Honduras MVP Team Member Handbook

 

CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

Introduction...................................................................................................................................... 2

 

Getting Started............................................................................................................................... 3

 

Expenses........................................................................................................................................ 4

 

Packet Information......................................................................................................................... 5

 

Honduras Travel Hints................................................................................................................... 6

 

Mission Work Teams.................................................................................................................... 8

 

Church Planting and Faith Home Opportunities......................................................................... 9

 

Climate/Dress Personal Items Needed.................................................................................... 10

 

General Baptist International Missions MVP Rules/Policies.................................................. 11

 

Covenant ..................................................................................................................................... 12

 

MVP Application......................................................................................................................... 13

 

Medical History and Liability Release....................................................................................... 14

 

Credit Card Information Form.................................................................................................... 15

 

Parental Consent Important Information.................................................................................... 16

 

Parental Consent Form.............................................................................................................. 17

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5/4/2006

 

INTRODUCTION

 

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations” (Matthew 28:19)

 

Thank you for your commitment to serving God in the Mission Volunteers Program (MVP).  General Baptist International Missions (GBIM) formed the MVP in November 1994.  The purpose of the MVP is to involve the General Baptist denomination in short-term mission trips.

 

GBIM oversees the MVP teams; including making all travel arrangements, hosting teams in the field, and scheduling infield work and activities.

 

You are about to depart on one of the most rewarding events in your lifetime.  This will take spiritual and physical preparation on your part.  The following information will help make your trip successful. 

 

A healthy respect for missionaries and their methods is a must on the part of the team members.

 

GBIM does not have an age limit on who can participate on a team.  We recommend not taking children under the age of 18 unless accompanied by a parent.  GBIM reserves the right to refuse participation to those with health problems, to those who have created problems on previous trips and if we believe that they may create a risk to other individuals and/or liabilities to the mission.  All participants from other churches are welcome; however, they must abide by GBIM policies, rules and doctrines. 

 

After all the proper preparations have taken place, you can relax and allow God to work through each of you for His glory.  When you return from your trip, you will be a different person.  Your mind will be open to the endless possibilities of reaching the lost with the love and the message of Jesus Christ.  You will be a new creature who has experienced:

 

·                     Personal spiritual growth

·                     Increased mission awareness

·                     Worshipped in and experienced a foreign culture

·                     Giving “hands on” help to the mission and projects

·                     Obeying the Great Commission, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations”.

 

MVP reveals the needs of the world.  What can you do?  Where do you start?  As your missionary organization we’d like to suggest four areas of involvement.

 

·                     Prayer support is a vital part of the ongoing ministry to the MVP.   You can become a prayer partner.

·                     Continued Support – You’ve met the pastors.  You’ve held the children.  You’ve visited the schools, the orphanages, the churches, and the feeding centers.  You can help with the cost of running these ministries.  For more information contact:

 

General Baptist International Missions

100 Stinson Drive

Poplar Bluff, MO  63901

573-785-7746        

imofc@generalbaptist.com

 

·                     Your excitement about missions will encourage others.  Your photos and testimonies can also be used by God to direct those around you to become personally involved in mission work.

·                     Perhaps God has touched your heart and prompted you to full-time missions.

Please contact the mission office for information.

 

If you have any questions regarding your team member handbook that are not answered in the following pages, please call your team leader or Mission Volunteers Program office at 573-785-7746 or email immvpclerk@generalbaptist.com

 

GETTING STARTED

 

Prayer: Begin your plans and desires with prayer.

 

Organizing your team: Coordinate your mission trip dates early with the MVP office – 12 months in advance is preferred.  MVP has a minimum / maximum number of people required per team.  If your team does not have at least 10 or has more than 30 members, please contact the MVP office.  Your team members may join with another church or organized team if necessary. 

 

Note: All youth/minors on work teams who are not accompanied by at least one parent, must have a signed, notarized, parental authorization to travel out of the continental U.S.  This document should include an authorization for the team leader or another adult on the team to seek medical attention for the child if needed. 

