Global Adventures Acceptance Information: Global Frontier Missions

Global Adventures Acceptance Information

Dear Global Adventures Staff Member,

This letter is to inform you that you have been accepted as a member of our 2005 summer staff. Thank you for your interest in the unreached peoples of Oaxaca, Mexico. We are so excited about your desire to help with our short-term mission trips this coming summer! You are a very important part of the awesome things 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 summer, and perhaps reading books on missions or Christian counseling.

We have a few goals for the youth who come through our program this summer. We will first have an inward focus - challenging each young person examine his/her relationship with Christ. If they're not Christians, we want to give them the Gospel. If they've lost their way, we want to call them back. And if they're good with God, we want to encourage them to continue being transformed into His image. For our outward focus, we want to challenge each trip participant to be a missionary wherever they are and to consider the call of lifetime service "to the ends of the earth." God shows up each summer and does awesome things in their lives (and in ours as well). We're excited to have you be part of it all!

Please be praying that the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be presented and lived out among the mission trip participants and the Oaxacan people. Pray for each person that will be coming through the program, each staff member with whom you will be working, and every Mexican that we will be ministering to or will be in contact with. Ask your friends and family if they would be willing to support you in prayer this summer so that you will have a powerful backing. You should get together a team of at least ten people who will commit to praying for you before and throughout your ministry in Oaxaca.

Staff training will begin bright and early on Monday, May 30th. We are asking staff members to arrive in Oaxaca City on Saturday the 28th. Staff training week will be an excellent time to get to know the other staff members that you will be working with and to find out exactly what your responsibilities and roles for the summer will be.

In this packet, you will find some materials that will help you get more prepared for the summer and more acquainted with our program. By looking through the responsibilities, the expectations, and the sample schedule, you should be able to get a picture of what the summer is all about and what role you will play in it. This may seem like a lot of guidelines and details, but don't get overwhelmed. We will go through the manual in detail during staff training week. 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 Global Adventures program, travel arrangements, or if you just want to get fired up about bringing God's love to youth and to the nations. We are totally excited that you're going be part of all of mighty things that God is going to do this summer!

Serving Jesus,
Chris Leake

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.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES AND EXPECTATIONS

Your Responsibilities as a Global Adventures Staff Member

* Program responsibilities: You will have special program responsibilities assigned to you that will take place every week. These may include being in dramas, leading worship, helping with games, passing out materials to trip participants, leading dorm meetings, etc. We will go over these specific job descriptions during training week. In addition to these, all staff will be responsible to participate in the following ways:
* Group arrival days - welcome the groups, carry luggage, meet participants
* Attend all sessions and maintain crowd control and discipline
* Give testimonies
* Be a shining example of cultural sensitivity on outreach

* Work assignments: You will be given work duties that you will be responsible for on a weekly or rotational basis. These may include dish duty, taking out the trash, cleaning bathrooms, setting up tables, sweeping and mopping meeting areas, etc.

"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

Our Expectations of You as a Global Adventures Staff Member

* Participate in every single part of the program (sessions, quiet times, etc.).
* Be available to the young people - pray with them, listen to them, and hang out with them at meal times and breaks.
* Maintain an attitude of servanthood and respect towards the youth leaders and pastors.
* Be an example for the young people. You are Jesus this summer!
* Don't be on time!!! Be early, and encourage participants to do the same.
* Take initiative. If you see a need, take action - even if it's not your job/responsibility.
* Uplift and encourage fellow staff members. Always speak in ways that will honor them. Pray for each other continually.
* Lead the way in being culturally sensitive on outreach.

Discipline: Staff is responsible for maintaining discipline on the base. To do this, we must work in cooperation with each other and with group leaders. It would be good to develop a strong working relationship with the youth leaders. The following principles will be very useful in the discipline process, and should be done in the same love that Christ has given us.
* Set boundary lines that are specific. Explain your expectations clearly during the dorm meeting. Ask participants to agree to these expectations.
* Refer any major discipline problems to the youth leader.
* Adults do not respond well to correction from younger people. Refer any problems with leaders or adults to the program director.
* It is our job as staff to enforce things like quiet times, lights out, and chores, but we always want to do so in a loving, respectful way. Keep from lecturing, raising your voice, or other actions that might make participants feel inferior. Authority is earned by the example we set, not by having an "I'm the boss" attitude.

