Mission Trips to Honduras
Welcome!
Welcome to our trips to Honduras! You are just going to love it! Here is a ton of info (most of it important). You will notice I say "at this time" a lot. That's because anything I tell you about what we will be done or where we would stay, etc. can change at the last minute.
What we will be doing:
The purpose of the trips are to “work” in the Osman Hope shelters. Osman Hope has recently expanded its operations in Honduras and has moved one of its shelters to a new location. Our trips are primarily about providing the labor needed to do renovations and updates to the shelters; might even get to do some new construction! We will focus our efforts where they are needed most. But the most important thing we will do is to just “be with” the kids and the people in Honduras. They will be fascinated with you and will want lots of attention. Most of the kids in the shelters have spent their lives in poverty and are hungry for fun and positive interaction from adults. This is a “ministry of presence” in which we share God’s love by simply interacting with the kids and being with them.
What to expect on the trip:
We fly to Honduras on a Saturday or Sunday and arrive in the city of San Pedro Sula. Once in Honduras we will meet our bus driver for the week and then most likely head to the place we will be staying. We will spend part of the week working at the Santa Cruz shelter and visiting in the community of Santa Cruz to work in the new shelter there. Later in the week we will be working in San Pedro Sula and Villanueva at the three shelters located there; one of which is a new shelter. We will head back home on the following Saturday or Sunday.
Welcome to our trips to Honduras! You are just going to love it! Here is a ton of info (most of it important). You will notice I say "at this time" a lot. That's because anything I tell you about what we will be done or where we would stay, etc. can change at the last minute.
What we will be doing:
The purpose of the trips are to “work” in the Osman Hope shelters. Osman Hope has recently expanded its operations in Honduras and has moved one of its shelters to a new location. Our trips are primarily about providing the labor needed to do renovations and updates to the shelters; might even get to do some new construction! We will focus our efforts where they are needed most. But the most important thing we will do is to just “be with” the kids and the people in Honduras. They will be fascinated with you and will want lots of attention. Most of the kids in the shelters have spent their lives in poverty and are hungry for fun and positive interaction from adults. This is a “ministry of presence” in which we share God’s love by simply interacting with the kids and being with them.
What to expect on the trip:
We fly to Honduras on a Saturday or Sunday and arrive in the city of San Pedro Sula. Once in Honduras we will meet our bus driver for the week and then most likely head to the place we will be staying. We will spend part of the week working at the Santa Cruz shelter and visiting in the community of Santa Cruz to work in the new shelter there. Later in the week we will be working in San Pedro Sula and Villanueva at the three shelters located there; one of which is a new shelter. We will head back home on the following Saturday or Sunday.
Cost:
Depending on the cost of airfare at the time, the total cost of the trip will probably be between $1400 and $1700 per person. This price includes your airfare, all of your meals, drinks, ground transportation, lodging, and medical insurance while in Honduras. (The most expensive part of the trip is always the airfare. Sadly, about half of the cost quoted goes to airfare ) Also a small portion of the money you pay goes to the shelters as a donation. We will ask for a deposit of $200 for the trip, which will be non-refundable. We will be asking for the rest of the money for the trip about two weeks before we go. So if any of you plan to do any fund raising, I would suggest you get going! (We will have some tips on fund raising on the website here soon.)
Depending on the cost of airfare at the time, the total cost of the trip will probably be between $1400 and $1700 per person. This price includes your airfare, all of your meals, drinks, ground transportation, lodging, and medical insurance while in Honduras. (The most expensive part of the trip is always the airfare. Sadly, about half of the cost quoted goes to airfare ) Also a small portion of the money you pay goes to the shelters as a donation. We will ask for a deposit of $200 for the trip, which will be non-refundable. We will be asking for the rest of the money for the trip about two weeks before we go. So if any of you plan to do any fund raising, I would suggest you get going! (We will have some tips on fund raising on the website here soon.)
Travel Arrangements:
Once we get our commitment from folks about making the trip,(usually about 6 months before the trip date) we will need to go ahead and buy our plane tickets. We will check around to see if it is cheaper to fly directly from Atlanta. As mentioned before, we will handle all of the ground transportation, lodging and meals once we are in Honduras.
Once we get our commitment from folks about making the trip,(usually about 6 months before the trip date) we will need to go ahead and buy our plane tickets. We will check around to see if it is cheaper to fly directly from Atlanta. As mentioned before, we will handle all of the ground transportation, lodging and meals once we are in Honduras.
Other Information (more than you probably want
to know!!!)
