Outpost Panama Preparing to Come

Outpost Panama Preparing to Come

CONGRATULATIONS! You have been selected to join the YWAM Ships Outpost Panama Team! In the pages of this Preparing to Come Pack, you will find tools and information essential to your preparation. Please read through this information carefully. www.ywamships.net

CONTENTS Preparation Checklist 4 Arrival and Departure....5 Payment Information.6 Health Insurance 7 Visa..8 Community Guidelines.9 Helpful Information..11 YWAM Values..12 Packing List..16

PREPARATION CHECKLIST The following checklist is designed to assist you as you prepare: Apply for Panama Visa if Needed Book Flights Purchase Travel Insurance Seek advice from your doctor or travel medicine specialist with respect to: immunisations, anti-malarial medication, and sea-sickness medication. Application Fee of $75 USD Full Tuition of $2995 USD Items to be Emailed to YWAM Ships Outpost Panama: Flight Itinerary Travel Insurance 4

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE We ask that all students arrive on the official arrival day. This day is when Registration occurs, and Orientation starts the following morning at 8 am. Please communicate with your school leader your arrival time. If for any reason you believe you need to arrive on a different day than Arrival Day, you will need to discuss that with your school leader. Arrival Day: Thursday October 1st, 2015 Departure Day: Saturday March 12, 2016 On arrival day transportation from Bocas del Torro airport (BOC) will be provided starting from 8:00am and going till 11:00pm nonstop. There will be people with University of the Nations or YWAM signs at the airport directing you where to go once you have your luggage. For question please email holly.schmidt@ywamships.net 5

PAYMENT INFORMATION For payment instructions go to: www.ywamships.net/donate You can pay using your Visa, MasterCard, American Express, US check, US money order, or a wire transfer. For questions, you can contact the YWAM Ships Kona finance office: accounting@ywamships.net Please Note: When paying by wire transfer please add US $35 for bank fees. Any fees incurred from receiving student fees to YWAM Ships Kona will be passed on to the student. PAYMENT SCHEDULE $75 USD Application Fee: Due Upon Submission of Application Full Lecture Phase Fees: Due Prior to or Upon Arrival at Registration $2500 USD Outreach Fee Deposit: Due Week 4 of Lecture Phase Remaining Outreach Fees: Due Week 8 of Lecture Phase * Unable to give exact outreach costs until plane tickets have been booked. REFUND POLICY Application Fee: Non-refundable 6 All student fees: Prior to Arrival During 1st week of classes During 2nd week of classes During 3rd week of classes During 4th week of classes During 5th week of classes Beyond 5th week of classes 100% 95% 85% 70% 60% 50% 0%

HEALTH INSURANCE All students attending schools at YWAM Outpost Panama, and family members accompanying them, are required to have health insurance. You are required to provide proof of insurance at registration. If you arrive without insurance, you will be required to purchase some as part of the registration process. Travel/medical insurance will be provided in your outreach fees for the time you will be outside of Panama through Talent Trust. Please research international health insurance and travel insurance companies. Choose a plan that best fits your needs and budget. YWAM Ships Outpost Panama does not recommend or endorse any one company, in the past students have used www.talent-trust.com however we recommend you do your own research and choose your own plan. Please show us your verification/certificate of insurance or a copy of it on arrival day. You can also send a copy in advance to holly.schmidt@ywamships.net 7

VISA INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Applying for a Visa can be a lengthy process depending upon the nation from where you will be coming. A student from a developing nation should leave 3-6 months for the visa application process. Other nationalities can take 1-3 months for the process depending upon Embassy processing times. For more information click here: http://www.embassyofpanama.org/inmigration-and-visas/ Please consider your plans carefully, prior to coming to Panama, so that you may choose the correct Visa. YWAM Ships Kona will not be liable for any airfares canceled/missed due to visa denial or cancellation. Contact: traineevisa@ywamships.net 8

