Serving God through missions and disaster relief can be exhilerating, yet challenging at times. With many opportunities that we get to face through our travels, it can be strenuous and sometimes stressful. Here are a few examples:
1-Long van, bus or truck rides on bumpy, dirty, winding, hilly roads.
2-We work long hard days, but it is nothing compared to the devastation those we will be serving are facing.
3-Rest rooms are not always readily accessible or at the same standards that we are accustomed to.
4-Disaster relief trips vary greatly compared to mission trips because there is so much uncertainty about many things. Concerning food, we have never gone hungry, but we have eaten MRE's at the job site, peanut butter sandwiches, Red Cross meals, local people driving around on 4wheelers handing out sandwiches, etc. If you have a special diet or food allergies this trip probably isn't for you.
5-There will be dangerous debris, nails, sharp metal, broken glass, and yes even rodents and reptiles at times to include snakes.
6-The lodging will be dorm style once we arrive, divided by male and female.
7-During travel days you may have to sleep in the same bed as another person of the same sex.
8-Heating and/or air conditioning may not be available.
9-We will trust God for electricity, but we have been on a trip where the power went out for an extended period of time.
10-Smells of rotting food, debris, dead animals, mold and sewage are prevalent on diaster relief sites.
11-There can be a considerable amount of walking involved on the trip, as well as climbing hills and/or several flights of stairs.
12-The weather may vary from very hot or very cold with poor air quality.
13-You can be assured that we will always have safe water for our team.
14-Local medical hospitals have often been either compromised or overflowing from the disaster. If you have serious medical conditions this trip is probably not best for you.
All of these factors may aggravate certain health conditions, including physical and mental health. Medical facilities often provide inadequate care, compared to our standards. If you struggle with substantial physical limitations, moderate anxiety or mental health challenges, this trip is not advised due to challenging and ever changing conditions.