Preparing for your trip
Introduction
There are many questions that teams have before coming to Destino del Reino. As well, teams have many questions once they are in-country. The following is an outline of information that will help make your mission trip more effective and helpful to the ministry of Destino del Reino.
Scheduling a mission
General: Teams planning to come to Destino are asked to give six (6) months notice of the desired dates. If less than six-month notice, it is very unlikely that you will be able to schedule a trip for the dates you wish. Your group should have at least 15 team members, but no more then 25. No deposits are necessary for the in-country costs listed below.
Transportation: All teams are asked to come into San Pedro Sula airport on a Saturday midday, and depart the following Saturday midday (there is a $32 exit fee for each person). It is possible to stay through to the following Monday, but DO NOT schedule flights for Sundays. Continental Airlines is recommended (even if it costs a little more). Transportation in country will be arranged by Destino and will cost the team approximately $45 per team member.
Hotel: All teams will stay at the Hotel Plaza San Pablo. The hotel is located in Siguatepeque, a town approximately 10 miles from Destino. The hotel provides nice accommodations and a safe environment. Linens are provided. Teams are offered a meeting room free of charge while at the hotel (great for evening devotionals). The electricity in the hotel (as well as all of Honduras) is the standard North American wattage (you can use your hair dryer, etc. without worry). The hotel offers two room sizes ( 2 person or 3-4 persons). Destino needs to have the sleeping arrangements 1 month in advance. Rooms cost approximately $11 per person per night. You can pay the hotel for the week upon arrival and prevent the need to have so much cash in your possession during your stay.
Food: Most breakfasts and dinners will be eaten at Maribel’s, a restaurant within walking distance of the hotel. The water is safe and the food is great. Teams are asked to prepare their own lunches. Local stores will have lunch foods that teams can purchase once in country. The water at Destino is also safe for drinking. In addition teams usually eat one dinner at a local pizzeria, and one dinner at a local restaurant named Bongo’s. Teams should budget approximately $11 per day per person for food.
Translators: While in country most teams will need translators. Please advise Destino of the number of translators that will be needed for your team. What you plan to do will largely determine the number of translators needed. Construction teams will have much less need for translators then medical and evangelism teams. The translators cost $12 per day and the team is responsible for providing them with lunch and water.
Health and Safety: Destino is in a very safe part of Honduras. The health department provides a list of shots and/or medication that is recommended for those traveling to Honduras. Each team must use their own discretion when deciding which precautions to take. Short-term missionary insurance is also available to those interested.
What can we do?
Before you decide to come to Destino, it is important that you pray about why you believe the Lord has called you to come. Prayer will help to reassure you of the Lord’s calling and will help guide you in the way that your team will be used in Honduras. There are many ways that your mission team can help the ministry at Destino. Below is a list of few of the ways that teams minister while in Honduras.
1. Construction: Destino is a young ministry and is still growing. Teams that are desiring to help Destino with construction projects are welcomed. If you believe that your team will be involved in construction, Destino needs advance notice of specific skills (welding, electricity, brickwork, etc…). You also need to contact Destino about your construction plan or to receive guidance on what construction will be most needed during your week. Construction teams that are planning a special project are also asked to raise funds for the building materials. For those without specific construction skills, there are still opportunities to help. Teams can paint, do landscaping, and help with general maintenance.
2. Medical Teams: Teams are welcomed to provide medical services while in Honduras. There are many medical needs at Destino, the surrounding villages, and a nearby prison. Teams desiring to do medical work in Honduras need to contact Destino about their specific ideas (clinics, eye glasses, surgeries, etc…). Although it is not necessary, the local hospital in Siguatepeque is willing to accept the credentials of American doctors and be their covering while in country. (This information must be provided to the Evangelical Hospital at least a month in advance).
Teams are encouraged to bring medication to help re-supply the Destino pharmacy as well as to distribute during the medical clinics. The following are always needed: adult and children’s vitamins; cold and allergy; pain relievers; fever reducers; parasite med.; antibiotics; topical creams.
3. VBS, Evangelism, and Discipleship: The villages close to Destino need teams that are willing to share the gospel. Schools in the area are always willing to allow groups to do Vacation Bible School. Door-to-door evangelism is also very effective in Honduras and a great way to reach people (visual aids help, i.e. salvation bracelets, Evangecubes). Teams usually split into groups of approximately 3 people and a translator to share the gospel with people in their homes. For those who are nervous or feel unprepared, Destino is willing to provide training. Discipleship is also desperately needed in the area. Many are coming to Christ but have no further training. Teams could develop a week long discipleship training course, or help to train locals in how to disciple their fellow countrymen.
4. Distributions: Teams are welcomed to bring and distribute clothes, hygiene products, and food. Please check with Destino on specific items that will be needed during your mission.
Do not feel limited to the above list but pray about ways that you can help the ministry at Destino and the villages in the surrounding area. Also feel free to do a combination of different things. Evangelism can be very effective during and after a medical clinic, and distributions are a good way of meeting physical needs along with meeting the spiritual needs of the community.
In Country Considerations
Below is a list of guidelines that will help your team be more effective in ministry. Many times the way we dress or act can be a distraction to the people we are trying to reach. These guidelines are aimed at reducing the distractions associated with cross cultural ministry.
Dress and Appearance: Our appearance will tell the Hondurans much about who we are and why we have come to Honduras. Here are some basic guidelines that will help your team:
Men: Men are asked to dress appropriately for their ministry area. Construction team members can wear jeans, old t-shirts. etc… Men doing evangelism and/or medical can wear khakis and an old polo or nice t-shirt. Shorts are allowed for men, but it must be kept in mind that most adult men in Honduras never wear shorts, therefore it might be distracting to wear shorts. Men are also asked not to wear earrings.
