Mission Synopsis
CHRISTMAS in MOLDOVA, 2012-13
Travel Dates: Dec. 27, 2012 – Jan. 3, 2013
Mission Description
To celebrate the birth of Christ with kids from up to 9 different Moldovan orphanages.
This mission will include singing, a craft, recreational games, a visit from Father Christmas and the giving of individually wrapped gifts to every child at the orphanage, a movie (with popcorn and sodas), and most importantly, the telling of the Christmas story. In addition, volunteers may be called upon to interview children for sponsorships, show videotaped greetings from the sponsors of kids, and video their return greetings.
General Moldova trip information is included in the JMI Orientation Manual. Please request copies if this is your first trip by writing steve@justiceandmercy.org. The Orientation Manual includes all the specifics relating to travel (air and land), forms for completion, interpreters, food, medical evacuation and property loss insurance, cultural issues, money exchange, programming, leadership needs, packing information, etc.
Mission Logistics (from 10,000 feet)
2 Teams: Our hope is that we’ll have two separate teams working simultaneously this year to cover all of the orphanages that have children without places to stay for the holidays.
One team will base out of Chisinau and the other out of Balti. Assuming that there will be kids to see at each orphanage (not always the case), the Chisinau team will visit Internat 2, Straseni, Orhei and Carpineni. The Balti team will visit orphanages in Balti, Falesti, Costesti, Tsaregrad and Grinauti. (There will be an opportunity for the Balti team to have a meal with their sponsored kids in Chisinau, if desired).
The Christmas in Moldova annual trip does not require a lot of preparatory meetings as a one-day programming agenda is repeated at a new orphanage each day. Team leaders will be assigned to each team and volunteers will be sought as additional program leaders in charge of identifying and purchasing supplies, along with rec, music, crafts, team photographer/videographer and Bible study leaders.
Church Representation: This year’s team will include volunteers from Rolling Hills Community Church and GracePointe Community Church of Franklin, TN, and First Baptist Church at the Mall from Lakeland, Florida, along with other participants from a variety of states.
JMI will arrange flights so that teams or individuals from different parts of the country will meet up in a single U.S. airport prior to flying overseas. Team leaders will communicate all the specifics relating to their team’s needs and meetings to “out-of-town” volunteers via email.
Trip Cost
$2350 for those who get their $1,000 deposits in on or before Nov. 1st. $2500 for those who get their $1,000 deposits in after Nov. 1st. (Flights will not be booked until deposits are received….$500 of the deposit is non-refundable)
Important Dates/Deadlines
First Meeting: Sunday, Oct. 21, 12:45 at the WareHouse
Contact steve@justiceandmercy.org if you are out of the area or unable to attend, but interested in receiving information for this trip.
Payment Due Dates:
- $1,000 deposit due Thursday, Nov. 1
- $1,000 due Sunday, Nov. 25th
- $350 or $500 due Sunday, Dec. 16th
Winter Clothes Collection: Begins Sunday, Nov. 11th…concludes Sunday, Dec. 16th. We will be collecting NEW leather gloves, sweatshirts and pants, scarves, long underwear, and black or colored wool socks.
Team Packing Party: Wednesday, Dec. 19th at 6 p.m. (Plan to eat together afterward). Clothes will be packed in duffels….bring large compression bags if you have them.
304 44th Ave. N
