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FBC is again sending a team to Puebla, Mexico to serve alongside our missionaries, Tim & Debbie Blycker. We would love to see you join us on this outreach! Important Trip Dates are noted below!
Dates of Trip: June 9-18, 2012
Destination: Puebla, Mexico
Located in the Puebla Valley, 80 miles southeast of Mexico City, Puebla sits at an altitude of 7091 ft. The population in 2000 was 1,346,000. It is the capital of the state of Puebla and one of Mexico’s oldest Spanish cities, founded in 1531. Legend has it that a band of angels appeared to Bishop Julian Garces, one of the founders, pointing out where to situate the new city. Hence the nickname Angelopolis (City of Angels). The locals are called poblanos. Established on the main route between the port of Veracruz (the most important port in Mexico) and Mexico City, Puebla was the principal city of colonial Mexico. Puebla’s appearance is the most European of all the colonial cities, because it was planned from the ground up by a Spanish city designer rather than being built with an existing Indian community.
More information can be found here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Puebla_%28city%29
Cost of Trip: $1200
This cost is an initial estimate based upon an average $800 airfare cost, $325 for food/lodging for the week, and $75 for car rentals and miscellaneous incidentals. Participants in our 2010 trip paid a little over $800.
Items Needed on Trip
This will be discussed in detail in one of our Team Meetings, but the most important thing you will need initially is a current US Passport. If you do not have a passport, you need to begin the work of obtaining one ASAP. It can take up to 8 weeks to receive a passport after sending in the application. Instructions and applications can be found online here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
What Will I Be Doing?
This in large part will be determined by the individuals who are going, and their gifts, skills and mission trip experience. Recently, the Blyckers have been doing outreach through guitar classes in a town called San Juan Tlautla. There has been a great response, and they are excited about expanding their efforts here. We will definitely be doing some form of evangelism whether that be door to door, or some activity centered around kids. As with most trips of this type, flexibility will be an asset.
Miscellaneous
The first thing that most people focus on when determining whether they should go is the cost, rather than the prior more important question – is this a place where God can use me, and/or is nudging me to go? Please don’t make the cost an initial determining factor in your going on this trip. Pray about it first. God can provide every penny of your expenses, and often this is the initial faith stretching benefit of a short term mission trip. As a church we will do fund raisers, and we will take special offerings. You are highly encouraged to send out a support letter to friends and family to raise support. These contributions can be tax deductible, and can include more people in the success of this trip.
Important Dates
There was an information meeting on Sunday, January 15 at the Chastain home. If you missed that meeting, and have questions, please contact Gregg Chastain. There will be ongoing Mexico meetings through the remaining winter and spring, for the team that will be going in June. The next meeting for the Mexico Team will be Sunday, March 18. Additionally, please remember these important dates:
February 5 – Application and $100 deposit are due
March 18 – First payment of $700 is due
Last week of March – Airline tickets will be purchased
What Should I Do Next?
Begin applying for a passport if you don’t have one. Begin praying for this trip, and the things God would teach us. Fill out the application, and turn it in to Gregg by February 5.