Thank you for expressing interest in our mission trip to Guatemala!
As of this we have 25 people who have expressed interest in being part of the Guatemala Summer Mission team.
We have 15 airline tickets reserved, and 15 spots through Next Steps (our mission partner in Guatemala). So, the importance of this email is to find out who is a "for sure" and who is a "maybe."
So...what is Next?
After reading the below...and after asking me any questions you might have regarding this mission, you let me know if you are "going" or "still thinking."
If you commit to going, you are commited to the cost and the trip.
We will fill the 15 spots on a first-come, first-served basis.
Then, as long as airfares don't increase and Next Step has space for us in Guatemala, we will take additional people over 15.
We would like to have the team set by the end of April.
Email Scott (
smeier@mcfarlinumc.org
) with your decision.
Itiinerary
Saturday, June 16:
Depart Norman and Dallas, where we will stay overnight in a hotel.
Sunday, June 17:
Up early and head to the aiport
Our American Airlines flight leaves at 8:15am, arriving in Guatemala around 11:30am.
We will link up Next Step Ministries and head to Sumpango to get settled.
Monday - Thursday
We will focus on mission projects. At this point they are not set, but I expect them to be construction of some kind. There is also a chance some will work with a VBS.
Friday
We will spend the day in Antiqua, Guatemala sightseeing, as well as enjoying lunch together.
Saturday
Our American Airlines flight arrives back in Dallas around 4pm. We will then drive home to Norman, arriving by 9:00pm
Cost
The cost of the mission is $1500.
If you want, you can send letters to family and friends asking for support to help cover this cost. I will have these letters and will help you send them out.
Dinner on Saturday (June 16), breakfast at the airport on Sunday morning, and dinner on the way home on Saturday (June 23), will also be your responsbility.
There will be some chances for spending money in Guatemala, including trips during the week to small stores in the neighborhood where we serve for snacks, and in Antigua for souvinirs. All meals in Guatemala will be covered.
Passport
Everyone who goes with us will need a Passport.
Organization We Are Serving With
Next Step Ministries is a great organization...I was impressed with them last summer! I love their connection to on-going ministries in Sumpango, thus ensuring that what we do is part of a bigger picture.
Next Step takes care of the housing, meals, transportation in Guatemala, has staff people that are with us all day everyday, leads devotions, and gives direction during our time in Guatemala.
You can check them out at
www.NextStepMinistries.com
In addition to Next Step Ministries, we also register our team with the Oklahoma United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (VIM).
Adults Going
As of right now, we have 6 adults who have expressed interest in going. This includes Scott Meier, Austin Leeviraphan, and Kristy Varva from the McFarlin Staff.
Questions?
The above may not have answered all your questions...so please contact Scott Meier if you have them!
smeier@mcfarlinumc.org
405-819-4363
