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Jamaica, Caribbean Mission Trip
June 20 to June 29, 2009
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| Ministry Detail |
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Project Overview:
There is a remarkable difference between reality and Jamaica's image as a carefree, tropical paradise. The island’s beaches and vacation spots are beautiful and inviting. Money from tourism doesn’t reach into the interior, however. Areas remain where people are without running water or electricity.
Ministry Description:
We will be working in Kingston and partnering with the Salvation Army. There is an orphanage, nursing home and school for the blind on site. Feeding programs, prayer walks and street evangelism are all possible ministries you will be doing
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| Trip Requirements |
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Participants must:
1. have accepted Jesus as Savior and have a living, personal relationship with Him.
2. be willing, experienced, and comfortable with sharing their testimonies and a Gospel message.
3. be willing to submit to authority.
4. demonstrate a servant's heart.
5. acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
6. have prior ministry experience.
7. accept more difficult ministry and living conditions.
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| Food & Lodging |
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You will be lodged in dorm style rooms with bunk beds. Bring bedding. a local menu of food is prepared on site, and safe drinking water is provided.
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| Dress Code & What to Bring
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Dress Code:
FEMALES
• Ministry Dress (evangelism, church services, school devotions or assemblies)- Wear skirts that reach below the bottom of the knee or longer, or khaki slacks, and shirts with sleeves that cover the shoulders. You can wear short sleeves, but they must cover the shoulders and upper arms. No cap sleeves or sleeveless shirts of any kind. Shirts should not have scoop necks or low v-necks.
• Construction/Sports Dress/VBS-Jeans, capris or knee length shorts. Work shirt or t-shirt, (no tank tops, cap or sleeveless tops). Shirts should not have scoop necks or low v-necks. Boots, strong shoes or tennis shoes.
MALES
• Ministry Dress (evangelism, church services, school devotions or assemblies) -Nice pants (slacks, khaki slacks), nice shirt with a collar, nice shoes or tennis shoes.
• Construction/Sports Dress/VBS-Jeans, pants or shorts to the knee. Work shirt (no tank tops or sleeveless), boots, strong shoes or tennis shoes
No flashy clothes or jewelry. Do not bring clothes with American logos and advertisements. Something simple like Old Navy is ok, but remember what you wear is a physical representation of who you are. Both guys and girls do not bring clothing that is tight, too small, or form-fitting in any way. Do not bring pants that are low-cut. If you can bend over and touch your toes without showing any skin in the back, then your shirt and pants are ok. If you can raise your hands all the way above your head and not show your stomach, then your shirt is ok. No open-toed shoes or sandals of any kind.
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| Travel Information |
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Airport & Transportation:
Check with your Church Mobilization Representative before booking airfare. Airport destination depends on availability. We'll take you to your project location by bus.
Daily transportation will be on country buses used by strip-mining workers. Ground transportation is included in the project price.
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Visa & Passport:
A valid passport is required.
A visa is not required during short stays in Jamaica.
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Tolls & Exit Tax:
An exit tax of $27 per person is payable at the airline ticket counter upon your departure.
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Shots & Vaccinations:
An updated Tetanus shot is Strongly Recommended for ALL projects.
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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 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. Health coverage is not a requirement for domestic trips, but still recommended.
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| Location Information
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Location Description:
Jamaica is the third-largest island of the Greater Antilles of the West Indies, situated south of Cuba. Its total area is slightly smaller than Connecticut. Kingston, the capital and largest city, is also a large commercial seaport.
Jamaica's terrain is mountainous, except for several lowlands in the southern coastal area. Blue Mountain Peak, the highest point on the island, rises 7,402 feet from the floor of the Blue Mountain Range in the east. The 635-mile irregular coastline creates excellent natural harbors, including Kingston, Saint Ann's Bay, Montego Bay, and Port Maria.
Weather:
A tropical climate prevails in the coastal lowlands of Jamaica. The mean annual temperature in this region is 80°F, but northeastern trade winds frequently moderate the extremes of heat and humidity. More than 200 inches of rain falls annually in the mountains of the northeast, but in Kingston, the annual average drops to 32 inches. The months of maximum precipitation are May, June, October, and November.
Area Attractions:
Three thousand species of plants grow on the island, 27% of them found nowhere else on earth. Parrots, hummingbirds, cuckoos, and green todies are especially abundant.
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| People, Culture and Religion
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The population of Jamaica is primarily of African or mixed African-European origin, descended from slaves brought to the island from the 17th to 19th centuries. Among the established minorities are East Indians, Europeans, and Chinese. About half the population lives in rural areas.
Poverty has given rise to increased school absenteeism and deteriorating literacy, furthering the cycle of unemployment and increased crime. There were approximately 200,000 youths ages 15-24 who were neither in school nor employed in 2001. Emigration, primarily to the United States, Britain, and Latin America, has been substantial.
English is the official language, although many Jamaicans speak a local dialect of English that incorporates African, Spanish, and French elements (Creole). As a British territory for more than 300 years, Jamaica's language and customs reflect both European and African influences.
Among the Christian majority, the Church of God, Baptists, Anglicans, Seventh-day Adventists, Pentecostalists, and Roman Catholics predominate. Several well-established Jewish, Muslim, and Hindu communities exist.
(www.odci.gov/cia, CIA World Fact Book 2001)
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| Government and Economy
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The 1962 Jamaican constitution established a parliamentary system of government patterned after that of Britain. The prime minister is the head.
Jamaica is primarily agricultural, but gains in mining, manufacturing, and tourism have diversified the economy. Agricultural production occupies 21% of the labor force, and the chief crop is sugarcane. Other leading crops include bananas, citrus fruits, tobacco, cacao, coffee, coconuts, corn, hay, peppers, ginger, mangoes, potatoes, and arrowroot. Jamaica grows nearly the entire world supply of allspice.
(www.encarta.msn.com)
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| Statistics
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Population:
2,695,867 - Jamaica (2003 est.)
587,798 - Kingston (2001) |
Poverty Rate:
18.7% live below the poverty line.
(www.odci.gov/cia, CIA World Fact Book 2001) |
Literacy Rate:
85% ages 15 and over have attended school.
(CIA World Fact Book 2001)
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Average Annual Income:
$1,556 (5% of U.S.)
(Operation World 21st Century Edition, 2001)
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