Information Sheet Dates....March 25-April 2, 2017 Cost.....$1700 (to be raised by individual team members) Ministry... Working with missionaries Steve and Kim Sobey and King s Castle Ministries doing street and school evangelism using drama, songs, and testimonies. Flight Information TBA Team Expectations turn in application & non-refundable $200 deposit to NXT (payable to Calvary Church) by Sun, Feb 12 attend (on time) all pre-trip team meetings (dates & times below) attend Wednesday and Sunday NXT services commit to particpate in summertime IDT 2017 take notes on all sermons and messages prepare your testimony spend time with God everyday express a heart for God during worship fast solid food on Wednesdays starting in February fast media including TV, ipod, movies, ichat/aim, Facebook, Snapchat, IG, Twitter, etc., for the month of February strive to be more like Christ comply with all additional requirements pay fees prior to departure ($200 by Feb 12; $750 by Feb. 26, $750 by Mar. 19) US passport (turned into NXT by Mar. 5, please allow at least 6 weeks for processing with US gov t) General Information (see also www.kingscastle.org) Climate: Two seasons - rainy season from May to mid-november and dry season from mid-november to April. The temperature varies between hot and hotter. Language: Spanish. Many of the national team with whom North Americans will be working speak some English. However, all ministry is conducted in Spanish, but students will be involved in drama, mime, prayer and other activities that don t require a knowledge of the language. A translator will be provided. Ministry: The nationals will plan the ministry sites for each day to coordinate with King s Castle cooperating churches so the children, teens and adults who respond can be properly followed up on. They hold street crusades and school assemblies, utilizing songs w/ movements, dramas and comical skits. We ll visit 4-6 sites each day.
Preparation: Students will be expected to attend team training meetings. Regular attendance at these meetings and all NXT services will be expected. Specific preparation for team members will be outlined further at these meetings. Sun Jan 29 from 2:00pm - 2:30pm (parents encouraged, but not required to attend) Sun Feb. 12 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm Sun Feb. 19 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm Sun Feb. 26 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm Sun Mar. 5 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm Sun Mar. 12 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm Sun Mar. 19 from 2:00pm - 5:00pm Sat Mar 25 (time TBA) Fund-raising: Support letters (see attached example) can be sent out to friends and family members of students and all funds sent to Calvary Church are tax deductible (their own record of the donation should be kept for tax deduction purposes). Checks should be made out to Calvary Church, and the memo line should include student s full name & Nicaragua 2017. Please mail checks to: NicaraguaTrip/High School, Calvary Church, 9s200 State Route 59, Naperville, IL 60564. Dress: The culture of Central America is more conservative than that in many churches in North America. Shorts are generally not accepted except as athletic attire, at the beach, or as pajamas. Earrings and extreme hair styles on men are not acceptable in Central America. Men do not wear their hair to their shoulders. DO NOT BRING EXPENSIVE OR SENTIMENTAL JEWELRY OR EXPENSIVE WATCHES. Body piercing is not acceptable in this culture for Christians of either gender. Men On A Ministry Team: Wear nice blue jeans or casual pants. No tears or patches, please, and ministry T-shirts. Modest shorts may be worn at camp or at the beach. Ladies On A Ministry Team: Long, full skirts and ministry T-shirts. Bike shorts are recommended under the ladies skirts for modesty during the active mimes and dramas. Do not bring dresses since they will be too hot with T-shirts over them. Slacks, jeans, and knee-length shorts may be worn at camp or at the beach. Spending money: Students may opt to bring money to spend on souvenirs or an occasional Coke. Somewhere around $50.00 is appropriate, no traveler s checks. Please do not bring more than $150.00 cash. Anything over a $20 bill will not be accepted. Cordoba is the currency of Nicaragua, but dollars are accepted ($1 US Dollar = C$29.39 Cordobas). Passports: While in country, passports will be safely locked away until departure. Students will be provided a copy of their passport to carry and one copy will be kept here at the church. Please turn your passports into the NXT High School Youth Department by Sunday, March 5th. Luggage: Students are allowed one piece of luggage and one carry-on item (this must include their pillow and sleeping bag). Please adhere to the airlines luggage weight requirements (available online). Departure from the church: Students will be expected to meet promptly at the church on Saturday, March 25th (time will be told at a later date). School Absences: While each school will be different, most have a clear protocol for extended absences. Students should check as soon as possible with the administration of their school to see what forms and procedures they need to be excused from classes. In most cases, homework and assignments can be completed before leaving for Nicaragua. In case of emergency: Contact the NXT High School Department at (630) 585-3296 or the church at (630) 851-7000. They will be notified of our location and activity in El Salvador and will be able to reach us most effectively.
What To Bring: Passport (turned into NXT no later than Sunday, March 5) One lightly packed suitcase (bring to the church on Saturday, March 25) Sleeping bag with small pillow that can pack up neatly (packed in suitcase) A small bible, notebook & something to write with. Water Bottle w/ lid Ear plugs (suggested so that roosters/snorers don t bother you!) Sunglasses Sunblock Motion-Sickness Medicine, Immodium AD, Allergy Medicine, and prescription meds as needed Bug Spray, Mosquito netting Wet Wipes Soap Roll of Toilet Paper Gum/Mints Small container of powdered Gatorade. Toiletries for 9 days (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothpaste/brush, etc) Towels/wash clothes Clothes for 7 days of ministry (guys in jeans/khakis, ladies in skirts - all with (2) team t-shirts). Clothes for 2 travel days, training day & free day (please be modest). Jacket/Coat/Rain Coat (see climate details & check the weather forecast!) Under Garments. Good tennis shoes. Sandals are cooler, but are uncomfortable/unsanitary on long walks, difficult terrain or gravel. A modest swimsuit (one pieces) & a cover-up to/from the lake/beach. Anything you bring down can be left to bless the ministry (sleeping bags and clothes in particular). Cash for souvenirs (as budget allows). Traveler s Checks NOT accepted. Currency is Cordobas, but US Dollars accepted. (please pack in your backpack/carry-on) A backpack for carry-on - be sure to comply with the carry-on restrictions in place by the US Government & Continental Airlines).
