If you have ever wanted to be part of one of the
most rewarding opportunities of a life time, please
join us on a journey to Honduras!

•        Osman Hope is organizing two Mission Trips
to Honduras!
•        We will be visiting and working in all three
of the Osman Hope Shelters located in San Pedro
Sula, Villanueva and Santa Cruz, Honduras.
•        The purpose of the trip is to give
participants a way to provide direct help to those
in need and also experience the culture and
people of Honduras.
•        We plan to provide activities, games, fun
and spiritual support to the children, their families
and staff while visiting the shelters.  
•        We also have planned a day of R&R in the
beautiful country of Honduras!

Dates are:

July 20-27, 2008
&
August 2-9, 2008

If you are interested in joining a trip, please
contact:

July Trip
Gordon Brewer
Phone: 423-288-1777
E-mail: lgordonb@charter.net

August Trip
Margarita Grachen
Phone: 412-732-0798
E-mail: margaritagrachen@aol.com

To learn more about Osman Hope and its mission
please visit the  website:  www.osmanhope.org
Mission Trip 2008
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Welcome!
Welcome to our trips to Honduras!  You are just going to love it!  We are going give you a ton of info (most of it important).  You will notice I say "at this time" a lot.  
That's because anything I tell you about what we will be doing or where we are staying, etc. can change at the last minute.

What we will be doing:
The purpose of this trip is “work” in the Osman Hope shelters providing children’s activities, interaction and companionship to the children of the shelters.  We will also
have the opportunity to provide some needed physical improvements to some homes in the communities. We will spend time at each of the three Osman Hope shelters.
We will have some planned activities (games, crafts, music, etc.)  But the most important thing we will do is to just “be with” the kids. They will be fascinated with you and
will want lots of attention. Most of the kids in the shelters have spent their lives in poverty and are hungry for fun and positive interaction from adults. This is a “ministry of
presence” in which we share God’s love by simply interacting with the kids and being with them.

What to expect on the trip:
We will fly to Honduras on Saturday or Sunday and arrive in the city of San Pedro Sula. (This itinerary might be a little different for the August trip)  We will take a bus
from San Pedro Sula to the town of Santa Cruz de Yojoa which is about a two hour ride from the airport.  We will spend part of the week working at the Santa Cruz shelter
and visiting in the community of Santa Cruz to see some of the children’s homes and how they live their day to day lives. For the July trip we are planning to do some
"light" construction projects to some of the homes in the community. Later in the week we will travel back to San Pedro Sula and Villa Nueva.   We will do the same thing
in the San Pedro Sula and Villa Nueva shelter. We plan to do some site-seeing and some "r and r"during the week.  We can also plan to spend an hour or two at the
Guamilito, which is a flea market of sorts that has every Honduran trinket, craft or gift imaginable.  Sunday we head back home.

Cost:
Depending on the cost of airfare at the time, the total cost of the trip will probably be between $1400 and $1700 per person.  This price includes your airfare, all of your
meals, drinks, ground transportation, lodging, and medical insurance while in Honduras. (The most expensive part of the trip is always the airfare. Half of this cost quoted
above is the airfare )  Also a small portion of the money you pay goes to the shelters as a donation. (We will ask for a deposit of $200 for the trip which will be non-
refundable) We will be asking for the rest of the money for the trip about two weeks before we go.  So if any of you plan to do any fund raising, I would suggest you get
going!

How we handle the expenses:
The first thing that is needed will be for you to pay a deposit of $200 which is non-refundable. You can pay by credit card for any and all of the trip expenses. Or if you
prefer to write a check, it can be made payable to Osman Hope. To pay by credit card contact Anna Beningo by e-mail (click here) and she will be able to process that for
you.  Once we know the estimated costs of our ground transportation, meals, accommodations and medical insurance, we will let everyone know what that will be and you
will need to have that balance paid two weeks before we leave (probably around $400-$500). The only things that you will need money for in Honduras will be any things
you purchase for yourself to bring home or alcohol beverages.  We will keep a supply of water and soft drinks handy for everyone during the whole trip. Usually we do a
pretty good job of estimating the major expenses on the front end.  However, inevitably there are few minor expenses that come up during the course of the week that we
did not estimate.  So we just "settle-up" with everyone after the trip.

Travel Arrangements:
We have found after doing this several times, that it is easier for everyone to book their own flight arrangements since we all tend to be coming from all over the United
States. There are several suggested ways to do this. You can use this website and click on flight booking. I would suggest looking at Kayak.com first since it searches
several sights at one time; I have pretty good luck with this site. There are also several other links to travel sites on here that are worth checking out.(One advantage of booking
through the sight is that a portion of the commissions generated will go to Osman Hope; I set it up that way!)  The other option would be to contact a local travel agent to help you.  As soon as you
have decided to go and paid your deposit, get your airline tickets booked.  As far as arrival times you need to book for, most flights arrive to San Pedro Sula from the
states around noon, you will need to get on one of these flights so we can all arrive about the same time.  Delta and Continental are the two main carriers into Honduras.  
There is also TACA airlines that has a direct flight from Miami (you will need to check those times).  I would highly recommend only making one connection if at all
possible to avoid lost luggage.

Medical Info:
With regard to shots, you need to have Hepatitis A & B, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio Booster and Malaria.  Honduras is a high risk malaria country. Malaria is present
throughout the country including urban areas.  Follow a Chloroquine regimen in weekly doses.  When you see the doctor for these shots and prescriptions, ask for a
prescription of Cipro.  It is an antibiotic for diarrhea and you may need it.  As an alternative, there is a new drug called Xifaxan...unlike bacteria fighting drugs like Cipro,
which enters the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body, Xifaxan remains exclusively in the gut.  You may want to consider this drug instead.  Also bring with
your pepto-bismal and immodium AD. Because mosquitoes and ticks are present at all times, you should spray your clothes with Permethrin - it is a mosquito and tick
repellent for your clothes - you can find it in the camping supplies.  I also recommend that you buy bug repellent with at least 30% deet.  You might also bring a can of
RAID with you in case you run into some cockroaches.  I will bring the rest of the first aid kit. Please carry your prescription medicines in their original container in your
carry on luggage. We will book your medical insurance coverage for you through MEDEX.

With regard to water - All local water should be considered contaminated.  
You will not drink the tap water in Honduras unless you are in a hotel that has a water filtering system.  I will tell you when you can drink out of the tap.  Bottled water will
be supplied to you on site and in your rooms.

With regard to milk - Another thing you probably don't want to have in Honduras unless it is canned or boxed.

With regard to food - We will eat all of our meals together and only from safe sources.  You will want to bring along snacks etc. All meat, poultry and seafood must be well
cooked and served while hot.  Vegetables should be well cooked and served hot.  Fruits with intact skins should be peeled by you just before consumption.  Do not use a
knife given to you by a local Honduran.  If you have any questions on what is safe to eat or drink, please ask!  I don't want you to get sick.

What to pack:
Shorts and t-shirts are the clothes of choice. No need to bring any sort of “dress-up” clothes.  You will want to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to do some
walking. (Tennis shoes, etc.)  You will probably want to avoid wearing anything open toed (flip flops and sandals) while out in the community.  They will be okay though
for around the places we will stay. You'll also want to bring some "good" shorts and shirts to change into after a nice hot shower, ok, maybe it won't be hot, but it will feel
good! Don't take over $200 in cash with you.  Please bring a credit card with you. You will also want to pack:

rain gear
hand sanitizer
fanny pack
sturdy tennis shoes
wash cloths
back pack
travel alarm
sunblock
water bottle
bandanas
journal and pens
snacks
paperback books to read
film and camera
flip flop sandals for the shower
toilet paper
Spanish phrase book
flashlight
extra batteries
soap
bug spray with at least 30% deet
hair dryer
tissues in travel pack
hat

Leave your jewelry at home!

How to pack:
It has been our experience that if you buy JUMBO SIZE HEFTY STORAGE bags and pack your clothes in them, it will give you more room in your suitcase.  Many people
will pack each day’s clothes in one bag.  Just a suggestion; you don't need to do it.  Weight and size limits on International Flights are 50 lbs and 62 linear inches
(length+width+height).  You are only allowed to take two checked bags and one carry on of appropriate size. (Backpacks are the best carry-on I have found for these trips)
But be aware of the ever changing luggage requirements by airlines and TSA.

Accommodations:
You can plan for us staying in “hotel” kinds of places (no tents this time ). You will generally share a room, two to a room. You can expect single beds, with shower and
sink. Most places do not have air conditioning, so plan to bring something cool to sleep in.  Sheets and towels will be provided unless we let you know otherwise.  (I
usually bring my own sheets, pillow cases and towels just in case).  Mosquito nets might be needed for the week we are there, since it is during the rainy season.  You can
usually get those at camping supply places or on the internet.  Unless we are in one of the big hotels in San Pedro Sula (Intercontinental or Copantl) the tap water is not
drinkable.  We will provide drinking water to brush your teeth with etc.  The water will be okay to bathe in, but just avoid getting any in your mouth when you shower.  
(We’ll teach you the “blow technique” for washing your face )

Safety:
The places we will be staying will be in safe areas and we plan to do everything as a group.  Not to alarm you, but do remember that you are in a third world country and
the crime rate is very high.  Do not, under any circumstances, wander off or try to go some place on your own.  It is always better to go with someone or in a group.  Also
remember the language barrier. Just remember to use your common sense and keep safe.  You will see a lot of dogs.  DO NOT TRY TO PET THEM OR FEED THEM.  The
animals in Honduras are not vaccinated so just avoid them.   Remember to wash your hands often and carry hand sanitizer with you to use.  This will cut down on your
chances of getting sick.  As long as your follow these simple guidelines, you will be safe. You can check out some of the consulate and CDC information here.

If you have any other questions about the trip please feel free to contact me:

Gordon Brewer
gordon.brewer@youthvillages.org or lgordonb@charter.net
Phone: 423-288-1777
Cell: 423-571-7423
Address:
5337 Heritage Lane
Kingsport, TN  37664

OR

Margarita Grachen
Margarita Grachen
Phone: 412-732-0798
E-mail: margaritagrachen@aol.com
(Some of the links above are not active yet; we will have them up soon)
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If you are unable to go on this
mission trip, you can still give your
support by making a donation. Your
donation helps to offset the cost for
those participants who might not
have the financial means to pay for
a trip like this on their own.