TRIP DATES: July 5-13, 2026
UPCOMING DATES
Sun June 14 — Taco Sunday (after both services) and Final Team Meeting
Sun June 28 — Commissioning in both services (wear shirts for team photo)
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 in Room 2 overnight. Keep your backpack with you.
Sun July 5 — Meet at church @ 9:00 am to load up and head to the airport. WE NEED DRIVERS! Please text me if someone in your family can drive and how many add’l passengers they can take.
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.
Flights are booked!
EXPECTED INDIVIDUAL EXPENSES
BEFORE: Site donations 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
Excursion ($20) and Banquet ($20) (hoping to cover with support)
Extra food/drinks on excursion
Snacks at base ($1 each)
Funds raised above/beyond what is needed:
1st Priority: cover SI Nicaragua Staff and Families meals at banquet (Aprx $500)
2nd Priority: team costs for excursion and banquet ($720)
Anything left: donated to SI Nicaragua. Typically funds are used to cover their annual staff retreat.
Training Meeting #5: Sun JUNE 14
THINGS TO DO BEFORE NEXT MEETING:
Finish raising support - follow up with those who have and have not donated. Turn in money to Shari any Sunday (in an envelope with your name)
Come up with an Icebreaker activity that you can use in your site. Be ready to share at next meeting.
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
Come hear from former and current missionaries in Nicaragua!
THINGS TO DO BEFORE APRIL MEETING:
Complete Application to SI
Write and come prepared to share your story
Training Meeting #2: Sun Feb 15
Bring passport for copies
Come ready to discuss Helping Without Hurting Part 1
THINGS TO DO BEFORE MARCH MEETING:
Application to SI (Team ID: HorizonsNI26) - Please get this started so SI has a complete roster for our team. The application will ask for your pastor’s email address. It is jgentry@horizonscc.com. Important: do not put someone who is going on the trip as your emergency contact.
Write and Send Support Letters - Please make a copy if you would like to use the sample letter. Be sure to include QR code and/or link to giving page: shorturl.at/F3g2N or horizonscc.com/nic2026
TRAINING MEETING #1: JAN 18
THINGS TO DO BEFORE NEXT MEETING:
Read p. 4-9 in notebook
Watch Helping Without Hurting Part 1 (16 minutes)
Application to SI (Team ID: HorizonsNI26)
Make list of supporters. See p 11-15 in notebook.
Write Support Letter - Please make a copy if you would like to use the sample letter. Be sure to include QR code and/or link to giving page: shorturl.at/F3g2N or horizonscc.com/nic2026
Calendar: CRAFT FAIR - MARCH 15th: Please be there following BOTH services. Consider participating!