SUMMER PROGRAM INFORMATION

Dates:
Session 1 June 8-17
Session 2 June 16-25
Session 3 June 27-July 6
Session 4 July 6-15
Session 5 July 18-27

Training Phase: The first night, teams arrive in Oaxaca City and are taken to our base in Tlaxiaco. Three days of training in a camp-like atmosphere begin the following morning to get everyone spiritually prepared for outreach. The training includes times of personal devotions, Biblical instruction (missions, death to self, repentance), team time, worship, Spanish classes, cultural preparation, and games. This intensive training phase is designed to draw the team closer together and closer to God. We also train the group in creative arts (puppets, clowns, drama, tambourines, and singing), which is a wonderful way to bridge the cultural and language barrier while involving each person in the spreading of the gospel.

Outreach Phase: The outreach phase begins after we complete the three-day training phase. Participants travel to a designated village where they spend the next three nights. Much of the outreach effort is focused on construction and other projects that help open doors in the villages. We have found that the people in many areas are very hard-hearted and that it is necessary to earn the right to minister. There are times for personal devotions, intercession, team meetings, and worship. Ministry may also consist of: open-air programs, medical/dental clinics, children's programs, going door-to-door, sports evangelism, and/or showing the "Jesus" film. Relationship evangelism is very important as we may be working in fields, playing sports with the youth, and sharing meals with the people. The outreach has a "frontier" emphasis, which means that we often work with unreached people groups that are very sensitive and may not be accustomed to outsiders. Many will have never heard the Good News.

The living conditions are primitive, as we may be living with host families, sleeping on concrete or dirt floors, using outhouses, and possibly taking bucket showers. We bring food and a water purifying system from the city on each village trip. At the conclusion of the outreach we return to the missions base in Tlaxiaco. That afternoon we enjoy a special meal and have a time of debriefing.

Tourist Day/Prayer Tour: The day after outreach is a tourist day in Oaxaca City. We take teams to some ancient ruins, followed by a nice meal and a trip to the downtown market area. We also use this day as a prayer tour-an opportunity to intercede for Oaxaca. That night, we have a powerful closing rally where we share testimonies from the trip and worship God for what He has done.

Staff Involvement: As a staff member, you will help host these mission trips. You may want to be involved in the worship band, funny skits, training creative arts, translating, building projects, packing the bus for outreach, helping with audio/video equipment, counseling, being a dorm leader, or whatever else God has gifted you to do. We will pour ourselves out for ten days and then usually get to rest for a couple of days and prepare for the next team.

STAFF POLICIES

One of the reasons that you were chosen to serve with us this summer is that you are a mature individual who is committed to serving Jesus Christ. We try to stay away from a 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

For You Information

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 being on staff for the summer is $500, which should be paid to Global Frontier Missions no later than one month before your arrival to 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 May 28th, because staff training will begin on Monday morning the 30th. Please schedule your return flight for July 30th. We will be having a time of debriefing and sharing after the last team leaves. There will also be a nice farewell dinner planned.

Transportation - You are required to find your own transportation to and from Oaxaca City. We will provide transportation between Oaxaca City and our base in 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!

MINISTERING TO YOUTH

Ministry Opportunities:
* In the dorms
* After the Passion Play
* After the Commitment Service
* Creative arts training
* Breaks and time off
* Meal times

Ministry precautions:
* Ministry in our situation is best done male-to-male and female-to-female. Spiritual things are often very intimate. Ministering to the opposite sex can be emotionally confusing for the teenager, especially when our staff is relatively close to them in age. When a conversation with a young person of the opposite sex turns into a ministry or counseling situation, it is best to refer it to a fellow staff member of the same sex. Never flirt with participants, as this can send the wrong message and distract them from hearing God's voice.
* Avoid counseling youth on controversial doctrinal issues. We are a non-denominational organization; our goal is unity in the body of Christ, not division. Political issues can get sticky as well.

"Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God - even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." 1 Corinthians 10:32-11:1

* Avoid being judgmental or condemning in attitudes or conversations. It is easy to get down on a team if they have bad attitudes, but remember that our goal is to draw them closer to the Lord and to get them excited about missions.
* Know your limitations when confronted with very serious issues. Get the youth leader involved if necessary. Legally, any abuse issues must be reported to the youth leader.
* Personal hygiene goes a long way when ministering.

