must be completed 2 weeks before the departure date.! Malaria (Pills). These must be taken EXACTLY 2 weeks from the departure date.! Passports: If you currently do not have a passport or your current passport will expire before the end of our trip, you need to allow 6 to 8 weeks to receive a new/updated passport in your possession. Please keep this in mind in relation to the departure date of the mission trip you are signing up for. 3

4 Packing List: (suggested / not mandatory) Casual, comfortable, cool and conservative. (Note: clothing can also be selected with the intent of Dress: wearing while on the trip and then donating them to the Haitian people upon departure) T-Shirts (no writing or slogans that would be offensive) Hats (no writing or slogans that would be offensive) Shorts (ladies no short shorts) at the knee or below Capris Lightweight Zip-Off Pants Nice Outfit for Church (see Dress Guidelines ) Durable, comfortable and can dry quickly. Shoes: Hiking Boots Work Boots Tennis Shoes Sandals / Water Shoes Toiletries: Shampoo Soap Toothpaste / Toothbrush Deodorant Roll of Toilet Paper Hand Sanitizer Tylenol / Ibuprofen Stomach Relief Medicine Personal First-Aid Items Towel / Washcloth Snacks: Protein Bars Cliff Bars Trail Mix Tuna Packets Canned Meats Dried Fruits Pack as desired. During the day we typically have to pack snacks in our backpacks until we return to our place of lodging. Bring items that will stand up to the heat. Mio or other Flavored Water Mix (Bottled Water WILL BE PROVIDED) Miscellaneous: 2 Copies of Passport (1 left in US with emergency contact / 1 given to Team Leader prior to departure) Bible Notebook / Pen 4

5 Flashlight (batteries) Chap-Stick Sun-Screen Bug-Repellent / Itch cream Work Gloves Backpack for Daily Use Travel Pillow Twin-sized Bed Sheet Set (for personal use during trip then leave as donation upon departure) Keep in mind each bag has a 50lb weight limit Optional: Hand-held Battery Operated Fans / Extra Batteries Battery Powered Lanterns 5

6 ! Short Term Mission Trip Team Covenant: I realize that the following principles are crucial to the effectiveness, quality and safety of our mission together. As a member of this H4H short-term mission team, I promise and covenant, by God s abounding grace to: " Remember that I am a representative of H4H and as such I will seek to represent the spiritual values, moral conduct and likeness of Christ that are embraced and embodied by that assembly. " Remember that I have come to serve and to learn. I may be exposed to procedures and practices that I feel are ineffective or inefficient or confronted by attitudes that I feel are narrow or close-minded. As this occurs I will resist the temptation to correct my hosts and inform them about how things are done back in the United States. Instead, I will be open to the opportunity to learn the Haitian culture, method and ideas. " Respect the Haitian culture with respect to their distinctive practices of Christianity. Therefore I will remain respectful as I experience how the Haitian people live out their Christian faith. " Develop and consistently maintain a servant s attitude toward all nationals and my teammates and respect my Team Leader(s) and his/her/their decisions. " Refrain from gossip. If there are decisions made by any leader I do not understand or agree with, I will go directly to that leader in private and make my concerns known rather than to other team members. In so doing I will avoid the possibility of sowing seeds of dissension and division. " If a team member offends me, I promise to forgive (Mark 11:25), allowing love to cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). " If I feel I need to go to this person regarding an offense, I will do it privately with a spirit of gentleness and genuine love (Galatians 6:1-2), first having examined and corrected my own attitude and actions. " Knowing that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6), I will seek to promote harmony on my team. " Be patient and forgiving toward the failings of others on my team. " Refrain from complaining. I realize this is not a vacation, and travel on this mission trip can have numerous unexpected and undesirable circumstances, but patient endurance will help me grow. I resolve to be flexible, supportive and adaptive on such occasions rather than grumbling when things are difficult. " Refrain from negative comments or harsh discussions concerning Haitian policies and culture. " Remember not to be exclusive in my relationships with the team. If I m traveling with my spouse, I will make every effort to interact with all members of the team. " Refrain from activity that could be considered or misconstrued as romantic toward a local Haitian. I realize that certain actions that seem innocent in my culture may be inappropriate in Haiti. " Refrain from smoking or any consumption of alcoholic beverages in any form. While this is not an attempt to bind the conscience, I understand that any such indulgence may cause another to stumble. I realize and accept that failure to abide by this will result in my exclusion from further mission trips with H4H. Volunteer Applicant Signature Date Parent or guardian signature if volunteer applicant is under the age of 18. My signature equally agrees to all terms in this covenant the minor has agreed to by his/her signature. Parent or Guardian Signature Date 6

