Howdy Everybody! I am excited about your interest in the upcoming high school mission trip to Honduras! It is a wonderful opportunity to serve people and also to grow in your faith as you live of God’s commandment to “love your neighbor” (Matthew 22:37-39). I know I'm excited to see what Christ does through you on the upcoming mission! Please let me know how I can best help you as you make this decision to join the team. Blessings, Catherine Bluege Missions & Outreach Coordinator

SSM Honduras Information Mission Focus: Our mission is to serve the people in Honduras to open doors to sharing the Gospel message in La Paz. This will be done through two service opportunities: hosting a Vision Clinic and engaging at the Compassion Center with children. Our mission is to provide eye care to those in the community of La Paz. Our team will do this by hosting a Vision Clinic that will fit people for distance and reading glasses while giving them the opportunity to see an eye doctor that partners with us. Our students will also have the opportunity to have intentional time to share what they believe with each individual that comes through our clinic. They will learn how to run each aspect of the clinic, from running the eye chart to assembling glasses and talking to their translators to how to start conversations about their faith. Students will also help at the Compassion Center that is located one block from the Vision Clinic site. Students will help with a VBS by assisting with crafts, bible lessons, music, recreation time, etc. Your student will have the opportunity to serve those in need, learn about another culture, make lasting connections with peers at Salem Lutheran Church, and take steps in growing their faith. Cost: Salem Lutheran Church’s cost for each clinic mission is over $2,500 per participant (includes airline ticket, Honduras ground transportation, most meals, lodging, supplies and equipment, etc.) We ask that each participant contribute to the cost of the mission, so we ask that each individual provide $1,200. The rest of the cost of the mission is subsidized by Salem Lutheran Church. If you would like to contribute more towards the mission, we can use that to scholarship more participants to join us. Application & Registration: You will apply online at https://www.salem4u.com/missions/. Do I need a Passport? You will need to secure a passport. If you have an existing passport, make sure it is current and will still be current for at least 6 months after our departure date. No visa is required for Honduras if you are a U.S. citizen. In order to get a passport, take your certified birth certificate, 2 passport size photos, the passport application and required fees to the nearest post office which houses a U.S. Customs office. Be mindful that it can take 4-6 weeks to receive your passport. On the mission’s application, indicate exactly how your name should appear. If you are renewing your passport, put on the application how your name appears on your current passport. What about airline tickets? The team will be traveling on United Airlines. We will be traveling on a Group Ticketing organized by Salem Lutheran Church. So, Salem will take the responsibility of coordinating your ticket purchase after you have applied.

Flights: Airline:

United Airlines Flight Number:

UA 1487 (Houston (IAH) to San Pedro Sula (SAP)) UA 1488 (San Pedro Sula (SAP) to Houston (IAH))

Airport Information: Arrive at Terminal C at George Bush International Airport no later than 6:15 a.m. on the day of departure. Everybody needs to help quickly unload the footlockers from the delivery trailer. From there, the team will check-in as a group, distributing the footlockers of supplies between each participant. Baggage? You will need to pack lightly. Each team member will be allowed only one regulation size carry-on bag and one backpack (or bag small) to go under the seat. You will not be able to check bags because that will be used for the footlockers. Each team member is allowed one-gallon size bag of items over the 3 oz limit for liquids and sharps (shampoos, etc). These bags go in a separate footlocker for team members. What to wear? When in Honduras, the team will wear surgical scrubs while working help to identify you as a team member and give you student a professional look for those they are serving. You will need a set for each day of work. Comfortable shoes (tennis shoes) are recommended since you will mostly be on concrete floors. You will want to take a light weight jacket and/or rain jacket since we will be in the mountains where it is cooler at times. Comfortable clothes can be worn at the hotel. Shorts are ok as long as they reach knee length. Keep in mind that Honduras is a conservative country and we would like to respect that and also to represent Christ well in all that we do, including our clothing. Do I need any immunizations? There are no required immunizations for travel to Honduras. Use the following list as a general precaution. Contact your personal physician to discuss these immunizations. It is at your discretion that you travel without the full series. Remember, these are recommended, not required.

Tetanus: This should be kept current. Hepatitis A: Two vaccinations 6 months apart - important for persons visiting rural areas, eating or drinking in settings of poor or uncertain sanitation, or who will have close contact with local persons, especially young children. Hepatitis B: Three vaccinations (first two - one month apart, third - 6 months later). Strongly advised for health care workers only on this trip. Anti-Malaria pills: Only necessary when going to coastal areas in Honduras.

Training: We will send out information on our training date. This is a required event where your student will learn about the culture, each of the vision clinic stations, activities at the Compassion Center, and be able to ask any questions. How can I raise support money? If you desire to solicit for your portion of the trip or the mission in general, Salem Lutheran Church commits to providing you a sample copy of a form letter that you can edit explaining the trip and requesting donations. You can obtain these by contacting Catherine Bluege.

Money: If you would like to bring some spending money, $200 should be more than enough. This is at your discretion; it is just what we recommend. You will be able to trade US dollars for Lempira's and back again at the airport in San Pedro Sula. Meals are provided in your mission cost except the two at the airport. Water: We only drink bottled water while in Honduras. The hotel will provide you with one bottle a day in your room. It is suggested that you also use bottled water to brush your teeth. Salem’s leaders will purchase bottled water for your student’s use at the hotel and clinic site. Hotel Information: This information will be sent out to registered team members as the mission date approaches. Your student will stay with other students in a rooms that hold two to three people. Payment: Payment can be made by credit card at time of online registration. You may send checks that are written out to Salem Lutheran Church to: Salem Lutheran Church Attn: Catherine Bluege 22601 Lutheran Church Rd Tomball, TX 77377

Below is the general schedule for the week and some more information.

SSM Honduras Mission Trip Schedule

(Except for flight times, these are all estimates; adjustments may be made once in Honduras)

Monday (Travel Day) 6:15am Arrive at IAH Airport 9:30am Depart for San Pedro Sula 12:15pm Arrive at San Pedro Sula airport 1:00pm Eat at the airport restaurants (student expense)

Exchange US Dollars for Lempiras 2:00pm Load vans and travel to La Paz 6:30pm Arrive at hotel

Instruction of hotel rules and boundaries 7:00pm Dinner 7:45pm Free Time 8:30pm Devotions and instructions Tuesday-Friday 6:15am Breakfast 6:45am Devotions

Soldiers dropped off at hotel 7:15am Load vans 7:20am Leave hotel for clinic sites 8:00am Start clinic 5:30pm Close clinic 6:30pm Dinner 7:00pm Free Time 8:00pm Devotions and connect time 10:00pm Lights out Saturday (Travel Day) 6:00am Load vans 7:00am Leave for San Pedro Sula airport

Breakfast on the road 12:00pm Arrive at airport

Grab lunch at airport (student expense) 2:40pm Fly home 6:30pm Arrive at IAH airport

Should be through customs about 7:30pm for parents to pick up students Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. Blessings as you pray about joining our team in the impact you can have for Christ in Honduras!

Paul Cheney Director of Missions & Outreach Cell: 281-380-7051 Email: pcheney@salem4u.com Kevin Pieper Minister of Missions & Outreach Cell: 281-635-2400 Email: kpieper@salem4u.com Catherine Bluege Missions & Outreach Coordinator Work: 281-351-8223 Email: cbluege@salem4u.com

Salem Lutheran Church 22601 Lutheran Church Rd

Tomball, TX 77377

*Circled areas is where we will be working (La Paz).