Mission Training School Acceptance Info.

TO BRING OR NOT TO BRING? (that is the question)

Optional Packing List: *sunscreen, bug spray, hats *flashlight, alarm clock *camera, mp3 player, rechargeable batteries *shower shoes, hiking boots, tennis shoes *Nalgene-style or other large water bottle

General Packing List:
*sleeping bag, pillow, linens, towels, etc.
*Bible, pens, notebooks, 3-ring binders
*personal toiletries
*several jackets, sweatshirts, and raingear!
*casual clothes/shoes for class and church
*laptop (highly recommended)
 
The weather in Tlaxiaco:
It generally stays between 70 and 90 degrees during the day and between 50 and 60 at night but can get down as low as the 30s during the winter. You will definitely need some warm clothes, so pack accordingly. It rains almost every afternoon from April until October, so be prepared.
 
In the village:
*2 set of work clothes for guys (for painting, weeding, construction, etc.)
*2 set of casual clothes for guys (nice jeans, shirts without many graphics or logos)
*2 below-knee or ankle-length skirts or dresses for girls (one nicer, one for painting, weeding, etc. Leggings are also recommended for under your skirt to keep you warm in the evening.)
*2 slips for girls, even if your skirts/dresses are not see-through
*2 shirts/blouses for girls (loose-fitting and modest-no tank tops, sleeveless, halter tops, cut-offs, or spaghetti straps)
*socks and closed-toed shoes
At the base: Bring enough casual clothing for use during class and at the base (NO SHORTS).
 
Cultural Sensitivity : The following guidelines are for cultural sensitivity, not because of legalism. We are not passing judgment on the following dress items because we think they are wrong, but we know that these things can be misunderstood by the Oaxacan people and be detrimental to the ministry. Our goal is to not cause our brothers and sisters to stumble and not to hinder the long-term work of the Gospel in Oaxaca .
 
Male Team Members:
- Concerning hair (including facial hair), please be well-groomed and do not have dyed hair.
- No jewelry (hemp, charms, crosses) may be worn during your stay (wedding bands are fine)
- Don't wear fatigues, camouflage, bandanas, or anything that could be associated with gangs.
- No visible body piercing or tattoos are allowed.
 
Female Team Members:
- Jewelry and makeup should be kept minimal on outreach; wedding/engagement rings are fine
- No tattoos or visible body piercing except for two lower lobe holes.
- No cross jewelry can be worn, as it is associated with pagan superstition in Oaxaca .
- Please ensure modesty-be conservative. We ask ladies not to have tight-fitting clothes, low necklines or waistlines, exposed backs or midriffs, etc.

Attitude is the most important thing. We have many rules concerning dress because team members' clothes have been brought to our attention by villagers several times. We are already strangers here. We want to do as much as possible to keep peoples' eyes off us and on Jesus.

STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS
 
•  School participation: You are expected to be involved in all parts of the school including personal devotions, WISDOM (Worship, Inercession, Small Groups, Devos, Overview/Announcemnets, and Missions Moments), classes, chores, language learning, homework, outreaches, etc.
•  Class responsibilities: You are expected to attend and be on time for ALL classes. Some classes are taught by different international teachers, others by video, and others in a small group atmosphere. Participation by all students during class discussion is encouraged and will affect your final grade. Material missed during class for any reason must be made up.
•  Class work responsibility: You are expected to hand in all assignments, homework, and book reports on the date and time requested by the teacher. Book reports are not a synopsis of the book, but rather a paper of personal application based upon what you have read.
•  Chores: You will be given work duties that you are expected to do on a weekly or rotational basis. This may include dish duty, cleaning dorms and bathrooms, burning trash, maintaining outside grounds, etc.
•  Flexibility: You are expected to be flexible concerning the school and outreach schedule as plans often change unexpectedly in Mexico .
•  Servanthood: You are expected to maintain an attitude of servanthood being willing to do whatever is asked or required of you in a timely manner. We ask that you respect the authority of the school leaders, guest teachers, and full-time staff.
•  Community responsibility: We will be living in community during the Mission Training School. You are expected to respect those that you are living with by being sensitive to noise level, lights out, bathroom time, cleanliness, etc. Please consider others' needs before your own and do what you can to develop unity and deep relationships within the student body.
•  Outreach: You are expected to participate in all outreaches into the villages. You will be assigned an outreach group and will be expected to do your part in teaching English, learning language, developing relationships, and leading short-term groups.
•  Cultural Sensitivity: You are expected to act in a way that is culturally sensitive while on outreach and be an example for others. We are foreigners in a different culture and should strive to serve the people here in Mexico without offending them.
•  Spanish: You are expected to make a concentrated effort to learn Spanish during the school. All students should be able to be at least conversational by the end of the school.
•  Church: You are expected to attend and be involved in a local church on a weekly basis.
•  Rules: You are expected to adhere to all the rules and guidelines set forth in this manual.

