Schedule
20 Wednesday - Leave KC
21 Thursday - arrive Manila
22 Friday - arrive Dumaguete
(Christine arrives on 23. Dan/Kelly arrive 25)
23 Saturday - orientation, rest, planning
Feeding program
24 Sunday - Visit churches
25-28 Monday-Thursday youth camp
Morning session
Lunch
Afternoon games (team building and soccer/ultimate frisbee)
Supper
Evening session
Late games
29-30 Friday-Saturday Medical
Split into two groups. Different site each day
Evangelistic meeting each night at each location
1 Sunday - Church
2 Monday - Leave Dumaguete
3 Tuesday - Leave Manila
3 Tuesday - Arrive Kansas City
(Dan leaves Saturday 30)
Things to plan
Youth camp
For our team
Travel suggestions
Air travel tips
Items to consider bringing
Cultural considerations
Video suggestions from Caleb Palmer
I consulted with Caleb to get some basics for good video.
If everyone, or at least most of us, can capture bits and pieces, we will have a wide spectrum of the trip.
20 Wednesday - Leave KC
21 Thursday - arrive Manila
22 Friday - arrive Dumaguete
(Christine arrives on 23. Dan/Kelly arrive 25)
23 Saturday - orientation, rest, planning
Feeding program
24 Sunday - Visit churches
25-28 Monday-Thursday youth camp
Morning session
Lunch
Afternoon games (team building and soccer/ultimate frisbee)
Supper
Evening session
Late games
29-30 Friday-Saturday Medical
Split into two groups. Different site each day
Evangelistic meeting each night at each location
1 Sunday - Church
2 Monday - Leave Dumaguete
3 Tuesday - Leave Manila
3 Tuesday - Arrive Kansas City
(Dan leaves Saturday 30)
Things to plan
- Preaching on Sunday morning
- Helping lead worship ( Especially during the evangelistic meetings they will need us to help)
- Preaching at evangelistic meetings
- Team building games during afternoon sessions at youth camp
- Entertaining children during medical days
- Assistance with logistics during youth camp and medical days
Youth camp
- Another group from Oklahoma will also be present to assist in leading the conference. I do not know how many or what roles we all will play. On Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 afternoons Bobby will meet with everyone to plan out the week.
- The theme is Catching Fire.
- From Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. - Be praying and meditating about this verse to prepare for what the Spirit is wanting to do
- Bobby specifically asked us to have prepared team building games for the afternoon sessions. There will be over two hundred teenagers and many do not know each other. He was hoping for games that would encourage relationship building. Please try to have one or two games in mind.
For our team
- I would like to have one or two volunteers to daily blog our experience on the web site
- I will have a Dropbox site where everyone can send videos and pictures. I will organize a five minutes video for presentation and also a photo album after we return home
- Facebook messenger is the communication of choice that the Pinos and Hutchens use to communicate back to the states. They also use it while in the Philippines.
- We will have wifi at the Pinos house and Hutchens house. Phone use in possible but check with your carrier about methods and costs.
- Balloons are easy entertainment and gifts for children
- It is a Filipino custom to give a small gift to your host when you leave. Something that is from your hometown or personal to you is the usual, a knick-nak or picture type of thing. Or a candy that is unique to your area.
Travel suggestions
Air travel tips
- Only one suitcase and one carry-on.
- Make sure the weight of your suitcase is less than 20 kg (44 lbs). Cebu Air is very picky about the weight and charges per Kilogram over the limit
- Make sure your carry-on is smaller than 22" x 14" x 8" (56cm x 35cm x 20cm) and less than 3 lbs (7 kg) in weight. These are the size restrictions of Delta and Cebu Air
- Pack as little as possible
- do not pack any knives or guns or explosives
- do not pack food
- Bring a couple of books, headphones, extra battery, etc. It is a long flight there and back.
- Try to stand up every two hours and move around the cabin during the overseas flight.
- Drink lots of water (Approved water only)
- Stay together.
Items to consider bringing
- sunblock
- mosquito repellent
- medications (preferably in the original containers, to avoid confusion if checked)
- hand sanitizer (frequent hand cleaning helps prevent infections) (if carrying on plane <3oz container)
- toilet wipes (toilet paper not always readily available)
- light clothing. It will be hot and you will sweat lots. Laundry is available on a limited basis.
- Towels and washcloths are limited at our guest homes. If you bring a couple, you can leave them for the next guests
- swim suit. we may have an opportunity to visit a hot springs park up in the mountains
- couple of pairs of shoes. It will rain while we are there and one pair might get wet.
- personal money for souvenirs
- camera
- shower shoes
Cultural considerations
- DO NOT DRINK THE WATER. Only drink water that is approved. Do not drink out of the faucet or shower. Wet your toothbrush with bottled water only.
- Most of the younger people speak a little English and enjoy trying.
- The Filipinos are a generous people and enjoy giving and receiving gifts. Ask the Pinos before engaging in any exchange to avoid misunderstandings.
- Enjoy the differences. Be careful not to make assumptions about actions or responses based on your cultural orientation. Body language, facial expressions, and statements may not mean what you think they mean. How things are done and managed will also be different. Enjoy the differences.
- Poverty can be overwhelming in many different ways. Prepare yourself to be educated about a lifestyle that may not be familiar to you.
- Be careful of negative comparisons and longing for things of home. These seeds can grow into grumbling and disrespect towards our hosts.
- Be prepared to participate. There will be lots of opportunities to interact and engage with others. Try not to cluster off with Americans. Get to know as many new people as possible.
- Prepare a message. Start praying now and ask God for a message to deliver. The opportunity may arise during a meeting or in a small group gathering. (Yes, this means everyone.) Every joint/gift/individual supplying.
- Ask questions. Filipinos love explaining their country and their customs.
Video suggestions from Caleb Palmer
I consulted with Caleb to get some basics for good video.
If everyone, or at least most of us, can capture bits and pieces, we will have a wide spectrum of the trip.
- Keep video clips less than 15 seconds
- Consider a video a long picture
- Don’t worry about audio. (Unless it is a personal greeting from an individual. then try to do so in a quiet environment)
- Limit wide angle, busy scenes. Try to focus on one or two people with close ups
- Try to use a tripod, or brace against something, to avoid camera shake (and seasickness)
- Try to live in the moment and capture the moment.
- Don’t worry about getting the whole thing, but take bits and pieces that can share the event. Try to summarize the event with pictures.