OneStory Quest Acceptance Information: Global Frontier Missions

OneStory Quest Acceptance Information

Dear OneStory Quest team member,

Thank you for your interest in the unreached peoples of Oaxaca, Mexico. We are so excited that you desire to be a part of our Mission Training School. We are happy to inform you of your acceptance as one of the students. You are a very important part of the awesome things that God is going to do here. If you are willing, the Lord will use you in mighty ways to make an eternal difference. You are going to be imparting the love of Jesus into the lives of many youth as well as the Mexican people. Start preparing yourself by getting in the Word, getting to know God's character, praying for the school, and perhaps reading Christian books.

The purpose of the school is to train up missionaries that are interested in working with unreached people groups by getting classroom and hands-on experience. We try to expose you to several different types of missions work including, church planting, discipleship, kids/youth ministry, Bible translation, relationship evangelism, inner-city work, medical missions, audio/video resources, etc. We also try and give you tools, resources, and teachings that would prepare your for any mission field, including Old Testament, New Testament, Prayer, Worship, Spiritual Warfare, Missions, Evangelism, Discipleship, Learning Languages, Cultural Adaptation, Anthropology, Church History, Knowing God's Will, Healing, Being Led by the Spirit, Teaching English, Fundraising, Tent-making, and many other great subjects. Most of the school focuses on learning how to do missions and then actually going out and doing it.

Classes will begin bright and early on Monday, Sept 6, 2005. So, we are asking staff members to arrive in Oaxaca City on Saturday the 4th. There will be a Christmas break from Dec. 18 until Jan. 2 where you will have the option of going home or staying at the base. The school will end on July 29, 2006 with a graduation and students will fly out of Oaxaca City on the 30th.

In this packet, you will find some materials that will help you get more prepared for the school and more acquainted with our program. By looking through the responsibilities, the expectations, and the example schedule, you should be able to have a picture of what this year-long internship is all about and what role you will play in it all. It may seem like a lot of guidelines and details, but don't get overwhelmed. We will go through the manual in detail during the first week of school. Some of the things won't make sense until you actually get here.

Let me know if you have any questions about this packet, the program, travel plans, or if you just want to get fired up about bringing God's love to youth and the nations. We are totally excited that you're going be a part of all of mighty things that God is going to do during the school.

Serving Jesus,
Grant Haynes
School Director, Global Frontier Missions

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

General Packing List:
*sleeping bag
*small pillow
*Nalgene-style or other large water bottle
*Bible, pen, and small notebook
*personal toiletries
*towel and washcloth
*jacket or sweatshirt
*flashlight
*sunscreen and hat
*battery operated alarm clock
*camera
*shower shoes
*rain gear

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 cloths (T-shirts and jeans) for the Mission Training School (NO SHORTS).

Cultural Sensitivity: The following guidelines are for cultural sensitivity. We are not passing judgment on the following dress items, 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, including hemp, may be worn during your trip (wedding bands are fine).
- Don't wear fatigues, camouflage, bandanas, or anything that could be associated with gangs.

Female Team Members:
- Jewelry and makeup should be kept minimal on outreach.
- Only your bottom pair of earrings may be worn during your time in Mexico.
- 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

Your Responsibilities/Expectations as a Student:

· School participation: You are expected to be involved in all parts of the school including quiet times, worship, intercession, classes, small groups, evangelism, chores, homework, book reports, 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 is encouraged and will affect your final grades.
· Class work responsibility: You are expected to hand in all assignments, homework, and book reports at the date and time requested by the teacher. All work and tests will be checked and returned in a timely manner. 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 will be responsible for 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 including being sensitive to noise level, lights out, bathroom time, cleanliness, etc. Please consider others' needs before your own.
· Rules: You are expected to adhere to all the rules and guidelines set forth in this manual.
· 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.

"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

Grading Scale:
90 - 100 = A
80 - 90 = B
70 - 80 = C
60 - 70 = D
0 - 60 = F

If you maintain at least a C average throughout the school, you will be eligible to receive an Associate's Degree of Biblical Studies from Vision International University and a Diploma from the International School of Missions. We also offer ministerial licenses through the Commission Minister's Network.

