Journey Details

This is not a vacation! Though we hope that everyone truly enjoys the experience, team members are accountable to each other for physical, emotional and spiritual support. Each team member must commit to abide by the team covenant and remain with the team from start to finish.

Each journey is unique. Plans often change and the necessary mode of operation is FLEXIBILITY. Activities normally include (but are not limited to) daily prayer, personal reflection and Bible verse memorization, evening Bible studies and debrief, and "work" projects (evangelism, teaching, construction, and Vacation Bible School). Much of the journey will consist of interaction with the host community (visiting people’s homes and churches, sharing testimonies and songs, worship service participation, and recreation).

There will be time for play and relaxation; however, most days will be full. Any "exceptions" to the group schedule must be discussed with the team leaders and determined on an individual basis. This is necessary to ensure the integrity of the team and our purpose, as well as to maximize personal safety. It is challenging to live within the inherent restrictions of a group, but the rewards of living in a Christian community are rich indeed.

Participant Criteria
The criteria for participation on an IMPACT journey are laid out in the "Covenant and Release of Claim Form" included in the application. Essentially, one must express a willingness to participate fully in the Christ-centered nature of the journey, comply with all of the health and safety precautions mandated, and raise his or her own funds through support letters and home churches.


 
  



2010 Trip Descriptions

Turkey, Honduras, Uganda, China, & Romania

The following are general descriptions for Summer 2010 IMPACT trips. These descriptions are subject to change based on applications received, airline ticket availability, scheduling conflicts, and the needs of our host communities. We try to keep all dates and journeys as close to these descriptions as possible, but in preparing for cross-cultural mission, be prepared to be flexible. Trip costs are raised by each participant, through donations from church, friends and family. Most of the trip cost is for airplane tickets.

Though it rarely happens, Impact may decide to postpone a trip due to political/social unrest or natural disaster. A team will not be sent if we feel the safety or health of the participants is in jeopardy. In the event this occurs, team members have the option of switching to a trip with available space or waiting until the following summer to participate.

CROSS TRAINING (Pre-Trip Orientation): June 28th – July 2nd

IMPACT journeys begin with four days of personal and team preparation and cross-cultural sensitivity training. This time is designed to be part of your trip. During Cross Training week, teams stay in dorms at a retreat center. In most cases, teams leave directly from Cross Training for airport departure on their journey (transportation is provided by Impact.)

HONDURAS:   Dates: July 3rd – July 17th

Project: The team will work in the highlands of Honduras, with Ken Vissers and Orlando & Sylvia Japas of Union Biblica (Scripture Union). IMPACT is invited this year to join UB staff in possible construction of a dormitory at the “Cerro de Luz” Christian camp (located in the pine trees…where our team would stay!) We are also invited to share the gospel through music, drama, and crafts with school children in the cities and in rural areas. Building relationships through schools is a great way to open doors for Union Biblica to continue ministering to these children and their parents. Knowledge of Spanish is helpful, but not required. Minimum age: 15

www.ubhonduras.com/index.html

UGANDA:   Dates: July 3rd – July 28th

Project: The team will work with Discipleship Mission International (DMI) and Patrick Buligasima. DMI is a non-denominational indigenous Christian organization based in Uganda, Africa. Our team will work in construction, evangelism and mercy ministry to widows and orphans. There are two primary schools at Magada and Busembatia Trading Center. These schools have 1900 students and pupils from Ugandan villages, orphans whose parents have died from HIV/AIDS, community children, and pastors children. Minimum age: 18 with prior mission trip experience.

http://www.discipleshipmission.com

TURKEY:   Dates: July 3rd – July 23rd

Project: Our partners in Turkey work on the Mediterranean coast in the city and suburbs of Antalya, in a country where 98% of people are Muslim. In this city of over 1 million people, there is just one Turkish Protestant Church. There are about 150 Christian believers who are members of this church. The goal of this trip is to encourage and serve the Turkish church members, empowering them to be an even greater light in the dark world in which they live. We will live in the homes of local Christian families and will experience Turkish culture first-hand . At the church, this team will help prepare worship services, share testimonies and Bible lessons, teach Sunday School and prepare English lessons for young adults and teenagers. Additionally, there will be many opportunities to encourage the Turkish youth and adults at times of worship and prayer, as well as to invite unbelievers to times of recreation such as rafting, beach volleyball, cultural exchange programs, and other fun excursions as a way to connect them with the local church. Minimum age: 17

CHINA:   Dates: July 3rd – July 23rd

Project:: Camp Hope exists to bring hope and love to children that find themselves caught in the trap of poverty and social injustice and to provide a place for volunteers to come and serve their needy neighbors. It was started in response to the Sichuan earthquake refugees that were brought to Kunming in 2008. In 2008 it ran 6 camps that had over 1000 children (grades 1-6) that were from either the Sichuan earthquake zone or from a Kunming migrant community. Camp Hope provides safe places for children of migrant workers to come during the summer months when their parents are out working long hard hours. Our IMPACT team would work with local volunteers to take a support role in helping run the camps. Minimum age: 15

ROMANIA:   Dates: July 3rd – July 23rd

Project: Impact team will work with the VIATA ("Life" in Romanian) Program, a ministry to youth in the mountains located above the impoverished coal-mining town of Lupeni in Romania's Jiu Valley. VIATA serves to help build a sense of community and hope for better life in this economically depressed area, where people seek work, basic needs, and a vision for the future. The team will work to support a summer camp for high school and middle school aged children, where they are taught outdoor skills, rock and rope climbing, and Christian values. There will be some painting and maintenance work to help improve the camp. You will be working with Romanian staff in this ministry. Minimum age:15

www.new-horizons.ro