Ecuador Mission Trip 2016 Trip Information When: Saturday, June 25 – Sunday, July 3, 2016 Where: Quito, Ecuador (Elevation 9000 ft) What: C Construction work and Bible School (VBS) at a church/Compassion International child center through SIFAT. The exact project and location is not finalized. There will also be some tourist activities to become familiar with the culture, including a visit to The Middle of the World (The Equator). This is a great introduction to international missions that is a well-organized and safe international mission experience that is family-friendly and utilizes all skill levels. Lodging is in a modest hotel in the city with transportation provided to the work site each day. Age level: Any. Age 16 or under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Lodging: Hotel Tambo Real in downtown Quito Transportation: Church bus or rental to Atlanta, Delta flight from Atlanta to Ecuador, 22-35 passenger buses in country provided by SIFAT, Delta flight from Ecuador to Atlanta, church bus or rental from Atlanta home Personal Cost: Approximately $2,000 - $2,300 per person, depending on airfare. A family discount will be offered, but the amount is still being determined. Includes all transportation, meals and lodging. Team members are expected to reduce this cost through individual and team fundraising. Financial aid is available for those needing assistance above individual fundraising efforts. We will have discussions on fundraising and other sources of funds at the first team meeting. If God is calling you on this trip, He will be faithful and provide for your needs - sometimes in ways you expect, and sometimes in ways you do not expect! Additional Personal Costs: Passports, immunizations, personal expenditures in country (market, etc.) Team Project Costs: $2500 team fee (as of 2015 season) plus VBS and misc. These costs are covered from Faith Promise. Application and Trip Deposit: A deposit of $100 (refundable) is due with the Short Term Mission Team Application Form. a) Preferred deadline is the first team meeting (currently scheduled for October 17, 2016). This allows maximum time for team building and fundraising. b) Team members will be accepted up to the January team meeting (currently scheduled for January 24, 2016). c) An individual can withdraw from the trip by the January team meeting and receive their $100 deposit back with the understanding that all money raised for the trip and deposit

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Ecuador Mission Trip 2016 Trip Information Important things to know: • You will need a willing spirit and a desire to share Christ with others in a different culture. • You will experience a different culture, including their food and possibly worship . • You will probably need to be able to do some manual labor, even if it is light duty. Everyone will be expected (as they are able) to participate in both construction and VBS activities. • You will participate in fundraisers to raise support of travel costs. • You will need to be committed to serving others, working together as a team and sharing Christ. • Expect to take on responsibilities as a team member. Every team member will have an assigned duty (e.g. VBS coordinator, Construction coordinator, luggage, first aid, water, etc.) • Required attendance of team meetings for training and preparation for our trip and our work. We will have monthly meetings beginning October 18, 2015. A schedule of proposed dates is attached. • Flexibility! • A sample Itinerary from 2014 is attached to give you an idea of how the week may look. Things will change even after we arrive, so being flexible is key! • A copy of the Short Term Mission Team Covenant is attached. Team members will be required to sign and abide by the covenant. Information Meetings: Email or call Robert Thompson if you plan to attend (see below) Sunday, August 23, 2015 – 9:15 am (Sunday School) - Parlor Sunday, August 30, 2015 – 11:45 am (after worship services) - Parlor Wednesday, September 9, 2015 – Missions Potluck Dinner Sunday, September 13, 2015 – 11:45 am (after worship services) - Parlor Signing up: Fill out the attached Short Team Mission Team Application and return to the church office or Robert Thompson. Background checks (Safe Sanctuaries) will be required for all adults. This will be done by the church. If you are not certain about going, but are considering and praying about joining the team, please let Rev. Cobb or Robert Thompson know it and then attend one of the information meetings. Initial Deadline for Applying: October 18, 2015 (but will accept afterwards) Contact: Robert Thompson: [email protected] / Home: 396-1174 / Cell: 850-2794 Attachments Team Schedule Sample Trip Itinerary (2014) Team Unity Scripture Short-Term Mission Team Covenant Short-Term Mission Team Application Please note that any of the above information is subject to change. Page 2

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Ecuador Mission Trip 2016 Trip Information TEAM SCHEDULE Sun., August 9, 2015 Mon., Aug 10, 2015 Sun., Aug 16, 2015 Sun, Sep. 13, 2015 Sun. Oct 18, 2015 Nov 15, 2015 Dec 13, 2015 Jan 24, 2016 Feb 28, 2016 (Alt: Feb 21) Early March, 2016 Mar 13, 2016 (Alt: Mar 27) Mid-April, 2016

