Short-Term Missions Information

At Loma de Luz, the Cornerstone Foundation set out to build a Mission Hospital….a long range commitment with the goal to ultimately become a Honduran Christian Hospital. When we set out, short term missions did not factor into our planning much one way or the other. As it has turned out, short term volunteers have had a lot to do with the building and ministry of Hospital Loma de Luz. We are very grateful to the volunteers, and also are very appreciative of the fact that the Lord has used these many short term commitments to be pivotal in the lives of the volunteers in return. Indeed, some of our career, committed missionaries on the field first came here on short term mission teams. There will probably always be a need for short-term commitment volunteers. But, as Hospital Loma de Luz grows and begins to pass milestones, its needs in short-term missions are changing. We are clearly seeing the need for volunteers to stay longer and come in smaller groups.

Medical — The Hospital has for some time been a busy out-patient clinic, out-patient surgery and 24 hour emergency care facility. Now, however, Hospital Loma de Luz has grown into a fully functional 24/7 in-patient hospital (as well clinic and outpatient facility). Qualified medical and nursing volunteers augmenting and assisting this ongoing care are usually very helpful, sometimes vital. While we do not need large medical teams (the "medical teams" or "medical brigade" format no longer meshes with our needs), we can benefit from individuals or small groups of 1-4 medical volunteers with a specific skill that can meet a specific need (e.g. an orthopedic surgeon coming with an OR nurse and an anesthesia provider). Plan on speaking Spanish (interpreters are available if necessary at a small cost) plan on being flexible, and plan on being used by the Lord. The best starting point for planning a short to intermediate time-period commitment is to apply to the Cornerstone Foundation Home Office.

General — While there are still sometimes special needs and opportunities for large construction teams to make a big impact in a short period of time, we are more and more recognizing the need for a changing emphasis regarding short-term commitments. The two most clear-cut predicating principles for our short-term commitment needs at Hospital Loma de Luz are currently these:

1. They should fit into and augment the ongoing work, and should do so in a way that is defined by a specific focus.

—and—

2. They are about developing relationships--relationships with the career missionaries, relationships with the Honduran staff and community members, and relationships that will both impact the volunteer’s life and make him or her more able to pray for, remember, and support the work for the long haul. And, relationships take time.

With these two principles (1 “augment the work” & 2 “it’s about relationships”) as the gold standards--and with a consensus of input from the career missionaries and Honduran Staff at Hospital Loma de Luz and from short-term volunteers--we have developed the following Team Guidelines.

TEAM GUIDELINES

• A team is hereby defined as more than 3 short-term volunteers arriving to volunteer together who are not related as a family.
• Short term missions don’t have to be done in a “team “ format. Consider coming as an individual, as a couple, or as a family to visit and work with the long-term committed missionaries.
• If you can’t see your church becoming involved except in a “team” format, consider coming once as a team, then later in singles and small groups.
• Teams should be purpose defined (built around a specific purpose, e.g. the kitchen cabinet building/installing team, the limb prosthesis team, the automobile repair team); and that purpose should be determined from the needs of the ministry.
• A good size for a short-term team, depending on the defining purpose, is 10 or fewer individuals. For every 3 team members beyond 10, plan to stay an extra day.
• The team should stay at least 7 days on-site (travel days not counted as “on-site” days).
• Teams need to be sponsored by one or more on-site long-term committed missionaries.
• Career missionaries should not sponsor immediately consecutive ( i.e. back-to-back) teams.
• Hospital Loma de Luz should not host more than 2 teams per month.
• Group members, as much as possible, should all arrive and depart on the same day. And, that day should be determined with input from the sponsor.
• A sponsor should not schedule more than two arrivals and departures in a week’s time. (e.g. picking up an incoming team on Tuesday, taking a single short term volunteer in to the airport for departure on a Thursday, picking up a visiting family member on a Friday, & taking two team members in for departure on a Sunday = four arrival/departures)
• Teams should have at least one team member 30 years old or older for every three team members under 21 years of age.
• Teams should plan to stick with the plan. i.e. This is a mission trip to augment the work and develop relationships. It is not primarily for the team to have a good “missions experience.” So, when it comes to a choice between plain vinegar on the meal plan or raspberry/walnut vinaigrette, or a choice between praying with the Honduran or missionary staff or having team devotions, or all of those choices that can’t be delineated individually, please choose according to the two guiding principles discussed in the introduction.

