BWO has added a NEW trip to our list of summer trips.  Check it out!

Miami, FL His House Summer Camp Trip

You Can Make A Difference In Young  Hearts That Will Impact Them For Eternity.
July 31-August 7, 2011
Be a part of a meaningful experience in a tropical mission field that will impact the lives of international children right here in  the  United  States,  and  make  lasting friendships from around the country.

The  summer  of  2011  marks  the  fourth  year  that  His House Children’s Home has offered Camp 33. This is a fun-filled and adventurous learning program for foster children, at-risk community children, and orphaned Haitian children.  Camp 33 children may have experienced trauma, reside in low-income households in the neighboring community, or deal with an emotional, behavioral or learning disability.

You will have the opportunity to show these kids the love of Jesus as you reach out during a week of summer camp in which we will bring Christ-focused devotionals, games, arts and crafts, life skills, outdoor sports, as well as field trips. This is their final week of summer vacation. We invite you to be a part of making happy lasting memories.

You can make a difference by providing summer camp to approximately 100 at-risk children.

TRIP PRICE: $748 ALL-INCLUSIVE FROM MIAMI, FL.

Age Requirement: 18 and older

My name is Sandra, I live in San Diego and I have been on 4 trips with BWO since 2007. I had just begun a new career as a hair stylist; in fact I hadn’t even been doing it for a year yet, when one of my co-workers gave me a flyer on the trips. As I read through the different trips they all looked great but as I got to the last one I knew God was calling me. It was to a place (Costa Rica) that I had been drooling over for years AND there was a need for cosmetologists (ME). “Ok Lord, let me get this straight….you are gonna allow me to travel to a place that I have ssooooo wanted to visit and do the very thing I love to do the most? I get to plant seeds of beauty in a whole different country?” The answer was a resounding yes…well let me rephrase that…it was a gradual process of prayer, godly counsel and God opening doors. My job was to walk by faith and not by sight.

I thought about the money first…..How am I gonna come up with $2000.00?  The next one came….How do I get the time off work?…and what about my clients?
I want you to know that as soon as I cast all those cares on the Lord He, oh so faithfully, took care of each one just as they came up. He gave me vision, strength and endurance to get through and prepare to go out and do His “great commission”

Now , almost 3 ½ years later, I am actually sitting in the BWO  office typing this blog. God has allowed me to become a piece of this vision, He has formed one in my heart and now provides for that vision daily. You see as I stepped out to get more of God and give more of God He opened up doors to more than just the trips. I know am co-owner of Salon 31:30 in La Mesa Ca. The name is from proverbs. God has created a ministry of freedom and deliverance that flow from my hands. As I get to create great hair, anoint hurting people (literally at the shampoo bowl?) and bestow beauty for ashes, so to speak, He gets all the glory. These trips began to change me from the very first time. I have a heart for Jaco Costa Rica, like I have known these people all my life. The pastors of the church there have also spoken into my life and invested time and love into me and my walk.

What I am trying to convey to all who read this is:
Nothing is impossible with God! If you are even giving a second thought to short term missions it must be tugging on a call. I am not saying this call will have you living in the rain forest of some 3rd world country, going potty in a can and eating bugs…..hehehe, but what I am saying is give God a chance. Step out to see what He has for you, for those you will serve and for those you will serve with. These trips have changed my life and the lives of those I touch in Cosa Rica. As I returned this last July to Jaco and walked through the streets I actually heard my name being called out from a “house” (I use this term loosely) SANDI… and my little friend Franny came running out holding her new baby sister. Her mom had been pregnant last time I was there. She ran and embraced me with a hug like that of  my own family that hadn’t seen me in months. WOW!!! My life will never be the same again….you can have some great experiences of your own. Make the choice to be clay in your Creator’s hand, let Him mold you into the vessel He fashioned  you to  be…..someone is waiting to be blessed by you……..

Things are going well for with our team in Haiti.  The team has had four more days of ministry since our last blog. These days here in Jacmel, Haiti have been long busy ones and we have seen so much fruit already.  God is faithful.

