Congratulations on your decision to be a part of the FarOutMissions excursion. Though we haven't left home yet, our journey together is now beginning. Get ready to be an extension of the adventuresome hand of God!

The purpose of this mission trip is to share the knowledge and the grace of Jesus Christ, with the river inhabitants of the Amazon. This will be accomplished through our work in the community of our destination. The primary purpose of this trip is to provide a building for Christian worship and or education. In addition to the construction aspect of our project, parts of our group will provide medical and dental care for the surrounding community. Others may be involved in a daily Vacation Bible School program for children, or perhaps, nightly evangelism meetings for adults. So be thinking about how you can fit in with one of these outreach teams.

Effectiveness as a member of this missionary team will require that participants have a passion for mission service and show a high measure of spiritual and emotional maturity. Living and working conditions will require flexibility, responsibility, self-motivation, and cooperation. Be sure that you possess these three characteristics. If you don't, please inform the leadership of this group, and request immediately to be released from your participation with this group.

Mentioned in the rest of this document are bits of information that you will be responsible for knowing about as you prepare for this adventure.

TRAVEL ITINERARY

March 17-28, 2011

PASSPORT & VISA

Everyone entering Brazil will need a current passport for six months past the date of entry. A word to the wise - don't put off getting your passport. It will cost you more if you wait, and you will have to pay an organization to rush the process for you. You can pick up applications for a passport at your local post office. The Passport application fee is $60. A Passport application is included in the packet.

In addition to possessing a passport for international identification you will need a Tourist VISA. A VISA gives permission to enter a country. Your VISA needs to be acquired no earlier than 90 days prior to departure.  This will be done through our office.  The cost for a Tourist VISA is $110.00 (this is included in your registration fee.)  A VISA application is included in this packet.  Fill it out and submit it to our office together with your Passport and any other supporting documents 
(Supporting documents are needed for participants under the age of 18 whose parents are divorced but have joint custody). Participants who do not submit their Passport and Visa applications to our office prior to 30 days before departure (February 22rd) will be required to secure their own VISA at their own expense. This may be accomplished by following the directions below.

There are two ways to obtain a VISA:

1) Contact the Brazilian Consulate near you. 

In Washington DC the phone number is 202-238-2828, 2-5 p.m. To obtain your VISA you will need to submit a Tourist Visa application and a money order to pay for it. Enclosed is a completed sample Visa application for your guidance. Also, you will need to supply them with the enclosed 'Letter to the Brazilian Consulate' and flight itinerary.  Participants under the age of 18 who are in the custody of legal guardians or single parents must provide original documentation of custody. Check this website for a link to the Consulate nearest you.  

2) Contact the American VISA of D.C.      ( A much friendlier and less hassle route)

For our project members they will give a 50% discount on services if you mention the group name "Far Out Missions."  This means that for an additional fee of $25.00 the agency will obtain your Visa at the Consulate and return your Passport and Visa to you.  To do so, please contact Benji Slack at 202-462-5908. You will need to supply him with your Passport, VISA application, Letter to the Brazilian Consulate, flight itinerary, and a personal check made payable to 'American VISA of D.C.'  Legal guardians and single parents must also provide the documentation mentioned above and proof of custody.

American VISA of D.C.
1761 "S" Street NW
Washington, D.C.  20009
www.americanvisadc.com

NOTARIZED PERMISSION LETTER(S)

Two (2) notarized travel releases and one (1) permission letter is needed for all participants under the age of 18 years.  Both parents (where possible) or guardians will need to sign.  The two travel releases and permission letter forms are enclosed in the  information packet or within this web site.

RECOMMENDED MEDICATION

The latest information regarding the recommended immunization can be obtained by calling the Center for Disease Control at 404-639-2573, or by visiting their web site at www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm.  The following vaccines are recommended:

 The Rabies vaccine is recommended by CDC to give protection to those who might be having contact with animals. It has been our experience that our groups rarely interact with wild or domestic animals. We don't encourage it, and we don't intentionally plan for interaction with animals. The fee is expensive and we don't feel it is justified. We, therefore, don't encourage getting the Rabies vaccine. However, the decision is yours and should be based on your intention to handle an animal, wild or domestic,  if given the opportunity by a local resident.

To begin receiving the proper immunization, see a doctor 4-6 weeks prior to our departure date.

HEALTH AND LIABILITY INSURANCE

As a group, we are covered with a secondary health and life insurance policy. This is good for short-term travel and volunteer labor. It will pick up the additional costs that your own personal insurance does not cover. Please make sure your own policies are up to date.