7 What We Need To Know From You! Application! Authorization / Disclaimer / Release Application: Personal Information Date Last Name First Name Preferred Name Social Security # Birth Date Age Mailing Address City State Zip Preferred Phone Best Time to Call Preferred Address Are You Affiliated with a Church / School / Civic Group / Company? Yes No Organization Name Have you been convicted of, or plead guilty to any criminal offense (other than a juvenile offense now expunged from your record), or released from prison in the past 10 years? Have you ever been convicted of a felony? Yes No If Yes, describe in full: Student Volunteers Are you looking to fulfill a school requirement or will you receive school credit for your service? Yes No If Yes, Name of School Yes No Number of Hours Needed Deadline to Complete Hours 7

8 Apparel Information T-Shirt Size: SM MED LG XL XXL Passport / Travel Information Your Name AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT Passport Number Expiration Date Place of Issue Country State City Date of Issue Application (continued): Experience Current Employer Brief Job Description Please place a check beside the areas where you have previous experience: Sports / Recreation / Coaching Medical Business Administration Administration & Support Social Justice Children & Orphan Ministry Computers & Technology Counseling & Hospitality Creative / Design Evangelism & Church Planting Humanitarian Aid & Relief Work Media & Communications Performing Arts Teaching & Education Construction & Engineering Youth or College Ministry ADDITIONAL: Pleasee list any other skills and talents that may be helpful on the mission field. Also use this space to elaborate on any of the above checked areas. 8

9 Have you served on any other mission / humanitarian project before? If YES, then describe the type of project, your responsibilities and list the dates. Project Dates Responsibilities Application (continued): Insurance Supplemental traveler s insurance will be provided through an outside travel insurance agency. Full disclosure of coverage and services will be provided to you once your final payment has been received. Beneficiary Medical Information Do you have any existing physical condition that may require medical attention while you re in Haiti? If you do please explain below: 9

10 Medications required: Allergies: Emergency Contact Information (Please list the person you want us to contact in the event of an emergency) Name Relationship Home Phone Work/School Phone Cell Phone 10

11 Authorization / Disclaimer / Release: UNCONDITIONAL RELEASE: I agree that my application / registration may be denied for any reason and Housetops 4 Haiti (heretofore referred to as H4H) reserves all rights to determine the fitness of any volunteer. I agree that H4H may deny my application, or terminate my service at any time with or without cause, and is under no obligation to disclose the reason for doing so. CONDITIONS OF VOLUNTEER PARTICIPATION: I understand it is the goal of H4H to build a community of empowered volunteers on this mission trip, representing the Christian faith as taught in the Bible and adhering to the Covenant I have previously read and agreed to by my signature on page 4. FINANCIAL OBLIGATION: I agree to submit all progress payments and the total amount due no later than 3 weeks prior to the published departure. I acknowledge that my inability to provide the agreed to amount will result in my denial to participate in the mission trip and any refund to me will be less the loss incurred by companies or agencies H4H has made payment to plus administrative costs to process any refund. INSURANCES: I understand that traveler s insurance will be issued for me as described under separate conditions set forth by the insurer and provided to me after my final payment has been made to H4H. Aside from said traveler s insurance, I acknowledge that H4H does not provide any health benefits (i.e., medical, dental, worker s compensation, etc.) or any other insurance benefit to me. I hold harmless H4H in the event I (or my beneficiary) need to file a claim with the insurance company issuing my traveler s policy. PROPERTY LOSS: I understand that H4H is not responsible for my personal property being lost, damaged or stolen while participating in volunteer activities or during the travel process to and from Haiti. MEDICAL TREATMENT: I give permission for H4H and their designated representatives to provide or arrange for emergency care for me, and to arrange for transport to any emergency center for treatment. I consent to medical treatment deemed immediately necessary or advisable by a physician if I am unable to make such decisions on my own behalf. I further understand that H4H is not responsible for payment for such medical treatment. IMAGE PERMISSION: I give permission for H4H to use, without limitation or obligation, still photographs, videos or any other form of media that has my image or voice recorded to promote H4H, and waive any such rights to compensation as none is being offered. RELEASE FROM LIABILITY: I understand that accidents may occur during my mission trip, either during volunteer activities or free time. By signing below, I release H4H, its agents, directors, consultants and employees from all liability based on any damage, loss, injury or illness, whether from the result of ordinary negligence or otherwise, caused to me or my dependent from participation as a volunteer. Volunteer Applicant Signature Date Parent or guardian signature if volunteer applicant is under the age of 18. My signature equally agrees to all terms and conditions contained in this application, authorization, disclaimer and release the aforesigned minor has agreed to by his/her signature.. Parent or Guardian Signature Date 11