Apr 15-17, 2016 Apr 24, 2016 Mid-May, 2016 May 22, 2016 June 19, 2016 Friday, June 24, 2016 Saturday, June 25, 2016 Sunday, July 2, 2016 TBD August, 2016

Tentative dates for informational meetings. Have cost information available, hand out applications, accept applications. Show photos from previous trips and have veteran team members available for questions. Applications Due – Organizational Meeting for Team Monthly Team Meeting - 6pm – 8 pm Monthly Team Meeting - 6pm – 8 pm Turn in all forms for sending to SIFAT Monthly Team Meeting - 6pm – 8 pm Monthly Team Meeting - 6pm – 8 pm Preliminary Name List due to SIFAT Monthly Team Meeting - 6pm – 8 pm Final Name List and Final Airline Payment due to SIFAT Insurance roster, rooming list, passport copies, etc., all due to SIFAT GIC – Present team during GIC event(s), maybe have a sending/commissioning Monthly Team Meeting - 6pm – 8 pm Final payment due to SIFAT Monthly Team Meeting - 6pm – 8 pm Team Commissioning at Worship Last Team Meeting - 6pm – 8 pm Packing Party Depart Arrive Home Team Debrief Dinner and Reunion Presentation at Missions Pot Luck Supper Some dates are subject to change.

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2014 Ecuador Mission Trip Itinerary Friday, June 13

Packing Party at Choir Room – 7pm All checked bags left at church after weigh in. Carry-on bags can be left or brought in the morning. Passports collected by George

Saturday, June 14

Travel to Quito, Ecuador Assemble at Church at 10 a.m. to load vans, take pictures, and have devotion and prayer. Depart 10:30 a.m. for trip to Atlanta Airport Departure from Atlanta is 6:00 p.m. EDT on Delta flight 673 Arrival in Quito is estimated at 10:22 p.m. CDT Travel to Hotel Tambo Real where the team will stay through Friday night. Arrival at hotel will be after midnight.

Sunday, June 15

Travel to the Middle of the World (equator) in the morning Travel to Atucucho after lunch for worship service at Mama Yolis Church

Monday, June 16

Work Day #1 - Construction project and VBS

Tuesday, June 17

Work Day #2 - Construction project and VBS

Wednesday, June 18 Work Day #3 - Construction project and VBS Thursday, June 19

Work Day #4 - Construction project and VBS

Friday, June 20

Work Day #5 - Construction project and VBS

Saturday, June 21

Travel to cloud forest for day of R&R (zip-lining optional) Departure time from Quito is 11:40 p.m. CDT on Delta flight 680

Sunday, June 22

Arrival in Atlanta is estimated at 5:55 a.m. EDT. Arrival at Aldersgate late morning

Work Day Schedule (Typical) 07:00 Team Meeting for daily devotional 07:30 Breakfast at Hotel Tambo Real 08:00 Depart hotel for project site 16:00 Depart project site for hotel 18:00 Supper at Hotel Tambo Real 19:00 Evening gathering for reflection

EXAMPLE 1

2014 Ecuador Mission Trip Itinerary The airport has been relocated to a good distance outside of the city. It will be very late (or early, depending on your perspective) by the time we get through customs and travel to the hotel. As of now, we don’t know when breakfast will be on Sunday morning, but it is usually around 8am. We will be working at a project called Dulce Refugio (Sweet Refuge) in Villaflora area of Quito. Pastor Rafael and his wife Anita are the leaders of the church and this program. We will be adding a third floor to the existing structure so they can expand the programs to add more children. They currently turn kids away due to lack of space. There should be an hour or so between the time we arrive back at the hotel each evening and supper time for the opportunity to walk to the market 2 blocks from the hotel. We will have guidelines for “walking buddies”, etc. for going to the market, the drugstore next door, or any other location outside the hotel. We will gather each evening after dinner for a team meeting to go over any coordination items for construction and VBS, as well as a time of reflection. We will have special dinner at a restaurant on either Thursday or Friday evening. This is included in your paid costs.

