Thailand Missions Trip 2010 FAQ
- When are we going to Thailand?
- The dates are Sunday, October 31 through Saturday, November 13.
- What will we do there?
- Our team will be supporting The Garden of Hope staff for two weeks in three of their programs: the Children’s Drop In Center, the Women’s Resource Program and the Hospitality Training Center. There will be opportunities to teach and play with the kids; outreach in the bars; teaching English; helping vulnerable and sexually exploited women to discover a new understanding of their identity through authentic relationships, centered in the truth and promise of Christ's unconditional love; and helping provide training to help them discover and develop their interests, skills and gifts.
- What are the dates for training?
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| Mar. 21 |
Missions team introduced to church |
| Apr. 11 |
Team training; kick-off team meeting |
| Apr. 15 |
Final week to begin immunization schedule for combined Hep A/B vaccine |
| May 2 |
Team training |
| June 6 |
Team training; individual deposit due |
| July 11 |
Team training |
| July 25 |
Final week to submit application for U.S. Passport (4-6 weeks) |
| Aug. 1 |
Team training |
| Sept. 5 |
Team training |
| Sept. 15 |
All immunizations completed |
| Oct. 3 |
Last team session |
| Oct. 24 |
Church sending and prayer for team |
| Oct. 31 |
Head to Thailand! |
| Nov. 14 |
Debriefing meeting during Sunday service |
- How much am I responsible for to go to Thailand?
- Each team member will be asked to contribute a deposit of $200. The deposit goes towards the cost of your airfare, room and board and general expenses in Thailand. There will be churchwide fundraising opportunities to help raise the total cost for your trip expenses.
- What if I can't raise all of my deposit?
- If you can’t pay for your deposit, please talk to Pastor Doug.
- Are there any immunizations that I have to get before going?
- While no special immunizations are required for entry into Thailand, we strongly encourage getting Hepatitis A and Hepatitus B vaccinations. Other suggested vaccinations include rabies, typhoid, measles, tetanus-diphtheria and Japanese encephalitis. If you’re not sure what immunizations you need, please visit www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm or consult your doctor.
- Will Catalyst pay for the cost of my passport application?
- We don’t cover the cost of your passport application, unfortunately. This cost is budgeted into the total amount that you are responsible for raising for your missions trip.
- What about the cost of my immunization shots?
- Cataylst does not cover the cost of your immunizations. This cost is budgeted into the total amount that you are responsible for raising for your missions trip.
- Will it be dangerous traveling to Thailand?
- As with any travel overseas, there are risks to your health and safety in Thailand that you should consider before deciding to go as a team member. Please visit https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/th.html to find more information on transnational issues concerning Thailand, and you also can visit http://www.state.gov/p/eap/ci/th/ for a country profile of Thailand.
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- For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet web site at http://www.travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Alerts, and Travel Warnings can be found. Consular Affairs Publications, which contain information on obtaining passports and planning a safe trip abroad, are also available at http://www.travel.state.gov. For additional information on international travel, see http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/Travel/International.shtml.
- How will my family and others be contacted if I have a medical emergency in Thailand?
- The team will have a cell phone and Thai SIM card for use in Thailand. In any situation, every effort will be made immediately by the missions team leader to reach the contact person listed on your application.
- What is the deadline to apply for my passport?
- It takes 4-6 weeks to apply for a new passport. To receive your passport in time, please apply no later than September 5, 2010. For more information, please visit http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
- What is the timeline for immunizations?
- We strongly recommend that you meet with your medical provider to discuss and begin immunizations. In general, the combined hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccine (Twinrix®) is administered in three doses at 0, 1, and 6 months.
- To finish your immunization schedule in time, please begin your immunization dose schedule no later than April 15, 2010. For more information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hepa/default.htm and http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/hepb/default.htm#vacc.
- What is the political climate like right now?
- Not good. But since you will not be in Bangkok, you do not need to worry. It is very difficult for outsiders to understand, but a coup or other power transition can happen with daily life totally being unaffected. We had one team that was delayed a few hours when the airport got taken over by protesters, but I do not foresee the airport being taken over again. You would not be in danger at any time, only a slight chance of inconvenience.
- What are the most common health problems people have when visiting Chiang Mai?
- Stomach problems.
- Is high speed Internet available for video uploads? Where?
- The Garden has internet. The speed is pretty good. It will not be as fast as SoCal. But the Center and Garden has internet at about the same speed – as fast as possible in Thailand.
- Do you have any concerns with newbie Christians on our team?
- Emotional maturity is the more important factor.
- Do you recommend short-term missions insurance or just using the Thai services/facilities for medical emergencies?
- I would recommend using Chiang Mai Ram Hospital. All TGOH staff and taxi drivers can direct you there. It is very good care for very cheap. With about 400 to 500 people visiting us through the years, two have spent overnight with stomach problems.
- How can we be praying for you and the TGOH team?
- For unity and God’s provision.
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