 

Passports: We recommend team members apply for passports early.  Passport applications may be obtained at the nearest US Post Office or courthouse.  Required documents include passport application, a certified copy of participant’s birth certificate, and two passport photos, which can be obtained from a local AAA/Auto club, Kinko’s printing/copy shops, or travel agent for a small fee.  Mission Volunteers should allow at least 8 to 12 weeks for their passport to return after they have been processed.  A copy of your passport must be provided to GBIM with your trip application.  NOTE: Make sure the Expirations Date on your passport is at least 90 days after your return Date.

Before each trip your team leader should check with MVP office for any change in requirements.

 

Exercise: If accustomed to a sedentary lifestyle it would benefit you to begin exercising (under their physician’s guidance).

 

Medical: Please let us know of any prescription medication you are taking.  Keep medications in their original container with the correct label.  When flying, pack medications in your carry-on luggage.  Never carry expired medicine.  It is also important to let your MVP representative know of any special diets or allergies (i.e. food, etc) as soon as possible.  Pay attention to your leader’s instructions concerning food and drink.  This will help to protect you from diarrhea or intestinal infection.  You may want to bring medicine for diarrhea, motion sickness, or aches and pains depending on your personal needs.

 

Occasionally in some foreign countries, as our country, your doctor may recommend flu, typhoid, Malaria, yellow fever or other preventive medicines. It is always best to council with your doctor before leaving the country on a mission trip to verify any precautions you may need to take.

 

We recommend that you attend three organizational meetings prior to departure.

 

1.      Your first meeting should be early to review the Members Handbook page by page.  Information for team members regarding costs, deadlines, terms, mission rules and preparations. Member Handbooks can also be found on our website www.generalbaptist.com under International Missions, Mission Volunteers Program, Honduras.

2.      Your second meeting should include planning and organization.

3.      Your third meeting might include packing everything needed on the trip (supplies, tools, craft, etc.) and to address any last minute questions or concerns.

 

Training:  When possible GBIM will send a representative to one organizational meeting with the team to answer questions.  This is usually done with “first time” teams.  Videos and Power Point CDs are available to show team members upon request.  Additional Mission Volunteers Program team informational brochures are available for distribution among team members. 

 

 

2007 EXPENSES

 

Deposit: MVP individual cost for Vacation Bible School and Construction team members is $950 per person.  Medical team costs per team member is $1050.  MVP’s pricing for a work team is the combined total of:

 

1.      Airfare and airport tax.  This includes the departure tax (exit tax, airport fee, and customs fee). **

2.      Team insurance (required and arranged by GBIM) **

3.      GBIM infield charges (fuel, transportation, lodging and foods).  **

 

** Any time the team is required to be housed off Faith Home campus there may be an additional cost, which will given to you when arranging the trip.

**These costs are tax deductible.

 

The initial deposit of $100 per person is non-refundable.  Once ticketed, all airlines have a “non-refundable policy” on all group tickets with only the following exceptions: Political/safety problems in the country of destination where the United States has issued a travel advisory against going to that country.

 

Project Funding:  Team members are responsible for funding their project on the field.  Project money is in addition to the base cost of the trip.  The project cost will vary, depending on the project.  The missionary on the field will determine the project and its cost.  You, as a team may designate where your donation package may go (i.e. Faith Home, church plant, Anita Ford, etc.).  Helpful information on fund raising is available upon request.  We recommend that you encourage your church, family and friends to get involved in supporting you through prayer and financial help. 

 

MVP Payment:  GBIM prefers that the churches or other sending organizations collect each participant’s money according to the various deadlines provided.  Then your treasurer will make on check payment directly to GBIM in accordance with each deadline.  We now accept credit cards.  The team leader must record all collections from team members and provide a copy of the records and passports along with each payment to Mission Volunteers Program, 100 Stinson Drive, Poplar Bluff, MO  63901.

 

Personal Expenses: Please use discretion in the amount of cash you carry.  All your expenses will be handled by the MVP representative, so you will need only enough for souvenirs and restaurant meals.  We recommend the use of money belts or secure undergarment pouches.  If women carry purses, they should hold them in a secure manner to prevent snatch-and-run type thefts.  Pickpockets will have difficulty in removing your wallet if you wrap rubber bands around the wallet and put in a front zippered pocket. 

 

Additional “out of pocket” expenses may include immunizations, medications needed for participating on the team, passport costs, snacks, souvenirs, meals at airport, day off expenses and tips. 