COMMUNITY GUIDELINES WHOLE-HEARTED PARTICIPATION Please come to all campus and school events prayed up and with an attitude of faith, fully expecting that God will show up! Your personal attendance, punctuality and full attention at all campus and school events are very important. DRESS GUIDELINES Panama is known for its casual atmosphere and warm climate. God calls us to a lifestyle of purity within our hearts and in the way we outwardly live our lives. Let s together go the extra mile to make sure we present ourselves with modesty and in a loving way regardless of our cultural grids by taking the more conservative road to keep from offending not only those from other cultures and backgrounds but also to represent ourselves, YWAM Ships and the Lord in an honoring way. The areas to be mindful of as you join our international family here in Panama are things like the length and tightness of your clothing, be sensitive to the different cultures in what you wear ensuring that your body is appropriately covered regardless of whether you are in a group, publicly representing the mission or simply hanging out with friends. These are not only YWAM values but we believe it is on the heart of God for us to live our life pleasing to Him, loving and preferring others and loving ourselves. RELATIONSHIPS & MORAL PURITY We believe in marriage and want to be a community that supports the development of healthy relationships. What better place for two people who love God and are called to missions to find each other?! However, the development of any relationship whether romance or friendship should not divert an individual from growth or separate people from the community. All relationships should be built on openness, inclusion, integrity and purity. For the sake of respecting each other s private space, cultural sensitivity, and so that our good is not evil spoken of, we ask that single men do not enter single women s rooms and vice versa. Jesus called us to refuse to allow any form of immorality in our midst (Revelation 2:18-29). Immorality is any sexual activity that is outside the marriage covenant, whether heterosexual or homosexual (Romans 1:18-27) and whether physical, verbal or technological (Internet), etc. If you find yourself struggling in any of these areas, please confide in your school, department or ministry leader, or another godly leader on campus that you respect so that he/she can help create a process of support and accountability for you. Our commitment to purity is strengthened when we have solidarity as a spiritual family in our unified stand for holiness. 9

ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS: SMOKING, DRUGS, ETC. All YWAM Ships students should be addiction-free and refrain from engaging in any behavior that is illegal, harmful to their bodies, or damaging to the discipleship process of others. If you find yourself struggling in any of these areas, again, please confide in your school, department or ministry leader, or another godly leader on campus so that he/she can help create a process of support and accountability for you. Smoking, consumption of alcohol and all illegal drugs are prohibited at Outpost Panama. ALCOHOL In the Bible, there are some standards for conduct that are absolute. Refraining from being drunk is one of those absolutes. However, the drinking of alcohol in moderation is not so clear-cut. Jesus turned the water into wine, not grape juice but God also commanded John the Baptist not to drink wine. Romans 14 addresses areas of cultural sins that are relative to the values we received through our families, cultures, denominations, etc. We want to appeal to you to take the most conservative view regarding alcohol, in order not to stumble or to cause others to stumble. Whatever your personal convictions and we do not judge those we request that there be no drinking of alcohol in any YWAM facility or at any YWAM school, department or ministry event, whether on or off campus. Please do not encourage anyone from a non-drinking background to take even one drink. You may not know their family history regarding alcoholism or what it could cost them within their cultural or denominational background. Rather, do everything possible to help everyone succeed in their walk with God and enter into their full spiritual inheritance. NOTE: All DTS students are not to drink alcohol during the entire length of their school & outreach. 10

HELPFUL INFORMATION BAGGAGE Please check with your airline for limitations before you pack. Bring only essential items because there are limitations to storage/space. CLIMATE Bocas del Torro is generally a humid island. Evening temperatures year-round range from 65-82 F (18 27 C). Daytime temperatures are higher. HOUSING YWAM Outpost Panama housing is dormitory style. All single students are housed in rooms with 4 people. Families and Married Couples are given their own room. COMPUTER We encourage you to bring a laptop or other wireless device. The responsibility for the security of personal items is yours, so please be prepared to be prudent with all personal items of value. COOKING AND EATING Three meals are provided daily- you may want to budget for snacks and personal items. SCHEDULE Mondays through Fridays are focused on schooling, work duties, and other school activities. Weekends are generally free with the exception of projects that may be assigned by your school. OFF CAMPUS HOUSING Only second level school students may live off campus. The student must declare their intention no later than a month prior to Arrival Day. PASSPORT Make sure you have a valid passport for at least 12 months from the time you arrive. Please bring your passports with you. OTHER INFORMATION Please contact your school leaders for any helpful information pertaining directly t o t h e p r o g r a m y o u a n d / o r y o u f a m i l y a r e e n r o l l e d i n : holly.schmidt@ywamships.net We pray your preparations in coming here are blessed and that God leads and protects you as you look at joining our familia (family) here in Panama. 11

FOUNDATIONAL VALUES OF YWAM Youth With A Mission (YWAM) affirms the Bible as the authoritative word of God and, with the Holy Sprit s inspiration, the absolute reference point for every aspect of life and ministry. Based upon God s word, who He is, and His initiative of salvation, the following responses are strongly emphasized in YWAM: Worship: We are called to praise and worship God alone Holiness: We are called to lead holy and righteous lives that exemplify the nature and character of God Witness: We are called to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with those who do not know Him Prayer: We are called to engage in intercessory prayer for the people and causes on God's heart, including standing against evil in every form. Fellowship: We are called to commit to the Church in both its local nurturing expression and its mobile multiplying expression. The Foundational Values of Youth With A Mission are the expression of our basic beliefs, coupled with specific directives given by God since YWAM's beginning in 1960. They are recorded here in order to pass on to successive generations that which God has emphasized to us. These shared beliefs and values are the guiding principles for both the past and future growth of our Mission. Some are common to all Christians everywhere; others are distinctive to Youth With A Mission. The combination of these beliefs and values make up the unique family characteristics of YWAM--our "DNA." They are values we hold in high regard which determine who we are, how we live and how we make decisions. 12 1. KNOW GOD YWAM is committed to know God, His nature, His character and His ways. We seek to reflect who He is in every aspect of our lives and ministry. The automatic overflow of knowing and enjoying fellowship with God is a desire to share Him with others.

2. MAKE GOD KNOWN YWAM is called to make God known throughout the whole world, and into every arena of society through evangelism, training and mercy ministries. We believe that salvation of souls should result in transformation of societies thus obeying Jesus' command to make disciples of all nations. 3. HEAR GOD'S VOICE YWAM is committed to creating with God through listening to Him, praying His prayers and obeying His commands in matters great and small. We are dependent upon hearing His voice as individuals, together in team contexts and in larger corporate gatherings, as an integral part of our process for decision making. 4. PRACTICE WORSHIP AND INTERCESSORY PRAYER YWAM is dedicated to worship Jesus and engage in intercessory prayer as integral aspects of daily life. We also recognize the intent of Satan to destroy the work of God and we call upon God s power and the Holy Spirit to overcome his strategies in the lives of individuals and in the affairs of nations. 5. BE VISIONARY YWAM is called to be visionary, continually receiving, nurturing and releasing fresh vision from God. We support the pioneering of new ministries and methods, always willing to be radical in order to be relevant to every generation, people group, and sphere of society. We believe that the apostolic call of YWAM requires the integration of spiritual eldership, freedom in the Spirit and relationship, centered on the Word of God. 6. CHAMPION YOUNG PEOPLE YWAM is called to champion youth. We believe God has gifted and called young people to spearhead vision and ministry. We are committed to value, trust, train, support, make space and release them. They are not only the Church of the future; they are the Church of today. We commit to follow where they lead, in the will of God. 7. BE BROAD-STRUCTURED AND DECENTRALIZED YWAM is broad-structured and diverse, yet integrated. We are a global family of ministries held together by shared purpose, vision, values and relationship. We believe that structures should serve the people and the purposes of God. Every ministry at every level has the privilege and responsibility of accountability to a circle of elders, with overall international accountability to the YWAM Global Leadership Team. 8. BE INTERNATIONAL AND INTERDENOMINATIONAL YWAM is international and interdenominational in its global scope as well as its local constituency. We believe that ethnic, linguistic and denominational diversity, along with redeemed aspects of culture, are positive factors that contribute to the health and growth of the Mission. 13