What we can provide first of all is a place to work where the work won't just be appreciated (it will), but will also be seed sown in fertile ground. Not only are the people spiritually hungry, but once souls are saved they have the resource of the permanent full-time Christian missionaries living at the site as well as the local church, to help disciple them and help them to grow and mature in their faith.

First Things First. All volunteers need to obtain (1) official approval to come and (2) official approval of calendar dates (from both the Cornerstone Office & from the sponsoring missionary) before purchasing tickets. To begin this process, each volunteer/visitor must fill out the Preliminary Application for Prospective Volunteers and send it to Lisa Bradley at cornerstone@ametro.net. If approved, then each volunteer should next follow all the steps and directions outlined in this Logistics section.

Luggage. Current size and weight requirements for "checked luggage" allow each ticketed passenger (2) bags, boxes, or trunks, not exceeding 50 lbs in weight and/or 62" in total dimensions (height + width + depth). Check with the airline, however, as such regulations are subject to change. Travelers should also make every effort to ensure that their carry-ons meet space and weight specifications so that they will not have to surrender their carry-ons and have them checked with the other baggage. If you change airlines at your last airport in the States, you may need to pick up your luggage and recheck it with your international carrier.

Air Travel. Your final destination airport in Honduras is La Ceiba. Continental, American and Taca Int. are the major airlines that service the country of Honduras. A round-trip airline ticket from New Orleans to La Ceiba (TACA) usually runs approximately $550 +/- $50 with advanced planning, but may be more than $600 if not made 4-6 weeks in advance. Other US cities of departure are Miami and Houston (serviced by American and Continental airlines respectively). Some may want to book flights from the USA to San Pedro Sula and once there, purchase tickets for a short regional flight to La Ceiba.

There is also a $2-$5 per person customs / immigration fee (immigracion) charged at the Honduran airport of final destination. Sometimes this fee is collected when you arrive in Honduras; at other times it is collected when you depart to return to the US. Also, an exit fee (impuesta de salida) of approx $25 per person is charged by the Honduran airport on the day you depart Honduras to return to the US. Those flying commercial airlines should carry a change of clothing and the most basic toilet items with them (in a purse or carry-on), since lost luggage is a frequent problem in Latin America. It is extremely desirable to book direct flights, because this greatly reduces the risk of lost luggage. Some find Internet booking services such as Travelocity or Orbitz helpful. Others may prefer to work through a travel agency.

Customs. When you arrive at your final destination airport in Honduras, you will need to go through customs.  (NOTE:  If you are booked through more than one Honduran airport, do not go through customs until you reach your final destination. For example, if you are booked to fly into San Pedro Sula and then from there to La Ceiba, you should not go through customs in San Pedro Sula but wait to do that until your arrival in La Ceiba. In San Pedro Sula, if changing planes, you should go from your plane directly to the gate area for La Ceiba waiting room. From there you will eventually be called to board your connecting flight. If you are uncertain where to go, ask an airport official "A la Ceiba?" and show him/her your ticket. He/she should point you to the correct waiting room.) After debarking at your final destination airport (usually La Ceiba), it will be time to go through customs. Get in line with the other passengers. When it is your turn with the customs agent, smile, hand the official your passport and customs papers (the papers a stewardess would've handed you during your flight and which you should've already filled out en route) and wait. The customs official will probably tell you in English how many dollars ($2-5). Pay and pass into the baggage area. There will be several men who will want to help you find your luggage. Pick one, and point at him so that everyone will know who is helping you. Point out your bags for him. He will bring them to the counter for the customs official to open and check, and then take them outside for you. Others may help him, but tip only him, after the bags are safely loaded in the car. $1 for four bags is sufficient. We can not meet you until you are through customs. We will be waiting outside for you.

