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Belize Island - Ambergris Caye, Central America Mission Trip
July 9 to July 20, 2009
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| Ministry Detail |
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Project Overview:
Visitors to Ambergris Caye are struck immediately by the incredible beauty of the island and the sea. The quaint village of San Pedro is so colorful, and its boutiques and restaurants are a joy to the eye and palate. Everything is designed to heighten the pleasure of the tourists who come from all over the world to enjoy world-class scuba diving and snorkeling, amazing fishing, and the “island” lifestyle.
But most of the inhabitants of Ambergris Caye live in a world much different from the thousands of visitors for whom they cook, entertain, clean rooms, and guide. Widespread poverty, drug use, and alcohol abuse lie just beneath the surface of the island community—spiritual strongholds abound.
Local Pastor Ian Zaldivar and his family, and the congregation of Living Word Church, are attacking these strongholds and exposing the enemy’s lies. They are personally sharing the Gospel and the love of our Father with their neighbors. They welcome your help reaching out in evangelism and discipleship to members of their community all over the island, especially among teens.
Ministry Description:
Initial outreach will include door-to-door evangelism and prayer, seeking to touch the hearts of those living in the island neighborhoods. Pastor Ian and Living Word Church will offer a lot of help, including participation by their teens.
As you pour yourselves into relational ministry, much of it to teens, discipleship will be your main purpose. You will do fun things with new friends every chance you get—activities planned to offer you opportunities to build meaningful relationships. Under the direction of Pastor Ian, you’ll reach out to local believers who need encouragement or comfort, those who need teaching, and others with whom you’ll share lives and your own struggles. Your team will learn and grow in the process.
Youth training topics for teens suggested by Pastor Ian include: basic Christianity, forgiveness, living with integrity, honor and respect for parents and others in authority, holy living, and loving others. Prior to the mission, your team should develop short, concise lessons with practical illustrations, object lessons, and application to real life. To ensure effectiveness, you can email them to Pastor Ian and ask him to review the lessons for suggestions and cultural compatibility. Please make lessons interactive and include plenty of time for questions and discussions. These classes will probably be held in very informal environments, seeking a comfortable interchange.
Plan to bring several whole Bibles (hardback is best in this humid environment) and English tracts for Living Word Church, your evangelistic outreaches, and new believers who do not have a Bible. Even inexpensive New Testaments in English will be welcome.
Ministry & Outreach:
Our team will help Pastor Ian and Living Word Church to stage an evening street rally for Christ in San Pedro Town. Expect a group of 150 to 200 kids, adults, and teens.
Our preparation for the rally provides a good connection with Living Word's youth group, a time to share and dream together.
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| Trip Requirements |
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Newcomers to the world of missions can grow and make a difference in Belize. But proven, spiritual maturity and prior field experience in missions away from home really helps. So, bring some veterans to help newcomers get to the next level.
You are going to be living among the people, so you will share some of the daily discomfort they experience. You will spend hours of ministry time without air-conditioning, outside in a hot, humid environment. You will move about the island on foot or on bicycle, just as the islanders do.
Relational ministry here can be challenging. People are sometimes resistant to your message of hope. You may struggle to connect with people you are hoping to find. Please come with a heart full of love and compassion for the lost and for fellow believers, and determination to break through the emotional walls you will often encounter. And you’ll be tired – relationship building and sharing Christ often carries into late-night hours.
Belize is an English-speaking country with a stable government, so language is no barrier and there is very little danger to visitors. But this is very much a cross-cultural experience, and it will stretch you. Spiritual warfare is waged regularly in Belize. Maintain plenty of prayer cover and let the Lord run the mission.
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| Food & Lodging |
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Housing will be in the new youth building of Living Word Church. We will sleep on the floor, so please bring a single-sized air mattress or sleeping pad, bedding, and towels for showers and swimming. Expect to use an outdoor shower tent or a garden hose. Meals will be prepared from scratch by local cooks, using fresh food. We will drink bottled water.
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| Dress Code & What to Bring
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Dress Code:
Please refer to AIM's training manual, Missions 101.
What to Bring:
Mosquito spray, sunscreen, a hat, water bottle, and a bag for these things are standard. Spending money is optional for souvenirs and snacks/drinks away from camp.
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| Travel Information |
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Airport & Transportation:
It is recommended that groups fly into Belize City. From there, AIM leaders will escort you to the water taxi for the one-hour boat ride out to Ambergris Caye. Local transportation during the mission will be mostly on bicycle or foot.
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Visa & Passport:
A passport is required.
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Tolls & Exit Tax:
Every passenger flying out of Belize must pay an exit tax - $32.50 in 2008. All carriers but American Airlines included this tax in the cost of the ticket.
Check to see if your airline still includes the exit tax in their ticket price for 2009, and whether American Airlines passengers will be required to pay the tax when leaving Belize, payable by credit card or cash.
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Shots & Vaccinations:
An updated tetanus shot is a must. Malaria pills are recommended.
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Suggested Travel Agency:
- Donna Booth, CTC Domestic and International Travel
Consultant
MTS Travel
9440 Philips Hwy, Ste 3
Jacksonville, Fl. 32256
Phone (800) 888-8292 ext 208
Email donnab@mtstravel.com
- Karol Fleming, CTC Domestic and International Travel
Consultant
MTS Travel
9440 Philips Hwy, Ste 3
Jacksonville, Fl. 32256
Phone (800) 888-8292 ext 208
Email karolf@mtstravel.com
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Suggested Travel Insurance:
We highly recommend that all program participants have health insurance coverage for international trips. It is important to know that most regular health insurance plans do not cover you overseas.
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| Location Information
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Location Description:
Area Attractions:
EXCURSION DAY
After your mission, you may choose to take a day for rest, recreation, and sight-seeing. Soon after your arrival on Ambergris, let Pastor Ian know if you'd like to do either of two excursions offered. If so, you would pre-pay and he’ll make your arrangements. Choose one of two options (transportation and an extra night's lodging at the church is included): (1) a snorkeling trip for the day, with lunch, off Ambergris Caye island - $70, or (2) cave tubing in Belize’ interior, followed by a night visit to the exotic Belize Zoo - $85. Or you could just spend the day kicking back in the shade, and shopping for gifts and souvenirs in San Pedro Town on the island - $5 per person to stay an extra night at the church.
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