mission information packet

READY TO LIVEBEYOND?If you are reading this packet, it means that you are serving on a LiveBeyond mission week, or you are considering joining us on a life-changing mission experience. Either way, we are excited that you are listening to God’s call for you to serve Him in this capacity.

This information packet includes important information about serving on a LiveBeyond mission week. It is imperative that you read each page in its entirety so that you are fully prepared for your trip to Haiti with us. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email our Trip Coordinator (missiontrips@livebeyond.org).

ABOUT LIVEBEYONDLiveBeyond established a base of operations in Thomazeau, Haiti, in 2012. Seven years before our establishment in Haiti, our founders, Dr. David and Laurie Vanderpool, led mission teams to provide medical care across the world. During this time the organization was known as Mobile Medical Disaster Relief (MMDR). After LiveBeyond planted our roots in Haiti, they changed the organization’s name to LiveBeyond.

In 2010, the Vanderpools provided first-response medical care after the devastating Haiti earthquake. More than 300,000 people were killed in the disaster, and thousands were injured. Dr. Vanderpool and Laurie knew that the people in this country needed more help aside from the two weeks that they spent there after the earthquake. It was time for them to make a bold move and sell everything they owned, including Dr. Vanderpool’s medical practice, and move to Haiti.

Today, the Vanderpools live in Haiti on our base of operations which sits on 63 acres in Thomazeau, a rural region outside of Port-au-Prince. LiveBeyond is a faith-based, humanitarian organization improving lives of the poor with sustainable solutions in medical and maternal health care, clean water, at-risk care, education, agriculture, and economic development.

A vital part of our work is monthly mission trips where 40+ individuals serve on a mission week. In 2016, more than 550 people served with us. That’s a lot of people ready to make a difference! Together, we can transform Haiti for the Kingdom of God.

ABOUT LIVEBEYOND

LiveBeyond mission weeks are not suitable for all individuals. Volunteers must adhere to our strict expectations and code of conduct when serving with us. Before applying for a mission trip, we ask that you prayerfully consider your physical, spiritual, and emotional health, along with the factors listed below.

We strive to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and expand the Kingdom of God through all of our work. All volunteers will be expected to participate in morning devotionals and evening worship times, along with times of prayer and intercession during our medical clinics and community home visits. Only individuals willing to participate in these activities should serve on a LiveBeyond mission.

Haiti is inherently dangerous and not for the faint of heart. The safety of team members cannot be assured. Haiti is a developing nation and there are no guarantees while traveling and serving in this country. Health risks abound, and all volunteers are responsible for their own health. We advise you to see a physician to ensure that you are cleared to work in extreme conditions.

All team members will stay at the LiveBeyond Guest House. There is no air-conditioning, hot water, or Wi-Fi available for volunteers. In addition, we cannot accommodate any food allergies or special dietary requirements due to limited resources and the large size of our mission teams.

The weather in Haiti is extremely hot and humid, and terrain conditions can be harsh. Throughout the trip, we will drive to communities throughout the Thomazeau region. Roads in Haiti are winding, bumpy, and can be especially hard on those who suffer from motion sickness. Pick-up trucks are our primary method of transportation, so you will likely be riding in the back of the truck throughout the week.

LiveBeyond is unable refund to you any amount of raised funds which exceeds your funding requirements. Once financial gifts are received by LiveBeyond, the individual donors are sent a charitable contribution receipt which is used for Federal Income Tax purposes and refunds are not possible. All monies received in excess of the funding requirements will be used by LiveBeyond toward the mission.

ABOUT LIVEBEYOND MISSION ADVISORY

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTSAGE REQUIREMENTS+ Minimum age 18 if traveling without parents (must be a high school graduate; individual cannot be supervised

by other adults)+ Minimum age 14 if traveling with parents (child must share room with parents)+ Applicants over the age of 70 must provide a medical release and recent medical history from their family

physician to be reviewed and approved by LiveBeyond’s medical director.

FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS+ Specific American Airline flight regulations will be given to volunteers in a team confirmation email after

LiveBeyond reviews your application. Do not book your flights until you receive this acceptance letter.+ Because LiveBeyond transport buses must stay together, only flights within a 2 hour arrival/departure time will

be authorized for scheduling.+ Any individual or group who chooses to arrive earlier than the published schedule must expect to wait at the

Port-au-Prince airport.+ You must receive special permission from LiveBeyond to book flights through a different airline. Due to reliability

and flight schedules, we require volunteers to book flights through American Airlines.

