Pastor Tacho's Ordination

Hi Everyone - You are invited to come and celebrate Pastor Tacho's ordination on Sunday, August 5 at 3 p.m. at Calvary!  I know he would love to see you all there!

Safe and sound in Minneapolis!

It is 12:45 am and everyone from the trip is on their way home. It was an amazing week and I am so thankful I was a part of it. Thank you for following along and praying!

Melanie

In Arizona!

And everything is on time! We arrive in msp at 11:50 pm!

Group picture!

I don't know if this worked in the last post so I wanted to try again!

We're coming home!

we really were blessed with God's love this week. We went through so much work this week and looking at the students faces in their last night here, we could really tell that God has done a lot in each and every one of your students. Although it may be over, this is just the beginning for some students, and though some of us are graduating we will take with us everything we have learned on these trips and at calvary to continue our faith in the next stage of our lives. The students are sad to leave, but they will return with full hearts and very excited to continue their faith journey.

See you in minneapolis, bros!


Christian L.

A great day!

Hello everyone - this is Melanie writing to you, we don't have much down time today but I wanted to give you a quick update in our day. We drove to the pyramids (of the sun and the moon). All of our students loved climbing to the top of the pyramid and taking in Mexico's beautiful scenery. Many of our students also enjoyed shopping at the pyramids and bartering :). On our way home from the pyramids we stopped in the town closest to mvm so students could do a little more shopping. Soccer jerseys were the most popular buy. We came back to mvm and had another fabulous dinner. Right now the kids are packing up and soon we will begin our evening long closing services. Please pray that the holy spirit is with us tonight and that it is a uplifting experience and a experience that brings them closer together and closer to God.

Enjoy this picture of all of us from the pyramids.

I will do my best to update when we are at the airport in Mexico city but the wifi is spotty there. I will update for sure in Arizona to let you know our flight into msp is on time. Our flight information is posted in a pervious blog post under "details, details, details"

Thanks for all of your prayers and support, it has been a AMAZING TRIP!

Vbs pictures

This picture was taken at the end of vbs today. We had about 150 kids cone to vbs along with some of their parents.

The other picture is taken in our closing worship together as we sang "how he loves us". It was a beautiful moment!

Sorry these are the only picture today, but don't worry I alone have over 1200 pictures of our trip do far :). I will create a shutterfly site when I get home so we can all share our pictures with eachother!

Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened!

Hello everyone this is sydnie e. and Allison o. Writing to you tonight. Where do we begin about today, it was a amazing and hectic day. We woke up to rain and we were bummed, especially when our leaders checked the weather and said it had a 90% chance of raining all day. Today was out last day at VBS, and we feel as the week went on the kids grew more confident and excited. Even tough most of were tired we tried our hardest to have lots of energy to make it a special day. And a special day it was. Because it was raining we did a puppet show inside instead of games. The puppet show turned into the vbs kids playing with the puppets with our game leaders from Calvary. It was the most intense and joyful puppet playing we have ever seen. At the end of our time together the Pastor of their church thanked us for coming and told us that we are always welcome in their church. That made us feel very appreciated. Saying good bye was really hard for everyone. Many tears were shed by us and the vbs students alike. While we drove off the students waved to us as we left and they didn't stop until we were out of site, which brought more tears. VBS was a great and fun experience that went by so fast. We are so thankful we got to meet these people and we wish we could have stayed longer. We feel we have a new aperication for all that we have. Coming back to MVM we knew we still had a lot of work to do, but the rain had stopped and we were so glad because if the rain hadn't stopped we wouldn't be able to finish our projects. Today we finished the playground, it is very colorful and we hope that it will last for a long time and that the kids who use it will enjoy it! We worked longer then usual wanting to get this done for them. The group also planted more flowers and trees, and they also planted the 50 newly painted flower pots. Tonight was so much fun and so unexpected. Doctor Ramiro and his family along with Sally and Tacho's family surprised us with a mariachi band and we dance and we dance and we had so much fun! The people of Mexico have so much joy and it is so contagious. As if the party wasn't enough we were told that another surprise waited for us outside our dorm rooms. We waited in the dark for a tense moments and then all of a sudden we heard a big boom and fireworks went off. It was incredible! This trip has been really hard to out into words because we have experienced so much and we have grown together in our faith so much. We are looking forward to tomorrow when We get to go see the pyramids and shop! Even though we will miss this place we know we will always remember it and that we are forever changed. And we have a new deep aperication for our bathrooms! :) Thanks for the prayers, we will write again tomorrow, see you in 49 hours. A note from Melanie - today really was amazing. It rained off and on but it always stopped when we needed it to. (during work projects and during fireworks) everyone is doing great. Please pray for our day tomorrow that the students will be able to enjoy each others company and enjoy the pyrimds. Have a wonderful night.

