17 Jan Design a Missions Trip to Central America

Donna Hollopeter, Associate Director of Global Ministries

Now is the time to think about some great opportunities for global ministry during the summer of 2011. Many of you are already planning trips that will have a great impact across the globe, which is awesome! If you are still searching for something, please check out this unique opportunity.

Jeff and April Dice will be stationed in Granada, Nicaragua, from the middle of June through August. They would love to help you partner with local congregations in Guatemala, Nicaragua, or Costa Rica. This will be a Design-Your-Own Trip type of experience. Here’s how it will work.

1. Plan the Trip

You and some of your family, friends, or congregation get together to make plans as to how you will have an impact in Central America. This could be through such ministries as:

• building something.
• providing activities for ladies.
• doing a day camp for children.
• organizing youth activities.
• collecting eyeglasses and providing an eye-clinic for a community.
• teaching local people a skill (like farming, sewing, or running a business).

You really can get creative with this. The size of your group could be anywhere from 2-20. You decide.

2. Present Your Plan to Jeff Dice

After deciding what you think God is calling you to do, email that to Jeff Dice. If it looks like that type of partnership can be formed, move to the next step. There will be ongoing projects in Nicaragua that you may join, or you can do something totally different.

3. Put Together a Budget for Your Project

Jeff can help you with this. You will need to decide how to best fund your project. You could divide the expense of the project among those participating, or you could enlist the support of your local congregation. I recommend the latter, because you get many more people involved and it really becomes a partnership with your congregation.

Examples: a typical bare-bones building project costs about $5000, and a typical day camp might cost $1500. There are projects that range from $1000-$10,000. You can decide!

Jeff will assist you with your entire trip budget. He will inform you of all the expenses you can reasonably expect. Our past trips to Nicaragua have cost approximately $500 per person plus airfare. This includes every expense, excluding extra stuff like the canopy tour. Use this amount as your guide. This does not include your project expenses.

Though we work in some relatively remote areas, we have several lodging options which can affect the total cost. Costa Rica and Guatemala should cost about the same.

4. Decide When You Want to Travel

Jeff can assist you with all your travel plans. The best days to travel (cheapest) are usually Thursdays and Tuesdays, but affordable tickets are available on other days. Jeff will put you on the calendar once you have purchased your tickets.

NOTES: You can also schedule time for sightseeing, to go to the beach, climb a volcano, ride a zip line, or go fishing. Talk this over with Jeff as you plan your missions experience!

Please contact Jeff Dice with any questions you have or if you would like Jeff to visit your church to answer questions or talk about missions.

Email: jeff@browncorners.org
Cell: 989-246-4298
Office: 989-386-2702.