PRE-TRIP REQUIREMENTS+ ALL mission team members, interns, and short-term guests are required to attend the pre-trip meeting and sign

all required documents (Liability Waver and Code of Conduct).+ Failure to participate in the pre-trip meeting will be immediately reported to LiveBeyond officers and may

result in the member being dropped from the team without a refund. Every volunteer must participate. One person may not join the meeting for the group or family.

MEDICATION REQUIREMENTS+ Tetanus Booster (must have had shot within the last 7 years)+ Hepatitis A&B vaccines (medical professionals only)+ Malaria preventative (Malarone is recommended)

COST+ $1,180 + international airfare

This will cover lodging, transportation, meals and all related expenses.+ You are responsible for booking your own flights, obtaining your own vaccinations, and paying the $10 customs

fee into the country.+ We recommend bringing $100 for personal use. Additional costs incurred will be for purchasing snacks and meals

at the airport and LiveBeyond apparel sold in Haiti. This is an approximate figure – typical volunteers use much less.

We are a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization and the $1,180 LiveBeyond fee is treated as a charitable contribution and is tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. If you pay with a check, a donation receipt will be mailed to the address included on the check. If you pay via our online fundraising platform, the receipt will be sent to email address you provide on the form.

SCHEDULE OF PAYMENTS $230 deposit : due 90 days out $475 payment : due 60 days out $475 payment : due 30 days out

PAYMENT INFORMATION+ All checks should be mailed to: LiveBeyond, Attn: Trip Coordinator, P.O. Box 128137, Nashville, TN 37212 – Be sure

to note in the memo which mission you are serving on.+ Online payments may be submitted at www.livebeyond.org/missionpayments – Be sure to note which mission you

are serving on.+ Online fundraising campaigns are available at www.livebeyond.org/fundraise

LiveBeyond is unable refund to you any amount of raised funds which exceeds your funding requirements. Once financial gifts are received by LiveBeyond, the individual donors are sent a charitable contribution receipt which is used for Federal Income Tax purposes and refunds are not possible. All monies received

in excess of the funding requirements will be used by LiveBeyond toward the mission.

VOLUNTEER REQUIREMENTS COST + PAYMENTS

ACCOMMODATIONSAll mission volunteers will be hosted at the LiveBeyond Guest House in Thomazeau, Haiti. + Secure, gated complex with 24/7 security+ Non-air-conditioned facilities+ Purified drinking water (in every facility on the LiveBeyond complex)+ Breakfast and dinner prepared by Haitian staff (volunteers responsible for their own daily lunch)+ Separate women’s and men’s bedrooms (dormitory style; bunk beds)+ 120 volt American-style electrical plugs+ Mosquito nets over each bed

IN-COUNTRY TRANSPORTATION+ Haiti road and transportation conditions are often described as difficult and chaotic.+ Caravan-style transportation to and from the LiveBeyond base with a trusted, reputable company.+ Pick-up trucks are the primary mode of transportation at the LiveBeyond base. The majority of team

members ride in the bed of the truck. Our oldest volunteers are given priority to ride inside of vehicles.+ Volunteers who struggle with motion sickness may not be appropriate mission applicants.

CELL & WI-FI SERVICE+ Team members may contact their cellular provider to ensure international service. Otherwise, you will not have

access to a phone or text messaging.+ If there is an emergency situation, a LiveBeyond staff member can make or accept calls on your behalf.+ Wi-Fi service is not available for team members.+ This trip provides a great opportunity to “disconnect” from the outside world, so we recommend that you take

advantage of this opportunity.+ Free Wi-Fi is typically available at the Port-au-Prince airport; however, this is not guaranteed.

WHAT TO EXPECT

CLOTHING• Closed-toe shoes• Shower shoes• Pants or skirts

(capris, maxi skirts, scrubs or below-the-knee shorts)Ladies: Yoga pants are not acceptable pants in Haiti

• Shirts(sleeveless tops & spaghetti strap shirts not allowedfor men or women)

• Pajamas(must be appropriate to be seen by others)

• Sunglasses• Hat (optional)

GEAR• Rolling duffel bag or carry-on suitcase

(this bag should not be checked on flight)• Small bag (keep with you at all times)• Passport

(required minimum of 6 months until expiration)• $10 for Haiti customs fee (paid at airport arrival)• Combination lock with 2-3” cable clasp• Water bottle• Flashlight• Towel• Snacks for daily lunch

(granola bars, protein bars, peanut butter crackers, nuts, etc.)• Flavored, powder mix to add to water• Bible + journal + pen• Earplugs (optional for light sleepers)• Eight D batteries

TOILETRIES & MEDICINE• Malaria medication• Deet mosquito spray (90% plus)• Pepto Bismol tablets (2 per day)• Deodorant• Toothbrush + toothpaste• Hair brush• Travel baby wipes• Travel-sized hand sanitizer• Appropriate items to conceal all tattoos

(You may remove coverings at night after activities)

All carry-on liquids need to be 3oz (100mL) or less and fit into a 1 quart bag.