If for some reason no one is there to meet you, buy some bottled water in the airport and wait about an hour or so, unless it is very late. You can also try calling one of the numbers below. If no one shows up, ask for a "Taxi." Have them take you to "Hotel La Quinta" which should be a five to ten minute drive. It will probably cost you $10 US, or 100 Lempiras (about $7) if you have Honduran currency. Go to the restaurant at the La Quinta with your baggage. Call Cornerstone contact person, Howard Pandy, in La Ceiba at: 3-380-5953 (cell phone). Calling a Cornerstone related residence at 443-3293 is a back-up number as is Lisa Bradley, in Balfate/Loma de Luz at 9-888-8191 (cell phone).  Use those phone numbers if you have big problems (like missing a connection) when in Honduras.

Ground Transportation in Honduras. We provide or arrange ground transportation from the airport to the hospital. The trip from La Ceiba to the hospital site is about 1–1½ hours on rough roads.. Note—in some cases, visitors opt to be driven (by hired driver) that last leg of the trip from San Pedro Sula to La Ceiba. If you are interested in this option, check with Lisa Bradley, who can tell you about availability and cost and help you in making these arrangements. Lisa's email address is cornerstone@ametro.net.

Accommodations. Our primary accommodations facility for short term volunteers is the staff-housing facility which has showers and bathrooms and kitchen/laundry area with sinks, stoves, oven, refrigerator, freezer, and washer and dryer. The cost for housing per person per week is $112 ($16 per day). Those staying more than two weeks receive a discounted rate (for more information, contact Lisa at the Cornerstone office). Visiting volunteers often (though not always) spend the night in a hotel in La Ceiba on the eve of their return to the US, so each volunteer will also need to bring enough money to pay for a hotel room. A guesstimate for this is approximately $45, but sometimes it costs less and can cost more.

Food.
Individuals or families staying in apartments are to buy their own food and pay Cornerstone only their lodging fee--you do not fill out the below mentioned meal plan.
Teams: We will purchase your food / groceries prior to your arrival for you to use to prepare your meals in the Staff Housing Kitchen at Loma de Luz. The cost per team member per week for food / meals is $52.50 ($7.50 per day). Most groups like to designate a cook or small cooking-committee.
Each visitor (or group) is to follow these steps:
1. Select meals listed in the Loma de Luz cookbook which you can access via this link: Loma de Luz Cookbook. Choose only meals listed in this cookbook (this makes things easier for the host couple).
2. Type up that list of meals (remember, list only meals which appear in that cookbook) and email it directly to our Host/Liaison Couple in La Ceiba, Iain and Liz MacKenzie at mckenzie1457@yahoo.co.uk. This list should include (a) the name of the team, (b) dates your group will be on the field, (c) the names of the cooks, including contact info. for head cook (d) list of meals which you plan to prepare.
3. If there is some food or meal which you strongly want but which isn’t listed in the book, bring the ingredients in your luggage (perishable items and produce are not allowed in luggage, but canned goods and prepackaged foods are). If a member of your group is diabetic or has a food allergy which would require special arrangements, let us know far in advance and also note it on your meal plan.
4. There will be a hard copy of the Loma de Luz Cookbook in the Staff Housing Kitchen, but we would advise you to print one out from the internet and bring it with you as a back up in case a visitor before you inadvertently misplaces the Kitchen Copy of the Cookbook.
5. When you arrive, have at it and cook!

Volunteers/visitors may want to bring along a few food comfort items (microwave popcorn, favorite candy bars) in their suitcases (there is no grocery in Balfate where such items could be reliably bought). Additionally each volunteer should bring money to cover 1-3 meals eaten in a restaurant in the city of La Ceiba, as volunteers often spend most of the last day of their trip (the eve of departure) in La Ceiba. Meals in a restaurant in La Ceiba cost about the same as meals in the US, perhaps a little more. Bottled sodas are usually available at staff housing for approx. $.65 each, and they are not included in a volunteer’s weekly food fee (they are an extra, a luxury item); so if you like sodas, bring extra “soda money” with you.
Special note to teams & cooks: Occasionally there may be a few guests (1-3) staying at staff housing that are working on specific projects during your team’s stay. These guests have already paid Cornerstone for their part of the food. Since there is only one kitchen it will be necessary for these individuals to join your team at meal times. Please make these guests feel welcome, they will be happy to help in cooking /cleaning and join your team in fellowship. If you would like the specific number of extra guests that will be on site while your team is in Honduras, please contact the Cornerstone office.
.