"The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Mt. 20:28  

Degrees and Accreditation:
If you complete all class work and maintain at least a C average (70%) throughout the school, you will automatically receive a Diploma from the International School of Missions and from Christian Leadership University . We cannot guarantee that other educational institutions will accept transfer credits, so you must do all of that research in advance. We also offer ministerial licenses through the Commission Minister's Network.

Mission Training School GENERAL INFORMATION
 
Here is some basic information about the Mission Training School. This covers everything you need to know about dates, payments, insurance, transportation, and communication. We also have an FAQ page on our website that provides even more information and includes some items that are more specifically geared towards families that are coming down.
 
Money - We suggest that you bring a credit/debit card and use the ATM machines in order to get money as they provide the best exchange rate and are convenient. The cost for the school is shown below and can be paid in full or with monthly installments, which should be sent to the Global Frontier Missions office in Goochland , VA. Every student is committed to come for the whole school year and pay all tuition. If you leave the school for any reason (dropping out, being asked to leave, illness, etc.), we require that you pay the full remaining tuition balance as there are certain expenses have been figured based on attending the whole school.
 
We have done everything that we can to keep prices very low for the school and to provide comfortable facilities. Many of the GFM supporters have given sacrificially so that we can have buildings, vehicles, etc. If there is something that you would like to have at the base, in your dorm, or in your apartment, feel free to provide that item or do the fundraising yourself so that the project can get financed. We try to promote an attitude of gratitude and generosity at the base. "Ask not what GFM can do for you but what you can do for GFM."
 
Meal Plans - All single students are on the all inclusive plan which includes three meals a day. All families are on the European plan which includes the lunch meal each day and then they are on their own for breakfast, dinner, and weekends. Couples w/o children can choose their plan.
 

School Cost -	Adults	Adults	Children
	Student	Non-Student	2 to 18
All Inclusive (singles)	$450.00
7-month total	$3150.00
European (families)	$400.00	$300.00	$150.00
7-month total	$2800.00	$2100.00	$1050.00

Dates - You are required to make it down to Oaxaca City on Sept. 8, 2007 because classes will begin on Monday morning the 10th. There will be a Christmas break from Dec. 15 through Jan. 5 where students can choose to go home or stay at the base. There will be a graduation on April 4, 2008 and students will begin their internships on April 5. If you plan on going home for Christmas, we suggest that you get two round trip tickets (Sept. 8 - Dec. 15, 2007 and Jan. 5 - April 5, 2008 ). All dates are subject to change.
 
Houston Trip - There is an optional trip (mandatory for GFM four month interns) to Houston from April 6-12 upon graduation to experience inner city work as well as ministry to minorities in America. There is also a tour to get exposed to Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, and New Age areas of the city and strategies as to how to reach out to other religious groups in our country.
 
10/40 Window Trip - There is an optional 10/40 window mission trip from April 15-30. The cost for the 10/40 mission trip is approximately $1800 two weeks including travel and we will be going to a country in the Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist world. We're leaning towards India and Nepal this year!
 
Internships - All students are required to do at least a two month internship beginning on April 6 to complete their Bible degree. GFM has several four month internships starting with the Houston trip and 10/40 window trip followed by involvement in one of our summer programs (Global Adventures, Missions Extreme, Church Planting, Medical Missions). The GFM internships are by invitation only and are based on your performance during the Mission Training School. If you do not end up serving with GFM, we can help you search for opportunities with other missions organizations in different parts of the world to do your internship. We would love to see students do their internship among unreached people groups if possible as only five percent of the mission force is working in those areas.
 
Immigration - The Mexican government now requires that anyone staying in the country to do missions work get a document called an FM-3 in order to minister freely. GFM wants to stay in good standing with authorities here, so we require that all students get the missionary visa. The cost is about $300/person (children must also apply) and is included in your tuition fees. We'll coach you through the process once you get here.
 
Curriculum - You can find the full curriculum on the website including the books we will be reading, topics that we will be discussing, videos that we will be watching, etc. It is a rough syllabus but will give you a good idea of what we will be covering throughout the school year.
 