                                          

 

 

 

 

 

PACKET INFORMATION

 

As an MVP team member you should receive the following packet from GBIM or your team leader:

 

1.      A team member’s handbook including travel guidelines, what to wear, what to bring, passport/document needs, trip cost, terms, deadlines, suggested immunizations, and mission rules and policies.  This packet also includes an MVP application form, a release form, and a Participant Information and Health History form.  These forms must be completed and returned with deposit.

 

2.      Travel Arrangements

A final packet will be sent to the team leader, approximately two weeks prior to trip date.  This packet will include e-ticket flight itinerary, t-shirts and hotel instructions, if needed, during travel.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

HONDURAS TRAVEL HINTS

 

1. The team leader will be managing the team members’ tickets, passports, and boarding passes.

 

2. Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure.
   1. Team members should get in line at airport immediately with tickets and passports.
   2. Keep carry-on bags separate; they will not be needed at check-in.
   3. Be sure your luggage has your name and address on it. 
   4. Remind airline agent to check your luggage all the way through to final destination; this way you will not have to claim it at stops along the way. Keep your luggage claim ticket available to claim your luggage at final destination.
   5. Be sure to wear your T-shirt.  This will help to identify team members at the airport.
   6. On the plane to Honduras the flight attendants will distribute two forms: (1) one will be a customs declaration form.  If you are traveling with family members, only one card will  need to be completed for each household.  Notice this form is in English and Spanish. (2) The second will be an individual/visitor form.  Each member will need to complete this form.  These are easy to complete, but there are a few areas on the individual tourist/visitor form you might question. 

                                                               I.      Purpose of visit should be listed as pleasure.

                                                             II.      You will be residing at

 “Private residence”:

El Barro

San Manuel, Cortes

                                                            III.      On the left side, Port of Embarkation.  This is where you boarded the plane for Honduras.  (e.g. Miami, Houston etc.)

                                                         IV.      Port of Disembarkation will be the city where you arrive (San Pedro Sula).

                                                           V.      Country of Departure—USA

                                                         VI.      Country of Destination—Honduras

 

On the plane back from Honduras it will be the opposite.  Port of Embarkment: San Pedro Sula.  Port of Disembarkation will be the city where you are going in the United States. Note:  The left side of this form is for where you are coming from.  The right side is where you are going.

 

** You will need this information   Please carry it with you on the Plane.

 

3. Upon your arrival in Honduras each team member will go through immigration one at a time.  Each team member will need to show his/her passport and turn in his/her tourist/visitor card.  Immigration will keep a copy of each tourist/visitor card and return one to team members along with their passport.  Be sure to keep this copy with your passport and don’t lose it.  It must be turned in to Honduran authorities upon departing from Honduras. 

 

4. After clearing immigration, you will go to the baggage room and claim your luggage. Allow ample time for all luggage to come in before determining luggage has not arrived.

a.      If all luggage has arrived you will go through customs lines, and you may be asked to open your luggage.

b.      Sometimes we are authorized to bypass inspection.   It is a good idea to assign one or two people to wait in one place with the carry-on bags while the rest of the group locates the checked bags.  Once all luggage is located, then the group can begin going through the customs/inspection line together.

c.      After all bags are inspected by customs, the skycaps will help you get your bags together and take them outside.  Before leaving the baggage room, all claim checks and matching stubs will have to be taken off luggage to verify that all luggage has arrived.

d.      If some of the luggage does not arrive, you will have to match claim tickets to luggage to determine which claim check is the missing luggage.  (This can be done by process of elimination).

e.      If missing luggage occurs, you must take the time to file a claim in customs. 

 

5. In Honduras we will review travel procedures for departure from Honduras and arrival back in the United States.

 

6. When leaving Honduras to return home, you will check your luggage to the final destination.

 

7. When returning back into the United States you will have to claim your luggage and carry it through customs. This will take place at the first airport you land at in the US. (e.g. Miami, Houston etc.)  Once you have cleared customs you will drop your luggage off at the airline luggage check station (usually immediately after you pass through customs). Remember to follow custom laws: no fruit, animals, etc. may be carried into the United States.

