July 14 to 26 we will be traveling to the island of Roatan for a two week mission trip! We will be going to the island of Santa Helene, which is pretty much an island off of an island off of the coast of Honduras. Helene is only 2 miles long by 1 mile wide, it has a population of roughly 1,000 people and is a perfect place to spread the Gospel News of Jesus. On July 14th we will be leaving LAX and arriving in Honduras the following day. While on the island we will be sleeping at the “ARC” (Area Resource Center), which is a discipleship training program used by Alternative Missions and Mission Encounters. On the island we will spend our time working on needed construction projects, VBS, island clean-up, Medical and Dental, and a large evening out door Evangelistic service.
Who should go on this trip? Scriptures call us in Matthew 28 to go out into all the world and preach the gospel. So all believers are called to missions. Helene is one of those places that is often forgotten as it is so remote, multiple plane flights, car transportation, and a boat to reach the island. In fact the island of Helene has no roads, no water system, not even an electric grid! But the island does have a hunger for Jesus! If you are a part of Depth in any way then we ask you to pray about the trip and fill out an application as soon as possible.
Is it safe? Helene is a safe community and a wonderful place to go. The main island of Roatan is actually a major tourist destination and the island understands that if it became an unsafe destination, tourism revenue would vanish.
What do I need? Firstly you will need a passport. If you don’t have one, get one now! Don’t wait until the last minute, don’t risk it, don’t do that to yourself. As for shots and immunizations, none are required for Helene. The CDC does recommend a few for any international travelers, but if you are afraid of needles, then you are kosher!
What does it cost? The trip costs $1900 and covers everything! The price includes your air fare and housing, all meals and snacks. It covers all transportation on the island and anything else you can think of. Many ask if they should even bring money! I always recommend all travelers to have cash, just in case. There are not many things you can actually buy on the island, but the occassional artist will offer to sell you shells and necklaces that they themselves pulled from the depths of the sea!
What if I don’t know what I am doing? Unless you have been before, how could you know what you are doing? That’s why we have training meetings! Before we leave we will have 4 training meetings to explain what it means to go out into the world and preach the gospel, we will go over all culture and island traditions to prepare you. And most importantly, just pray that God fills you with His Spirit, and He will do all the work!
Is it Pretty? Imagine the most beautiful Caribbean island destination, and then remove all telephone wires, power cables, giant buildings, 7-11′s. It is one of the most beautiful places you will ever go. But it is a place that needs the salvation of Jesus and that is our goal, to reach those that need to know Him.
How can I raise all the money? If God calls, God provides. Out of the hundreds of people Ocean Hills has brought on mission trips, money has never been a factor, as God always provides all financial support. The best way to raise money is to let people know you are going on a trip and ask them to support you spiritually and financially. Click here for a sample letter to send to family and friends (and strangers!)
How do I sign up? Click here to down the Major Info Packet. This packet answers many questions of going on any mission trip with Ocean Hills. Then click here to download the application. We use the application to make sure you are a Christian and that you commit to living a Christian lifestyle on the trip.
