DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

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YOUTH MISSION PROGRAM

TEAMHANDBOOK

Welcome to the Youth Mission Program in the Dominican Republic. Over the next few weeks and months you will be preparing for an experience which will have a dramatic impact on your life. You will never be the same after your week of ministry in the Dominican Republic.

You will have an opportunity to reach out to some of the poorest people on earth and demonstrate the love of Christ to them. You will also have an opportunity to work with people of many different interests and vocational backgrounds who are using their skills to meet needs and proclaim the Good News in the Dominican Republic.

Our prayer is that as a result of this experience you will see God's vision for your life more clearly. Our prayer is also that you will become convinced that He can and will use your life to make a real difference in a world of suffering and need.

May God be praised for your willingness to step out in faith and be used by Him in the Dominican Republic. The Manna / DR Staff and many others throughout the world will be praying for you as you prepare for this adventure in service. May God bless you richly as you dedicate your effort to His will.

The Manna / DR Staff

The Youth Mission Program to the Dominican Republic is a program originally developed by Manna International. The purpose of this program is to provide you with a new view of the world through an experience of life in a poor country. From this experience we hope that you will be drawn closer to God and will learn to better to see the world the way Jesus sees it -- a world that needs to hear His Good News. This program takes you to the Dominican Republic, and for one week you will be involved in several different ministries that focus on bringing Jesus to people in both word and deed. A special focus of the week is working with children. Participants will be involved in the work the local church and the Manna / DR missionaries.

The Goals of the Manna / DR Youth Mission Program:

1. To give you a new view of the world and to see first-hand how people in a third-world country live.

2. To give you a new view of service in God's kingdom, and what you can do to make a difference.

3. To give you a new view of how your vocational interests may be used on the mission field.

4. To give you a new view of God, His love, and His plan for your lives.

Manna / DRYOUTH MISSION PROGRAM

The Dominican Republic

PROJECT INFORMATION

OVERVIEW:

All activities will be concentrated near the small villages of Caraqueno and Bobita, and the surrounding areas. Each team will be led by the Manna / DR staff, and will be a part of a different activity each day. The focus of all activities will be to plant seeds for Jesus Christ, to build up the local Christians and church, and to reach out to the community.

PLANNED ACTIVITIES: (a sample daily schedule will be e-mailed separately)Below is a listing of possible activities for your team:

Work Projects: painting, gardening, or simple construction at the camp, the churches of Christ, local school, or individual homes throughout the area.

Evangelism: working side by side with the local Dominican church is very important to the Lord work in the DR. These activities will include VBS, devotionals and studies with the locals, and meetings with the local churches of Christ. Your team will need to have prepared VBS materials.

Visitation: visiting the suffering at the Puerto Plata hospital (5 wards), a drug rehab center, inner city church, and/or city dump. Fellowship: spending a half-day with a Dominican family, participating in

their daily activities … such as gardening, washing, cooking, cleaning, etc.LEADERS & TEAM MEMBERS: We are counting on your ability to be flexible in all activities and scheduling.

SPIRITUAL GOALS: Since the primary focus of the Manna / DR Youth Mission Program is to help

you draw closer to God and see His vision for your life, you will spend time each day in prayer, Bible study, and worship. Every day will begin with a period of quiet time for each person to spend in reading and prayer. Teams will have devotionals each evening that will focus on what God has done during the day and where you have both seen and experienced Jesus.

At the end of the week, one day will be spent being "tourists". The day will include time at Playa Grande, the Atlantic Ocean coastal beach, and shopping for souvenirs in Rio San Juan.

Many handmade souvenirs can be found in the small shops in this area of Rio San Juan and at the beach. You may have the pleasure of "haggling" over the prices as you shop. The town of Rio San Juan and other local coastal towns are very tourist focused as you will see international tourists and many nice resorts.

OTHER ACTIVITIES:

TRIP PREPARATIONSCHEDULE:

Each team must be sure to contact the Manna / DR stateside contact in order to secure an exact date for their mission week to the Dominican Republic. A non-refundable deposit must be paid in order to confirm the week for the team.

Tom MartinManna / DR Program Coordinatorc/o Cloverdale Church of Christ

3000 East Park AvenueSearcy, AR 72143

Ph: 501-268-1951 (evenings) / 501-268-4553 (Wednesdays 1:30 – 6 p.m. / CT)E-Mail: thomasrmartin@sbcglobal.net

TRAINING:Team leaders should lead discussions on the Dominican Republic -- its

culture, living conditions, history, etc. The more the group knows the better. Have team members pay attention to the newspapers and magazines for articles about the DR. Have them do some of their own research on the internet <www.dr1.com>, in encyclopedias, and learn of the history of this nation, and island.

