SM Mexico Mission Trip July 5-11, 2015 Who s going? We are taking middle and high school students and adults who have completed a criminal background check with Christ Fellowship. There are 25 spots available for this trip. Therefore, the first 20 participants who turn in both their registration packet and the $125 deposit will be guaranteed a spot. We will start a waiting list for those who turn in their registration packet after the spots have been taken. They will have priority if we are able to gain more spots on the trip or if someone cancels. Our Purpose God has commanded us to Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Out of obedience we are to share the love of Jesus Christ around the worlds. We are going to Tecate, Mexico to share the love of Jesus Christ through providing the physical need of a house and loving their children in a Children s Bible School. Our Partners Mission Discovery was founded by Maury Buchanan in 1991. After many years with Youth For Christ and as a youth minister, Maury led teams of students from his hometown of Nashville, Tennessee to places like the Dominican Republic, and Central America and saw the powerful change in their lives as a result to the trips. It was like a greenhouse for spiritual growth. Having been influenced in his early life by speakers like Tony Campolo, John Perkins and Millard Fuller, Maury felt the call to begin Mission Discovery to serve the needs of the poor in Mexico. If you would like to know more about Mission Discovery, you can find them on the internet at www.missiondiscovery.com. How to Register Because we have limited space, the first 20 participants to complete the following steps will be guaranteed a spot on the trip. See the waiting list policy for more details. The due date is February 25, 2015. 1. Write testimony and answer the reflection questions in the Initial Sign-Up Packet 2. Fill out and sign the Parent Support Form 3. Turn in non-refundable $125 deposit What does the Mexico Trip Cost Due to last minute developments the cost of the trip is not exact right now. However, it will be in the ball park of $1350. Mission Trip Information Packet 1
Do I need a passport? All students and adults going on the Mexico Mission Trip MUST have a valid passport. We will not be accepting birth certificates. Passports must be valid 6 months beyond trip dates. Do I need shots? You must have a current tetanus shot. Tecate, MX Tecate is nestled between towering boulders and miles of scrub brush. This setting is home to many needy families but is often overlooked because of its size and location. Thousands come to Tecate with the hope of finding more opportunities in the US or near the border, but the average salary ranges from only $4-$5 a day, causing many diligent workers to live in abject poverty. These citizens need to see and feel the loving touch of Jesus in their lives. About the Camp Lodging will be at Camp Rancho la Paloma in Tecate, MX. The camp has dorm-style lodging with bunk beds, dining hall and meeting area. This is a rustic camp with no air conditioning. Your church will be housed with other churches. Breakfast and dinner are served at the camp. Purified water is always available for drinking. The camp has a variety of outdoor activities including a swimming pool. Travel Information One suitcase per student and one carry on. The suitcase must be 49lbs or less. If your suitcase is over you must pay the difference. It is suggested that you carry a change of clothes in your carry-on in the event your luggage is lost or delayed. A detailed packing list will be given out at a later training meeting. Cell Phones and Electronics Students are not allowed to bring cell phones and or electronics. Leaders will have cell phones available in emergency situations only. Insurance Each person is responsible for his or her own medical insurance and understands and agrees that Mission Discovery will in no way be held responsible for any sickness, injury or loss. Emergency Numbers Brittany Priess 469-667-5489 Mission Discovery Office- 800-767-8720 (If you cannot reach Brittany, call Mission Discovery and one of the staff will forward you to the Mexico emergency cell phone. Mission Trip Information Packet 2
After regular hours, listen to the message for dialing the appropriate extension that will forward your call directly to a Mission Discovery staff person.) Questions? If you have any questions please feel free to get in touch with us through phone or e-mail. Jon Ewton Pastor of Student Ministries jewton@christfellowshiphome.com 972-547-7006 Brittany Priess Student Ministries Administrative Assistant bpriess@christfellowshiphome.com 972-547-7039 Mission Trip Information Packet 3
Parent Support Form I understand that my child needs to turn in his/her Initial Sign-up Packet by February 25, 2015. This packet includes this form, personal testimony, reflection questions, and a $125 non-refundable deposit that will be applied toward the cost of the trip. I understand that my child needs to turn in a completed Mission Discovery packet, along with their passport by April 16, 2015. If my child fails to turn in a completed packet, he/she will be placed on the wait list. I understand that the cost of the trip is $1350. This includes the $125 nonrefundable deposit. This money may be raised through support letters and any other fund-raising opportunity. If the money is not raised by the due dates, I will be responsible for the amount due. If my child can no longer participate in the trip for any reason, it is my responsibility as the parent to inform Jon through e-mail or a phone call immediately. It will then be your responsibility to reimburse Christ Fellowship for all monies that have been paid for your student to Mission Discovery that exceed the support money that your student has raised. Please contact Lynde Griggs if you have any questions concerning this. Further, it will be your student s responsibility to personally contact all people who have supported them and explain why they will not be going on the trip. If upon notification a supporter requests a refund of the amount they supplied, you and the student are responsible for the amount due to the supporter as missions are chartible donations and non-refundable. I understand that if my child is in a situation that demands disciplinary action (as decided by the leadership team) that results in him/her being sent home early, this will be done at the parent s expense. Importance of Preparation Meetings The preparation meetings are mandatory. These meetings begin the teambuilding process that becomes a critical part of the mission. The meetings will prepare your child to get the most out of the mission experience. We will focus on team building, serving one another, sharing our faith, and ministering in another culture. I understand the importance of the preparation meetings and how they will prepare my child for ministry. I will do my best to see that my child attends these meetings. Missed preparation meetings may result in my child not attending the trip. Mission Trip Information Packet 4
Turning in Support Money I understand that the money raised through support letters should be addressed to Christ Fellowship and may be turned in at any time before the deadlines. All money needs to be enclosed in an envelope with my child s name on the outside. All checks need to be made out to Christ Fellowship with TECATE Mission and my child s name on the memo lines. I have read and agree with all the above statements. Please have the support directed to Jon Ewton. Signature Date My child s name is The Promise In order to focus on the purpose of this mission trip and to make sure I don t distract others from their focus, I promise not to develop any relationships with the opposite sex. If I have a boyfriend/girlfriend who is going on the trip with me, I promise to act as if we are not boyfriend/girlfriend until we return to Christ Fellowship. Signature Date Mission Trip Information Packet 5
Passport Information All Students must have a valid U.S. Passport Any student and adult leader is required to have a valid passport to participate in the Tecate mission trip. If your student does not already have a passport one must be obtained and received by Jon by April 16, 2015. Collin County District Clerk 2100 Bloomdale Rd. McKinney, TX 75071 Handicapped Accessible Passport photos available at this location No passport photos available at a nearby location McKinney Post Office 550 N. Central Expressway McKinney, TX 75069-9998 Handicapped Accessible Passport photos available at this location Passport photos available at a nearby location Please refer to travelstate.gov for passport information. Mission Trip Information Packet 6
How to Write Your Testimony There should be four sections to your testimony. Each one is listed below and given a brief explanation. Please use this format when you write your testimony. When you are finished, a non-christian should be able to read your paper and understand what the gospel is and how to become a Christian. Life before I became a Christian. Briefly describe what your life was like before you became a Christian (things you did, things you thought, habits you had, etc.). How I became a Christian (including the gospel). Describe how you became a Christian. Who shared with you? What did they say? etc. As you tell your story, you can include statements that explain the gospel so that whomever you are talking with will be able to understand the gospel better. For example, My mom explained to me that I needed to have my sins forgiven, and the only way that could happen is by believing that Jesus died on the cross as payment for my sins. Life after I became a Christian. How is your life different now? In what ways has your life changed? How have you grown since you have accepted Christ? Invitation. Use Bible verses to explain the gospel and write a question asking if they want to accept Jesus into their lives as their Savior. Write your testimony on the back of this page or print on a separate page and attach. TURN IN COMPLETE PACKETS ONLY Mission Trip Information Packet 7