Student Ministries

COPÁN, HONDURAS Sr. Mission Trip 2016 July 20-27

Mission to Copán, Honduras This summer, High School Seniors of Grace (graduated 2016) will travel to Copán, Honduras for a 7 day mission trip.

Partnering with the Rice Foundation (www.ricefoundation.com), the team will participate in small construction projects, make home visits in mountain villages for prayer and hygiene/clean water awareness, and assist local schools with English classes…and we will play soccer with kids. Lots of soccer with lots of kids!

Honduras will be the place where we wrestle with the realities of life in the 2/3rds world as we seek God’s missional call on our lives.

Further details (packing list, flight times, etc.) will be provided after the registration deadline (May 1st). Register online at www.gpch.org.

Where: Copán, Honduras When: July 20-27, 2016 Cost: $1000.00 (includes airfare, lodging,

meals, mission fees)

Checklist: ‣ Grace Registration Form (www.gpch.org) ‣ Grace 2015/16 Permission Slip, Waiver, Medical Authorization Form ‣ Rice Foundation Personal Participant Information Form (www.ricefoundation.us)

Registration Deadline: May 29, 2016

RICE FOUNDATION Medical and Dental Relief Organization

P.O. Box 541867, Grand Prairie TX 75054 www.ricefoundation.us

Phone: (972) 752-7990 Fax: (972) 767-0064 Cell Phone: (469) 939-6825

Name (as in the Passport): Last First Mi

Degree or Doctor. Specialty:

Address: Street City ST Zip Code

Phone:

Cell Phone:

Email: Gender:

Passport No.: Exp. Date: Date of Birth: Day Month Year Social Security: Marital Status:

Medications Currently Taken: Blood Type:

Allergies: Date Mission Trip:

Day Month Year Skills:

Foreign Language(s):

Are you currently active in a Church: Yes: No: Church Name:

Emergency Contacts:

Name: Phone: Relationship:

Name: Phone: Relationship:

Name: Phone: Relationship:

I agree that I am responsible for making my own travel arrangements, with the understanding that I will get to San Pedro Sula airport in Honduras the first day of mission trip before 10:00PM. Rice Foundation will make the arrangements for picking me up at the airport to join the rest of the team in Honduras.

SIGNATURE DATE

For children under 18, if a parent I not participating with the minor participant, a parental consent letter must be signed.

Personal Participant Information

RICE FOUNDATION Medical and Dental Relief Organization

P.O. Box 541867, Grand Prairie TX 75054 www.ricefoundation.us

Phone: (972) 752-7990 Fax: (972) 767-0064 Cell Phone: (469) 939-6825

________________________________________________________________ ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTATION REQUIREMENTS ALL APPLICANTS :

A. $200 Non-refundable registration fee B. Recent photo C. Copy of first page of passport (with photo)

MEDICAL PERSONNEL : A. Copy of professional diploma 35 days prior to the date of the trip B. Copy of professional license 35 days prior to the date of the trip __________________________________________________________________________________ WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY, AND ASSUMPTION OF RISK I, ____________________________________, understand that there are significant risks involved with traveling internationally, and that illness, injury, or death could result from my voluntary service with the Rice Foundation. The results of my service may include, but are not limited to, accidents resulting in injury or death, disease, terrorist attacks, loss of personal property, and inadequate medical care. I willingly assume these risks as I volunteer my services, and I hereby waive any and all claims against local and international organizations, their employees, and the leaders of the Rice Foundation. __________________________________________________________________________________ RICE FOUNDATION POLICIES FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE RICE Foundation is a Christian group committed to the evangelization, empowerment and unity of the body of Christ through serving with medical relief and construction in specific parts of the world. Where ever we go we want to follow up with our work for a period of at least eight years, supporting their national leaders with evangelization, training leaders, and medical relief. US IRS tax-deductible receipts will be given for donations of $25.00 or more contributed for Rice Foundation projects. Donation checks should be made out to RICE FOUNDATION with the participant's name in the memo field. A signed application and waiver must be submitted by the participant for each project he/she participates in. It is of vital importance for the Rice Foundation and its participants to maintain an unimpeachable testimony in the local community, and we therefore expect our participants to behave in a manner that is in keeping with Biblical Christian morals. Due to the beliefs of the local churches, participants should refrain from partaking of smoking and alcoholic beverages while serving with the Rice Foundation. Bars and discos are off-limits for team members. No public or private immoral behavior will be tolerated by the Rice Foundation. When activities are in questions, team members should respect the wishes of the Rice foundation leadership and their knowledge of the country and culture. By signing I agree with the Rice Foundations policies for volunteer service, the waiver of responsibility, the assumption of risk, and I agree to meet the essential documentation requirements.

