Intergenerational Mission Trip to Dominican Republic June 25 - July 4, 2014 Informational Meeting December 1, 2013

Agenda for Today What is Foundation For Peace? Some thoughts to consider about Mission Trips When is the trip and what will we do there? Expectations for participants and schedule of future events Q & A

DR 2014 Planning Team Pastoral Leader: Aisha Brooks-Little Youth Ministry Leaders: Andrew Hostetter and Sarah Hostetter Global Mission Leaders: Carol Diehl and Michelle Butler

Foundation For Peace Mission Statement FOUNDATION FOR PEACE is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to education in the United States and to working hand in hand with people in materially impoverished communities in the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Kenya to provide educational support, healthcare access, economic opportunity and hope. We work together as long-term partners in solidarity to enable personal success and community achievement. We believe this will result in sustainable and successful initiatives that relieve the effects of poverty, encourage personal growth, and overcome injustice.

Foundation For Peace History 1989: Dr. Ken Culver co-leads youth mission trip from National Presbyterian Church to the Dominican Republic (DR) After such a positive experience, leads more youth trips to the DR, and expands it to all ages with the help of his wife and kids 2002: Foundation For Peace (FFP) incorporates to accommodate the growing number of volunteers

Foundation For Peace History (cont’d) 2005: Started DominiKids, a student sponsorship program 2006: Expanded ministry into Haiti 2007: Expanded ministry into Kenya 2008: FFP begins collecting donations of medicine, furniture and vehicles to ship to the island twice/year

Some FFP Stats Since members of FFP began working in the DR, short term mission teams have built: 30 Churches 13 Schools 8 Community Gardens 14 Water Purification Facilities 6 Medical clinics More than 5,000 volunteers from hundreds of mission teams!

Key components to FFP Ministry Medical Outreach includes nursing clinics, one-day medical clinics, home health visits, medical training, hearing assessment and disease prevention education Ministry Outreach includes worship, children’s ministries (e.g. vacation Bible school) and evangelism efforts Community Development includes building latrines, gardens, houses, basketball courts and playgrounds, distributing food and clothing, and providing special assistance to individuals and families.

Why Go on an International Mission Trip? Serving, living, and loving people of other cultures and contexts helps us better see the world through God’s eyes. Acts 1:8 says “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” God never intended his people to be insular, but interconnected

Why Go on an International Mission Trip? (cont’d) II Cor. 8:14-15 says “At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” God has given us plenty, but most nations and communities have not been as blessed, monetarily, as ours There are ways that God wants to bless us through the people of the DR

Why Go on an International Mission Trip? (cont’d) An American reporter asked Mother Theresa which is the poorest country she had ever been to; she replied: “Yes, yes, yes. I have been to many countries and seen much poverty and suffering. Everywhere I go people tell me of their hardships and struggles, and ask for help, and I give what I can. But of all the countries I have been to, the poorest one I have been to is America.” Somewhat shocked, the reporter informed Mother Teresa that America was one of the richest countries and questioned how it could be the poorest. “Because”, she replied, “America suffers most from the poverty of loneliness.”

Why the Dominican Republic? Same time zone. A ten day trip is easily done. Already existing connections in the DR (CURE International and PCUSA Missionaries.) Awesome first hand testimonials on FFP and DR. An ongoing relationship with FFP and the community in the DR is expected and maintainable.

Why an Intergenerational Trip? We are one church – not children ministry, youth ministry, young adult ministry, and adult ministry There are so many things people of all ages can learn from each other The Bible is full of stories where God works through teams of people where the young and adults worked side by side Jesus and disciples, Paul and Timothy, Moses and Joshua, Eli and Samuel, Elijah and Elisha, etc.

Why You? Fellowship with believers from our own congregation Fellowship with new friends and believers in the DR Use our God-given gifts and talents to help out others and to share Jesus’ love, as Jesus commands us to do Deepen our personal relationship with Christ Broaden our understanding of privilege and generosity Stretching ourselves to learn about and experience life in another country Understanding the Faith-Journey of Christians outside USA

Dates of the Trip June 25th: Depart Philadelphia at 1:20pm, arrive in Santo Domingo at 7:10pm June 26th-July 3rd: Work with Foundation For Peace partners in the DR July 4th: Depart Santo Domingo 7:20am, arrive in Philadelphia at 4:35pm

Details about the Trip Open to all WPC church members and affiliates All ages are welcome; anyone under 16 yrs will need an accompanying adult relative Stay at accommodations near the FFP partner community Lodging, food, in-country transport, security, and construction supplies are included/provided by FFP Flights to/from Philadelphia have been arranged by WPC

Sample Mission Trip Itinerary Day 1: Arrive, evening devotion Day 2-3: Construction project at work site Day 4: Vacation Bible School Day 5: Medical Clinic Day 6: Construction project Day 7: Tour of Santo Domingo / VBS Day 8-9: Construction project Day 10: Trip back to USA

Your Cost to Participate $1930 per person ($750 for flights, $1180 for all FFP expenses) ⅓ of this total (approximately $640+) should be received as financial support from others ⅓ of this total (~$640) will be met through group fundraisers ⅓ of this total (the remainder) will be your family’s responsibility Other expenses may include immunizations, passport, insurance, luggage fees (extra bag), personal, etc.

Expectations of each Participant Attend and participate in training classes (see next slide for tentative schedule) Actively participate in fundraising activities Meet all deadlines for application and payments First Due Date: Complete an application with a deposit of $250 on or before January 5th, Pray for our hearts, our team, our church, and our brothers and sisters in the DR

Tentative Schedule of Training Sessions (11am Sunday Mornings) February 2 February 9 March 2 March 23 April 6 April 27 May 4th May 18th

What Happens Next? Pray about your participation in this Intergenerational Mission Trip Fill out an application and provide $250 deposit to Mary Lou Kendus before Jan 5 th, 2014 (First come, first serve basis for group flight arrangements and pricing) Applications will be reviewed between Jan 5-17, 2014 Feb 2 nd first group meeting!

Other Ways to Participate Become a prayer partner with one person or several people who will be going on the DR Mission trip Help organize and then support the fundraising efforts Help team learn Spanish, about DR and about mission Help collect items for medical, educational and project needs. Write articles for newspaper – before and after trip Drive team to airport and pick up from airport

Questions? Thank you for coming and we hope to see you on the Intergenerational Mission Trip to the Dominican Republic!