Additional Money. In addition to airfare, one-night's hotel accomodations, and Cornerstone accomodations/food the only other cost is whatever spending money volunteers may want to bring (mementos, local items, special food, etc.). It is also often very helpful if a group can raise money for some of the building supplies to be used while they are on the job (if you call or e-mail us we can discuss what amount of donation would be helpful depending on the specific project your group would be involved in.

Church. Volunteers / visitors are invited to join the hospital staff in weekday morning devotions (at the hospital chapel) and to join the full-time missionaries in their Thursday evening praise-and-prayer service and in their Sunday morning church service (both usually held at the hospital). Volunteers may additionally be invited by the career missionaries to join them at local Honduran churches or Bible studies (these often meet at times other than Sunday morning or even on other days of the week).

Passports. Volunteers do need to have a valid passport. The necessary forms can be obtained from one's local US Post Office. Passports cost about $65 (less, for those under 18), require passport-specification photos, and a certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate. They take about 3 weeks to process, but can be expedited for an additional fee.

Health / Immunizations. There are no shots required other than an up-to-date tetanus shot (within the last 10 years); a tetanus shot within the last 5 years would be even better, esp. for construction volunteers. Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Please consult with your family physician. Additional information is available in our “Work Teams - Details for Travelers to Honduras” document. Those prone to gastrointestinal troubles, and those on acid reduction therapy would do well to bring along Cipro 500mg to take once a day. Up to date Hepatitis A and B:immunizations are required for health care workers, and not a bad idea for everyone in general. Additionally, any prescription medicine you are taking, as well as any over-the-counter drugs should be brought along with you in sufficient supply, as volunteers/visitors will be staying and working in a remote area. Bring a water bottle to drink from. There will be plenty of good water to drink at the hospital site, but you may often find yourself in other places (on the road, in La Ceiba, etc.) where the water is not to be trusted. In a restaurant, you can ask for "agua purificada" to obtain bottled water.

Clothing and Supplies. Clothing should be conservative and functional. We recommend you bring a hat, work gloves, sunscreen, insect repellent, ear plugs (both for work and sleep purposes), a swim suit, one pair of work shoes/boots, and one pair of tennis shoes. At least one pair of jeans is a good idea (even for the women) in case you do any walking through brushy areas--there are venomous snakes and scorpions in the area). If you come during the rainy season, bring a light rain slicker and/or light sweater or jacket, and shoe-wise, be prepared for mud. Some visitors like to bring a wash cloth or bandana (this can be handy to wipe the sweat off your face when you’re dirty or to use as a hand towel or rag when staying in a Honduran hotel, where those items are often not supplied). Ladies / girls should bring a dress or skirt in case they attend a Honduran church service or similar situation (where a dress or skirt would be necessary in order to be polite within the context of the culture). A Spanish phrase book or English-Spanish dictionary (or even an English-Spanish New Testament) may be helpful. We do have a Spanish language tract available for any visitors interested in using it.

Language and Currency. This is a Spanish-speaking country. Although some Hondurans, particularly the better educated, may speak English, the majority of people you will meet speak Latin American Spanish only. The currency is the Lempira. The rate of exchange fluctuates nearly daily but currently is about 18 L/$1.

Interpreters. Though your missionary sponsor will be conversant in both English and Spanish, he/she will also be carrying on his/her normal full-day’s-work overseeing construction or providing medical care at the site in addition to working with you / your group; and, naturally, he/she can’t be everywhere at once. You thus may desire to have an interpreter with your group full-time or perhaps on specific days. If so, your team would need to hire an interpreter. A good estimate for a “going rate” for interpreters is $10 / day (plus food and accommodations—same as for a team member). If your team needs or desires to hire an interpreter, we can give you information about how to make this arrangement. Just let us know in advance.

Minors/Youth. All youth/minors require pre-approval. (For our purposes a minor is anyone under 18 years of age, and a “youth” is anyone under 21 years of age.) If you want to include minors/youth in your group, contact the Cornerstone office for pre-approval. If minors under the age of 18 are traveling with only one (or no) parent, a notarized letter signed by both parents giving permission for the child to travel outside the US in the custody of a named group member (even when it’s the other parent) is required by the airline. Cornerstone can provide a sample letter. If you need additional information or clarification, please contact the Cornerstone office. Remember also that for every 3 persons under the age of 21 in a team, there must be an adult age 30 or older.

