FAQ

We have gathered a list of common questions that people has asked over the years, browse around to see if you find what you are looking for. If not please don't hesitate to contact us.

What do I need to pack?

Before packing, please make sure you adhere to the airline requirements: Each bag may only be a maximum of 50 lbs and 62
linear inches (total length + width + height)

  • Tag luggage with name and address in the event theyare lost.
  • Bring clothes that are cool, light and require little maintenance. Remember it will be hot and humid.
  • No camouflage clothing allowed
  • Pack enough clothes to last the entire trip.Clothes used for ministry can be used more than once. Washer and dryer are not provided.
  • Don’t bring your best, most favorite clothes.
  • It’s a good idea to pack your clothes in a water proof bag (extra large zip lock bag).
  • Bring shoes that can be worn every day. Make sure they are durable, comfortable and cool. It is recommended to bring 2 pairs of shoes.
  • Slippers or shower shoes
  • If possible, avoid bringing hair dryers, curlingirons, clothes irons and other large items. It not only takes up space, but adds to the weight of your suitcase. Check the power requirements for the country you are visiting to ensure they are compatible with the United States. For Honduras, Nicaragua and the Bahamas, the power requirements are compatible.
  • It is a good idea to use a back pack instead of a purse. A purse is easier to misplace or for someone to pick up.
  • Bible
  • Notebook or journal
  • 2 water/drinking bottles to be used throughout the week.
  • Hats and sunglasses
  • Flashlight, extra batteries
  • Hand sanitizer, sunscreen and bug repellent. These are a must!
  • A mosquito net is strongly advised for Honduras and Nicaragua
  • If you are packing snacks, pack them in a Ziploc bag. This will help guard against the humidity and insects.
  • Bring a camera and extra batteries/memory cards as you will want to document your trip and share with friends and family.
  • A poncho or rain jacket. (It rains sporadically throughout the day)
  • 2-3 bath towels and wash clothes (plan to leave in country)
  • Bring your regular toiletries and 2 toothbrushes
  • Modest swim suit for the excursion day.Tankinis are allowed (Honduras and Bahamas only)

Do I need to be bilingual to participate?

No hablo espanol? No problemo? We will work with locals in country to hire individuals who are fluent in English in order to effectively communicate. It is helpful if you know some common words such as hello, goodbye, thank you , etc.

I cannot afford the cost. What do I do?

First of all, we highly encourage all your missionaries to write to friends, relatives, church members and business associates and let them know that you will be going on a mission trip

For many of your friends, the idea of going on a mission trip is way out of their comfort zone, but they will gladly support someone like you financially.  For those of you can afford the trip on your own, remember that other s are able to be a part of the trip by donating.  Don't take the blessing away from them by being shy or timid about writing a letter.  We have provided a sample letter to help you get started.

When you write your letters, you first want to ask for their PRAYERS.  Prayer is the key to a successful trip and even if the person will not donate to your trip, they will still pray for you.

Finally, if you still fall short of the total cost of the trip, you need to let your team captain know and he will contact the mission office. Money has never been an obstacle to prevent someone to go, there may be others who received more than enough to cover their cost and can help defray your cost.  In short - "Do not worry about the money!"God has an awesome way of providing for his children.

Is there any danger involved?

Someone once stated, “You can’t be any safer than where God wants you to be.” I firmly believe that. Let’s face it. We take our lives into our own hands driving down the interstate. People will stay in groups if they go into the local village and common sense dictates that you don’t wander off alone. We will have security when we are in the local villages if needed, but remember, the people of the village appreciate our presence.

What are the living conditions like?

This depends upon where the mission field is and access to facilities. All of our lodging facilities will include modern bathroom and shower facilities. Air conditioning at night is only available in the Bahamas. Honduras and Nicaragua will have fans and open windows – mosquito nets are highly recommended for these countries. While in the villages during the day, the bathrooms will be generally acceptable, but not what you are accustomed to back home. We will eat well. Three meals a day are available during the day and all the food we eat is safe and bottled water is provided

What are the physical requirements?

You must be at least 15 years old AND accompanied by your parent, unless prior approval is obtained from the mission office. Or, you need to be over 18. As far as physical requirements you know your body better than we ever will. If you know you have some physical handicaps or medical history that would make most people think twice, then I ask you to prayerfully consider being a “sender” instead of a missionary.

If you’re in relatively good health then we welcome you! If you have any questions, please contact your team captain who can help you with this decision.

What can medical personnel expect on the mission trip?

Medical personnel can expect to see upwards of 2,000 patients during the four days we are providing services.  Most of these patients do not have immediate access to health care so they use a medical team, such as this, to obtain the services they need.  Many of the patients will have general concerns with their stomach, skin irritation/rash, eye or hearing problems.  There will be many women who are either pregnant or of child bearing age that will need a general check up along with their children.  For all pregnant women, we provide vitamins to last through full term (iron, folic acid, calcium, etc) Sexually transmitted diseases are present.  There have been cases in the past of more advanced situations, such as cancer, birth defects, tumors, cyst and broken/dislocated limbs  In some cases we are able to help immediately by removing the cyst or help with the dislocated arm, but in many cases we will work with the locals to assist them in getting advanced care when possible.  There is a general formulary that we take with us on the mission field that includes some of the following medicines:

Ibuprofen 200 mg tabs

Albendazole tabs (mebenoazole)

Gentymycin Eye Drops

Tylenol Drops 80 mg oral drops

Piperazine liquid

 

 

Chlorpheniramine tabs 4mg

Artificial Tears 1 oz.

Adult Tylenol Tabs 325 mg

Benadryl Liquid

 

Children's Tylenol Chew 80 mg

Diphenhydramine (Diphedryl) 25mg

 

Metronidazole Suspension 4 oz.

 

Calcium Carbonate 500 mg chew tabs

Sulfamethoxazole 400mg (Bactrim)

Meclizine 25 mg tab

Donnatal liquid

Cephalexin 250mg

Tolnaftate Cream

Ranitidine 150 mg

Cephalexin 500mg

Hydro-cortisone Cream

Loperamide 2 mg

Cephalexin Liquid 250mg

Clotrimazole 1% Antifungul Cream

 

Amoxicillin Tabs 250mg

Triple Antibiotic Cream

 

Amoxicillin Tabs 500mg

Antifungal/Antibacterial/Steroid Cream

Kwell Lotion

Amoxicillin Liquid 250mg

HCTZ 25 mg

Kwell Shampoo

Ciprofloxacin 500 mg

 

Adult Vitamins

Doxycycline tabs 100 mg

Fluconazole 200 mg (Diflucan)

Children's Chew Vitamins

Erythromycin caps 250 mg

Atenolol 50mg

Liquid Vitamins

Metronidazole 250 mg  (Flagyl)

 

Ferrous Sulfate (Adults only)

 

 

Folic Acid .8mg

Cough Syrup (histamine)

 

Glipizide 5mg (Glyburide)

 

 

Prednisone 5mg tabs

 

In addition to medicine, we take the following medical supplies:

TRIPLE-FOLD MEDICAL PACK

LA RESCUE BAG

ABD pads 9"x5"

Adult ambu bag

Ace wrap 3"

Burn spray

Ace wrap 8"

Emergen-C packages

Alcohol swabs

ET tubes assorted sizes

Bandaids assorted box

Eye meds assortment bag

Blood stopper assortment

Fluorescein strips bottle

Bulb syringe

Gauze pads package 2x2's

Calamine lotion bottle

Gauze pads package 4x4's

Chux - small (dental)

Gloves - sterile - size 71/2 pair

EMT scissors

Glucometer

Enema bag (complete)

Glucometer test strips pkg.

Exam gloves large box

Ice pack

Exam gloves medium box

IV hydration kit (NS)

Exam gloves small box

Laryngoscope & blades

Field dressings 7"x8"

Penlight

Field surgical kit

Phenergan 25mg ampules

Foley tray w/catheter

Ring Cutter

Gloves - sterile - medium - pair

Silver Nitrate sticks bottle

Glucometer lancets

Stylette

Instruments (assorted)

Sutures - 3-0 silk

Irrigation tray

              0 ethibond

IV solution sets

              6-0 Prolene

IV start kits

MEDS

Jelco 1"x20g

Albuterol mdi

Jelco 1"x22g

Atropine inj 1mg

Jelco 3/4"x24g

Ciprofloxacin 500 mg tabs

Kerlix rolls 6"