The weekend turned out to be a fabulous.  Our team drove about 40 minutes into a mountain village where we held a children’s outreach.  There we sang songs, performed dramas, fed them lunch, gave flip flops to the children, and took pictures of each child and put in in a frame to take home with them.  This was especially unique for a couple of reasons.  First, because these children very rarely get to have a photo of themselves, secondly, because God did an amazing little miracle just for the team with this particular craft,  You see we needed to use an instant camera and film in order to take over two hundred pictures and get them in frames for each child to take home in time the outreach was over.  You never know exactly how many children will show up for these events.  We were told to plan for two hundred children for each craft.  This helps to have a number for purchasing the craft supplies.  When we ordered the film, we felt to order a little extra.  240 pieces to be exact.  When we got to Jacmel we used one of the prints to test and measure the foam frames we cut out for the kids.  This left us with 239 photos left.  To make a long story short, there were lots and lots of kids that day.  We all prayed as the line for pictures wrapped around the building that day.  As we neared the end of children our film was running low.  We think it’s a miracle…. 239 kids, 239 photos, no one turned away. IT WAS EXACTLY THE NUMBER WE NEEDED. What a testimony of God’s faithfulness!!!

For our weekly schedule, we visit and minister in schools in the mornings. In the afternoon the focus is on orphanages.

Holding those babies and playing ball with the kids has been amazing.

The schools are now a series of tents/canopies made into classrooms, likewise with hospitals.

The hospital conditions have been a bit distressing; the care for patients and proper treatment isn’t the best because of lack of the correct supplies, however  the staff are very grateful for the help .

The hospital here in Jacmel has a huge need for physical therapists.

We have one therapist on our team.  She, plus one other volunteer therapist and a trainee is all the hospital here currently has. Needless to say they has been NONSTOP. At times it is overwhelming.  Wound care is an issue as well.  The lack of proper supplies leads to the lack of proper treatment.  Motrin and ice are even very hard to come by. PLEASE pray for these people, the supplies, and medical personnel needed to help them.

The construction team has done some demo for a family that has their neighbors two story house laying on ½ of their home since the earthquake.

They have also been busy building school desks, pews for the overflow at the churches and cribs for babies that have been sleeping on the floor at an orphanage.

The team building school benches and pews

This baby slept on the floor

Not any more!

The city of Jacmel is rubble and flattened buildings in many areas. Tents and little “suburbs” of tents everywhere.  The conditions are difficult.

Tents and little “suburbs” of tents everywhere. The conditions are difficult.

Still we see hope and joy in many Haitian eyes.

Church services have grown by 300-400%.  Many have turned to Jesus. We have been able to personally witness many come to Christ.  Our team sat on the outside of the church service this past Sunday (there was no room inside and the overflow went around the building). We could see the mountains and the beauty of this country just above the top of the building. As we looked back down at the people it was clear to see how the Lord was changing their hearts.  Isaiah 54 (especially the second half) seems to fit so well.  He is doing a new thing here. 

Please continue to pray for these people and the team.

Thank you for your love and support!

Hi Friends,

We have been so blessed to see how many people are excited about serving in Haiti. To help people that are in such desperate need of love and support.  We thought we would post some key aspects of the trip that so many of you are interested in.

Answers to questions you may have:
THE VISION-
#1. BWO’s primary goal will be to use physical relief to open doors for ministry in evangelism and discipleship.
#2 To be able to create/facilitate opportunities to get people on the mission field so they can experience a deeper relationship with Christ.
THE SCOPE-
Ministry opportunities will include:

• Medical. We will set up medical clinics to treat earthquake victims and other medical needs. We are looking for trained medical persons in all fields.
• Construction. The clean-up effort will take months, if not years. We will help clear rubble and rebuild homes.
• Orphanage and Children’s Outreach. We will be ministering among these devastated and fatherless children to bring joy of Christ to their lives.
• Village Ministry. We will work with people living in local village areas in and around Jacmel,serving in evangelism, VBS, and food relief. These are communities that are receiving aid  because they are so far from the city. These  are  communities in desperate need.
• Refugee Camp Ministry. We will serve in  evangelism and food relief in the refugee camps located in and around Jacmel.