Transportation - You are required to find your own transportation to and from Oaxaca City (OAX). We highly recommend that all students fly in on Sept. 8, 2006 as that is the only day that GFM will provide transportation to Tlaxiaco. Otherwise, the student will have to take a taxi from the Oaxaca airport to the bus station and then take a bus from there to Tlaxiaco. Families are encouraged to bring vehicles in order to have greater freedom while being here, but the local transportation system is also very good and inexpensive. Please fill out the online transportation form regarding arrival/departure dates and times. We can help with directions for those driving.
 
Health Care - There are first aid kits at the base as well as a small pharmacy for minor injuries and illnesses. In case of a more extreme emergency, contact someone on staff and the necessary steps will be taken. There is quality health care in the town of Tlaxiaco and in the city of Oaxaca . CTEN highly recommends health insurance. Most of our full-time missionaries and students use the Omega plan from www.talent-trust.com as they have good coverage and offer us a 10% group discount. Many younger students can still fall under their parents' insurance coverage since they are considered full-time students.
 
Emergencies - In case of fire, earthquake, or other natural disaster, please meet outside the front of the base to make sure that everyone is accounted for.
 
Phone calls - The base phone can ONLY be used to make and receive emergency phone calls. The number is 011-52-951-510-6003 or 1-303-847-4683. There are pay phones in Tlaxiaco where you can make collect or phone card calls and telephone booths where you can pay per minute to call home or receive calls. On Sundays, we turn off the internet and let students and staff sign up for thirty minute slots to call home for free to the US and Canada on the internet phone line (phone quality varies because of satellite latency).
 
Mail - There is a post office in the area. You will be in charge of sending any personal mail. We also check the incoming mail regularly and will give you any mail you receive. It takes about three weeks for mail to arrive from the U.S. and vice versa, however. The address is:
Commission to Every Nation, Attn: Your Name, Apdo. 14, Tlaxiaco , Oaxaca 69800 Mexico
 
E-mail/Internet - There are a few base computers that are primarily for writing book reports for school and sending an occasional update to supporters . In Tlaxiaco there are several internet cafes that charge about $1/hour where you can check e-mail, surf, chat, etc. We have a wireless network at the base and if you bring a laptop and a wireless g card, you will be able to connect to our router and have internet access during free time. We get penalized and the system freezes for several hours if there is too much usage in a given time period, so we don't allow downloads of music, movies, or other large files unless it is for specific GFM ministry purposes.
 
GFM Vehicles/Local Transportation - Use the public transportation when traveling to/from Tlaxiaco. The red and white taxis and busses charge about 4 pesos for a ride. Please do not be dependent upon the staff members and other students that have cars. GFM base vehicles may not be driven by students unless specifically asked by a staff member. Any damage done to a vehicle is the driver's responsibility. We will teach you how to get around the city during the first week of Mission Training School. We have a vehicle contract that needs to be reviewed and signed before students use base vehicles when asked to by a staff member. We take public transportation when we go into villages to minister, so if you are planning on taking your family on outreach you will need to take your own vehicle and cover the necessary expenses.
 
Off-base activities - On your days off, you will be free to do what you like. Please use your discretion as to what Christ would do with His free time. Remember that even though we have days off, our Christian walk and testimony are still shining! We will also try to offer at least one scheduled fun activity and celebrate birthdays once a month with different theme parties.
 
Taxes - You will be considered as self-employed as far as the IRS is concerned. You should keep a good record of any money that is spent for ministry as it can be written off. The degree that you are getting doesn't allow you to write off your whole tuition as an education expense, but $200 of what you pay per month does count as ministry expenses and can be written off. CTEN has people that can help give advice when it comes to doing your taxes.
 
CTEN - Commission to Every Nation is a sister organization of ours based out of Kerrville , TX . They help GFM students by receiving donations and sending tax deductible receipts to supporters. They charge 10% for administrative fees while their missionaries are students and then allow them to choose what percentage of their gifts they want to give to CTEN upon completion of the school. They also provide pastoral care and help with newsletters once people graduate from the school and decide that they are going to do full-time missions. If you are raising support through CTEN, they will deposit money into your account at the end of each month and then you can send GFM a check with your name in the memo section.
   
GLOBAL FRONTIER MISSIONS BASE FACILITIES
 
Here is some basic information to help you understand a little bit about our base and community life around here. You should get some good ideas of the living conditions and some things that you might need to bring with you.
 