Rain or shine, doing work

Hello everyone this is Christian L., Paul B., and Dustin O. Writing to you tonight. Today was a challenging yet rewarding day. Because for the first time, the weather as not in our favor. It was also challenging because we are starting to feel tired, however we pushed through feeling tired to get a lot done and to have a lot of fun with the kids at vbs. VBS today was the best day so far. The kids were there early again waiting for us to arrive. It makes us feel appreciated and humbled. It was the best day so far because we have all gotten to know the kids more. Everyone has a special friendship with at least one vbs child or family. Tomorrow is going to be a very difficult day for all of us because it is our last day with the kids and none of us want to say goodbye. They are such new and fresh relationships that it will be incredibly difficult to leave. It saddens us that we can't visit them on a regular basis. When we returned from VBS we had lunch. At lunch they served us stuffed peppers which is a traditional Mexican dish. Every meal has been cooked from scratch with tender love and care. We are deeply appreciative for the people who cook our meals. During our work projects we continued to work on building a sidewalk between the dinning hall and the dorm rooms. We learned that in the next couple of weeks they will be hosting bros who are wheel chair bound, these paths will be a signifact help to these fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. When we learned that it motivated us to finish the project even when the torrential rains tried to stop us. We ripped our shirts off and out manned mother nature. The other groups also worked hard and through the rain. Sally and Tacho bought 50 flower pots for each student (the siblings are pairing up) to decorate to leave here at MVM, so students rotated in and out doing that project. Other students painted the basketball court, hung the basketball backboards, and painted the playground. The guys were able to share in a memorable "bromantic" experience after the blood, sweat and tears that were shed while they worked. (You will have to ask them about it). Our large group session tonight was full of energy, emotion and God's power. This trip has been uplifting, enlightening and heart-warming and we are very blessed to work with Tacho and his amigos. We are doing excelente and we will return with (hearts) that will forever be thankful for what and who we have in our vidas. (lives) Adios, Christian, Paul and Dustin A note from Melanie - everything is going better then I could have ever imagined. MVM is such a special space and I know every student amd adult leader loves it here. This has been one of the most joyful trips that I have ever had the pleasure of a part of. The students have worked so hard all week and have enjoyed each others company so much. As I write this write now the students started their own worship session outside. They are singing song after song about God's love and faithfulness with such passion. These student are truly aamazing and God is clearly working in a deep and powerful way in each one of their lives. Thank you for the prayers, please keep them coming!

Working in the rain!

Here Are some pictures from our work projects today. The students worked so hard and didn't let the rain stop them. In fact, I think they loved the rain :)

We will post more tonight.

Morning Prayer

¡Buenos DÌas! This morning Dave Sanders, (one of our many fabulous leaders on the trip with us) invited anyone who would like to join him at 7 am for a time of prayer and bible study. (they have personal devotional time in the afternoon as well) About 15 people showed up(mostly students) and started their day with Gods word and prayer. We ended our prayer time by doing a prayer walk around MVM and praying for all our work projects, this place and the people here. It was a powerful, holy spirit filled morning that we will all remember for a long time to come. Thank you for all of your prayers back home. We all feel Gods presence in a mighty way this week! Have a wonderful day!

