I think last year was our best mission trip to Curacao yet. I've taken 5 groups and every trip has been very good. But we're getting a momentum and level of trust that we've never experienced there.
Our church (Grace Christian Fellowship) will be going back for our 5th time in 5 years. I felt like last year we weren't just really blessed. I felt like we really contributed to the overall impact of the trip. Certainly more than ever before. So...
We're already talking details with our potential people about going back to Curacao next summer. We're committed to going the first week of July (week of the 4th). We also have folks going down the week before and there is the potential for ministry that week if you prefer.
If I go (and that depends on how many of you decide to go + our youth), my focus will be on non-VBS projects plus coordination with non-Grace Christian Fellowship groups. My plan is to go if really needed, basically. Oh, and 2 of my daughters are returning so I have extra incentive to return as well.
I'm planning a group Skype session soon to talk about the upcoming trip. I may just create a video but I'd like it to be a chat if possible. This assumes that I can pull that off without too much expense.
Couple of other things...
First, we're hoping to do additional projects to our normal VBS routine. We've been doing that in previous years too but we're trying to do even more.
Second, the idea of having other churches join us is new. So for now I'm not sure how we'd do it exactly. Here's what I'm thinking though...
If you wanted to bring less than 5 people, we might just say come as part of our group. That means that you'd stay where we stay and function as a part of our group. You'd ride with us, eat with us and pretty much function as a team member.
However, if you brought a group of 5 or more, I'd say we'll partner with you but encourage you to act more independently--especially as it relates to transportation, food and lodging.
Of course, all of this is subject to change. I'd want to talk to you about your goals for your group and make sure we were on the same page and all. My goal is to get you to be as independent as possible as soon as possible. That said, some folks just want to play it safe the first trip. I'm game for considering both extremes.
So, if you want to talk more about it, let me know. But I'd suggest that if you're seriously considering this trip that you let your people know before Christmas. If you figure the cost of the trip at around $1,000, they might like to put this trip on their Christmas list if you know what I mean.
Oh, who can go? Youth can go but there are some limitations depending on their age, maturity and how many leaders you're bringing. Of course, it's not limited to youth either. I think it's a better trip when our youth go but then their great youth so I'm biased. But if you just bring adults, that's certainly fine. I'd say keep it at high school or above. If you want to take middle schoolers I'd limit it to exceptional middle schoolers over 13. That's been our policy to date and it has served us well.
So perhaps we'll be Skyp-ing sooner than later...
Or maybe better, email me your questions and I'll put together a quick video that explains all of this.
Have a great day!
Darien
PS If you know anyone else who might be interested, get word to me somehow.
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