2018 Hope for the Rio Dulce Mission Trip

 

We will be sponsoring a mission trip this summer. The dates are July 28 – August 4th.

During the week-long trip, the mission group will work on service projects to benefit villagers, experience Guatemalan village life first-hand, and spend time in reflection and fellowship.

This is a one of a kind opportunity to serve those in need, share your faith, and learn about a unique culture and people!

All able-bodied adults (over the age of 18) are welcome to attend. Space is limited to 10 travelers.

 

An informational meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19th at 6:30 at St. Helen Catholic Church – in Georgetown, TX. The meeting will be in room 221 of the St. Rita Center.

There, more details of the trip will be shared. Your questions will be answered.

 

What we will do:

Our time will be focused on completing projects to benefit the villagers we serve. This will include work on our dormitory for female high school students (painting, landscaping, carpentry, etc), possibly installing water filters in village homes, visiting village schools, and other projects that may present themselves.

We will also have time set aside for reflection and fellowship after finishing our work.

There will also be some time to do a little sight seeing, including a final day of rest and relaxation in Antigua, Guatemala.

 

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Important Things to Note:

 

Conditions, in general, are much more primitive than some are accustomed to.

 

It will be hot and humid. It will rain at times. It will be muddy. There will be lots of bugs and mosquitoes. There is no hot water for showers. There is no air conditioning.

We will be hours away from a hospital. We will be traveling by motorboat almost everyday. There will be some amount of walking/hiking on dirt/mud paths required.

This is not meant to scare anyone away, but, before committing to a trip such as this, it is important that you honestly asses your ability and willingness to endure a week in more remote, primitive conditions – in a tropical climate.

For some it will be the time of their life – for others it may be miserable. It depends on the person. Those considering the trip need to make an honest assessment of themselves before committing to traveling.

 

• For the majority of the trip we will be staying overnight in the village of Lagunita Salvador. More information about the accommodations can be found at www.lagunitasalvador.com.

 

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Sample Itinerary:

 

The details of the trip are still being worked out and will depend on the abilities of the specific people that register to attend, but a sample itinerary would be:

July 28 – Fly to and Arrive in Guatemala City, Travel by van to Rio Dulce, and then in boat to village

July 29 – Service project work in villages, return to village in evening, reflection, fellowship

July 30 – Service project work in villages, return to village in evening, reflection, fellowship

July 31 – Service project work in villages,return to village in evening, reflection, fellowship

Aug 1   – Service project work in villages, return to village in evening, reflection, fellowship

Aug 2   – Travel from village to Rio Dulce, then by van to Antigua Guatemala, free time in evening

Aug 3   – Spend day in Antigua, Guatemala (free time to sight see, shop)

Aug 4  – Travel from Antigua to Guatemala City Airport, Return home

 

Those that wish to register for the trip must provide:

• Payment, in full, for the cost of the trip (which will be discussed at the meeting and posted here afterwards)
• Valid Passport
• Signed Mission Trip Agreement
• Signed Release of Liability Form
• Emergency contact information

Links to this information will be posted here by April 21, 2018.