Serving and community

Hi this is Lauren s. and Emily r. Writing to you tonight. Day 2 of VBS brought more kids then yesterday. We walked into the church and all of the children cheered for us, and we learned that they had been waiting for us to show up for hour and a half, we thought that was amazing and it made us feel special. We feel like a lot of people connected even more with the kids today, even though their is a language barrier for some of us. Even during the songs we noticed that the kids got into the songs more and were doing more of the actions. Again the families served us food as a thank you for being there. We were not expecting them to do that at all but we are very touched by their generosity. The kids are so adorbz (adobroable), and we CAN'T WAIT to go back tomorrow and we are sad we only have 2 days left. When we got back from vbs we contunied our service projects. We didn't expect to see that much of a diffence around Mvm with our work project but with just the 2 days of working we have done it looks amazing. We can't wait to see the finish projects. A lot of us have been able to have one on one conversatations with the people who live at MVM and we love hearing their stories and learning more about them. All of the young people at mvm join us our large group time at night and we love it. We had powerful worship during our large group time tonight, we felt really close to God as we sang the songs and we felt really close to each other tonight. It rained for the first time tonight while we were worshiping and it added something special to it. (we do large group time outside under a big tarp) We have heard a lot of people say that they don't want to leave and we feel the same way. This place is so serene, we can't get enough of the beautiful landscape with the mountains. It is a very special place that we all have fallen in love with it. It's time for bed, so we bid good night (buenas noches) Lauren and Emily A note from Melanie - everyone is still doing great, this trip has been filled with so much joy! It is great to watch the students process what is going on around them, I really believe they are all growing as young men and women of God. Thank you so much for your prayers. Please pray for endurance for the last 2 days of VBS and work projects and for the rain to hold of in the afternoon so we can finish our work projects. Thank you!

Congratulations Pastor Tacho

We were so excited to be able to celebrate Pastor Tacho's official call to Calvary at MVM tonight. The students and adult leaders cheered loud and chanted "Tacho, Tacho" after Pastor John shared the news. We all love Pastor Tacho and we are so grateful for him. We finished our celebration with traditional Mexican cake. :)

Cristo Es mi super heroe (Jesus is my super hero)

Hello this is Tim d., Jonathan s., Michael h., Jonah b. and Brett f. Writing tonight! Some of us woke up early to go on a run, we got a quarter mile and than we walked because the altitude made it hard to breath. Everyone had breakfast together, we loved the zucaritas (forsted flakes. After breakfast we headed to vbs and we didn't know what to expect. When we got to vbs all the children were all ready there and we conversed with them with a lot of broken Spanish (some of us at least....awkward). Never the less, the kids loved us and we loved them. Our favorite song we did together with the kids was called "Jesus is my super hero" the actions were niiiiiiiaaaaaace. (nice). All of the students made their own visors with their name on it because our theme for the day was "Jesus has a name, so do you." For games We played ships across the ocean, and the kids loved it. They kept saying "cinco mas" (which means 5 more). The families who brought their children to vbs graciously made us tacos as a thank you for being there, we felt so so so so blessed. We had a fantastic lunch when we got back from vbs and then we split up and did work projects around Mvm. These including shoveling rocks to the playground, scraping old paint off the playgroud, painting the playground, leveled the ground to create a new path, took down the old backboards on the basketball court, dug really deep holes for planting, and started repainting the basketball court. We thought the work projects were fun and they kept us busy. Before we ate dinner we started a soccer game with our Mvm bros, they are a lot better at soccer thrn us. We were having so much fun we didn't want to go in for dinner. After dinner we had large group time where we worshiped together as a community. We are starting to feel very close as a collective group and as small groups. We are having fun and we hope to have more fun and continue to grow in our faith. Thank you again for all of the prayers back home, we can feel them. ¡Buenos noches! Kernal sanders (aka Dave sanders) group! A quick note from Melanie - the weather has been amazing, 70's to low 80's in the afternoon with the sun out everyday. Everyone's health has great, we are really pushing water and sunscreen on the students all day everyday. I am so proud of all of the and how much they have really come togethere as one collective group and how they are serving the Mvm community and eachother. Have a great night!