Women: Women are asked to dress modestly and appropriately for their ministry area. We ask that women do not wear shorts in country (jeans, capris and long skirts are great alternatives). Women should also avoid tight or revealing clothing, including low cut or spaghetti strap tops. Women are also asked to avoid wearing excessive make-up.
General: Destino also asks that both men and women avoid wearing excessive or expensive jewelry while in Honduras. Body piercings can also be a distraction to the Honduran people. We ask that all piercings, besides in the ears for women, be taken out or covered.
Cultural Awareness: The people of Honduras are a humble people who lead a slow paced lifestyle. They are very warm and welcoming to Americans, but can be overwhelmed by some of our behavior. It is important to keep in mind that you are a guest in their country and please be willing to respect the differences. Before coming to Honduras it is important to learn what you can about the country as well as make an effort to learn a few phrases in Spanish. You will be amazed how just a few phrases can open up a relationship that would otherwise be closed.
Rules at Destino
It is sometimes hard for teams to remember that the people living and going to school at Destino need normalcy in their lives. With close to 20 teams coming through each year, it is difficult to keep a routine for the children at Destino. Below are some rules that will help your team to encourage the ministry at Destino without creating too much disruption for the children and staff living there.
The Kid’s Schedule: It is important to be sensitive to the children’s schedules. If your team is at Destino during the day, we ask that you avoid entering the house unless given permission by the house parent. The children generally nap from 11:00 to 1:00. Teams are asked to be mindful of noise levels during this time. When teams are returning to Destino in the evening, the children are preparing for dinner and for bed. The children eat at 4:30, are bathed, and then have an hour to relax before going to sleep at 6:30. Teams are asked to keep this schedule in mind and avoid disrupting the children.
Interacting with the Kids: Generally teams have an opportunity to bond with the children on Sunday, and in the mornings before teams leave for the day. We ask that during these times team members avoid giving the children gifts, candy, or gum without the permission of the houseparent. We also ask that you do not promise gifts to the children. While playing with the children be aware of the play boundaries set by the houseparent. Be sensitive to avoid showing partiality to one child over another. Harsh or course joking is also to be avoided. We also ask that teenage team members avoid romantic relationships with the older children at Destino.
Interacting with the School Kids: Be aware that these children are in school and need to focus on their studies. Please treat the school as you would any school in America. With this in mind, still feel free to interact with the school children during their breaks.
Workers: There are many people working to help run Destino. Team members must understand that these people are at work when they are at Destino. It is appropriate to talk with and interact with them, but it is not appropriate to distract them from their work. No one is to give gifts to the workers without the expressed permission of Rhonda. Time, love and words are the best way to encourage the people at Destino. Any worker asking for gifts or favors should be reported.
Encouraging Staff: Rhonda and the staff of Destino enjoy interacting with each group that comes to Honduras, but they do not always have the time or the energy to answer every question for each team member. We ask that each team member direct your individual questions to your team leader and he/she will ask the necessary questions of Rhonda. Although we want to be teachable and desire to learn from others’ experience, too many suggestions (how to run the ministry differently, how to raise the children better, etc.) are tiresome and discouraging to the staff. A good way to encourage Rhonda personally is to spend time praying for her and with her.
Typical Schedule
Sat. Arrive at San Pedro Sula airport midday.
Take bus to Siguatepeque and check-in at the Hotel Plaza San Pablo
6:30 Eat supper at Maribel’s Cafeteria Selecta
Sun.
7:30 Breakfast at Maribel’s
8:45 Arrive early to Destino to become acquainted with the children and staff
9:30 Sunday School at Destino
12:00 Prayer time and sharing with Rhonda
5:00 Pizza dinner with kids
Mon-Thurs.
7:00 Breakfast at Maribel’s
8:00 Bus to Destino
9- 5 Work/ Ministry
5:00 Return to hotel
6:30 Dinner at Maribel’s
Fri.
7:00 Breakfast at Maribel’s
Morning: Shopping for souvenirs at the market and the pottery shop
Afternoon: Waterfalls
Evening: Dinner at Bongo’s
Sat.
Leave for the airport and return home.
Spiritual Preparation/ Team Building
To the staff at Destino, it is very evident which teams have prepared themselves spiritually before coming to Honduras. Below are some suggestions on how you can build an effective team that is spiritually prepared to impact the country for Christ, as well as grow in your own understanding of the world and what God is doing in it. As a leader you will know better the specific needs of your group, but below are some suggestions to keep in mind.
Spiritual Preparation: Coming to Destino is both a physical and spiritual journey. Team leaders are responsible not only to guide their team physically but spiritually as well. We suggest that teams have several meetings before coming to Honduras to spiritually prepare your team members for their trip to Destino. Teams need to spend time in prayer for themselves, what they will be doing, and for the people they will be ministering to. The meetings can also include teaching. Some topics to be considered could be: “Why missions?,” “Flexibility,” or “Words of encouragement.” Mission trips are a great opportunity for discipleship, do not miss this opportunity.
Building a team: Team leaders need to understand that there is a difference between a team and a group of individuals. We suggest that teams find a way, before coming to Honduras, to build relationships within your team. Whatever way works for your group (i.e. meeting and praying together), find a way to form them into a team. This will help to solidify the leadership.
If you are interested in bringing a group to Destino, please fill out our Group Information form.