LUGGAGE

You will be allowed ONE carry-on and ONE piece of check-in luggage.

The carry-on must be no larger than 45" (length + width + height), and must not exceed 7 kg ( 15 lb.)

The check-in luggage must not exceed 62 inches (length + width + height) and must not exceed 40 kg ( 88 lb.)

Extra pieces of luggage will be charged a fee of $100 USD or more.  For more information on luggage allowances, visit theairline's website.

It is recommended that you pack your belongings in soft luggage or a duffel bag (it may serve as a much desired seat cushion for part of the trip). 

SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS

Everyone will receive a hammock and mosquito net to serve as a bed and seat for the duration of the trip. The boat we will charter to take us from Manaus to our destination will also serve as our source of lodging while at the project site. This accommodation will allow for virtually no privacy or personal space. While for most this will serve as a great source of bonding, for others it will be a source of stretching one's tolerance. Have a sensitive and flexible attitude, and this trip will be both smoother for you and enjoyable for others. A good motto that I have learned to live by on these trips is this: "No shame, no pride, no dignity!" If you can adopt this for the short period of time while on the trip, life will be much more pleasant.

Application Deposit $400  (nonrefundable)

The fee for this mission trip is $2,000 for students and adults. The deadline for payment is January 15.

CLOTHES

Loose clothing is recommended, preferably made of cotton. As our saying goes, "If the bugs don't get you - the heat and humidity will."  Modest shorts and tee shirts are appropriate.  Remember to bring a cool but appropriate Sabbath out-fit (Sabbath dress can consist of a collared shirt and non-denim long pants for males, and skirt & blouse or dress for females.)  Some have made it a practice to bring clothing they are willing to give away towards the end of the trip.

• shorts
• pants for evening
• underclothing
• Sabbath shoes
• Sabbath attire  (light but modest)
• tee-shirts and a light-cotton long sleeve shirt
• Lots of socks (you won’t want to hand wash them!)
• working shoes (tennis or better)

• towel
• shampoo
• toilet paper, 1-2 roles (don't be found wanting)
• soap
• antiperspirant (lots of it!!)
• lotion
• powder (eliminates the sticky feeling)

• cortisone cream
• garlic tablets (for mosquitoes)
• charcoal tablets
• other medication

• suntan lotion
• hat
• tools (hammer, tape measure, trowel, etc.)
• sunglasses
• work gloves
• water bottle (squirt or straw kind)

• light blanket
• flashlight
• small pillow
• Kool Aid/Crystal Light
• gum
• journal
• mosquito repellent - (30% DET or better)
• Bible
• eating utensils  (spoon, fork, bowl, cup, plate)
• camera and lots of film
• baby wipes
• energy snack food/treats
• dirty clothes bag
• personal water purification**(Iodine pills)
  ** (Purified water will be provided for the group at large. 
  The pills are your own personal "back-up" system.)

Gifts Children Like  (For trading or to use as VBS supplies)

• hair stuff
• marbles
• color books 
• crayons

*** ALL KNIVES MUST BE PLACED IN YOUR CHECK-IN LUGGAGE IN ORDER TO PASS SECURITY CHECKS AT THE AIRPORT ***

Parents of participants under the age of 18 needs to know that while staying in Manaus your child will share a room with other participants of the same gender. While provisions and guidance will be given to insure proper supervision, there will be times while shopping in town and during the evenings at the hotel when direct supervision will not be present. If you feel uncomfortable with these arrangements for your child, you should re-evaluate your child's participation with this mission trip excursion. It is important to the safety of all participating minors that they cooperate with and adhere to the rules governing times of minimal supervision. This ability should be seriously taken into consideration when allowing your child to participate on this trip. If, after reading this document, you should decide against allowing your child to participate for these reasons, you have 30 days from the date you submitted your application, or until 30 days prior to departure (whichever comes first) to request a full refund.

Furthermore, it is important to know that the Far Out Missions experience does on occasions include opportunities for our members to join local residents in fishing and baby alligator hunting (but we don't kill them). If you are uncomfortable with your child joining in these activities please state so by checking the appropriate box on the Permission Slip form.

FAR OUT MISSIONS SPONSORSHIP

Director of Youth Ministries Denton L. Grady Potomac Conference of Seventh Day Adventists

Email:  Snailmail:   Phone:

director@faroutmissions.org 606 Greenville Ave, Staunton, VA 24401 540-886-0771