Summer 2008 Missions Trips
For summer 2008, Grace Chapel offers you the following trips for your prayerful consideration. All of these trips are designed to give you a flavor of cross-cultural ministry service and encourage you to discover God’s purposes for the world. All adult trips cost $1900. First-time adult Grace Chapel participants are eligible for a $100 discount.
Ecuador - Around July 25 - August 3rd
Jesus says in John 7:38 "whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." The Ecuador team will be joining Grace Chapel's missionary partners Bruce and Cherith Rydbeck in reaching out to a rural community in this South American country such that they might not only have clean physical water, but might also have streams of living water flowing within them! We will spend the majority of our trip living with a community, working along side them to build their clean water system, and teaching vacation bible school to the children. Last year we also had the opportunity to see some of the other ministries the Rydbecks are involved in and explore some of the capital city of Quito. Please keep in mind that this trip requires a fair deal of physical labor at high altitude (~10,000 feet). David McMillan will be leading this trip with another co-leader. Please contact David for more information at david.p.mcmillan@gmail.com or 908-510-9571.
Egypt - June 24 - July 3
This team of will be traveling to Cairo, Egypt to partner with Kasr El Dobara Church (KDEC), the largest evangelical church in the Middle East. During our time there, we will attend Changing Point 2008, a three day mission conference aimed at those age 18-35, to learn practical ways to minister to Muslims and those from the Middle East. Then, we’ll take part in some short-term outreach opportunities in Cairo alongside leaders from KDEC, which may include home visits, evangelism, refugee work, development projects, and drama and music. This exciting trip is a great opportunity for 5-10 team members to experience the rich history of Egypt while helping with an increasingly important ministry. For more information, please contact Charlet Fuller at charfuller@comcast.net.
Haiti - July 19 - July 26
This team of 15 to 20 people can include young and mature Christians, families or anyone who is willing to be a servant of Jesus. The Haiti team will support Hope for the Children of Haiti, Inc. We will perform light maintenance work at the orphanage, spend time and play games with the children, encourage the young adults there and perhaps run a vacation Bible school with the kids. The trip might involve exposure to at least some level of unsanitary conditions around Port-au-Prince, so only those in good health should apply. For more information, please contact Jonas Firmin at firmin_J@msn.com or jfirmin@masshousing.com.
India - Mid to late August
This team of 6 or 7 people will travel to North India to visit our ministry partner, Good News For India, which was founded by ‘Uncle’ George Chavanikamannil. While in India, we will serve on the campus of NTC (New Theological College – the main training center for GNFI) by helping with projects on campus, serving in chapel and devotions, and building relationships with the students and faculty. We will also serve at one or more of the satellite training centers, as well as schools, sewing centers, and churches that have been started by the graduates of NTC. In addition, we will prayer walk through one or more of the Hindu holy sites on the Ganges River. This trip is scheduled for mid to late August and will be led by Lou Ann Stropoli and co-leaders. Please contact Lou Ann Stropoli for more information at Lstropoli@comcast.net or 781.491.0098.
Jordan - June 9 – 18
This team of 10 people will travel to Jordan to visit our ministry partners at Grace Iraqi Church. We will serve at a family summer camp hosted by Grace Iraqi Church and assist missionaries Jodi Miller and team during our stay in Jordan. This trip will be led by Jeff Hnatio and Diana Zaki.
Please contact Jeff or Diana for more information
Diana – dvzaki@gmail.com – 617.921.8310
Jeff – jhnatio@gmail.com – 978.423.3977
Malawi - June 28 – July 10
Grace Chapel’s team of 14 will continue to partner with World Relief in the Mzimba district of Malawi. This summer the plan is to run a pastor’s conference, a youth conference, and medical clinics. We are specifically looking for people with a medical background, including experience in pediatrics and infectious disease, and for people who would feel comfortable speaking at the youth conference for around 200 people. For more information please contact the leaders: Jennifer Bates at jenniferbates03@hotmail.com or 617-710-4252 or Jane Venti at jane.venti@childrens.harvard.edu or 617-332-0238
Moldova - Last two weeks of August
This team will consist of deaf members and ASL interpreters. The group will work with the Jesus Savior Church Deaf Team and Moldovan interpreters to run a Vacation Bible School and an outreach ministry to children in the local communities around Chisinau and Cahul. This team will consist of 10 to 15 people and will be led by Edward Shephard, Jr. Please contact Edward at bushep@rcn.com.
