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Church of the Messiah

First Annual Adult Mission Trip

GUATEMALA

Saturday, Jan 18 – Saturday, Jan 25, 2020

We will build stoves and install water filtration systems in Guatemalan homes.

Click here for a short video about building stoves and creating clean water.

Mission and trip details appear below. Please contact Keith directly if you have any questions.

TRAVEL:

We will meet at Church of the Messiah on the morning of Saturday, January 18th,

and travel to the Philadelphia Airport by shuttle bus.

Exact time of departure from Messiah will be announced at a later date .

You may leave your car in the Messiah parking lot.

American Airlines

Flights: AA1533 Philadelphia – Miami 8:15am-11:15am
AA1603 Miami – Guatemala City 12:45pm-2:28pm

Please limit baggage to one checked bag and one carry-on (backpack preferred). A required medical device (such as a CPAP machine) does not count as a carry-on bag.

Staff from Adventures in Mission: Gautemala will meet us at the airport and transport us to our lodgings in the town of Parramos - about 90 minutes outside of Guatemala City, and 30 minutes from the ancient capital and UNESCO world heritage site of Antigua.

All ground transportation during our stay in Guatemala will be arranged by Adventures in Mission: Gautemala and is included in your cost.

We will return on Saturday, January 25th

American Airlines Flights: AA2359 Guatemala City – Miami 1:44pm-5:34pm

A shuttle bus will meet us at the airport and bring us back to Messiah.

PASSPORT:

VERY IMPORTANT: Your passport must be valid for six months beyond our travel dates; therefore, make sure your passport does not expire before July 2020.

With your first trip payment, be sure to include a copy of your passport photo page. I will carry these copies with me. In the event that your passport is lost, this will make the process of replacement much easier.

LODGINGS:

We will be housed at the Adventures in Mission: Gautemala residential compound in the town of Parramos, about 90 minutes from Guatemala City and 30 minutes from Antigua. Beds are dormitory style – 8 bunk beds per room; each room has a bathroom with shower facilities and hot water. Bed linens, blanket and a pillow will be provided, or you may bring your own.

*** TOWELS and WASHCLOTHS are not provided, therefore, please be sure to pack your own.

FOOD:

All meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) are included in your cost. Meals will be prepared by Guatemalan cooks and will feature local cuisine and dishes. I am assured that the meals are quite good and plentiful.

WATER:

Water in the residential compound is purified and drinkable. However, DRINK ONLY BOTTLED WATER whenever we are out in the community or on the worksites. Bring a water bottle.

WORK:

Our primary mission will be building home stoves and installing home water filtration systems. We will be raising money to cover the cost of materials: stove $155; water systems $45.

WORSHIP:

We will have Morning Prayer each morning; and Compline each evening. In addition, we will plan to celebrate Eucharist once or twice during the week.

The Diocese of Pennsylvania has a companion relationship with the Diocese of Guatemala. I am hoping to arrange a visit to a local parish in order to share a service and fellowship.

IMMUNIZATIONS:

The CDC recommends that you check with your doctor to ensure that you are up to date with all routine vaccinations: measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis vaccine, varicella (chickenpox) vaccine, polio vaccine. In addition, please be sure to have the annual flu shot.

The CDC guidelines note that some travelers may want to consider Hepatitis A and typhoid vaccinations, as well. Please consult your doctor for questions.

FYI: We will primarily be spending time and working in small towns and villages and do not anticipate any contact with animals.

LOCAL TIME:

Guatemala is two hours behind Philadelphia. In other words, when it is 12:00 noon in Philadelphia, it is 10:00am in Guatemala.

LANGUAGE:

Most Guatemalans speak Central-American Spanish or one of the many Mayan dialects; however, all of the Adventures in Mission: Gautemala staff members speak English (most are Americans) as well as being fluent in Spanish. A staff member will always be present with us, directing our work and providing translation services where needed.

We are hoping to offer a few introductory Spanish language lessons in the fall to prepare ourselves with a few key phrases to assist in communicating. Watch for announcements concerning these classes and come learn a bit of Spanish before the trip.

FREE DAY:

An open day will be scheduled, probably the Friday of our week-long stay. On that day, we will travel into Antigua, the ancient colonial capital of Gautemala and a UNESCO world heritage site. Arrangements will be made for some activities to expose the group to the rich culture of the country, as well as time for souvenir shopping and a group meal in one of the local restaurants. All costs are included, except for lunch on that day and any souvenirs or snacks you might want.

COST:

Price for the trip is $1700.00. This includes round-trip airfare, ground transportation, lodging, all meals, dinner in Antigua, sightseeing excursions and tips.

The local currency is the Guatemalan Quetzal. The Adventures in Mission: Gautemala staff will direct us to safe and trusted ATM machines where local currency may be withdrawn at good rates.

The $1700.00 price does not include . . .

Airfare upgrades – speak with our travel agent, Nick Kapusta
Personal expenses such as phone calls, alcoholic drinks, laundry, souvenirs, snacks, etc.
Medical insurance – required – check your policy to see that you are covered; or purchase travel insurance to cover foreign medical emergencies
Travel insurance – recommended - available through our AAA Travel agent, Nick Kapusta: 610-337-6800, extension 4271420; nkapusta@aaamidatlantic.com

DEADLINES & DUE DATES:

There are only twenty (20) guaranteed spaces available for the trip. If more people wish to go, we will try to secure more spaces, but cannot guarantee availability. Spaces will be reserved on a first-paid, first-reserved basis.

To secure a spot, a deposit of $850.00 is required by August 15th. Include a copy of your passport photo page.
The remaining $850.00 is required by October 1st.

Make checks payable to “Rector’s Discretionary Fund” and note “Guatemala” on the remarks line.

CLOTHING:

Guatemala is known as the Land of Eternal Spring, primarily because of its mild temperatures throughout the year. January temperatures generally range between 50 and 65 degrees. A light jacket or sweatshirt is recommended for the evening.

A packing list will be distributed at a later date. Remember that this is a working trip, so work clothes that you won’t mind getting dirty or stained (or even ruined) will be needed for the work days. Closed-toe work shoes (tennis shoes are OK) will be needed. Casual and comfortable will be the order of the day.

Guatemala is a conservative culture and modesty is paramount. Please keep this in mind when deciding what clothing to bring. While packing, follow this guideline: If in doubt, leave it out.

DAILY SCHEDULE:

The typical daily schedule looks something like this: