TRIP DATES: July 5-13, 2026

UPCOMING DATES

  • Sat Jul 4 — Packing Party at 10 am (Room 2). Bring PASSPORT and fully packed checked bag for weighing and distributing donations. We’ll leave both locked at church overnight. Keep your backpack with you.

  • Sun July 5 — Meet at church (NORTH LOT) @ 8:30 am (*NOTE CHANGE) to load up, pray, and head to the airport.

  • Mon July 13 — Arriving at Sky Harbor @ 3:10 pm. You will need to arrange your own pick up. If anyone needs a ride, please let me know.

Flight Info

EXPECTED INDIVIDUAL EXPENSES

  • BEFORE: Site donations ($ optional) and purchasing Host Gift (aprx $20 per site)

  • AIRPORT: Food (likely one meal both days)

  • Spending money ($75-$100)

Spending Money Breakdown

  • Potter ($5 per piece)

  • Shopping day (Microfinance Fair AND Artisan Market) - cash only, small bills, no tears or marks

  • Extra food/drinks on excursion

  • Snacks at base ($1 each)

  • Cash for Nicaraguan airport (in case something is confiscated at customs) - $1 bills, at least $3 but more to be safe. No marks, no tears, as clean/newish looking as possible.

Funds raised above/beyond what is needed:

  • 1st Priority: cover SI Nicaragua Staff and Families meals at banquet (Aprx $500)

  • 2nd Priority: team and staff costs for excursion and banquet ($650)

  • Anything left: donated to SI Nicaragua. Typically funds are used to cover their annual staff retreat.

 

FINAL THINGS TO DO

  • Enroll in STEP: ​​https://mytravel.state.gov/s/step

  • 3 week Pre-Field Devotional (Mon-Fri)

  • Thank those supporters and give them an update!

  • Prepare for your site - see email sent on May 15

  • Watch the last Helping WIthout Hurting video!

  • Pray! Relax! Enjoy the last days of preparation!

previous meeting notes

Training Meeting #4: Sun APR 12

  • Come ready to share your story (see below)

  • Come ready to discuss Helping Without Hurting Part 4

  • Bring passport for copies if you haven’t already

  • Bring any donations you have collected (50% of total team funds due: Sun May 3. We are currently at about 48% overall!)

    WHAT’S YOUR STORY?

      • When sharing your testimony:

        • Keep it focussed on what GOD has done.

        • Keep the language simple (for your translator)

        • Keep it brief (5 min)

        • Avoid slang and idioms.

        • Speak slower than normal.

        • Include pauses for translation.

      • How to write your story

        • Before Jesus (what you believed, what you struggled with, what avenues you tried to find peace, how you felt inside, etc)

        • How I Met Jesus (who shared with you, what you learned about Jesus, what you decided)

        • Life Now (how has your life changed?) 

        • Invitation to Hope

      • Other ideas:

        • How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your life?

        • How has God carried you through a difficult time?

        • What gives you hope for the future?


Training Meeting #3: Sun MAR 15

  • Bring passport for copies

  • Bring any donations collected

Training Meeting #2: Sun Feb 15

TRAINING MEETING #1: JAN 18

THINGS TO DO BEFORE NEXT MEETING: