|
|
Work Team Letter from Bob Pringle
We are delighted that you are
considering coming to Venezuela to work at the
Venezuelan Ministries
Center. This project is opening a great door of
opportunity for
evangelism, discipleship and outreach. With every work team
that comes
we take another step forward in the construction of this
facility, first,
remodeling and improving the present facilities so we can
offer a complete
facility at least on a small scale; second, beginning new
construction so the
facility can expand and reach out to even more people. Our need for work
teams is URGENT!!! There's so much to do.
FINANCES:
Approximate cost per person in Venezuela for 2 week trip-
$600
- $ 300 ($275 for construction
expenses + $25 operational costs, electricity,
etc.)
- $ 240 (food &
transportation)
- $ 21
(airport tax leaving Caracas)
GROUP SIZE:
Men and women both young
and old are welcome. Recommended
group size is 10 - 15 people but we
have worked with groups ranging from 6
to 28 people. No experience is
necessary just a desire to work hard in the name of the
Lord Jesus
Christ.
We recommend that youth be
at least 15 years old although this isn't
a requirement. Most of the
work is labor intensive.
TRIP LENGTH:
We request that the group try
an make it a two week trip. The allows time for the group to get
oriented and make progress on camp work projects and allows time for sight
seeing, ministry and fellowship with Venezuelan brothers and sisters.
PROJECTS:
There are a variety of jobs going on. Most are
related to cement
& block work. i.e.. finish block walls on our
caretakers home & office
building, pour concrete roof & floors, work
on stone retaining wall, digging sewer lines, a septic tank, a swimming pool
and
other things. These are some of the main projects. It is helpful for
us to know of anyone who
has construction related experience or experience,
a) in what areas and b) how
much
experience.
We also have jobs
related to electricity, plumbing & other things
if we have people with
experience in these areas. Also, if you have people
coming whose
profession could be useful to the camp in other ways please let
us
know. For example, welding, photography, video photography, etc. For
example, we hired a Christian photographer and started making a video tape
about
the Ministries Center Project with interviews and
everything but the tape was
stolen and we have not started over since then. If
anyone is coming
down who is a professional photographer and would be interested in
helping
make a video this would be something VERY beneficial to the
project.
If people come who are unable to do
labor intensive work such as block laying and working with cement we do have
other work and try to coordinate work according to the abilities of those who
come including doing painting around the camp.
TOOLS:
Some groups have brought tools, equipment, and even some kitchen
things which have been EXTREMELY useful at the camp. We have a long list
of tools and equipment we need or will need in the future. Obviously, most
of these things are expensive and we make due with what we have but we want
to
inform people of our needs in case they are interested in donating new or
used
equipment (in good working condition) or donating or raising funds to
purchase
any of these items. The list is at the end of this e-mail.
FOOD:
Each group usually prepares their own food while at the
camp. It is
best to prepare a menu ahead of time and send it
down. We'll let you know
if there's anything you can't get here.
We will take one or two people in
to town to purchase the groups food.
Would the group be willing to cover
the food costs for a some others to eat
with you? This
would be our caretaker, our construction supervisor (who
is also pastor of
the new BIC church), and perhaps a few other Venezuelans
who may come to work
with the group. Missionaries who work with the
team are willing to pay for our portion.
On the weekends
groups often eat out or food is prepared by those who they stay with in
Caracas. We ask that the group cover the costs of those who may accompany
the group as guides while in the city, i.e. if the group eats
at a restaurant.
TRANSFERRING FUNDS:
- 1) The money can be
sent preferably at least 3 weeks ahead of time to
BICWM specifically marked
as Work team funds to be deposited in the Venezuelan mission
field's US
account. Then we exchange the funds here. This takes time
for
mailing, and exchanging the funds which is why we request they be sent at
least
3 weeks ahead of time.
- 2) Personal funds should be brought in cash and
exchanged at the airport upon arrival.
LIVING CONDITIONS:
The camp
has a house with showers, toilets, and a water
filter for drinking water
etc., but there is no hot water. Electricity in Venezuela is 110/220 volts
just as in the US.
BEDDING:
It is often hot in the house in the evening
so sheets are
usually sufficient.
HAMMOCKS:
people are welcome to bring hammocks. We have hooks for up
to
11 hammocks outside (which is much cooler at night than in the
house).
There are also a few hooks in the house.
CLIMATE:
1. Temperature usually upper 80s or low to mid 90s
2.
Usually the rainy season is between June and September or October. It may
rain daily or once every few
days.
3. During the dry season it rains very
infrequently.
DRESS:
1. Work - Shorts and tee shirts are fine
while working at the ranch
although most Venezuelans use long pants even
while working at the ranch.
2. Trip to Town - Long pants and short
sleeved shirt should be worn while
in town and on weekends when visiting the
churches.
3. Church - Only a few men wear ties and/or suit coats
in our BIC churches.
Dress shirts and "semi-dress" shirts and pants are
appropriate for men.
(Men are welcome to wear ties if they like.) Dress
shirts and "semi-dress"
shirts and pants or dresses/skirts are appropriate
for women.
4. Miscellaneous - It's a good idea to bring bathing suits
since we try and
give each group the opportunity to go to the beach if they
desire.
**Praise God we now have a washing machine at the camp so team members will
be able to wash clothes while at camp.
MISCELLANEOUS:
1. It is important to bring sun block
& insect repellent.
2. Some groups bring drinking bottles to
have with them when they work.
SHOTS:
Some groups have
gotten a number of different shots including malaria &
yellow fever but
as Sherry Holland writes, "Yellow fever does not exist in
Venezuela and
malaria only way down in the jungle. The cholera cure is worse
that the
sickness. IF you get cholera it is easily treated. These unnecessary shots
are
VERY expensive.
None of us have had them and we've been here 14 years.
Hepatitis is
recommended.
E-mail me for more info." mike.sherry@iname.com
back to Details page
|
|