 

When traveling, the unexpected can happen.  Even though you have prayed for protection, do not “tempt God” by exposing yourself to unnecessary danger.  Listen to the leaders and take their suggestions.  Never wander off alone or without permission from a mission representative. 

 

If confronted by a superior force, use your head.  Do not fight, surrender valuables.  Remember, nothing is more important than human life. 

 

Team members would do well to keep the three-crisis rule in mind for all foreign travel and large group activities.  The rule is simply this:  Assume that three things will go wrong no matter how well you plan.  Be prepared for any contingencies that may be necessary.  Who knows what will happen?  Someone may become ill, the bus may break down, or the rooms at the hotel may have been given away.  When you begin with this attitude, you are preparing to be flexible as well as facing the fact that you cannot always be in control or trust in your strength.

 

Luggage

 

Two suitcases or duffel bags plus one carry-on are typically allowed.  One suitcase may need to carry supplies and materials for the mission trip.  Personal belongings may be limited to one suitcase and carry-on.  Each suitcase can weigh no more than 50 lbs and not larger than 62 linear inches.  A parachute bag from any army surplus store works well.  The carry-on can weigh no more than 40 lbs and not larger than 45 linear inches and should include one complete change of clothing in the event your luggage should become lost and any prescription medication.

 

Be sure to pack your razors, nail clippers/file, pocketknives or any other sharp object in your check-in luggage.  You are not allowed to carry any sharp objects in your carry-on luggage.

 

We recommend when traveling with large sums of cash, not to keep it in your backpack or in your purse.  Strap it discreetly to you, using money belts or a hidden pouch.  Do not be obvious with your money. 

 

 

MISSION WORK TEAMS

 

Kitchen/Dorm Work - Each team is responsible for bringing their kitchen/dorm worker.  If desired, this person may change from day to day.  However, the menu must stay as planned   because the grocery items will have already been purchased.  Sometimes substitutions may occur, as desired items may not be available in Honduras.  The menu is posted on the team house refrigerator for your reference.  Your team may bring its own food if desired.  Team kitchen/dorm workers are responsible to prepare the meals and for clean up.  Additional team members may assist with the clean up.  This person or persons is responsible to launder team members’ wet towels from showers and to keep the dining area clean.  This may be done while the remaining team members are in the field.  A team of two or three should be sufficient for these duties..

A kitchen handbook, including team menu, will be provided to each team leader.  The menu must be followed, because grocery items will have been purchased to support the menu.  Substitutions may occur depending on availability of grocery items in Honduras.

 

Construction/Carpentry - This team will work on several projects at our various church and field mission ministry locations.  Most of the supplies, tools, and materials you will need will be in the field.  However, you may bring along any small hand tools you wish to use (e.g., hammers, screwdrivers, gloves, measuring tapes, etc.).  The Mission Volunteers Program will occasionally request tools and supplies for teams to bring on the field.  This team requires skilled workers such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters, block layers, as well as supportive team members to assist work projects.

 

Vacation Bible School - Under the direction of the church-planting missionaries in the field, these teams will go into the public schools and teach Bible lessons.  This may be done through puppets, crafts, music, activity (face painting, soccer, etc), and snacks.  If possible it is best to have someone teach the lesson in Spanish and the music should be in Spanish.  You may purchase tapes in Spanish to assist you in teaching the lesson and singing the songs in Spanish.  If interpreters are needed, plan on hiring one or more upon arrival.  Refreshments can be purchased in Honduras.  The team should consist of adequate adult supervision as part of the team.  Usually 25% if the team should be adults.  Remember, anyone under the age of 18 must have a signed parental consent form.

 

Medical/Dental Work (For Medical Teams) - This team works with the church planters and under the direction of the church-planting missionaries.  The missionaries on the field will work with local pastors to determine the location for the team based on the needs of the churches and the Honduras people.  If you are on a medical/dental work team, you need to bring everything with you, such as medicine, blood pressure cuffs, stethoscopes, thermometers, tape measures, pens, etc.  Bring plenty of medicine, towels, hand soap, gloves, drinking cups, and other basic paper products you will need.  This team requires doctors, nurses, pharmacists, pastors, interpreters and workers.  Spanish skills are a plus.