SCHOOL 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. We try to stay away from the long list of rules. You're an adult and we trust that you can make decisions like one. The following guidelines are only because we need to be aware of some things when so many people are living together. Basically, respect those around you.

"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you." Mt. 7:12

Illegal Activities
- No smoking, alcohol (even if 21), drugs, or tobacco.
- Contraband includes, but is not limited to: weapons and firearms, drug/alcohol/tobacco paraphernalia.

Relationships
- No relationships with mission trip participants (well, at least romantic ones).
- Please keep romantic relationships low key among staff members (no PDA).
- No flirting. Honor your brothers and sisters in Christ through your dress, words, and actions. We want the focus to be on drawing each other closer to God.

Money
- We suggest that you bring a credit card or a debit card and use the ATM machines in order to get money. Traveler's checks and cash will also work. The cost for the school is $325/month, which should be sent to Global Frontier Missions each month or paid in pesos in Oaxaca. You may also want to bring extra money for snacks, souvenirs, and of course, pizza!

Dates
- You are required to make it down to Oaxaca City on Sept. 4, 2004 because classes will begin on Monday morning the 6th. There will be a Christmas break from Dec. 18 through Jan. 2 where students can choose to go home or stay at the base. There will be a graduation on July 29, 2005 and students will fly home on July 30. If you plan on going home for Christmas, we suggest that you get two round trip tickets (Sept. 4 - Dec. 18, 2004 and Jan. 2 - July 30, 2005)

Transportation
- You are required to find your own transportation to and from Oaxaca City. We highly recommend that all students fly in on Sept. 4, 2004. For all students traveling on those dates, we will provide transportation to/from Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca. Otherwise, the student will have to take a taxi from the Mexico City airport to the bus station and then take a bus from there to Tlaxiaco. Please fill out the enclosed sheet regarding arrival/departure dates and times.

Medical Emergencies
- There are first aid kits at the base for minor injuries. We have a nurse on staff who will be able to treat minor injuries. In case of a more extreme emergency, contact the program director and the necessary steps will be taken. There is quality health care in the town of Tlaxiaco and in the city of Oaxaca.

Emergencies
- In case of fire, earthquake, or other natural disaster, please escort the trip participants as calmly as possible outside the base.

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.

Laundry
- A washing machine is available at the base, but because of a tight ministry schedule, we suggest that you have enough clothes to last two weeks. You will be able to do your laundry at the base during free days, or you can take it to the local laundromat.

E-mail/Internet
- The base computers can only be used for sending and receiving personal e-mail. In Tlaxiaco there are several internet cafes that charge about $1/hour where you can check e-mail, surf, chat, etc. Because of our busy schedule, there will probably only be Internet and e-mail opportunities one or two times a week.

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

Food
- The base kitchen is for the staff. Please label any food that you don't want others to eat. Rest assured that any unmarked chocolate will be eaten! Clean up after yourself in the kitchen. Don't leave pots, pans, or dishes unwashed. After washing your dish, please dry it and put it away. Please wipe down counters and kitchen items that you may have dirtied.

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. Let's keep it spotless, baby!
- 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. Make sure faucets aren't dripping and that toilets aren't running. Let us know if anything isn't functioning properly. Please keep showers to a maximum of two minutes of running water, or you will be given a bucket.

Music/movies
- Please remember that we will be having Christians from all kinds of different backgrounds down here. We ask that there be no secular music (especially country, opera, and Vanilla Ice). We want the focus this summer to be completely on God, even down to the music.
- Use discretion in the movies that you rent or go out to see. We prefer that you only see movies that are PG-13 or cleaner.
- No headphones, because the trip participants are not allowed to have them.

"Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother's way." Rom. 14:13

Local Transportation
- Use the public transportation when traveling to/in the city. Please do not be dependent upon the staff members that have cars. We will teach you how to get around the city during staff training week.

Off-base activities
- On your days off, you will be free to do what you like. We will also offer at least one scheduled staff activity per break. 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!

School Schedule: Please click on the school schedule link to see a typical weekly schedule.

Cultural Orientation: Please click on the cultural orientation link to see more information about what to expect in Oaxaca.