THE ROCK SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP 2011: THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC July 30-August 5

1. THE ROCK SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP 2011: THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC July 30-August 5

2. DR Interest Meeting Agenda • Poverty and The Bible • Poverty in the Dominican Republic (DR) • Who We Work With • What We’ll Be Doing • Typical Daily Schedule, Ministry Teams • Logistics • Hotel, Flights, Health/Safety, Meetings • 6. Application and Interviews • 7. Trip Cost and Fundraising • 8. Rules and Expectations

3. Poverty and The Bible There are over 150 verses in the Bible speak on poverty and the poor • God’s Heart for the Poor • Psalm 140:12, “I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” • God’s Commands Concerning the Poor • Proverbs 31:8, “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.” • James 1:27, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” • Blessings for Those Who Serve The Poor • Proverbs 19:17, “He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.” • Why One Should Not Neglect Serving The Poor • Ezekiel 16:49, "Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: She and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.” • Biblical Attitudes For Believers Towards the Poor • Proverbs 29:7, “The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.” *Text from World Vision

4. Poverty in The Dominican Republic The World Bank reports that 48.5% of the population lives on or below National Poverty Line. Of that 48.5%, 16.6% live on or below just $2 a day! These are the people we have been called to work with and who we will be serving! August 2010 Gallup Poll: American Consumer’s average spending is $63 per day

5. Mirqueya Guzman was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, and knows what poverty is because she lived it. In 2001, Mirqueya began an afterschool program targeting needy children. She offered them what little she could; a hot meal and educational instruction. After laboring on her own, her work came to the attention of SCORE. Now, through the support of SCORE and The Rock, Mirqueya is receiving consistent financial support to continue changing lives. A new building/property for the daycare was just bought with proceeds from our New Year’s Aid! Who We Work With While in the Dominican Republic, we will be working with SCORE International and will participate in a variety of activities. Much of our time will also be spent supporting Mirqueya, who was the subject of our New Year’s Aid 2010 event. SCORE International is a ministry that works to expose people to short term missions. The purpose of SCORE International is to evangelize, to encourage missionaries, and to equip participants to do the work of foreign missions. SCORE operates a full time base in the Dominican Republic. SCORE organizes all ministry work on the ground including participant accommodations like lodging, transportation, and food.

6. Mirqueya’s Daycare

7. A Few Bios… Carlos’s (10 yrs. old) father emigrated from Haiti to start a family in the Dominican Republic. Sadly, both of Carlos’s parents have since passed away, leaving him and his nine siblings orphaned. Carlos is being cared for by his older sister. The children lack many basic necessities, and live in extreme poverty; they experience daily hunger, and often go two days without food. They live in a run down wood house with no electricity or running water. Carlos is introverted and shy. He has no birth certificate, and cannot register for school. He has not yet learned how to read. José (8 yrs. old) lives with his mother and six siblings. Their house is very old, and leaks terribly when it rains. They have no indoor bathroom or outdoor latrine, and must go into the brush to relieve themselves. His mother, María, is very young and receives no money from the children’s father. Until recently, José was sleeping on the floor. He now shares a metal bed frame with his siblings, which they pad with old clothes. The children eat just one meal a day. José helps his brothers sell lemons in the street. José dreams of having his own toy car or bicycle! Yera (4 yrs. old) lives in a poor community with her mother and five siblings. Her father lives far away in a distant village earning money cutting sugar cane. Her wood house is in shambles, and lacks indoor plumbing or a kitchen. To sleep, Yera and her siblings share a very thin mattress placed on the floor. The children eat just one meal a day. Yera keeps herself busy playing with discarded toys she finds—and hopes to one day have a doll of her own!

8. A Typical Daily Schedule • 7:00-8:00 am – Wake up, breakfast, personal devotionals • 8:00-8:30 am – All Team Meeting • 8:30-1:00 pm – Morning Ministry: break up into ministry teams to be sent out to surrounding areas for a variety of ministry activities (ex. Street evangelism, nursing home, orphanage etc) • 1:00 – 2:00 pm – All Teams return to Hotel for Lunch • 2:00-7:00 pm – Afternoon Ministry: break up into ministry teams to be sent out to surrounding areas for a variety of ministry activities (ex. Street evangelism, nursing home, orphanage etc) • 7:00-8:00 pm – Return to Hotel for clean up and Dinner • 8:00-10:00 pm – All Team Re-Cap and Worship • 10:00-10:30 pm – Lights out! You’ll be tired.

