MEXICO MISSION TRIP 2014: The BIG Stuff
‘A Spring Break that you will never forget’
WHO? Charter Oak Youth High School Students and AMOR Ministries.
WHEN? Saturday April 5th through Saturday April 12th
WHERE?Tecate, Mexico
COST: $695
WHY? To build a house for a family in who is homeless, to grow in compassion, to serve as a team.
IS IT SAFE? YES! In over 20 years there has never been an issue of violence with Amor.
WHAT TO EXPECT:Team training events, send-off Sunday, drive down, KOA Lodging, Camp set up, hard work, good food, lasting friendships, life changing experiences, fly home, after-party.
HOW DO I SIGN UP? Grab a registration packet at youth or online at charteroakchurch.com. Pay $50 Deposit due Jan. 22nd
WHERE WILL I COME UP WITH THE MONEY? Letters to family members, work projects, church sponsors, etc.
Important Upcoming Dates:
January 15th Parent Meeting@ Charter Oak 6:00pm
January 26th Taco Fiesta Fundraiser 11:45 am
A Note to Parents
Last year over forty individuals from Charter Oak traveled to Mexico during spring break to build two homes for two families in the impoverished area of Tecate, Mexico. We have the chance to do that once again this spring break. Students return from these trips changed in massive ways as they begin to believe they can make a difference in this world by serving others. The experience of working as a team, meeting a family from a different country, camping for a week, and visiting another culture has lasting impacts on every student who goes. I am so excited to see how each student who attends this trip is transformed by this experience. As a parent, no doubt, you have many questions. I want to invite you to our Mexico Parent Meeting on January 15th, 2014 at 6pm in Charter Oak’s worship center. We will watch the video from last year, talk about more details, finances, and answer many questions. In the meantime, check out this website, to get a feel for the organization we partner with each year. Also, here is the link for the video from last year. : .
As you consider participating in this year’s trip I want you to know that safety is of great concern to us. Amor has never had an issue with violence or crime in over 20 years of service. Charter Oak has taken teams down to serve for over 12 years with no issues. Also, we have never had a student not be able to attend due to cost. If you want to go, it will happen. There are many ways that we are supported financially for this trip. These concerns, others, and more details will be discussed at our parent meeting.
I am very excited for the 2014 Mexico Team to develop and grow in compassion, contentment, and service this spring. Please give me a call if you have any questions about this trip or the youth program here at Charter Oak Community Church.
-Eric Nelson
360-713-2816
CHARTER OAK YOUTH STUDENT RELEASE FORM
EVENT: Mexico Mission Trip
CONTACT PERSON: Eric Nelson 360-713-2816
DESCRIPTION OF EVENT: This is the biggest event of the year for us as we travel to Mexico over spring break to build a home for a family who doesn’t have one. We will leave Charter Oak on Saturday April 5th and fly into PDX on Saturday April 12th. Two days are spent traveling to Mexico. Sunday we set up camp. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, we build. Friday is our fun day, and Saturday we fly home into PDX. Travel details and other information is attached to this packet. COST: $695
STUDENT INFO:
Participant (Student):______Age:______
Parent/Guardian:______Phone:______
Home Address:______
Emergency Contact Person:______Phone:______
Medical Insurance Company:______Policy #:______
PARENT/GUARDIAN AGREEMENT*:
We, the undersigned parents/guardians, of the above named participant, grant permission for the participant to participate in events sponsored by Charter Oak Community Church.
We, as parents/guardians, understand that this event/activity, as in any event/activity for youth; does present the risk of injury, or even death, to the participant, rare as that may be, and we have advised the participant of those possibilities. We represent to you that we and the participant assume the risk of any such injury or death, and hold you, your agents, employees and representatives harmless from any liability to any person or entity arising as a result of the conduct of the participant in this event/activity and agree to indemnify you, your agents, employees and representatives against any claim or liability arising as a result of such conduct.
