Dates: June 26th to July 7 for the regular trip, or there is the option of a side trip that will be talked about in greater detail, returning July 10.
We are purchasing group airline tickets, we must know your planned return date ASAP.
All airline ticket names must match your passport, so please give us your complete name as listed on your passport when we need your name for ticketing
We will keep you updated on Airport/travel security procedures as we approach departure.
Where we are going: Corozal, Belize. The exchange $ is 2 of their dollars to one of ours. Language is English. Belize is on the eastern/southern portion of the Yucatan peninsula, bordered on the north by Mexico and the west and south by Guatemala
Weather: tropical, warm to hot and humid. The temperature is fairly constant all year, but there is a rainy and a dry season. We will be there during the rainy season. We will be staying at sea level, not far from the ocean, so we should get some breezes. Shorts are fine to work in, long pants and nice shirts for men, but neckties are not needed for men for church. Dresses or skirts for women. It is recommended to go lighter on jewelry as we are going to poor areas and do not want to attract too much attention or encourage thieves.
What do we need to do? There is no Visa needed for Belize, and no required shots or immunizations. What is recommended however, is current tetanus, hepatitis series, typhoid and malaria are options as well. We will be in what is considered a malaria zone and you will not be able to donate blood for one year after returning.The only required vaccination is Yellow Fever and that is only if you are arriving from Africa or South America
You need a passport, and the expiration date is best to be 6 months beyond your return date.
For the site: bring work jeans, shorts, T shirts, sturdy shoes with toes in them. Tennis shoes are ok, work boots are great but may be a little hot. Work gloves are a must, bring 1-2 pairs per person. We will keep you updated on what tools we may need to take as well as the work becomes more defined closer to departure date.
For casual times, jeans, shorts, modest shirts for women. There had been requests previously for no spaghetti strapped tops for women. Sleeveless has been ok.
Costs here are comparable to US travel, US dollars are accepted, though most use Belizian dollars. We usually recommend bringing your spending money in cash as the banks do not always accept/cash travelers checks and businesses are not set up (mostly) to accept them.
As in many places in Central America, it will not be safe to drink the water. There is bottled water readily available, but do not brush your teeth in the water either. It is wise to bring an extra toothbrush in case you forget and inadvertently contaminate one. Bathing in the water is fine if you do not get it in your mouth, avoiding eye contact is likely wise as well.
Belize is also home to the Maya people, still in existence today in 3 disinct tribes. We will plan to visit some of the Mayan ruins, some of the oldest civilizations in the Americas (dating to about 1200BC).
We will plan some team- centered sight seeing, but the side trip (optional) is separate in cost and planning.
We currently are planning to split our large group into family like groups that will consist of a cross section of ages. Work groups may be different than the “family” group.
Lodging is not entirely settled yet, as we review groupings, couples/singles, etc. Food will be cooked by a group who have run a restaurant and can handle a large group such as ours.
The work site is a large site with many buildings, and room for all of us to conduct focused work in different groups. At this time it looks like there will be a workgroup or 2 working on the church proper, finishing roofing, electrical, window and door work, plastering and painting. There is also a school and parsonage that may be involved in repairs/upgrades. Our vacation Bible School will be conducted at the school.