Teams should also prepare themselves emotionally and spiritually. There are many great resources available that will assist in preparing your team for short term mission trips. Many of these contain Bible studies and other exercises designed to educate teens and others about the world in which we live, and how to share the message of the Gospel.

LANGUAGE:At the end of this booklet there is a simple listing of common phrases in

Spanish. Study it together, and become familiar with the basic greetings. Latin American / Spanish Phrase Books are also a valuable resource.

OBTAINING A PASSPORT: This will be a necessary part of your trip, and should be taken care of as

soon as possible. Check with the county clerk, city hall, or the main Post Office to obtain a passport application. (You may have to call to find the nearest location.) Then have Passport photos taken (you will need two identical photos). Once everything is filled out, you must return to the correct office with: 1. your application; 2. your photos; 3. an official copy of your birth certificate; 4. a valid driver's license or other photo I.D.; 5. checks for the appropriate amount. If you are under 18 and/or do not have a photo I.D. you will need a parent or guardian to accompany you to serve as a witness of your identity. Passports usually take about 6 weeks, but do allow extra time (especially if sent off after mid-March). Be sure to sign your passport, exactly as your name appears, as soon as it is received. Fill in all address information and the emergency notification section as soon as possible.

COST: (recommended = $1250 - $1500 / your actual cost per team member may vary.) $250.00 per person, per week (includes food / 2 meals daily, housing, in-country transportation, tourist / beach day) – (LEADERS PLEASE NOTE: the deposit for your team includes a portion of the total balance due upon arrival in the DR. A separate deposit / funds timeline will be e-mailed to you.); Round trip air fare from your departure city to Puerto Plata (POP); In-route hotel and meals; Entrance Visa ($10 – 30 / varies) Passport / Picture fees; Immunizations / vaccinations; VBS / teaching materials / supplies; Medical Evacuation / Trip Cancellation coverage (recommended); Spending money (for souvenirs and Cokes) Miscellaneous (as per require by each team's needs).

FLIGHT ARRANGEMENTS:

All teams are responsible for making their own flight arrangements and to communicate those prior to booking to the Manna / DR Team and the Manna / DR program coordinator. (Doing so will allow a check / double-check system to make both aware of your itinerary and catch any potential errors / problems.) All teams should fly into Puerto Plata (POP).

TIPS ON FUNDRAISING:- Begin- immediately--your time is limited- Make a list of your possible resources (including individuals in your church, family and relatives, other congregations, friends, etc.);- Prepare letters of request - neatly typed, as personal as possible (the added touch of a hand written note in the margin or at the bottom of the page goes a long way!); - Give some of your own reasons for wanting to have this experience.- Attempt to have all your necessary funds no later than 1 month before the trip date. (It is recommended that each team set up a time-line for receipt of funds. i.e., deposit due by ???; $500 due by ???; $1000 due by ???; balance due by ???.)

A sample fundraising letter is enclosed in / attached with this packet.

SIMPLE / COMMON PHRASES:

HolaBuenos dias

Hello Good morning Good afternoon / evening - nightBuenas tardes / noches

Adios Good byePleaseHow are you (formal)I am fine, thank youI don't understandHow do you say - in Spanish? My name isI am from the U.S.

Me llamoSoy de los Estados Unidos.

Vivo en Oregon.Estudio espanol en mi escuela. Tengo anos.Estoy aqui ayudar la iglesia de Cristo Yo quiero...

Yo necesito...Ayudo usted?Ayudo ustedes?Donde esta ?Donde vive usted?

I live in Oregon.I studied Spanish in my school.I have ____ years. (I am - yrs. old)I'm here to help the church of Christ. I want...I need...May I help you?May 1 help you all?Where is ?Where do you live?Thank youNo, thank youI am hungry.Where is the bathroom?I believe in …

GraciasNo, graciasYo tengo hambre. Donde esta el bano?Yo creo en …Yo soy enfermo… Cuanto?

I am sick …How much?

Por favor Como esta usted? Estoy bien, gracias No, comprendo

Como se dice en espanol?