 

Devotion/Sharing Time - All mission work teams need someone from the group to lead the team members in morning and evening devotions and music/praise choruses.  Team members share in leading the devotions.  Morning devotions have shorter praise time than evenings.  Our evening devotions allow time for reflecting and sharing of the day’s experiences, observations, and feelings.  If you have the ability to sing or play an instrument, please come prepared to play or sing for us during devotions and church services.  We have a guitar, CD player, and electric keyboard available in Honduras. 

 

CHURCH PLANTING AND FAITH HOME OPPORTUNITIES

 

Faith Home is owned and operated by General Baptist.  All supplies and support come from churches and are sent to Honduras by MVP teams.  All teams can expect to receive a supply list, needed for Faith Home, which the team can collect from church supporters and bring to Honduras as they travel.

 

You may be attending Honduran church services during your trip.  Anyone desiring to sing or play an instrument is encouraged to do so.  Come prepared with tapes.

 

Listed below are several Church Planting and Faith Home opportunities.  If your church would like to assist in any of these, please contact the MVP office.  These programs will be planned before leaving for your trip. 

 

Food Distribution - Church Planting works with local Hondurans, providing food to family members that are destitute, widows and orphans.  If your team would like to contribute to this program, please contact the MVP office.

 

Layette Program - This Church Planting program goes into the community to meet families who have new babies, three months old or younger, to witness and to pray with them and to hand out layettes to each mother for her child.  A baby layette includes a sleeper, one nice outfit for church, an everyday outfit, one pair baby shoes/booties, three cloth diapers, one set diaper pins, one small and one large baby bottle, one toy (rattle, etc.), lotions, powders, shampoos, towel, washcloths, bib, three tee shirts, and one receiving blanket.

 

These are items that your home church can send with you.  Always get the members of your church involved in your mission trip.  You represent the church members.  These items fit nicely into plastic grocery bags.  Please label your layette item for boy/girl.  Plan to bring a minimum of four layettes with half for boys and half for girls. 

 

Hygiene Pack - These packs are needed in church planting and at Faith Home.  Items include one toothbrush, toothpaste, one ladies’ hair ornament or scrunchy in half of all the bags.

 

School Packs - Please contact the MVP office for a list of these items for Faith Home or Church Planting.

 

If you or your team is bringing hygiene or school packs, the packs should be clearly marked as to which ministry they are to be used: Church Plant or Faith Home.  If you or your church plans to donate additional items for Faith Home, the children, or the missionaries, please check with the MVP office to receive a list of needed items and correct sizes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLIMATE/DRESS PERSONAL ITEMS NEEDED

 

1. HOT and HUMID!  The climate is tropical, around 100 degrees during the summer months; 80-95 degrees during the winter months.  Keep this in mind while packing clothing.  Occasionally a light jacket may be needed in January and February.

 

2. Conservative, casual attire is recommended for both men and women.  Pack comfortable, durable shoes that will protect your feet well.  Assume they will get dirty.

 

1. Ladies: Lightweight cotton skirts, jumpers, or casual dresses.  Pants and knee-length shorts are not allowed in worship areas, but are OK for shopping and at team house facilities.  Please, no halter-type dresses or tops or shorts above the knees.  When leaving the team house facility on an MVP project, pants are required, (except special circumstances).  
2. Men: Casual slacks; jeans, short-sleeve or t-shirts are acceptable.  Any clothing resembling the military is not allowed.  Knee-length shorts are not acceptable at worship services but are OK for shopping or at team house facilities.  No shorts above the knees at any time during your trip.  When leaving the team house on an MVP project, pants are required (except special circumstances). 
3. Do not wear your best clothing for the entire trip, they may get soiled. 
4. Bring enough clothing for the entire trip.  Personal laundry is not allowed, as laundry facilities are available but are for laundering team towels, washcloths, and bed linen only.

 

3. The following items will be needed and/or are recommended for your trip:

 

·        Airline ticket, passport, photo ID, such as drivers license, blood type

·        Bible and prepared devotions

·        Notebook or journal and pens and pencils

·        Work clothes (see above), including cotton work gloves

·        Nicer clothes for worship services

·        Sneakers, tennis shoes, work shoes, etc., comfortable for working and walking

·        Shorts

·        Caps or hats

·        Suntan lotion/sunscreen

·        Insect repellent such as “Deep Woods”, “Off”/”Skintastics”, etc., and ant/roach spray of some type (should contain Deet)

·        Sleep wear and slippers or shower shoes

·        Toilet articles: toothbrushes, shampoo, deodorant, antiseptic baby wipes, soap, etc.