Example Support Letter Dear Friend, I am so excited about this coming March! I have the chance of a lifetime and I wanted to tell you about it. While many of my friends will be spending their spring break with friends and family, I will be traveling with a team of students and adults from my church to Nicaragua, Central America. I have the opportunity to reach out to young people and families in this small country with the love of God! Our team will be working with a ministry there called King s Castle. Castillo del Rey (as it is known in Nicaragua) has made an incredible impact on the country. We will be working alongside Nicaraguans from Castillo del Rey that are a part of that ministry s feeding, education, and outreach programs all over the country. What an opportunity for me to go to share the hope and love of Jesus in this time of intense need! I m asking for your prayers and help in getting to Nicaragua. The entire trip will cost me $1,700.00, so I m sure you can understand why I might need help. I am asking you to pray about giving in support of this trip. Please know that this is not a test of our friendship, but it s because you are my friend I feel that I can ask you and not worry that you ll be offended. Whatever you can do would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, too, for reading this appeal letter. I know you probably get lots of them, but writing them is something I m not used to yet! I m looking forward to this trip as a life-changing experience for me, so I m glad that you can be a part of it through your support and prayers! Love, P.S. You can make any checks out to Calvary Church. In the Memo Line please put: my first/last name & Nicaragua 2017 Please mail it to: Nicaragua/NXT Calvary Church 9S200 Rt. 59
Making Jesus famous to the Next Generation, because ALL the Children need to know Jesus. Personal Information Legal Name: Nickname: Street Address: City: State: Zip: Home Phone: ( ) Student Cell Phone: ( ) Birth date: / / Age: Male/Female: School: Frosh Soph Junior Senior Your Email: Mom s Email Dad s Email: Parent/Legal Guardian Names: Do you have passport (good through the end of April 2017)? yes / no If yes, please attach 1 photocopy of your passport with this application. If no, on what date did you apply for one? Processing time is generally 6 weeks; please attach a copy of your passport application & photos. King s Castle would like to know if you have any special talents related to, but not exclusively including: Speaking Spanish fluently, being an illusionist, gymnastics, martial arts, juggling, unicycling, puppeteering, ventriloquist, musical arts (singing/rapping), athletics (soccer, basketball) or familiarity with a stomp routine, etc. All special equipment used for their performances would need to be brought along. Please list: Please print your FULL name, as it appears on your passport (First, Middle, Last, etc)... Names must be exactly as they appear on your passport or you will be financially penalized by the airlines and will owe additional money to cover any fees associated. What is your t-shirt size (S-XXL)? Have you been on a missions trip before? If yes, please provide dates & locations: yes / no Additional Information Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. I have the ability to... YES, no problem NO WAY Represent Jesus, the team, and the partnering churches 1 2 3 4 5 in a positive way at all times in speech, attitude and action. Not complain during stressful situations or when dealing 1 2 3 4 5 with fatigue - even when things are not the way I think they should be. Display excellence in every area including responses, dress, 1 2 3 4 5 speech, punctuality, and personal care and nutrition. Stay disciplined in attitude and action throughout the 1 2 3 4 5 entire mission... Complete all pre-trip requirements 1 2 3 4 5 please see reverse side
Making Jesus famous to the Next Generation, because ALL the Children need to know Jesus. I,, if accepted as part of the 2017 Nicaragua Team, understand that for this missions trip there are commitments and sacrifices that are being asked of me. I also understand that these requirements are effective as of our first team meeting. turn in application & non-refundable $200 deposit to NXT (payable to Calvary Church) by Sun, Feb. 12 attend (on time) all pre-trip team meetings (dates & times below) attend Wednesday and Sunday NXT services attend Breakaway 2016 commit to particpate in summertime IDT 2016 take notes on all sermons and messages prepare your testimony spend time with God everyday express a heart for God during worship fast solid food on Wednesdays starting in February fast media including TV, ipod, movies, ichat/aim, Facebook, Snapchat, IG, Twitter, etc., for the month of February strive to be more like Christ comply with all additional requirements pay fees prior to departure ($200 by Feb. 7; $750 by Feb. 28, $650 by Mar. 20) US passport (turned into NXT by Mar. 6, please allow at least 6 weeks for processing with US gov t) Signed: Date: / / (student) I,, parent/legal guardian of, (parent) give my permission for him/her (circle) to travel with the Nicaragua Missions Team from Calvary Temple Church of the Assemblies of God during the week of March 25-April 2 2017. I also give my permission for him/her (circle) to receive any medical attention deemed necessary. I desire to be contacted if any medical attention is administered. I can be reached at the below-listed phone numbers. Signed: Date: / / (parent/legal guardian) Home Phone: ( ) Parent Cell Phone: ( ) please return this application along with a $200 deposit (payable to Calvary Church) and a copy of your passport or passport application & photos and give to NXT by Sunday, February 12