Solo Traveler/Group Leader. The group leader(s) is a very important role to fill. If coming with a group, please let us know whom to regard as the Leader. If coming as an individual, you ARE the group leader (in your group of one). The group leader is responsible for seeing that all group members have read this “Short-Term Missions Information” document, that they have read the “Details for Travelers” document, and that they turn in their money and paperwork (Medical Release Form, Waiver, and signed Standard of Conduct Form) to the Cornerstone office at least one month prior to departure. The group leader must also additionally fill out the Solo/Group Leader Form and send it in to the Cornerstone office at least a month prior to departure.

Conduct. Each visitor/volunteer must read and sign the Cornerstone Foundation Standard of Conduct. This is the same standard to which we hold the full-time missionaries working at the site. The signed document(s) must be sent to our Cornerstone office at least one month prior to the volunteer’s departure.

Insurance and Medical Release. Medical insurance that would cover an emergency or injury in Honduras is required. If you do not currently carry such coverage, it can be obtained on a short term basis through I.M.G.’s Group Outreach Travel Plans, and an enrollment form can be obtained at www.gomissiontrip.com or by contacting the Cornerstone office. Each visitor / short-term volunteer must Also fill out and sign a waiver.

Summary of Expenses Other than Airfare.

• Money to be paid to Cornerstone in advance of your trip: Lodging and food are a total of $164.50 per person per week (with discounted lodging rates for those who are staying more than two weeks). Individuals or families staying in the apartments pay only for lodging which varies according to availability as well as length of stay—you will buy your own food. The money is to be paid in advance to: Cornerstone Foundation; sent to the 18384 W. Lake Dr., Saucier, MS 39574 address and accompanied by a note specifying that the money is for your / your group's expenses. These fees, along with the required forms (paperwork) should be sent at least one month prior to your or your group's departure date.
  
• Money to bring with you: Each person will need to bring about $35 (in $1s and $5s) for customs/immigration and exit fees, $45 (just to be on the safe side) for a night’s hotel lodging in case it is needed, enough money for up to 3 restaurant meals in La Ceiba ($30?), and whatever money may be wanted for souvenirs/mementos/tourist items (a total of at least $110 plus whatever you may want for souvenirs or “airport food”). Remember, some portion of this money, you may be able to bring back home with you depending on whether or not you have to spend the night in a hotel in La Ceiba, whether you have to buy meals in La Ceiba, etc. Other possible expenses depend on whether your group plans to hire an interpreter and whether you raise money to help fund the purchase of the materials for your project.

Summary of Paperwork to be turned in to the Cornerstone Office. First send the Preliminary Application for Prospective Volunteers for approval. After approval, each volunteer must send in a Signed Standard of Conduct and Medical Release Form (which necessitates having travel insurance or equivalent and corresponding policy number), and a signed Waiver. Additionally, if you are a group leader or if you are traveling alone, you must fill out and send in the Solo/Group Leader Form. Click on the links to access the Forms. (If you do not have Internet access and are reading this as a “hard copy,” you can request them from the Cornerstone office.) Remember, these forms are due in the Cornerstone office at least one month prior to departure. Also, don’t forget the passport and, if a minor, notarized letter signed by both parents.

If you or your group definitely decide(s) to come, read the “Details for Travelers to Honduras” Document. It provides more detailed travel information/advice. You can access the “Details for Travelers” document via the link if you are reading this on our website. Or, if you do not have Internet access and are reading this as a “hard copy,” you can call the Cornerstone office to obtain “Details for Travelers” and the required paperwork. Feel free to ask questions. Also, many short-term missionaries like to get Cornerstone T-shirts ($10 + shipping). Contact Cornerstone-Loma de Luz Co-ordinator Lisa Bradley at cornerstone@ametro.net. Kathleen at the Cornerstone Office at 228-328-1579 (toll free 877-277-8663) or her backup, Cornerstone Liaison Sally Mahoney (270-362-4466) are phone contacts.

May the Lord bless you and order your steps.