Ministry Description: Ministry teams should be prepared to preach outdoors spontaneously and give their testimonies. Singing, puppetry, and presenting dramas are other key skills. During evening outreaches, it's important to be able to talk to people in the crowd. Translators will be available. Door-to-door visitation, prayer walks, sports outreaches (basketball and football), and vacation Bible school (VBS) are also a part of all projects. Other possible opportunities include planting flowers with local women, visiting the elderly or hospitalized, police/fire deparment prayer or prison ministry. Your team may do some cleaning and painting, but construction is not the focus of these projects. The probability of creating long-term relationships underpins our entire ministry in Puerto Rico.

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.

Your team might stay in a church, people's homes or a Christian retreat center. Contact your church mobilization representative to find out your project's lodging arrangements. In some cases you will need to bring air mattresses, bedding, and towels. Food is prepared by members of our partner church, with a mix of American and traditional Puerto Rican menus. Bottled water is provided.

Dress Code: FEMALES EMinistry 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. EConstruction/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 EMinistry Dress (evangelism, church services, school devotions or assemblies) -Nice pants (slacks, khaki slacks), nice shirt with a collar, nice shoes or tennis shoes. EConstruction/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. For either men or women, no open-toed shoes or sandals of any kind in the colonias.

Airport & Transportation:  You'll fly to Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, and we will transport you to your lodging. Ground transportation is included in the project price. Visa & Passport: U.S. Citizens traveling to and returning directly from a U.S. territory are not considered to have left the U.S. territory and do not need to present a passport. A visa is not required for Puerto Rico. Tolls & Exit Tax:  There are no entrance or exit taxes. Shots & Vaccinations:  An updated Tetanus shot is Strongly Recommended for ALL projects. 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 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.

Location Description: The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is composed of one large, densely populated island and several small islands bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the north, and the Caribbean Sea on the south. Located about 1,000 miles southeast of Florida, it forms part of the Greater Antilles in the West Indies along with the islands of Cuba, Hispaniola, and Jamaica. Mona Passage separates Puerto Rico from the Dominican Republic. San Juan on the northeastern coast is Puerto Rico’s capital, chief port, and largest city. Much of the country's area is rural, with large pineapple and sugar cane fields. Weather: The tropical climate is hot and fairly humid, with an average summertime high of 87-90 degrees. Downpours can be expected at any time, followed by sunshine. Sea breezes make the climate much more comfortable at this time of year than it is in the central United States. Area Attractions: Hike, swim, and visit a waterfall in El Yunque, a rain forest among Puerto Rico's highest mountains. Or explore El Morro, a 465-year-old Spanish castle at the eastern entrance to San Juan Bay. Rising 140 feet above sea level, its 20-foot-thick walls proved a formidable defense against Spain's European enemies. The fort is a maze of tunnels, dungeons, barracks, outposts, and ramps. You can shop with U.S. currency in Old San Juan, a picturesque colonial capital with cobblestone streets. There is no sales tax.

Puerto Rico was called Borikén by the indigenous Taínos, a group of Arawak Indians who inhabited the island for centuries. Christopher Columbus claimed Puerto Rico for Spain in 1493 during his second voyage to the Americas, naming it San Juan Bautista in honor of Saint John the Baptist. Eventually, the island became known as Puerto Rico, meaning “rich port.” Spanish conqueror Ponce de Leon served as its first governor. After colonization, Puerto Rico became the most important stronghold of the Spanish empire in the Caribbean. Concerned about threats from its European enemies, Spain began construction of massive defenses around the city of San Juan. The French, Dutch, and English made attempts to capture the island, but failed. Puerto Rico was a Spanish colony for almost four centuries until it was ceded to the United States following the Spanish-American War of 1898. Today, Puerto Rico remains geographically and culturally part of Latin America despite its close ties to the United States. Puerto Ricans are a mixture of European, African, and Amerindian descent (mestizo). Almost all speak Spanish as their primary language, with English as the second official language. The population is 60% nominally Roman Catholic, and 40% are evangelical Protestant. (encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia) (en.wikipedia.org)

Puerto Rico is a United States territory which was given self-governing "commonwealth" status in 1952. It can elect to become independent, be admitted as a state, or remain a commonwealth. Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens, and can move to the mainland without immigration restrictions. But when living on the island, they cannot vote in presidential elections and do not have representation in Congress. Residents are exempt from federal income taxes; but they do pay commonwealth taxes. They serve in the armed forces and are subject to nearly all federal laws. Puerto Rico's elected governor and legislature control internal affairs on the island. The U.S. government maintains jurisdiction over the island’s defense, foreign relations and trade agreements, radio and television communications, immigration, currency, highways, postal system, and social security. During the 1950s, the island initiated a program to rapidly develop light manufacturing and service industries, changing the economic base from a reliance on agriculture. Puerto Rico also became a major tourist destination, attracting millions of visitors annually. (encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia) (en.wikipedia.org)

Population: 3,897,960 - Puerto Rico (2004 est.) (encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia) Literacy Rate: 93.7% ages 15 and older can read and write. (odci.gov/cia/publications/factbook) Average Annual Income: $16,500