Mission Team Instructions

Thank you for considering Joining Our Team by participating in a mission trip with Open Eyes Ministries.  We ask you to prepare for this trip by strengthening yourself through prayer and fasting so that you will be prepared to minister to the people of Honduras and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with them. This trip is not to be taken lightly.  It is serious business and know that the staff of Open Eyes are praying for you also.

As You Get Ready

  1. Be prayed up! Know that Satan does not want you to come!  He may put all kinds of obstacles in your way.  DON’T LET HIM WIN!!!!
  2. Use your team mates. One thing that has helped many teams is to create a prayer and fasting schedule a few weeks before you leave.  Ask you team to sign up for a day(s) a few weeks before your trip begins to fast and pray for that 24-hour period, covering all the team members, the Open Eyes staff, your travel, and the contacts God will have you make when you are in country.
  3. Use Bible verses to strengthen you. Examples are:
    Deuteronomy 31:8, Matthew 19:26, Ephesians 6:11-18, Ephesians 3:20, Romans 12:1-2, 2 Chronicles 15:7, Jerimiah 29:13, and many others.
  4. Start a journal before you leave and bring it with you to write in while you are there. This will keep your journey alive. You can also setup a Facebook group or page for this and allow your entire team to post to it. This can also be an encouragement to the people back home.
  5. Have whatever you are going to use on the plan of salvation scriptures memorized. Practice them before you leave. A good example is the Romans Road.  There are many others that you may choose to use. In other words, be prepared to share the greatest message given to mankind, the good news of Jesus.
    Even if you have never done it before, have it ready in your heart and mind.  Practice on some of your friends before you leave.
  6. Be prepared to share what God has done in your life. You will be surprised how many times God will place you in a situation when your testimony, or experiences, will be just what can be used by Him to let people know you are a person they can relate to. This opportunity can then lead into a gospel conversation.

What to Bring

  • Bible
  • Passport
  • Women need to bring modest skirts or dresses for the days that you attend church. When you are out in the community doing ministry, you can wear walking shorts and capris. You can wear shorts at the team house/hotel/shopping, etc. No spaghetti straps or short skirts.
  • Men should make sure to bring at least one pair of long pants to wear for any church services. Walking shorts can be used during ministry.
  • It will be hot. Plan Ahead! Know that your body will become acclimated to the heat after you have been here a few days.
  • Spending Money and Money for Offerings. All cash you bring must be clean, untorn and have no ink marks.
  • Bring an insulated water bottle. It is imperative to stay hydrated in the heat.
  • Candy, toys, etc. to give out at the houses you are visiting, but do not give out in the streets.

What not to Bring

  • Do not bring in fruits and vegetables in or out of the country.
  • Anything not God Honoring

Suggestions to help you on your trip

  • Remember you must follow TSA rules for liquids and gels when you get to the airport. One quart sizes, clear bag with no more than 3 ounces of each product are allowed. All other much be placed in your checked luggage.
  • You must have your luggage tag receipt in hand to take your luggage out of the airport in Honduras.
  • On the customs form you get on the plane, use Hotel Rancho Victor, La Paz as your destination. Telephone number is +011 504-3379-7179
  • You cannot put toilet paper in the toilets. It must be disposed of in the trash can next to the toilet. The sewage pipes are narrow and cannot flush out a lot of toilet paper. You will get used to this.
  • Do not go anywhere outside by yourself. Stick with your team members.
  • Do not give anyone money, especially to children. Bottom line; don’t give anyone outside the team house money without missionary permission.
  • Remember that the United States will not allow you to bring unpackaged food into the states. You can bring packaged food (such as coffee) in.

The Culture

Honduras is the second largest country in Central America and is a vibrant country, brimming with clear turquoise waters, pristine beaches, lush jungles, breathtaking mountains, challenging rivers, and fascinating ancient ruins.

But Honduras is a developing country (please don’t call it Third World), and it is the second poorest country in Central America.  There is an abundance of poor people and families in the country.  The Hondurans are an extremely beautiful, proud, smart, and clean people. Even when you go into areas where people live in huts with dirt floors, they are clean people and so please don’t be withdrawn from them. They are also friendly and hospitable.

Finally…

Remember, the Open Eyes staff are here to further the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Please take the instructions they give you seriously, obey them and respect them. They know the culture, the schedule and are professionals at what they do and their goal is to make this a memorable trip for you and your team.