THE LODGING-
Since the entire nation of Haiti is currently in a state of emergency, and since conditions aren’t likely to change, our accommodations will be the four acre fenced in ministry property that holds an outreach house as well as  200 x 200 tent that will serve as a lodging facility for team as time progresses. you will need a sleeping bag, and whatever you can carry in a small suitcase for your personal items.
THE TRAVEL-
We are planning to fly out of LAX & Fort Lauderdale right now.  We usually stage to different fly out cities on each side of the U.S. so it is easier for folks who may be on the other side of the country.  The two cities are LA & Fort Lauderdale for this trip.

THE ITINERARY-

Trip Dates:
June 8-19, 2010- from Los Angeles
June 8-19, 2010- from Fort Lauderdale

18 years and older

AND

August 7-18, 2010- from Los Angeles
August 7-18, 2010- from Fort Lauderdale

18 years and older

*We will open other dates or if need be customize a specific date/trip for a church that desires their own trip.

Example Schedule:

DAY 1 - We will depart LAX & Fort Lauderdale

Day 2- Travel-  Take a charter flight from Port-Au-Prince to  Jacmel Airport airport. travel to lodging facility. Get situated.

Day 3- Orientation/ ministry training Ministry team visit surrounding villages & site checks for medical & VBS
Day 4,5,6,7,8,9,10 -Ministry teams-Medical, Outreach, Construction teams

Medical Team —    to medical clinic/village/ refugee camp outreach
Orphanage Team- love, care, vbs
Construction- rubble removal and rebuilding
Aid Distribution- helps service in areas most needed (may combine aid & outreach team together)
Outreach Team —

o    Door to door friendship evangelism/ Bible distribution
o    Drama outreach
o    Vbs with village children
o    Soccer outreach & Clinics for youth

Day 11- possible day off & debrief-
Day 12- fly back to LAX & Fort Lauderdale

*Keep in mind, it’s missions. Everything may be subject to change.

What may a typical day look like?

This usually works well. Everything is subject to the environment and country we are in.
• 7:00 am                 Breakfast
• 7:30 am                 Personal Devotions
• 8:00 am                 Team Time
• 9:00 am-5pm       Depart lodging facilities/ to ministry sites

• Medical Team           —   out
• Outreach/Aid Team —  out
• Orphanage team     —  out
• Construction team —-  out

•  6:00 pm                                Dinner
•  7:00 pm                                Evening meeting/Service- worship, speaking, debrief
• 9:00-10pm                            Back to lodging facility -Lights out

THE COST:
The other is lodging.  If we are able to put the teams up in an actual lodging facility rather than tents we would much prefer doing that but we are preparing them for tents.

$1798 departure from Fort Lauderdale;

$1948 departure from Los Angeles

THE TRAINING AND PRE-TRIP PREPARATION -

The missions manual: Once a person fills out the application  for a trip with BWO, they will be sent a missions manual and a payment schedule.  The manual has all the necessary paperwork that need to be filled out , personal info, medical, insurance, notarized forms, pastor (small group leader) recommendations. It also has example fundraising ideas, example support letters, how to prepare your heart, what to pack, and more.

The training DVD & book: We have just finished working with some Calvary Chapel teachers that assisted us in putting together a DVD series on how to minister cross culturally.  There are 9 short 6-10 minute segments that coincides with the book- Ministering Cross-Culturally. Each person will receive this to prepare them for their trip. It is a very helpful tool to help them gain perspective and  different cultural views before they leave this country.