SIGNATURE DATE

For children under 18, if a parent I not participating with the minor participant, a parental consent letter must be signed.

FAQs

Rice Foundation, Copan, Honduras

Questions regarding the Copan area:

What can you tell me about the district of Copan?

Copan is in the northwest corner of Honduras, half an hour from the Guatemalan border. It is located in the longest mountain range of Honduras, known as the Merendon, and is lushly green. Even during the dry season, from December to May, Copan remains one of the most beautiful places in Honduras. The ancient Mayan Ruins, Ruinas de Copan, attract tourists from all over the world.

Do I need to know how to speak Spanish to get along well in Honduras?

You can survive perfectly well in Honduras even without knowing Spanish well. The Rice Foundation will use interpreters for all of its areas of service, but even when you go into the town of Ruinas de Copan you will be find plenty of people who speak enough English for you to get along just fine.

What is the weather like?

The weather in Copan can vary greatly. It can be 98 degrees during the heat of the day and the height of the dry season, (mainly during February to May,) and a comfortable 85 during the rainy season. During December, it can get down to 60 degrees at night, and during the rainy season (the end of May through November) you can expect torrential rain every afternoon.

Questions about the culture:

What can you tell me about the culture of the locals?

Hondurans are a warm and friendly people who are quick to respond to friendly overtures. They like Americans and are generally very happy to interact with them. Hondurans are inclusive; if you’re with them, they will welcome you in as part of the crowd. At the same time they are sensitive to slights; smile and be friendly, so that they don’t think you have something against them.

Tell me about the Honduran concept of time.

Hondurans do not place a great emphasis on arriving on time. If you invite someone to join you at seven o’clock, it will not be unusual for them to arrive ten or twenty minutes late, or even up to an hour late. That would still be considered arriving on time, and is not at all impolite. Everything moves at a much slower pace in Latin America.

What about personal space?

The concept of personal space is not one that has much relevance in Honduran culture. You will quickly notice that people stand much closer to you than you are used to, and are likely to expect to converse with you with their face uncomfortably close to yours. If this happens, try not to take a step backwards or to lean too far backwards. Just smile and keep their cultural context in mind.

What can you tell me about male/female interaction?

It is very common for Honduran men to behave enthusiastically when they see a pretty woman, and should you, as a woman, be greeted with flirtatious remarks and gestures, just ignore them and continue on your way. At the same time, be careful when forming friendships between the sexes. Hondurans are more likely to think that you have serious intentions if you display friendship toward someone of the opposite sex. Be friendly to everyone, but cautious about whom you spend time alone with.

How do Hondurans greet each other?

Initially, Hondurans greet one another with a handshake. However, when middle or upper class acquaintances see each other, (even the first time after meeting,) women kiss each other on the cheek, and men and women do likewise. (Only men do not kiss one another.) This is the polite thing to do. If you see someone approaching their cheek towards yours, lean in and exchange the expected kiss.

About clothing matters:

What should I wear to work in?