EXAMPLE 2

Short-Term Mission Team Covenant Attention Team Members! Carefully read the following list of principles and expectations, and discuss them with the team leader and other team members for full understanding. If you are willing to make a commitment to this mission trip or project, sign the covenant as a pledge of your commitment. While participating in this mission trip or project, I will seek to demonstrate my love for Christ and others by agreeing to … 1. Keep myself healthy. I will refrain from activities that may be considered inappropriate in some cultures (e.g., tobacco products, alcohol). 2. Maintain a safe environment for my fellow team members. I agree not to have possession of or use firearms. 3. Work to the best of my ability. I am excited about demonstrating my love for Christ by ministering and working hard for the duration of this mission trip or project. 4. Follow the mission trip or project schedule. I understand that I must remain flexible because schedules often change. I also understand that any schedule changes must be made by, or approved by, the team leader or our hosts. I will respect the lights out time each night. 5. Stay in the designated mission trip area. I agree to stay with the team at all times. I understand that I cannot leave the ministry site or lodging areas without permission from the team leader. Girls should not be in the boys designated area nor should boys be in the designated areas for girls. 6. Respect the privacy of others. I understand that the possessions of others must not be tampered with or taken. I expect others to grant the same measure of respect to my privacy and possessions. 7. Maintain a clean environment. I will do my best to keep all areas of the church, work location, and lodging areas clean and free of litter. I will respect the property and grounds serving as my home away from home. I understand that any property damage caused by me will be my responsibility. 8. Demonstrate a Christ-like spirit. My attitude will be like that of Jesus (Phil. 2:5). I will love those with whom I work and those around me throughout the mission trip or project. 9. Be aware of my witness 24 hours a day. I understand my attitude at restaurants, at my lodging site, or during free time is just as important as when I am “doing my mission assignment.” I will serve with this maxim in mind: “Do no harm and avoid even the appearance of evil.” 10. Share my faith. I will come prepared to share my personal testimony and faith with others. I have read and understood these principles and expectations for the mission trip or project and agree to follow them.

Signed:__________________________________________________________ Date:________

Parent/Guardian Signature:__________________________________________ Date:________ (If applicant is under age 18)

Short-Term Mission Team Application The purpose of this application is twofold. First, to help you evaluate if you are ready to participate in this mission trip or project. Secondly, to help the team leader learn more about your interests and commitment level to the mission trip or project. However, completion of this application does not guarantee your participation. Mission Trip or Project:__________________________________ Dates:________________

Personal Profile Name (as shown on passport):_____________________________________________________________________ Male:________ Female:________ Email Address:____________________________________________________ Address:______________________________________________________________________________________ City:__________________________________________ State:____________ Zip:___________ Birth Date: Month:_______ Day:______ Year:_______ Age:______ Phone #:__________________________ Marital Status: Single______ Engaged______ Married______ Widowed______ Divorced______

Experience Profile Occupation:____________________________________________________________________________________ Employer:_____________________________________________________________________________________ Interests/Hobbies:________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Have you been on a mission trip? Yes______ No______ Where/When?__________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What problems do you have when traveling? _________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ For international trips: Do you have a passport? Yes______ No______ Passport Number:____________________ Expires:____________ Have you traveled internationally? Yes______ No______ Where?________________________________________________________________________________________ Are you able to speak or write a foreign language? Yes____ No____ Language(s):__________________________________________________________________________________

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Short-Term Mission Team Application Medical Profile Do you usually experience good health? Yes______ No______ Explain:__________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Allergies to medications? Yes______ No______ Explain:______________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ General allergies:________________________________________________________________________________ Do you have any problems taking preventative medicines such as anti-malarials, or immunizations commonly recommended for travel in some parts of the world? Yes______ No______ Explain:___________________________________________________________________ List any current medications and medical conditions that would restrict or limit your participation: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________

Spiritual Profile Church affiliation (if other than Aldersgate UMC):_____________________________________________________ Pastor/Church Leader:_______________________________

Telephone:__________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________________________ Why do you want to join this mission team or project?_________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ What is God calling you to do in service?____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ Identify your gifts/talents that would be useful for this mission team or project:______________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________ Attach a brief draft of your personal testimony in preparation for sharing with the team and in the field. Permission (including the applicant under age 18)  Expenses are based on best estimates and are subject to change.  In the event of political unrest, natural disaster or other unavoidable circumstances Aldersgate UMC reserves the right to cancel the mission trip or project.  Team members, leaders, and staff strictly adhere to expected standards and policies and are subject to dismissal without refund or reimbursement.  Team members, leaders and staff serve at their own risk and Aldersgate UMC is not liable in the event of illness, accident, death, or terrorist acts, or for transportation or any other expenses beyond that of normal involvement.  All donations received by Aldersgate UMC go towards tax-exempt mission expenses. Team deposits are refundable under certain conditions, but donations are not.  Team members and leaders agree to participate in fundraising and promotional activities. Signed:____________________________________________________________________ Date:__________ Parent/Guardian Signature:_____________________________________________________ Date:_________ (If applicant is under age 18) Note: The team leader will retain in his/her possession these medical forms for the purpose of sharing information to licensed professionals should a medical emergency arise.

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