Mission Trips

PREPARING FOR YOUR MISSION EXPERIENCE

In preparation for the mission trip all mission teams will be visited by a member of the HOI staff or board of directors to explain procedures and answer any questions.

MISSION TRIP EXPENSES

There are two major expenses involved with a missionary trip to Rancho el Paraiso: airfare (getting there)--your team is responsible for securing air transportation from the US to Tegucigalpa-and the in-country fee (being there).

Mission Team Fees:

A deposit of $1000 is required to reserve a week on the HOI calendar. Reservations are taken a year in advance.

There is an in-country fee of $720 per person which must be sent to the Atlanta office at least four weeks prior to your US departure. Included in this fee are:

  • travel accident and liability insurance coverage

  • transportation from the Tegucigalpa airport to Rancho el Paraiso and back

  • leadership by a bi-lingual Honduras Outreach staff member who will meet you at the airport and stay with your group until you depart a week later,

  • overnight accommodations for the mission week, including two nights in hotels and five nights at the Ranch,

  • snack at the Mennonite Bakery on Day 1, (a snack is either one cookie or one soft drink - not both. Additional items, including loaves of bread, are available for purchase, however, they at the individual's expense),

  • all meals while in-country including three meals a day while at the Ranch, two breakfasts and dinners at the hotels at the beginning and end of your mission week

  • beverages with meals, including two sodas a day at the ranch but NO beverages except bottled water with restaurant meals

  • purified and bottled water while at the ranch

  • building supplies for the work project in your host village, and

  • tips to the porters at the airport upon arrival and departure

There is an additional $720 per mission team called a silent partner fee that is used for additional work project supplies in the village during the team's work week.

There is an option for your group to partner with a village with a partnering fee of $2000/yr.  This 2-year commitment enables you to work with the same village for two years and provides additional funds to meet the needs of the village throughout the year. Those needs may include community development projects such as family gardens, kindergarten supplies, sponsorship of an Agriculture student in our Ag school, sponsorship of a student pastor in our Pastor's training or other needs that arise in the community.  If your group decides to partner, the $720 silent partner fee is already included in the partnership fee.

Other Team Member personal costs include:

  • Dinner, if you choose to dine elsewhere, away from the hotel, on your evening in Tegucigalpa or San Pedro Sula. The in-country fee covers the meal at the hotel. If you choose to dine elsewhere, the meal becomes an out of pocket expense. Any deviation from this plan must be communicated to the Honduras Group Leader several days in advance so the meal at the hotel can be cancelled.

  • Beverage with your meals at the hotels, excluding water with dinner and coffee with breakfast

  • The mandatory $37.80 exit tax which will be collected prior to the security check- in at the airport. Please note that this tax can fluctuate with no prior notice.

  • Tips ($1 per bag) at the hotel if you choose to have a porter help you to your room.

  • Souvenirs and snacks in route and at the Ranch (other than the snack at the Mennonite Bakery),

  • All charges you incur at the hotel in Tegucigalpa, including items used from the mini-bar and telephone calls. If you wish to call home, you can reach an international AT&T operator at 9-800-0123. The charge will be added to your room bill and you will be responsible for it at check-out.

TRAVEL DOCUMENTS

All travelers to Honduras must carry a valid passport issued by the country of citizenship. There are no exceptions. You must have a passport not only to exit the United States, but also to enter the country of Honduras. Begin the passport application process immediately upon committing to participating in this mission trip. The US State Department suggests allowing no less than six weeks to secure a passport through non-expedited channels.

Several months before the departure date of your trip check the expiration date on your passport. If it has already expired or will expire within 180 days of the completion of your mission trip to Honduras, immediately begin the process to renew your passport.

On the day you depart home to commence your journey to Honduras double check that you have your current passport with you.