VBS!

Good afternoon everyone - this is Melanie writing, I will have some students post more tonight about our day but I just had to tell you that they all did an AMAZING job at VBS. it was such a joy to watch the students use their Spanish speaking skills to lead games, crafts and songs. They were all so attentive to all of the kids and so willing to help. I know you all would be so proud of each of them, I know I was! We just got done with lunch and we are going to start some work projects around mvm right now (painting the playground, planting new trees, and fixing the back boards on the basketball court) everyone is doing great health wise as well!

Here are some pictures from VBS, have a great day, we will post more tonight!

3 hours of sleep and the after math

Hi everyone this is Jenna Rathlisberger and Erin Clark. Today was a great experience for our first full day in Mexico even though we were tired from a long day of traveling. We got a lot of time to spend our friends and we made new friends at Mvm and with the people we came with. After a fabulous lunch we went into town (about a 5 min drive) to the market. It was a completely different experience than we have had in the states. A lot of young girls tried to sell us stuff and we felt bad because we didn't know what they were saying and we couldn't buy from them. The point of going to the market today was to experience it and not to shop, don't worry though we get to shop on Friday! On the drive we home we noticed a lot of run down houses and eventhough they had so little they seemed so happy with what they had. We are sure we will see more of that tomorrow. We were able to get ice cream in town and it was Fantastic! After we came back from the market we planned for vbs tomorrow. We will all be at one site tomorrow (and all week)hosting vbs and they are expecting 130-150 kids to come. We are so excited to get going tomorrow! We also learned some english songs we want to teach them and we learned Spanish songs from our friends at Mvm that we are going to do as well. We had large group time outside tonight and we worshiped together. After large group time we broke into our small groups to talk about the day. We really liked our small group time, we feel like we got to know the people in our groups better. We are super psyched for tomorrow and the rest of the week. We are both excited to see how we grow spiritually during the week as well. Thank you for all your prayers, we are all doing just fine and no one is sick, Woo hoo! With love Jenna and Erin

Doing great

Hey everyone - we are all doing great. We all feel refreshed after our showers and some breakfast. The weather is awesome, in the 70s and the sun is shinning. Here are some pictures of where we are staying. We will post more about our day tonight!

At mvm

Good evening/morning - it is 4:15 am and we are at Mvm and in our beds ready to sleep. Tomorrow the plan is to get up between 12-1 pm and shower and lunch at 2pm. There willbe a breakfast from 9-11 for students who are up. We will also go into town tomorrow and prepare for vbs that we will be teaching during the week. I/we will write more tomorrow. Thank you for your prayers, it was a very smooth day if traveling! Melanie

In Mexico city

We are in Mexico city and through customs with no problems, I will write when we are at mvm!

In arizona!

We are I'm Arizona and we are making memories. Everyone has about 2 hours to get some food before our flight to Mexico leaves!

Through security without a problem...

We are all through security and just waiting for our flight!

Everyone's here

Everything is going smooth and right on track. I will post again soon!

Getting Focused...

In the midst of details, check lists, packing and learning where and how you can get pesos I find myself needing to slow down tonight and be in God's word to prepare my heart for the week ahead. 


I found some verses I wanted to share, take time to read them and let God prepare your heart.


Romans 12:3-12

³ For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ⁴ For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, ⁵ so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.⁶ We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your^[a] faith; ⁷ if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; ⁸ if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,^[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. 
⁹ Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. ¹¹ Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ¹² Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction,faithful in prayer.