Singles Housing - We have a male dorm and a female dorm each with bunk beds, dressers, and closets. Each dorm has a bathroom with three toilets, three sinks, and four showers with hot water. All students are expected to keep your living quarters orderly and clean.
 
Couples/Family Housing - We have eight small apartments for couples and families made up of two 15x15 ft. rooms. Each apartment is painted, tiled, has a kitchenette, and comes furnished with a bed, closet, and dresser. Each apartment has one bathroom with a toilet, sink, and shower with hot water.
 
Other Base Areas - We have a library full of books which is a good place to get away to study and do homework. There is a hang-out room with a television, VCR, playstation, couches, etc. for people to unwind. We have a classroom for the Mission Training School students and an area that can be used for parents that are homeschooling. Our main dining area is usually the community area where people spend a lot of time. We have an assortment of game tables, board games, and organize outside games a few times a week also.
 
Meal Plans - We have an all inclusive meal plan for singles and couples without children and a European plan for families with kids. During the school, we all eat lunch together (1:30 comida) and then families do their own breakfast and dinner at their apartments while the singles do their own breakfast and dinner at the base. For people on the all inclusive plan, we almost always have cereal, sandwiches, quesadillas, fruit, veggies, pasta, soups, etc. on hand for people to make their own meals. Please don't use frozen meat and other items that we use for group meals. If you want any specialty food items that we don't have at the base, you will be on your own for buying it. Bottled water is always available to drink. We encourage everyone to eat healthy as it helps keep sickness to a minimum and also helps people spiritually.
 
Kitchen - It is essential that people using the base kitchen don't leave pots, pans, or dishes unwashed as we are living in community and things could pile up quickly. Please wipe down counters and kitchen items that you may have dirtied. Also, don't take eating utensils, bowls, cups, or plates to your dorms or apartments as there won't be enough for regular meals. Students on the all inclusive plan will have access to the base fridge, microwave, blenders, and several other kitchen items and appliances.
 
Laundry - There are three washing machines available at the base, but because of a tight ministry schedule, we suggest that you have enough clothes to last two weeks. Once you arrive at school, you will be assigned a wash day in which you can do your laundry each week. There are also local Laundromats that charge about 14 pesos per kilo to wash, dry, and fold your clothes. There is one dryer at the base for staff use; everyone else must line dry their clothes. Also , because of the water situation, please wear what you have until it absolutely needs to be washed. Please follow the instructions for each washer so that we consume minimum water and keep them running well. Please follow the instructions for each washer so that we consume minimum water and keep them running well.
 
Water Situation - We have a well at the base, but we are almost constantly on a water shortage. With that in mind, know that we are always doing what we can to conserve water. People need to take two-minute showers, use the washing machine rinse water twice, not always flush the toilets, make sure faucets aren't leaking, toilets aren't running, etc.
 
Grounds Maintenance - Part of our testimony is how our facilities look. If the base looks good, it shows that we are proud of it and that it is special to us.
- If you see something that needs to be done, please go ahead and take the initiative to do it. Don't wait for someone else to do it or say that it's someone else's job.
- Do not waste water or electricity. Turn off lights when you leave a room. Let us know if anything isn't functioning properly.
 
GLOBAL FRONTIER MISSIONS BASE POLICIES
 
One of the reasons that you were chosen to serve with us is that you are a mature individual who is committed to serving Jesus Christ. You're an adult and we trust that you can make decisions like one. The following rules and policies are made based on three major principles: cultural sensitivity to the area where we are ministering, respect for one another as we are living in community, and providing the best atmosphere possible for spiritual growth.
 
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." Mt. 7:12
 
BIG DEALS (Eph. 4:3)
Our biblical basis for this area is that we are striving for unity in this local community of believers. Anything that disrupts that unity or affects the witness of our team as a whole is seen as a severe issue at our base. The following things are really big deals and could result in being asked to leave.