·        Cameras, extra film, and batteries

·        Sunglasses

·        Flashlight and extra batteries

·        Drinking bottle (with your name on it) (plastic, insulated sports bottle) used at work site

·        Snacks and gum, if desired

·        All items needed for your area of work.  VBS sermons, Bible studies, craft items for ladies Bible study and VBS

·        Any medications you require (Malaria, Prophylaxis, Chloroquine, may be recommended)

 

 

MVP RULES/POLICIES

 

1. No alcohol or tobacco of any type throughout the entire trip. 
2. Dress modestly.  No shorts above the knee at any time!
3. Do not give personal gifts or tokens of appreciation, money, etc., to any of the Honduran people.  All giving is done through structured programs and not on an individual basis.  We will elaborate on this during infield orientation and explain when and where gifts will be distributed through such programs as out Faith Home Child Sponsorship and Church Planting programs.
4. Keep valuables secured in your room and do not leave cameras and other valuables lying around the work sites.
5. Do not invite Honduran acquaintances or friends into the mission house at any time, and please do not invite them to participate in any of our team private activities.  Medical team members are not to invite Hondurans to motel or ask them to eat with the team or participate in any of the team private activities.
6. No one is to leave Faith Home property without the permission of the team leader and\or the MVP personnel.
7. No men allowed in females’ rooms; no females allowed in males’ rooms.
8. Observe “light out” at 10:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m., and be considerate of others who may wish to sleep.
9. There are no phones at Faith Home except for cell phones, and these are to be used for emergencies only.
10. Everyone is expected to be present for all devotions, meals, and scheduled activities, unless otherwise excused by his/her team leader.  Valid excuses include illness and related problems.
11. Everyone is to make their own bed daily and pick up items off the floor so it can be swept. 
12. Do not drink the water from spigots/faucets.  GBIM will provide safe drinking water. 
13. Do NOT give your address or phone number to any Hondurans.  If you desire to correspond with someone, it must be done through the main office of GBIM. 
14. No food, drinks, or snacks in sleeping rooms at any time.  Keep all food in kitchen or dining hall. 
15. No headsets during work or scheduled activity times.  No secular music at any time. We prefer that the use of cassette players be limited to presenting music during services, and to be used to enhance worship and devotions.
16. No food preparations between meals.  Everyone will eat what is prepared.  NO foods for “picky eaters”.  Special consideration can be made for those on physician-directed food plans/diets.  Help yourself to snacks in the evenings but clean up after eating.
17. Report all illness, diarrhea, accidents, etc., to mission representatives.
18. No schedule changes/switches (kitchen, devotions) without team leader’s authorization.
19. Keep personal items in your dorm rooms.  Please do not clutter tables and furniture with clothing, books, cameras, etc.  Also, due to crowded dorm space, we ask that you keep your things in your suitcases or under your bed when not in use.
20. Air conditioning may be run at night only.  All A/C should be turned off during the day.
21. QUIET PLEASE, especially in the evenings.
22. Do not remove dining chairs or any furniture from inside the house.
23. No one permitted in the kitchen except crew of the day.
24. No sleeping in living room.  Sleep in dorm rooms only.  Feet off the furniture please!
25. Modest conduct please; couples that are dating each other must conduct themselves in a Christian manner, being concerned about excessive partnering.
26. Please do not sit on living room furniture in soiled work clothes.  Shower first.
27. Please do not leave anything outside in the yard at night. It won’t be there in the morning.   

 

COVENANT

 

Please sign and return to General Baptist International Missions,

100 Stinson Drive, Poplar Bluff, MO  63901 with your MVP deposit 110 days before departure).

 

I hereby agree to abide by all the rules, recognizing that my participation in this mission trip is my covenant with GBIM to respect and abide by its policies at all times throughout the mission.

 

 

 

SIGNED_____________________________________________DATE_____________