I have set up a website that will have all of this information:
http://osmanhopetrips.blogspot.com
Medical Info:
With regard to shots, you need to have Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio Booster and Malaria. Honduras is a high risk malaria country. Malaria is present throughout the country including urban areas. Follow a Chloroquine regimen in weekly doses. When you see the doctor for these shots and prescriptions, ask for a prescription of Cipro. It is an antibiotic for diarrhea and you may need it. As an alternative, there is a new drug called Xifaxan...unlike bacteria fighting drugs like Cipro, which enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body, Xifaxan remains exclusively in the gut. You may want to consider this drug instead. Also bring with your pepto-bismal and immodium AD. Because mosquitoes and ticks are present at all times, you should spray your clothes with Permethrin - it is a mosquito and tick repellent for your clothes - you can find it in the camping supplies. I also recommend that you buy bug repellent with at least 30% deet. You might also bring a can of RAID with you in case you run into some cockroaches. I will bring the rest of the first aid kit. Please carry your prescription medicines in their original container in your carry on luggage. We will book your medical insurance coverage for you through MEDEX.
With regard to water - All local water should be considered contaminated. You will not drink the tap water in Honduras unless you are in a hotel that has a water filtering system. I will tell you when you can drink out of the tap. Bottled water will be supplied to you on site and in your rooms.
With regard to milk - Another thing you probably don't want to have in Honduras unless it is canned or boxed.
With regard to food - We will eat all of our meals together and only from safe sources. You will want to bring along snacks etc. All meat, poultry and seafood must be well cooked and served while hot. Vegetables should be well cooked and served hot. Fruits with intact skins should be peeled by you just before consumption. Do not use a knife given to you by a local Honduran. If you have any questions on what is safe to eat or drink, please ask! I don't want you to get sick.
What to pack:
Shorts and t-shirts are the clothes of choice. No need to bring any sort of “dress-up” clothes. You will want to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to do some walking. (Tennis shoes, etc.) You will probably want to avoid wearing anything open toed (flip flops and sandals) while out in the community. They will be okay though for around the places we will stay. You'll also want to bring some "good" shorts and shirts to change into after a nice hot shower, ok, maybe it won't be hot, but it will feel
good! Don't take over $200 in cash with you. Please bring a credit card with you. You will also want to pack:
rain gear
hand sanitizer
fanny pack
sturdy tennis shoes
wash cloths
back pack
travel alarm
sunblock
water bottle
bandanas
journal and pens
snacks
paperback books to read
film and camera
flip flop sandals for the shower
toilet paper
Spanish phrase book
flashlight
extra batteries
soap
bug spray with at least 30% deet
hair dryer
tissues in travel pack
hat
Leave your jewelry at home!
How to pack:
It has been our experience that if you buy JUMBO SIZE HEFTY STORAGE bags and pack your clothes in them, it will give you more room in your suitcase. Many people will pack each day’s clothes in one bag. Just a suggestion; you don't need to do it. Weight and size limits on International Flights are 50 lbs and 62 linear inches (length+width+height). You are only allowed to take two checked bags and one carry on of appropriate size. (Backpacks are the best carry-on I have found for these trips) But be aware of the ever changing luggage requirements by airlines and TSA.
Accommodations:
You can plan for: You will be staying in “hotel” kinds of places (no tents this time generally share a room, two to a room. You can expect single beds, with shower and sink. Most places do not have air conditioning, so plan to bring something cool to sleep in. Sheets and towels will be provided unless we let you know otherwise. (I usually bring my own sheets, pillow cases and towels just in case). Mosquito nets might be needed for the week we are there, since it is during the rainy season. You can usually get those at camping supply places or on the internet. Unless we are in one of the big hotels in San Pedro Sula (Intercontinental or Copantl) the tap water is not drinkable. We will provide drinking water to brush your teeth with etc. The water will be okay to bathe in, but just avoid getting any in your mouth when you shower. (We’ll teach you the “blow technique” for washing your face!)
Safety:
The places we will be staying will be in safe areas and we plan to do everything as a group. Not to alarm you, but do remember that you are in a third world country and the crime rate is very high. Do not, under any circumstances, wander off or try to go some place on your own. It is always better to go with someone or in a group. Also remember the language barrier. Just remember to use your common sense and keep safe. You will see a lot of dogs. DO NOT TRY TO PET THEM OR FEED THEM. The animals in Honduras are not vaccinated so just avoid them. Remember to wash your hands often and carry hand sanitizer with you to use. This will cut down on your chances of getting sick. As long as your follow these simple guidelines, you will be safe.
If you have any other questions about the trip please feel free to contact me:
The Rev. Gordon Brewer
email: lgordonbrewer@gmail.com
Phone: 423-288-1777
Cell: 423-571-7423
Address:
5337 Heritage Lane
Kingsport, TN 37664
Cell: 423-571-7423
Address:
5337 Heritage Lane
Kingsport, TN 37664