While working in the clinic, scrubs are definitely the coolest and most comfortable thing to wear. Pants or skirts and shirts or tee shirts are also appropriate. If you’re working in construction, jeans and boots or tennis shoes will be best.

What should I wear after work?

You can wear long shorts after work, at the hotel and around the village. For any church services, the ladies should wear skirts, and the men should wear collared shirts, button down or polo style. The main concern after comfort should be modesty; ladies should avoid spaghetti straps or anything too short.

Lodging:

Where will we be staying?

The Rice Foundation teams will be housed at the Hacienda El Jaral. El Jaral is a charming, picturesque place that used to be a working hacienda. The housing consists of Spanish-style cabins around a central green. There is a pool, restaurant, snack/gift store, soccer, volleyball, and basketball courts, and a game room.

What should I know about the cabins?

You will find everything straight forward and what you are accustomed to. The only thing you should definitely be aware of, (and this goes for all of Honduras,) is that you should not flush any toilet paper down the toilets. Always place all paper in the wastepaper basket.

Health Issues:

What immunizations should I think about getting before I travel to Honduras?

We recommend that our team members be up to date on their hepatitis A and B vaccines.

Is there a problem with malaria in Honduras?

There are occasional cases of malaria in Copan. These cases are not frequent, but we still advise our team to take cloroquin while in Honduras. You can see your personal physician about that before the trip, as protocol is to start taking it before the trip actually begins.

Is it safe to eat everything that is served to me while I’m in Honduras?

The only water that you should drink in Honduras is bottled water. Do not drink water that you don’t know the source of. You will also need to be careful about not brushing your teeth using water from the tap.

As far as food, any hot, cooked food is safe to eat. Stay away from raw, unpeeled fruits and vegetables, such as green salads. While it is possible that the salad is perfectly fine, it is also one of the most frequent causes (besides water) of traveler’s diarrhea.

Safety while in Honduras:

How safe is it to travel in Honduras?

Honduras has its fair share of thieves and pickpockets, so you will be wise to exercise precaution in strolling around town with your valuables on your person. It is better to leave your valuables locked up at the hotel, and just keep a small amount of cash on you. Keep your camera close; to leave it lying around is to invite temptation. The same goes for any backpacks or personal items you take to the work site with you.

Is it safe for women to walk around Copan alone?

It is generally safe, but we advise our female team members to walk around in groups of two or three. There is certainly no reason to walk around feeling afraid; we simply recommend the use of wisdom in all situations.

Cash Concerns:

How much money should I bring with me?

We recommend bringing $100 to $300 with you, depending on how many incidentals you plan on buying. There are souvenirs you can buy at Ruinas de Copan; you can buy simple trinkets or more expensive things such as paintings. You may also wish to have a coffee and dessert in town, or buy snacks at the gift shop at the hotel. Beyond on those things, you won’t need much.

Can I use my credit card in Honduras?

You can use a credit card at the larger hotels and gift shops. At smaller, simpler places, you will definitely need cash.

What is the local currency and how can I obtain it?

The local currency is called the lempira. Ricardo will be happy to change your dollars to lempiras for you when you arrive.

What is the exchange rate?

It is currently at L.18.89 to every dollar.

Will there be an ATM machine there?

There is an ATM machine in the town of Ruinas de Copan. There is also the possibility that it could be out of order at one time or other while you are there, so you’d be wise to bring along cash as well.

Can we use traveler’s checks?

No, you can’t use traveler’s checks. They are completely unfamiliar with them in Honduras, except at a few banks that you may not have access to.

Communicating with folks back home:

Will I be able to call my family?

There are cyber cafes that you will have access to several times during the trip, and you can call from there. You can also send emails from there. You can also use the internet at the hotel.

What if there is an emergency and someone needs to get in touch with me?

You can reach Ricardo on his mobile phone: 1-469-939-6825. The Hotel Hacienda El Jaral number is 011-(504) 656-7091, but reaching people through the hotel is pretty unreliable.