To me this verse is such a great reminder that God has given us each a different gift, and that He has called each of the 67 people going to Mexico to serve as one body together using the gifts that he has given us.  And that we must love, we must love God, ourselves, those going on the trip with us, those who we will meet in the airport, the children that come to our VBS, and the people of MVM.  And as we are reminded in 1 John 4:19 "we love because He first loved us"

Here are more verses on my heart tonight:

Ephesians 3:16-19

¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge —that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Psalm 106:1

Praise the Lord.  Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever

1 Timothy 4:12

 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

  We talk about this verse all the time, but it is a such an important reminder that teenagers can change the world, and they are never too young to share their faith with others through words and actions.   I am so proud and bless to work with these amazing students.  And I can't wait to see what God is going to do in and through them.  

Now it is time for another important part of my check list, sleep : )

But a prayer to close my night:

Dear Heavenly Father -

   Thank you so much for the students and adult leaders you have called to go to MVM.  Thank you for MVM and for the many people who have been working hard preparing for our arrival.  Lord, I pray that you would work in the hearts of each of the students and adult leaders on the trip and I pray for the hearts of all of those we will encounter on our trip from the airport in MSP to the children coming to vacation bible school, that they would see you and feel your love.

   Please be with the parents back in Minnesota, give them a sense of peace that surpasses our understanding.   Thank you for the many people who have supported our trip and made it possible through financial gifts, prayer, giving of their time and support.

   Thank you Lord for this amazing adventure set out before us.  Strengthen us in body and soul to do your work.  Thank you so much for the love that you give us freely and help us to love others.

In Jesus name,

Amen.

Good Night everyone, see you tomorrow!

-Melanie

Medicine

Hi Everyone - As far as medicine goes, send with your child what they might need to take between the hours of 12 p.m. and 4:30 a.m., everything else they can pack in their checked bag.  When we get up on Sunday morning I will have all the students who have medicine give it to Dave S. our one of our awesome adult leaders who is going to be in charge of medicine.

Remember to make sure you send the original medicine bottle with your child's name on it.  We will have Tylenol, Ibuprofen and tums that your child can use.

Lindberg Terminal

US Airways is located at the Lindberg Terminal (Terminal #1)

Final Details!

Hello everyone!  We leave for Mexico in less then 48 hours, it is hard to believe! 


Here is something information that you have all received at one time but I wanted to give it to all you all again so you had it in one place!


PESOS:  I know that getting pesos' has not been the easiest for all of you, I am very sorry about that I wish I could make it easier.  Please see the post below to see where you can get Pesos.  Remember if you go to Wells Fargo, you have to be a Wells Fargo costumer.  I have had parents go to the airport to get their pesos and they said it was no problem.


SATURDAY, JULY 7 - Arrive at the airport at 11:45 a.m.   Please drop your child off at the drop off outside of US Airways.  I (Melanie) will be outside so look for me.  All of the small group leaders will be just inside the doors, your child should find their small group leader as soon as they arrive.
      Don't forget: 
                - To wear your trip t-shirt (as is, don't cut it at all or wear it tied to the side)
                - Wear appropriate length shorts or pants
                - Weigh your bag before you come to the airport.  (it needs to be 50 pds or     less) 
                - BRING YOUR PASSPORT
                - Bring American money for food
                - Bring snacks (if desired) 
                - Eat lunch before you arrive at the airport. 


CELL PHONES - If your child brings a cell phone because it is also their i-pod/mp3 player please remind them to turn it to airplane mode before they get to Mexico.  (we will also do our best to remind them at the airport) It is very expensive to text/call/check fb etc. from your cell phone in Mexico.  


TRIP BLOG - This blog will be updated every night with how are day went.  I will also update it in AZ, Mexico City and MVM when we arrive so you know we have arrived safely.  We get to Mexico City around midnight on Saturday night and we will get to MVM around 4/4:30 a.m. on Sunday morning.  


Some people have asked me if you can leave stuff (clothes, blankets, shoes etc.) at MVM to donate.  The answer is absolutely yes!  So if you want to keep that in mind while you pack that would be awesome!


SATURDAY, JULY 14 - We are scheduled to arrive at MSP at 11:50 p.m.  I will update the blog in AZ to let you know if we are on time or behind schedule.  You can pick up your child at baggage claim or come in the airport to pick them up.  


Here are the flight numbers:

July 7 US Airways 92 MSP (departs 2:45 p.m.) to PHX (arrives 4:07 p.m.)

July 7 US Airways 175 PHX (departs 6:50 p.m.) to MEX (arrives 11:50 p.m.)

July 14 US Airways 147 MEX (departs 3:45 p.m.) to PHX (arrives 4:58 p.m.)

July 14 US Airways 936 PHX (departs 6:50 p.m.) to MSP (arrives 11:50 p.m.)

Thank you all so much for your prayers and for praying for us while we are gone!

Blessings, 

Melanie

Places to get Pesos

Hi Everyone - I have been told that you can for sure get Pesos at these two locations:


Wells Fargo - Ridgedale
Wells Fargo - Plymouth, 494 and 55.


Please comment below if you got your pesos' at another location.  Remember you need to get your pesos' before we leave!

Sleeping Room Assignments

Here is a list of the rooms you will be sleeping in. 

Girls Room # 1

1. Melanie R.
2. Molly M.
3. Rachael P.
4. Emma B.
5. Emily R.
6. Kendra R.
7. Natasha V.
8. Lauren S.

Girls Room # 2

1. Liz T.
2. Kyle H.
3. Kari F.
4. Amy T.
5. Maddie H.
6. Shannen F.
7. Hilma B.
8. Kaaren B.
9. Kasey S.
10. Samantha Z.

Girls Room # 3

1. Jill B.
2. Anne B.
3. Jennifer L.
4. Jenna R.
5. Erin C.
6. Kalley H.
7. Sydney H.

Girls Room # 4

1. Carolyn V.
2. Mary H.
3. Jordyn G.
4. Amanda N.
5. Nicole S.
6. Sally B.
7. Natalie H.
8. Caitlin H.
9. Elle O.
10. Siri A.

Girls Room # 5

1. Samara E.
2. Sydnie E.
3. Allison O.
4. Krystal B.
5. Ellie J.
6. Jessica P.
7. Ellyn A.
8. Laura R.

Guys Room # 1

1. Tim B.
2. Rob L.
3. Jared E.
4. Paul B.
5. Christian L.
6. Bobby M.
7. Dustin O.
8. Jay H.

Guys Room # 2

1. Pastor John
2. Jonah B.
3. Brett F.
4. Michael H.
5. Jonathan S.
6. Tim D.
7. Dylan O.
8. Chris B.

Guys Room # 3

1. Dave S.
2. Curt J.
3. Saul E.
4. Luke B.
5. Tyler K.
6. Jacob B.
7. Hunter B.
8. Noah A.

Packing List

Sr. High Summer Trip 2012 Packing List!

-         Please arrive at airport wearing your trip t-shirt and appropriate length shorts or long pants.  (Please do not tie your t-shirt to make it shorter, please wear them as is.)

-         Please do not wear your trip t-shirt through out the week as we will travel home in them as well.