9. HAVE A BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW YWAM is called to a Biblical worldview. We believe that the Bible makes a clear division between good and evil; right and wrong. The practical dimensions of life are no less spiritual than the ministry expressions. Everything done in obedience to God is spiritual. We seek to honor God with all that we do, equipping and mobilizing men and women of God to take roles of service and influence in every arena of society. 10. FUNCTION IN TEAMS YWAM is called to function in teams in all aspects of ministry and leadership. We believe that a combination of complementary gifts, callings, perspectives, ministries and generations working together in unity at all levels of our Mission provides wisdom and safety. Seeking God's will and making decisions in a team context allows accountability and contributes to greater relationship, motivation, responsibility and ownership of the vision. 11. EXHIBIT SERVANT LEADERSHIP YWAM is called to servant leadership as a lifestyle, rather than a leadership hierarchy. A servant leader is one who honors the gifts and callings of those under his/her care and guards their rights and privileges. Just as Jesus served His disciples, we stress the importance of those with leadership responsibilities serving those whom they lead. 12. DO FIRST, THEN TEACH YWAM is committed to doing first, then teaching. We believe that firsthand experience gives authority to our words. Godly character and a call from God are more important than an individual s gifts, abilities and expertise. 13. BE RELATIONSHIP-ORIENTED YWAM is dedicated to being relationship-oriented in our living and working together. We desire to be united through lives of holiness, mutual support, transparency, humility, and open communication, rather than a dependence on structures or rules. 14. VALUE THE INDIVIDUAL YWAM is called to value each individual. We believe in equal opportunity and justice for all. Created in the image of God, people of all nationalities, ages and functions have distinctive contributions and callings. We are committed to honoring God-given leadership and ministry gifts in both men and women. 15. VALUE FAMILIES YWAM affirms the importance of families serving God together in missions, not just the father and/or mother. We encourage the development of strong and healthy family units, with each member sharing the call to missions and contributing their gifts in unique and complementary ways. 14

16. RELY ON RELATIONSHIP-BASED SUPPORT YWAM is called to a relationship-based support system, depending upon God and His people for financial provision, both corporately and individually. We believe that relationship-based support promotes responsibility, accountability, communication, and mutual prayer. It involves the donor as a partner in ministry. As God and others have been generous toward us, so we desire to be generous. YWAMers give themselves, their time and talents to God through the Mission with no expectation of remuneration. 17. PRACTICE HOSPITALITY YWAM affirms the ministry of hospitality as an expression of God's character and the value of people. We believe it is important to open our hearts, homes, campuses and bases to serve and honor one another, our guests and the poor and needy, not as acts of social protocol, but as expressions of generosity. NOTE: The three basic documents of Youth With A Mission are The Foundational Values of Youth With A Mission, The Manila Covenant and The Christian Magna Carta. (YWAM Foundational Values approved by the Global Leadership Team August 2003; released February 2004) 15

16 PACKING LIST Air-mattress Light Bedding / Pillow Mosquito net if needed (we have nets on the screens but still insects come in) Mosquito repellant with Deet or Smart Ecco Medications (diarrhea, ibuprofen, allergy relief, iodide, bandage...) First aid kit Vitamin and minerals supplements (Gatorade powder...) Tooth paste, antiperspirant, soap, shampoo, sunscreen... Microfiber towels Working gloves Water bottle Flash light Batteries Waterproof case for phone, laptop...(it might get wet) Snorkel equipment Instruments Quick dry shirts (recommended) Short pants Light long pants For women a mid length or long skirt Light weight clothing Rain coat/poncho One Piece Swim Suits / Board Shorts Sturdy shoes, water shoes, flip flops Rubber boots are helpful Passport / ID Health Insurance ID Bible, Pens, Journal, Note Book, etc. We highly recommend travelling with a Hiking Back Pack rather than a Rolling Suitcase.

75-5687 Alii Drive Kailua - Kona, Hawaii 96740 USA Phone : +1 (808) 757 9150 Fax : +1 (949) 271 4909 Email : registrar@ywamships.net Web : www.ywamships.net Version Date 07 / 27 / 2015