Ministering to youth during free time:
* Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit to direct your words and actions.
* Your concern is for the needs of the young person. God has given you the opportunity to be the hands and voice of Jesus in the life of one of His children. Seek to minister the love of Jesus Christ to that person by taking advantage of every opportunity that presents itself.
* Share from your personal testimony. Practical experience, coming from someone who has already been through it, speaks powerfully to youth. Use your story for God's glory.
* Use Scripture as much as possible in your conversations. Demonstrate that God's Word really does speak to their life situations.
* Often one of the best things you can do for a young person is simply to listen, to empathize, and to pray for them.
* Prayer is essential. The power is in agreeing in prayer. It should not be, "I'll be praying for you," but rather, "Can I pray for you right now?" Through prayer, we put into practice what God has called us to do. It is a very special way of showing how we care. It's also valuable to lead the young person in praying through the problem. This teaches a powerful skill for the Christian walk.

"Don't let anyone look down on your because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." 1 Tim 4:12

ESSENTIALS OF MINISTRY

We want you to be prepared for the ministry situations you will encounter this summer. Preparation involves equipping yourself with the resources necessary to achieve the goal. The better prepared you are, the more effective you will be in doing your part to bring young people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and in discipling them in the Christian life. Here are some ways you can prepare for your ministry this summer:

1. Prepare yourself -
*Spend some time hanging out with the Lord. This involves studying the Bible, worshipping Him daily, striving to have a moment-by-moment walk with Him, and meditating upon His Word. Try to get to a point where He is everything to you.
*Spend time in prayer. Pray for your spiritual growth - that God would make you aware of areas that you need to change in your life, that you would be sensitive to the needs of your young people, that you would have a servant's heart, that you would have wisdom in every situation. Pray about everything.
*Spend time examining your life. Do I need to confess and turn away from some sin? What are my priorities? Am I doing my job the best I can? Am I fulfilling all of my responsibilities? Is my ministry fruitful? Am I living out what I am teaching?
*Spend time giving your body proper attention. Get plenty of rest, eat right, and exercise.
*Spend time preparing emotionally. Take some time to be alone. That doesn't mean neglecting the youth. Practice flexibility and tolerance. Be patient. Also spend some quality time with other staff members.

2. Prepare your ministry -
*Be totally dependent on the Lord. Pray for the participants and the Lord's ministry in their lives. Continually yield your life to the Lord. Trust Him to give you all the resources you need to perform that which He has given you the responsibility to do.
*Be sensitive, available, alert, attentive, and flexible.
*Be prepared to see every situation as a ministry opportunity. Plan to spend time with each young person, to develop unity within the group, and to meet individual needs.
*Acquire the necessary ministry skills. Maybe you need to learn to counsel, teach, discipline, evangelize, lead, serve, or translate. Most importantly, be able to pray with others.
*Spend time learning. Know your Bible. Find out your gifts and how you can use them better. Find out all you can about the participants. Learn some Spanish. Learn your lines and all your parts for the program.

3. Know your role (servant) - Mt . 23:11,12
*In every conversation you are the spokesperson for the trip. You should speak highly of the food, conditions, staff, speakers, villagers, outreach and every element of the program with the ultimate purpose of helping make each participant open and receptive to the Holy Spirit.
*You are a leader (a.k.a. servant), and leadership is done by example. Be friendly, a good listener, and approachable. Keep a high level of energy and enthusiasm. Spend as much time with the participants as possible. Have fun - it's extremely contagious!
*You are also an authority. The young person needs to know that you have the authority for discipline, but that you will do it in love. Your ultimate goal is not to control their conduct, but to lead them into a deeper relationship with the Lord.

4. Staff loyalty -
*Staff members are never to take sides with a participant against the rest of the staff. Staff problems are never to be discussed with a participant. If a problem starts, go straight to the source and get it dealt with. Gossip will kill this team. Pray for one another continually! Also, in front of participants, always agree with the decision that another staff member has made. You may pull the staff member aside, and together you can come up with a compromise.

We hope these guidelines will make it possible for you to have a tremendous summer here at Global Frontier Missions. As we work together, we trust that we will be seeing mighty things performed by God. Please feel free to bring any questions to the short-term missions coordinator or base directors. As a Global Adventures staff member, we trust that by the end of the summer, you will have formed great relationships with Christian friends whom you will treasure for the rest of your lives.

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Philippians 2:5-7

Typical Teams Schedule: Please click on the mission trip 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.