SIMPLE SPANISH / 2

madre (mama) mother padre (papa) fatherhermana sister hermano brotheriglesia church Biblia BibleComida / tomar Food /drink agua waterDios / Jesus God / Jesus viva lifedulces candy yo Itu you (informal) el heElla she usted you (formal)nosotros we ellos theyustedes you all

SPECIFICS THAT LEADERS NEED TO KNOW:SCHEDULE:

The Manna / DR Team will set the schedule for the week. As noted, a sample schedule will be e-mailed to your team. The key to a successful trip is noted in three words:

Flexibility … Flexibility … FlexibilityIt is always good to stay in contact with the Manna / DR Team regarding

your plans, ideas, seeking their input, etc. while preparing for the week. This communication will benefit your preparation and understanding of the schedule as the team readies itself for the week.

BREAKFAST / SNACKS:

Breakfast foods are the responsibility of each individual and / or the team. Fruits are sometimes available to the teams in the morning, but don't count on it. Dominican coffee, and sometimes chocolate, will be available in the mornings. (What is left over is used for tarring the roads or roofing houses.)

Snacks are also the responsibility of each individual and / or the team.

Breakfast foods and snacks should be sealed in Zip-lock bags. All foods will be stored at the kitchen. No foods are to remain in the dorms so that rodents, ants, and "critters" are not attracted into the sleeping areas.

HINT: It is always a nice touch to bring a "taste of home" with you to share with the missionaries and interns. After 10 weeks or longer, variety truly does become the spice of life. P.S. Brian (and Bidole) enjoy beef jerky; Tammie loves chocolates; and the Staelens scarf down the bagels.

VBS:

Each team will be responsible for 3 VBS's. Supplies will be needed for each of these. It is recommended that each team prepare for a minimum of 10 in attendance at each VBS. (For better numbers, communicate with the Manna / DR Team.) Supplies should consist of the following: coloring sheets / crayons, some type of craft, some type of activity / game, and a snack (goldfish, tootsie rolls, suckers, etc.).

Drinks and cups will be provided by the Manna / DR Team

HOSPITAL PACKS / VISIT:

Teams should be prepared to distribute some type of care-pack during the visits to the hospital. Teams should be prepared to sing a couple of song in each ward and close in prayer.

For the children's wards, coloring sheets / crayons, a small stuffed animal, pencils, soap, toothbrush / toothpaste, comb, small / inexpensive Spanish Bible story book (available from many publishers for cheap), etc. For the adult's wards, the same type of toiletries work well, a small / inexpensive Spanish Bible and / or tract, ink pens, etc.

Whatever it is, they are always appreciative.

NOTE: prepare a few extra packs, family members often expect one although it is not necessary to give them one.

DUMP VISIT:

Teams will visit a Haitian community that is living at / on the dump. The purpose is to extend fellowship to them and to provide them with a meal consisting of peanut butter & jelly sandwiches and juice. These meals are probably the only meal they will eat that day(s).

Haitians love to sing and will gladly sing along with you, especially if you know a little Haitian Creole.

NOTE: it is most important that closed shoes be worn to both the hospital and to the dump. No sandals! Safety as a precaution is the best preventative.

WORK / SERVICE PROJECTS:

Projects are normally done in the morning when it is somewhat cooler (yeah right!).

Please note the clothing area for appropriate and acceptable work clothes. Shorts and modest tank tops are OK! Proper footwear should be emphasized so as to avoid injury, i.e., ankles, blisters, etc.

All teams should bring one pair of work gloves for each team member. These may be left for other teams and / or the Dominican / Haitian workers when the week is completed. (Check with your local hardware store or home center. Many will donate gloves, and other supplies, to mission teams.)

COMMUNITY DAY:

This is the day that the team breaks into small groups to spend a portion of the day with a local Dominican family. This is not the day to dress down, but nice casual clothing is very acceptable and appropriate.

Expect to work, sit, help prepare the meal, play with the children, nap, whatever …. They will extend their best to each of you. Even the chicken claw! Try it … it's not too bad.

It is a nice touch to also take some type of thank you gift when you go to their house. It is easier when it is something that can be enjoyed by all. Maybe something native to your state, town, church, etc.

GIFTS / CARE PACKAGES:

Please check with the missionaries for their needs and needs of the children prior to your trip. There may be some pressing need that your team can supply.

Also, always check with Tammie before giving gifts to the children in the Children's Homes.

Manna / DR TEAM CONTACT INFORMATION:E-Mail is the best way to communicate with those in the DR. Phone and

FAX are not readily available and reliable. For that matter, neither is e-mail, but it remains the best. If they to call, they will get hold of you.

Brian & Tammie WallaceDirectors of the Manna / Dominican Republic ProgramTamWal59@aol.com

Tom MartinManna / DR Program Coordinatorthomasrmartin@sbcglobal.netPh: 501-268-1951 (evenings)

501-268-4553 (Wednesdays 1:30 – 6 p.m. / CT)