Followers Church partners with Fundacion La Mision, a Guatemalan mission organization demonstrating the love of Jesus by meeting the physical needs of the most underserved in their country. We will set up mobile medical clinics in remote jungle villages near Puerto Barrios, Guatemala. The climate in this area is hot, humid and often rainy (with the humidity, the 'feels like' temps can reach 120 degrees Fahrenheit and higher). Accomodations include shared rooms in a private home in Guatemala City and hotel in Puerto Barrios. Transportation between Guatemala City and Puerto Barrios will be in a 13-passenger van for approx. 6-8 hours. Transportation from the hotel to the villages is generally standing or sitting in the bed of a pickup truck for 30 min-2+ hrs. Clinic setup/teardown may require lifting/carrying heavy or bulky equipment for several yards over muddy, uneven ground.
Dates: Thursday, August 8th - Monday, August 19th, 2019 (12 days)
Cost: $2500-$3000 (actual cost varies depending on number of team members, fundraising efforts, airfare cost fluctuations, etc.). This includes airfare, room/board, meals while in country (airport meals are on your own), travel insurance, any pre-trip training materials, transportation while in country, clinic costs/supplies, and more.
Sample itinerary (subject to change):
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Day 1 - air travel to Guatemala (approx. 4am - 9pm)
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Day 2 - sightseeing
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Day 3 - road travel (by van, 6-8 hrs)
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Days 4-6 - medical clinics, kids activies, water filters
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Day 7 - visit Sarita school to learn about sponsorship program, play with kids, various improvment projects
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Days 8-9 - medical clnics, kids activities, water filters
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Day 10 - additional day of clinics or "fun day" (varies year-to-year)
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Day 11 - road travel (by van, 6-8 hrs)
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Day 12 - air travel home (approx. 2-3am to 8-9pm)
Time Commitment: team will meet 1-2 times/month leading up to the trip for training, cost updates, fellowship, etc. Meetings are usually 1-2 hours.
Skills required: just be willing to learn - every job in the clinics is teachable; no medical experience is required
Other requirements: team members are expected to
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be relationally, functionally and financially invested in their home church community
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participate in pre-trip meetings, prayer events, and the final packing party
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be able to fully participate in all activities while in country
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be able to give up certain comforts of home, including food preferences, tobacco, alcohol, clothing preferences, and more, willingly and without complaint
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if traveling with a spouse, be willing to sleep separately for the duration of the trip (men and women sleep in separate rooms for both cost and space efficiency)