• PASSPORT
• $30-40 for meals (dinner) at airport (please put half of the money in an envelope with the students name on it for the way home.  The student will give the envelope to their small group leader along with their passport after they pass through security at the airport)
• Please have the students eat lunch before they arrive on Saturday, July 7.
• Bring minimum of $10 in pesos for the entrance fee into pyramid ruins on Friday and up to $50 (in pesos) for general spending money in Mexico. 
• Bible, Journal + Pen (you’ll be given a trip booklet that you can use as your journal as well)
• Snacks, games and a book for airplane and down time
• Towel
• Toiletries – toothbrush, toothpaste, shaving items, shampoo, soap.  (Remember to pack these in your checked bag unless they are less than 3oz.)
• (1) warm blanket (additional blanket and sheets will be provided)
• Pillow (if desired)  Pillows will be provided by MVM, but they are not the softest pillows we are told.
• Flashlight
• Camera
• Sunscreen/Aloe.  Not everyone needs to bring aloe; you can coordinate with other people.
• Hat or Bandana/sunglasses
• Wet wipes in case we are in a village w/out running water for VBS, etc.
• Rain gear (at least a light rain jacket)
• (1) fleece or light jacket (it gets chilly at night)
• (1) sweatshirt
• (1) Pair of warm sweat pants to sleep in, it gets chilly at night.
• (2) Pairs of shorts with no holes. Pease make sure the shorts are well past your finger tips.  Shorts are only worn at MVM.
• (2-3) pairs of long pants with no holes or pants that show visible undergarments.
• (2-3) long sleeve shirts. shirts should cover your stomach even if you lift your arms above your head; should not reveal anything when you are playing with kids; no sheer or thin material.
• (3-4) short sleeve shirts (see above).  Shirts may not have sides or sleeves missing.
• Socks and underwear for 7 days
• (2) Pairs of closed toed shoes, you will be wearing these shoes all week (VBS, in town, around MVM, etc.) 
• (1) pair of flip flops – for showering
• Work clothes - 2 sets – clothes you can get dirty doing work projects around the mission; preferably long pants, same clothing policy as above applies.
• MP3 players will be allowed for travel.
• Prescription medication.  Please make sure the medicine is its original bottle with the students name on it.  Put it in a zip lock baggie and give instructions on dosing.

DO NOT BRING

-Cell Phones (unless your phone is your MP3 player – must be turned to ‘airplane’ mode)

-Guitars (provided at MVM)

-Tank tops

-Jewelry

*Please weigh your bag before showing up at the airport.  You will be responsible for significant charges if your bag is over the size/weight restrictions.  You may only check one bag.  You may also carry-on a backpack/small bag and a pillow.

Important Information to know

Hey Everyone -  You will be getting this on a post card at our trip meeting this sunday, June 10th but I wanted to put it on the blog as well!

Important information about Sr. High Mission Trip to Mexico!

· Arrive at the Airport @ 11:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 7 at the US Airways drop off.  Please try to arrive as close to that time as possible (not early and not late)

· Students should wear their trip t-shirt and appropriate length shorts or long pants.  (t-shirts may not be tied to be shorter, they must be worn as is)

· Flight numbers:

             US Airways 92 MSP (departs 2:45 p.m.) to PHX (arrives 4:07 p.m.)

US Airways 175 PHX (departs 6:50 p.m.) to MEX (arrives 11:50 p.m.)

US Airways 147 MEX (departs 3:45 p.m.) to PHX (arrives 4:58 p.m.)

US Airways 936 PHX (departs 6:50 p.m.) to MSP (arrives 11:50 p.m.)

· Have your student eat lunch before they come. 

· Please make sure you have your students small group leader’s cell phone number and that they have yours.

· Melanie’s Cell Phone - 651-247-6467, Tim’s Cell Phone - 312-388-3233.

· Trip Blog http://mvm2012.blogspot.com - We will update the blog every night to let you know how we are doing and how you can be praying for us.

· The week before the trip, either Tim or Melanie will be in the office to answer questions, expect for Wednesday, July 4th (Tim, M, T, Th.  Melanie, M, Th, F.)   Either of us would be happy to answer any last minute questions you have.  Please use  e-mail or work phone numbers (Tim 763-231-2956, Melanie 763-231-2972) to get a hold of us.

Only 59 days to go!