Devotional guide: We have put together a devotional guide to prepare hearts before, during, and after the mission trip.  This devotional guide is offered to each missionary.  It has 8 devotions to be read the 8 weeks prior to departure of the mission trip, 14 daily devotions while on the trip, and 6 devotions to be read the following weeks after the trip.  All the devotions are from various Christian mission type leaders.  There is also a place to journal after each brief devotion.

In the office: We want to walk with the missionaries every step of  the way.  We are here to answer questions, talk, and pray.  This is the part of the garden we feel called by the Lord to till. We desire to do this with excellence unto Him who called us. And… have a fun time doing it too. : )

THE NEXT STEP-

I hope this helps answer some of your questions. When you are ready to sign up you can simply go to www.believersworld.com , hit online application and follow the prompts.  Have more questions? call us at (877)641-5100. Hope you can join us on this trip or one of our other mission trips!

For The Glory of His Name,

BWO Staff

If you have read the previous post & Haiti trip page and feel called to minister in Haiti this summer with Believers World Outreach. The next step is to click on the online application page, sign up, pay the application fee and we will begin the process.

Like any of the BWO missions trips, this is the first step in the process.  Once you sign up, within one week you will receive a missions manual and payment schedule in the mail. Shortly after that you will receive a training DVD and book on cross cultural ministry that is a very important tool to prepare you for your trip.

In the manual you will find paperwork that needs to be filled out and sent back to us as soon as possible.  There are also lots of other helpful things in the there.  So be sure to read it. Like fund raising ideas,example support letter and pledge forms.  These things are crucial to raising funds for your trip.  Also, what to pack, how to prepare yourself physically and prayerfully.

We want to help you every step of the way. That’s what we feel is our call here at Believer World Outreach.  To help others reach out to the hurting and lost of this world.  Always pointing them to the one who loves them so very much- JESUS! When you do this… He pours so much more right back into you.  He is good!

If you are interested in bringing a group or just have more questions please give us a call at (918) 641-5100 or email debbie@believersworld.com.

BWO Mission Team: 2009

Is it possible for short-term missions to have any sort of lasting impact? Here at BWO, we believe the answer is a firm “of course!” Our short-term trips have often been a stepping stone for long-term missionaries, a way for people to test the waters of missions work.

Of course, there are many different reasons to go on a short-term missions trip. Some go to help out those less fortunate than them, some go to experience a different culture from the inside out, some go to draw closer to God, some go just to do something other than their usual routine (and wind up drawing closer to God along the way!), some go in order to gain appreciation for all that God has blessed them with.

And some go to see if a life of full-time missions is a life for them—whether they’re expecting it or not. It’s a little simplistic to say it’s like trying on a pair of jeans before buying them, but it’s along those lines. Two weeks in the mission field is nothing like a full-time commitment, but it definitely is like dipping your toe in the water of the big swimming pool of missions.

We’ve actually had several full-time missionaries come out of our short-term missions experiences. People like Danielle and Elizabeth, who are currently in South Africa training to plant churches; Holly, who spent time as an adoption advocate in Uganda and now is working with a prayer initiative in Ireland; Siouxanne, who turned her nursing degree into full-time work keeping kids healthy at a Ugandan orphanage; or Robyn and her husband Jim, who started a foundation in Uganda to love and nurture orphaned children; and Rita, who is working with Robyn and Jim.

We’ve also had families commit to full-time missions after participating in a BWO short-term trip. The Barretts, for example, who now live in Costa Rica assisting a church in Jaco Beach, or the Palmers, who moved to Uganda after spending two weeks with a BWO team in Costa Rica. In their words: “Going to Costa Rica with BWO let us know our kids could do this. We were worried about how they would travel and adapt to a different culture, but we didn’t need to worry at all. They did great! And that was one of the many ways we knew we could follow God’s call to the full-time missions field.”

The fact of the matter is, most people who go on short-term missions trips never become full-time missionaries, and if you sign up for a BWO trip, you aren’t signing your life away to the mission field. All you’re doing is signing up for a chance to let God change your heart and speak to you in a way you may not have heard otherwise. He has a plan for your life; you never know what He can do through a short-term trip.