Join Covenant Merge Ministries on a mission trip for Crossroads to Villa de San Antonio, Honduras. Get involved with our hosts Pastor Peter Hearne, his family and their Christian ministry called Linaje Escogido in La Villa (the village).

Trip dates are July 14-22, 2012

• Costs: $1300 – $1500 (per person, double occupancy, all inclusive, tax deductible). The cost is largely dependent on airfare. A sample fundraising letter that some may wish to use to solicit support from friends and family is available upon request.

• Commitment date is: April 1st. At this time a $150 non refundable deposit is required so airline tickets can be held.

• There will be 3 team meetings for orientation and planning…one meeting each in April, May, and June. Dates and location to be determined.

• Our team will be working directly with the Linaje Escogido elementary school and other projects that Linaje Escogido church is involved with, i.e. children feeding programs, construction on the church or school playground, women & men ministries, etc. Specific projects and assignments will be decided upon at the team meetings when we know the skills/gifts and interests of the individual team members. All God’s gifts are valuable and will be a blessing to the people we serve in Honduras.

• For more information, contact Missions Director Lisa Adams or Dick/Nancy Gozola @ 651-788-9960.

How much does it cost?

• We partner with Merge Covenant in planning our mission trip. It is an all-inclusive mission trip for your convenience. The cost you pay will include airfare, ground transportation in Honduras, meals, accommodations and supplies.

• It is difficult to provide a precise quote. The primary cost is the airfare to Honduras which fluctuates greatly with the continued increased cost of airfare and fuel for ground transportation in Honduras. The estimated total is $1350 - $1500

• Sample fund raising letters are available upon request.

• You are responsible for personal spending money, luggage, and Honduras airport exit taxes of $40 per person.

• All your expenses are tax deductible.

Do I need a passport and visa?

• You need a valid passport. No special visas are required for a short stay in Honduras.

Do I need special immunizations?

• Yes. See your doctor or a travel clinic. Information is also available on the website for the US Center for Disease Control in Atlanta. Generally, the recommended immunizations are Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid, Malaria, and an update to your tetanus. We do not plan to be in the rainforest area of Honduras, which sometimes requires additional immunizations.

Is it safe?

• In fifteen years of travel, we have never had an incident. Except for being in the airport, we are not in the large cities where much of the crime occurs. Of course, there are no guarantees, but as a group we try to be as prudent as possible.

What are the conditions like?

• We are visiting a developing country. The people are poor and the infrastructure is not like home. We take precautions such as only drinking bottled water and getting our immunizations before we depart. We stay in safe hotels or homes and stay away from fresh fruits and vegetables unless we know they have been properly cleansed.

What is the time commitment?

• Other than the trip itself you will be asked to attend 3-4 meetings for orientation, to meet your fellow mission members, and to assist with the planning necessary for a successful mission experience.

What about the language barrier?

• Hondurans speak Spanish. The Hearne family (our hosts) is bilingual and very generous with their time and with helping our groups. Most of the past mission participants were not fluent in Spanish, but still found the experience rewarding. You will be amazed at how much communicating you can do without language.

What is the weather like?

• We will be in central Honduras. Average July temperatures range from highs in the mid-80’s and lows in the mid-60’s. There may be short rainfalls during the afternoons.

Click here for Word doc letter sample.