• Drugs, Alcohol, Tobacco
• Fornication, Pornography
• Unsubmisivness, Rebellion
• Deceitfulness, Stealing
• Divisiveness, Gossip
• Complaining, Bad Attitudes

• Men can only wear shorts during sporting activities; women may only wear them behind closed doors. Kids are an exception to this rule but should also dress modestly.
• Men can have no type of jewelry (a wedding band, ring, or watch are fine) and women should be conservative in their use of jewelry and make-up (there are some villages where jewelry and make-up is completely unacceptable). Ladies can only have two earrings in each lobe and no other visible rings or piercings.
• Sleeveless, tank tops, spaghetti straps, and wife beaters are never appropriate.
• Please keep pants, shirts, and skirts loose - you don't want to make the Mexicans or your fellow brothers and sisters here at the base stumble by wearing clothes that are too revealing or too tight.
• If you are wearing low rider pants, make sure that your shirt is long to cover all skin. Raise your arms and look for your belly or sit in a chair and check your back to see if your shirts and pants are appropriate.
• Men and women can use pants, jeans, slacks, and T-shirts for school. Guys normally wear jeans and a collared shirt to church while the ladies usually wear a skirt and a modest top.
• You should attempt to cover up any visible tattoos.
• Women must wear skirts and slips with modest blouses and T-shirts in the villages.
• No pajamas should be worn outside of the dorm rooms.
• We are considered professionals (English teachers) and representatives of a non-profit organization when we go to the villages, so we need to dress accordingly. If you are going to be doing a dirty project as well, take a change of clothes to work in.
• Guys should wear belts if their pants are too low.

• GFM equipment such as televisions, dvd players, vcrs, radios, and projectors need to stay where they are; they cannot be moved to other rooms or used without staff permission.
• Base equipment cannot be used by children under 12 without parental supervision.
• If you, your pets, your guests, or your children break, lose, or damage base property, you will be responsible for replacement or repair (this includes dishes, chairs, electronics, beds, lights, etc.)

• No girls in guy's dorm, no guys in girl's dorm; no guys in the girl staff's apartment and no girls in the guy staff's apartments - this rule also applies to guests visiting the base.
• Please do not be one on one or alone with members of the opposite sex (Mexicans or Americans) unless they are your spouse or your kids; this policy includes any place inside or outside the base, in vehicles, and in the villages.
• There should be no type of physical contact between members of the opposite sex unless they are your family (hugging as a brother or sister in Christ is permitted, as well as laying on of hands for prayer).
• Please do not flirt with the Mexican young people.
• There is no dating allowed during the school. This includes being alone one on one with someone of the opposite sex on or off base even if others are around. We have found these "special relationships" to be a distraction to all students and ask that people that might be interested in one another to wait until the school is completed and just use this time to focus on God and studies.
• Not all of these rules are applicable to those of you who are engaged. We will meet to set up engaged couples with a mentor and establish guidelines on an individual basis.

• No secular music may be played at the base or on your personal MP3 player. Any music that you could pick up at your local Christian book store is fine and will be the standard.
• No GFM students or staff may watch R rated movies. PG-13 movies are allowed for private use, but use discretion since many of these movies are trashy as well. PG movies are the only ones allowed for public viewing on base equipment. Occasionally, we will have a "movie night" at the base and show some sort of family film.
• Play Station may be used on weekends as long as they are E rated games.
• We would like to encourage people to avoid movies and video games in general and spend more time doing activities that let you get to know your fellow students and staff and grow more spiritually.

• The staff hang out room is primarily for our single students. The upper room and library is mainly for prayer, quiet study, and computer work. The area above the apartments, the playground area, and the outdoor classroom is mainly for children.
• The dorms are the only living space for our single students; please only go in them to use the bathroom, wash hands, or to "hang out" with another student. Be respectful of other students who may be trying to study, rest, or have alone time.
• Please keep radios, instruments, etc off in the main rooms during study times, class time, and after 10:00pm. Likewise, keep conversations low during this time.
• Children should only be at the base during group meals, parties, planned events, Friday family worship, and weekends from 3 until 8 p.m.
• Please remember that families with babies who nap live on base, so try not to yell from floor to floor or on the balcony.
• On Fridays, we will have "family worship"; the other days of intercession and worship are only for students.
• For those of you living in the dorms, please keep your personal area tidy. Bathrooms need to stay clean at all times as they are for public use.
• Please always be understanding that there is not a lot of space here and know that God uses tight quarters and lots of people to mold you into a better, more selfless person.

• Single students must be back at the base by 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10:00 p.m. on weekends. Any time after dark, they must travel in groups of three and have a guy in the group. There may be times when we have a base or ministry activity and we all get home after 8:30 p.m., but those are exceptions to the rule. Families and full-time staff may establish their own curfews, but please understand that these are our recommendations.
• If you go on walks or jogs, please stick to the roads and groups are highly recommended (especially for ladies).
• Please always let a staff member know where you are going and when you will be back and write it on the white board by the front door.
• You must call the base and let us know if you are not going to get back when you said that you were going to especially if it is after curfew.