9. Potential Ministry Teams Drama – will “act” out Christ’s message on the street Medical – will hold rotating daily clinics, treating a variety of needs Children’s Ministry – will teach VBS type lessons to children Access – will care for and visit sites with special needs children ESL – will teach English classes Construction – will concentrate on Mirqueya’s new building and other projects (houses, churches etc) Worship – will lead our teams in song (in Spanish!) Baseball/Basketball – will share Christ through their talent

10. Logistics: Flights • There are several flight groups leaving from either IAD or DCA. • Flights will be assigned by both: • Campus (Tysons, Loudoun, PW, Bethesda) • 2. Ministry Team Once you have completed your application and have been accepted, you will be assigned a flight group.

11. Logistics: Lodging & Food Embassy Suites Los Marlins - Hotel & Golf Resort Autopista Del Este Metro Country Cl. Juan Dolio, Dominican Republic Tel: 809-688-9999 Fax: 809-526-1130 (Students will be rooming together 3-4 per room) All meals and water will be eaten/distributed at the hotel

12. Logistics: Safety/Health While the Dominican Republic is relatively safe, American citizens should be aware that foreign tourists are often considered attractive targets for criminal activity, and should maintain a low profile to avoid becoming victims of violence or crime. While in the DR, you must stay with a leader at all times (and make sure your team leader knows where you are if you are with another leader). Never wander away for any reason from the rest of the group. Not at dinner, not at the hotel, but especially never be with less than five people in the neighborhoods of the Dominican Republic. (State Department) • Health/Vaccinations • USE Sunscreen and antibacterial hand wipes daily while in DR • No vaccinations are required by law to enter the DR. • Make sure all routine vaccinations are up-to-date • The CDC recommends the following vaccinations: Hep A & B, & Typhoid • Check with your doctor at least six weeks prior to traveling because some shots take time to become effective • At your discretion you may choose to take anti-malarial drugs • Recommended—probiotic supplement for 2 weeks prior to and during the trip. • Please visit www.cdc.gov for a full report of the above.

13. Logistics: Team Meetings & Training Meetings and trainings are essential in you being prepared and aware on arrival to the DR. While 2 out of 3 meetings are strongly urged, attendance at ALL meetings is best. During meetings we will review and learn crucial information like; culture, language, ministry rules, how to share the gospel, safety/health/food guidelines and much more. It also creates unity as a team and in prayer. Information concerning flights and travel will also be reviewed at meetings. While we will try our best to accommodate everyone, absence at meetings often means you get less choice in decisions (flight option, rooming etc). April 10 Mission Meeting #1 : 9:30 – 10:30AM Saturday, May 14ALL CAMPUS Training: 10AM – 4PM (Required) Sunday, June 12 Mission Meeting #2: 9:30 – 10:30AM Sunday, July 10 Mission Meeting #3: 9:30 – 10:30AM Sunday, July 24 Missions Sunday: 10:45AM – 12PM (invite your friends and family)

14. Application & Interviews • Applications and interviews are mandatory and allow us to: • Hear about your personal relationship with Christ • Gather personal information needed for international travel • Application can be found at: www.rockdc.com under “Upcoming Events” • Application Deadline: March 27th • Completed applications and $100 Deposit must be submitted at the time of your interview with Rock Staff. • Interview dates: • Location: 3rd Floor Rock Offices • Interview Option 1: Wed., March 23, 5-7 pm • Interview Options 2: Sun, March 27, 9:30-10:30 am

15. Cost and Fundraising Trip Cost: $1500 • Support Deadlines: • Sunday, April 10 SUPPORT DEADLINE: $300 ($300 due-includes $100 deposit) • Saturday, May 14 SUPPORT DEADLINE: $600 ($300 due) • Sunday, June 12 SUPPORT DEADLINE: $1000 ($400 due) • Sunday, July 10 SUPPORT DEADLINE: $1500 ($500 due) • You MUST meet deadlines of support in order for us to book tickets • Full $1500 MUST be turned in on or before July 10 in order to travel • Support raising resources will be provided • Goal is to RAISE support from family and friends, not to pay for it on your own. • We do not do any group fundraising • Start Now!!!

16. Rules & Expectations Participants on this trip must have a positive and servant like attitude—this is not Beach Week or your family vacation. We are going to serve others and to make ourselves available in any way we are asked. You will be working long hours in the heat from morning to evening. But, if you are there to make much of Christ and be His servant, this trip will bring you much joy! Review Missions Team Policies (last page of application) Necessity of Meetings and Camps We expect to take mature students who love the Lord, want to work hard, and are team players Full support MUST be raised by Sunday, July 10th

17. We’re excited for your involvement! “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” Luke 6:38-39