Jarabacoa, Dominican Republic: June 9 - 17
Dates: June 9, 2008 through June 17, 2008
Cost: $985. Cost includes air and ground travel, meals, and lodging. This cost is subject to change based on airfares, but it is my sincere desire to keep the cost below $1000. I will do my best to make that happen.
If you do not already have a valid passport you will need to apply for one immediately. Passport application can cost up to $130. See “What documents will I need” section below for more details.
Additional funds will be needed for spending money and souvenirs if desired.
Transportation:
We’ll travel by bus from JCS to Detroit Metro Airport and fly from there to Miami, FL., and then on to the Dominican Republic. (Flight layover cities are subject to change. More flight details will be provided once the team has assembled.)
Adult / Student Ratio:
There will be a minimum of 1 adult for every 7 students.
Food & Lodging:
Our week will be spent at the YWAM base in Jarabacoa. We will have our meals prepared for us by the YWAM staff. (Take a virtual tour of the facility at http://www.ywamdr.org/pages/TourofJarabacoa)
What will we do:
1. Build relationships: Above everything else, we want to build relationships with people. This takes priority over all of our other goals because we recognize the eternal nature of relationship. Each night we’ll have time to hang out with local kids who come to play basketball at the base. We may also have the opportunity to do some VBS style activities with kids.
2. Be Christ: This involves an incarnational view of Christian missions. We will be extensions of the incarnation to those we encounter – we have God’s Spirit in us and we want to be Christ’s hands and feet for the world. Sharing Christ in this manner requires an active personal relationship with Christ. We can’t share what we don’t have.
3. Work: We will not be touring the Caribbean. We will work and work hard. Each participant will be expected to do their share as we assist YWAM with various development projects in and around their base.
4. Have fun: It is unavoidable to have fun on trips like these. Though it may not manifest itself in specific activities on our schedule, fun will be present. If you don’t like to have fun you may be disappointed. Fun takes many forms on these mission adventures, often in spontaneous and unpredictable ways.
How do I pay for the trip?
You will be responsible for all of your trip expenses. Support may be raised through support letters sent out by each participant. All gifts toward this trip will be tax deductible. A sample fund raising letter is available and should be modified to reflect your personality. Support checks or payments should be made out to Jackson Christian School with “DR Mission” in the memo line. You will also want supporters to include a note with your name on it so we know to apply the funds to your account.
In addition to the $110 deposit, seven payments (or raised funds) of $125 each will be needed by the following dates.
· Monday, November 5, 2007
· Monday, December 3, 2007
· Monday, January 7, 2008
· Monday, February 4, 2008
· Monday, March 3, 2008
· Monday, April 7, 2008
· Monday, May 5, 2008
What documents will I need?
Passports are required for travel anywhere outside the U.S. Applications for passports are available at the Post Office, or online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html
A guide for first time passport applicants is available at http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html
Passport application fee: $97
Once your application is filled out you will need two passport photos and a certified copy of your birth certificate.
Photographs for passports are an additional $15 if taken at the post office. They can be purchased elsewhere for around $8 (available at AAA, Walgreen’s, Kinko’s, Office Max, etc.) but you ought to know that the post office is sometimes picky about exactly how the photos look, they may send you back for re-takes before accepting your application.
Birth certificates are available from the county office in the county in which you were born. Fees for certificates vary but should be available for less than $15. The application along with birth certificate and photos can be taken to the post office for processing.
Passports usually take 60 days to process so if you do not have one, you’ll want to apply immediately. Expediting your passport application costs an additional $60.
What vaccinations do I need?
Health Information for Travelers is available on the Center for Disease Control website: www.cdc.gov (click on “travelers health”)
Please, consult your physician before proceeding with any immunizations.
No vaccinations are required to make the trip, however, because of the nature of the trip it is recommended that your Tetanus shot is up to date.
Who are we working with?
Mr. Neill will be the leader of this short-term missions trip. In an effort to make this a great experience, we have chosen to partner with two ministries, Global Outreach Development and Youth With A Mission (YWAM).
Global Outreach Development is a ministry based in Lansing, MI. that assists organizations in short-term missions experiences. Mr. Neill is a consultant for Global Outreach Development throughout the year. Global Outreach will handle all of our transportation arrangements, our travel insurance, and other administrative details.
Youth With A Mission is an international movement of Christians from many denominations dedicated to serving Jesus throughout the world. Also known as YWAM (pronounced "WYE-wam"), their calling is to know God and to make Him known. When they began in 1960, their main focus was to get youth into short-term mission work and to give them opportunities to reach out in Jesus' name. Today, they still focus on youth and also involve people of almost every age (even many people who choose to spend their "retirement" in active service). Their many ministries fit into three main categories: evangelism, training and mercy ministry. YWAM is currently operating in more than 1,000 locations in over 149 countries, with a staff of nearly 16,000.
Read more about YWAM at www.ywam.org
When is my application due?
JCS Mission Trip Applications (available from Mr. Neill) must be turned in to Mr. Neill by 2:45 pm on Wednesday October 10, 2007. A deposit of $100 is required with each application. There are a limited number of spaces available for this trip.
What are my responsibilities if I join the team?
When you decide to go on this trip you are joining a team. As on any other team, you have a role to play, and we see that as significant. You will need to agree to the following statement on the application before you are accepted as a team member.
MY COMMITMENT: I commit to be a member of the Royal Servants ’08 Team. I will submit necessary documents in a timely manner. I will participate in all team activities, including required meetings and fundraisers. I will pray regularly for the team members. And, I will be flexible. I hereby recognize that by failing to fulfill this commitment I will be subject to removal from the team.
Meeting Dates:
Parent / Student Information Meeting (not required)
Thursday, October 4, 2007 – 7:00 – 8:00 pm @ JCHS in Mr. Neill’s classroom
Required Team Meetings
Monday, November 19, 2007, 7:00–8:00 @ the Meade's.
Monday, December 17, 2007, 7:00–8:00 @ the Meade's.
Monday, January 28, 2008, 7:00–8:00 @ the Meade's.
Monday, February 25, 2008, 7:00–8:00 @ the Meade's.
Monday, March 17, 2008, 7:00–8:00 @ the Meade's.
Monday, April 14, 2008, 7:00–8:00 @ the Meade's.
Monday, May 12, 2008, 7:00–8:00 @ the Meade's.