If we, as parents/guardians, are not personally at these events/activities in which the child participates, so as to be consulted in the case of necessity, you are authorized, on our behalf to arrange for such medical and hospital treatment as you may deem advisable for the health and well-being of the participant.
My child has medical insurance and is under supervision of Charter Oak Community Church.
My child has no medical insurance. I agree to hold Charter Oak Community Church and its agents harmless of any medical expenses that may arise during my child’s participation during this event. I will be solely responsible for any and all medical expenses.
Events/activities include any of the following: Outdoor and indoor games, motorized carts, bicycling, carnival rides, hiking, food service, snow sledding, swimming, overnight housing, Frisbee, volleyball, basketball, youth seminars and rallies, music concerts, and similar related activities.
PARTICIPANT/STUDENT AGREEMENT:
I, as the participant, understand that while in attendance of all CharterOakCommunityChurchevents/activities, am under the direction and authority of those leaders in charge. I also understand that the use of alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, tobacco, fireworks, foul language, abusive and lewd behavior is prohibited. I am expected, as a participant, to be with the group at all times. Any variance in the rules and/or events/activities may result in immediate expulsion by asking my parents/guardians to pick me up. I understand that this is a Christian event/activity and will have a spiritual emphasis.
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE:______DATE:______
PARTICIPANT/STUDENT SIGNATURE:______DATE:______
* PARENTS/GUARDIANS: IF THERE IS ANY NECESSARY MEDICAL INFORMATION (I.E., ALLERGIES, RECENT INJURIES, DIABETES, OTHER MEDICAL CONDITIONS, ETC.), PLEASE INCLUDE AN EXPLAINATION ON THE REVERSE SIDE OF THIS SHEET. (Revised 12/08)
Mexico Mission Trip 2014
Packing List and Instructions
Each person is allowed one suitcase or duffle bag and one carry-on bag. We will not be checking any baggage. The maximum size of the carry-on bag is 10X16X24 inches. Make sure you have a clear, strong ID tag on all of your baggage, sleeping bag and chair.
Packing Check List:
2014 Mexico Itinerary
SAMPLE SUPPORT LETTER
January 9, 2014
John Doe
1323 Cherry Lane
Battle Ground, WA 98604
Dear Uncle John:
I am excited to tell you about an opportunity I have to go on a Spring Break mission trip to Tecate, Mexico. My youth group from Charter Oak Church will be building a new home for a needy family in Mexico through AMOR MINISTRIES.
We will be leaving Saturday, April 5, and returning April 12, 2014. AMOR Ministries (Aiding Mexican Orphans and Refugees) began in 1980, building and refurbishing local
orphanages in Tijuana. The first AMOR home was built in 1985 at the request of local pastors in Tijuana and now over 16,000 families have been impacted by AMOR.
AMOR MINISTRIES doesn’t want a group to just build a house in a developing nation; they want a group to understand the conditions of poverty through immersion and grow in compassion and service for all people. For more information, you may visit AMOR’s website at
This is the fourteenth time a group from Charter Oak Church will be going out on this mission trip. For those who went in previous years, their lives were changed forever. I am eager to be a part of this life-changing ministry and experience what it is like to make a real difference in this world.
In order to go, we each need to raise $695 support for this short-term mission trip. Almost half of this money will help to cover the cost of materials for building the home. Other major costs include our transportation and other supplies. I am writing to ask you to join us in building hope and home for the people of Mexico. If you feel led to help in our financial support, please use the enclosed envelope to send your check. The check should be made out to CHARTER OAK CHURCH, with Mexico Fund included on the memo line. Please send the check directly to my address, and I will deliver it to the church’s trip coordinators. Please do not put my name on the check! This is a tax-deductible gift and you will receive a receipt, so please include your address.
Would you also support us by praying for our trip? You could pray for financial support, the first $300 for building materials needs to be raised by February 26th; the unity of our team; our safety as we travel and work. Please pray also for those whose lives we will impact in Tijuana, the family receiving the home, the children in the neighborhood, and finally would you pray that I would grow into a person of compassion and passionate about serving people.
Thank you for your prayers and support,