Diphenhydramine inj 50mg/ml

Medfix 4" roll

Epinephrine 1:10,000 1mg

Medicine bottles - small

Epipen autoinjectors

Multi-trauma drsg. 12"x30"

Furosemide inj 10mg/ml

Nebulizer kits tubing complete

Hydrocortisone cream 1% tube

Prisma wound treatment

NaHCO3 inj 50ml

Q-tips

Ntg 0.4mg SL tabs

Rolled gauze 3"

Tetracaine ophthalmic 5ml

SAM splint 36"

Viscous Lidocaine 2%

Secondary IV med set

0.9% NaCl flush 10ml

Self-adherent wrap 1"

Ceftriaxone 1gm

Self-adherent wrap 4"

Cerumenex 12ml bottle

Sterile 4x4's

Dexamethasone 4mg/ml

Sterile water 100cc bottle

Insulin N Humulin U100

Sterile water 250cc bottle

Insulin R Humulin U100

Syringes 1/2cc insulin

Kenalog 40mg/ml

Syringes 10cc

Lidocaine 1 or 2% inj

Syringes 1cc allergy

 

Syringes 3cc 1"    23g box

BLACK SUITCASE

Syringes 3cc 1.5" 21g box

 

Syringes 3cc 1.5" 22g box

Automatic BP cuffs

Tape - surgical 4" roll

Camp chair

Tongue depressors

Scale

Triangle bandages 40"x40"x56"

Nebulizer

Vaseline large jar

Otoscope

 

Stethoscopes

Additional Items

Surgical lamp

Ammonia inhalers

Suture tray disposable

Antiseptic hand cleaner

Syringes - 5cc

Bandaids Large

Syringes -10cc

Betadine 16oz

TAB packets

Bleach gallons

Tape rolls (adhesive, paper, etc)

Chux (absorbent barrier pads) lg

Tootsie rolls

Emesis Basins

Toradol 60mg/2ml vials

Hydrogen Peroxide 32oz

TV trays

Imitrex 4 or 6mg/0.5ml

Urine test strips

Instant thermometer

 

Isopropyl Alcohol 32oz

 

Jelcos 14g

 

Masks simple paper

 

Mineral oil

 

Packing tape

 

PDR

 

Plastic bags for meds, drsngs

 

Plastic Wash Basins

 

Pregnancy tests

 

Red biohazard bags

 

Saline for diluent 30ml

 

Scalpels #10 or #11 blade

 

Sharps container large

 

Silvadene cream jar

 

Small baggies

 

Spanish dictionary

 

Spray bottles

 

Steri-strips various sizes

 

What documents and vaccinations are needed?

You will need a valid US Passport, which must have an expiration date that will last six months AFTER your return from your trip. If you hold
a non-US passport, then please contact your team captain to determine if a VISA is required for the country that you will be visiting.

There are different vaccinations needed based on the country that you will be visiting. Below is the link to the MDTravelHealth website for each country that outlines the different requirements.

What is a typical day like in the field?

Early days and late nights are the best way to describe a day on the mission field. Each morning will begin with breakfast, prayer time and then travel to the village or location. Travel time to ministry location varies by country, but typically no more than an hour travel time.

For medical/dental ministries, you will spend 9-10 hours working to provide services to the local community. In years past we can see up to 600 people in a given day. People are registered in groups of 150 where the adults are taken to the church service and the children to children’s church. After the services, the people proceed to the triage, medical, pharmacy or to the dental area based on their need. Once they have received their services, they will exit the school. This process will be repeated many times during the day based on the volume of people requesting assistance.

For sports camp and Vacation Bible School ministries, the mission pre-arranges with local schools to come in for the day and minister to the children. The team will alternate between soccer camps in the morning and VBS in the afternoon. In both of these ministries, there are countless opportunities to connect with the children and share the Gospel message. It is at the schools that you will witness many coming to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. You will go back to the team home with great satisfaction and certainty that God used you and worked through you.

For the construction ministry, a local building project is identified and pre-arranged. The projects vary based on the need and in the past we have been involved with fence building, expansion of a residence and even agricultural activities.

As each mission trip is developed, you will be provided with a more detailed understanding of each ministry available.