Nepal - Two trips, one in August, 2008 and the other in January, 2009
Both trips seek members with an interest and/or experience in children’s education, business or healthcare, as well as those with experience teaching theology and pastoral skills. The goal of the trip is to continue our collaborative work with five partner agencies. Specifically, we will assist in the launch of micro-enterprise business programs; provide training and service for the Tansen teaching hospital and school of nursing; expand training with elementary school teachers in a new model school beginning in April 2008; and develop a vocational guidance program for high school children in a home sponsored by Prison Fellowship Nepal. We will also continue our 10 year tradition of retreats with the 35 PFN children, ages 5 – 20, and we have an invitation to provide theological and ministry education for pastors in training. The trips will be two weeks each and will take a total of 12 people. The trips will be led by John and Ellen Ratichek. Please contact John and Ellen at ratichek@gmail.com.
Russia - July 31 – August 11
Once again, Grace Chapel will be partnering with the Holy Trinity Church (through RCCM – Russian Center for Church Multiplication), located in the city of Veronezh – Just south of Moscow. As in the past, this team will provide outreach support in spreading the Gospel throughout the community and help to encourage and buildup the church. In a city where alcoholism and drug use runs high, and hopelessness can be read on many faces on the streets, we engage the inner city youth through the use of sports, arts and crafts, skits and other creative means –forming relationships with the team, the church and ultimately, Christ. Through these relationships, we share the message of the Gospel and hope to bridge connections with the Holy Trinity Church where they can explore faith and find fellowship. If you have desire or calling to grow in, and serve Christ through short-term missions this summer, prayerfully consider applying to team Russia. “Again Jesus said, Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” – John 20:21
Leaders: David Andrews / Melanie Konstandakis
Email: dandrews07@verizon.net / mkonstandakis@excite.com
Middle School Trips
Contact: Brian Dietz, 781.862.8351 x144; bdietz@grace.org
West Virginia - July 12 – 19
The Middle School Ministry is partnering with World Vision Appalachia to bring a team of students to the hills of West Virginia. Throughout the week we will be serving people in the area by doing various construction projects in and around their homes. Each student will also have the opportunity to be a part of a Vacation Bible School for children in the neighborhood where we’ll be working. This trip will be led by Brian Dietz, Middle School Pastor, and a number of Middle School volunteer staff. Cost: $800.
Trinidad - June 27 – July 5
A team of Middle School students will be traveling to the island of Trinidad to partner with Trinidad and Tobago Urban Ministries (TTUM). Trinidad is 7 miles off the coast of Venezuela. Our primary task for this week is to present the Vacation Bible School curriculum we develop as a team to children at a nearby orphanage each morning. The afternoons will be spent doing various construction jobs on the campus of TTUM or visiting a number of ministries, such as a Boys Prison, a homeless shelter and AIDS orphanages. The trip will be led by Brian Dietz, Middle School Pastor, as well as a number of Middle School volunteer staff. Cost: $900.
High School Trip
Contact: Todd Szymczak, 781.862.8351 x126; todds@grace.org
Mexico - July 5 – 13 Cost: $1,150.
A team of students and leaders from the High School Ministry will travel to Ensenada, Mexico, located 70 miles south of the US border. Our mission will be to develop and implement a Vacation Bible School at a local orphanage and village. In addition to the VBS, we will be involved in several build projects during the week. A big emphasis will be placed on building relationships with those who we are serving! Based on the number of accepted applicants, we will have two mission teams serving in separate locations in Mexico, and will regroup each day at one central-based camp. One location will be the orphanage we partnered with last year. The second location will be a new initiative. The trip will be led by Todd Szymczak, High School Pastor, and a number of High School volunteer staff.