NO NEED FOR:• Large suitcase• A lot of make-up• Jewelry

(All body piercing must be removed with exceptionof 1 earring per ear for women. Men must remove allbody piercings.)

• Hair dryers + electric curlers(These items are not allowed as they require toomuch electricity.)

Want to bring extra items to distribute to our staff and locals? Please contact the LiveBeyond Trip Coordinator to determine what supplies are needed at the LiveBeyond base.

PACKING LIST

DO...+ Search your heart before serving on this trip. Our missions are about so much more than a “great experience”

and taking pictures of hurting people (a.k.a. poverty tourism). Teams are part of a much larger story to transform the lives of people in Thomazeau for the Kingdom.

+ Expect to participate in all worship times in the morning and evening. This is one of the most important parts of our time together as we center our hearts around Jesus Christ each day.

+ Get to know the Haitian people and team members. Invest in the people around you and build relationships.+ Request permission before taking someone’s picture. Treat people with dignity, love, and respect.+ Always be kind and positive. Only LiveBeyond staff should correct child or adult misbehavior.+ Be considerate of your fellow team members in being prompt for our activities throughout the day.+ Greet people with “Bonjou” (Good morning) or “Bonswa” (Good afternoon) when entering a room.+ Lock up all of your possessions in the provided trunks in your room. We trust our staff, but we do not want to

tempt them in any way.+ Ask questions to the LiveBeyond team leader when in doubt and report any suspicious activities immediately.+ Remember that you represent Jesus Christ in everything you do.

DON’T...+ Don’t think everything will always go as scheduled. Be flexible and go with the flow.+ Don’t pass out apparel items, treats, or food unless you have enough to give equally to everyone. We are

diligent to prevent begging and jealousy among our Haitian staff, children, and locals. Please help us with this.+ Don’t separate yourself from the team on community visits without notice and approval of the team leader.+ Don’t wear red apparel, show any tattoos, paint your fingernails or show unnaturally colored hair (like red,

blue, pink, etc.). All of these displays are associated with the satanic beliefs of Voodoo.(Volunteers agree to refrain from wearing any of the above in the Code of Conduct.)

+ Don’t eat in front of hungry Haitians who may only eat one meal a day. If you are hungry, take a break and find an area away from the public to eat.

+ Don’t drink any water or food except what you get at the LiveBeyond guest house and medical clinic.+ Don’t hand any child your phone. This is a distraction for all and takes away from time to build relationships.

DOS + DON’TS

Hello (a.m. greeting) BonjouHello (p.m. greeting) Bonswa

Goodnight Bon nuitHello Alo

Goodbye OrevwaHow are you? Koman ou ye?

I am fine. Mwen pa pli malI am good. Mwen byen.

Thanks a lot! Mèsi anpil!No, thanks. No, mèsi.

You’re welcome. Padekwa.Please Tanpri

Excuse me. Eskize mwen.I’m sorry. Mwen regret sa.

Who? Ki moun?What? Kisa?Where? Ki kote?When? Kilè?Why? Poukisa?How? Kijan?

How are you? Komon ou ye?What is your name? Kijan ou rele?How do you say ... ? Kija ou di ... ?

boy gasongirl tifiman moun

woman fanmfather papa

mother manmanson pitit gason

daughter piti tifichild pitit

family fanmiBible Bib la

church leglizpastor pastèpray priyeGod Bondye

God bless you. Bondye beni ou.Jesus Jezi

Jesus, thank you for... Jezi, di ou mèsi pou...Do you love Jesus? Eske ou renmen Jezi?

I love Jesus. Mwen renmen Jezi.I love you. Mwen renmen ou.

school lekòlteacher pwofesè

CREOLE : WORDS TO KNOW

Do you go to school? Eske ou ale lekòl?house lakay

Where do you live? Ki kote ou rete?hospital lopital

nurse misdoctor doktepain doulèhurt fe mal

pregnant ansentfever lafyèvsick malad

swallow valevomit vomi

indigestion gonglemenstrual period reg

toothache maldanheadache maltet

You need a doctor. Ou bezwen yon dokte.You are pregnant. Ou ansent.

Where does it hurt? Ki li ou fè mal?Eske ou genyen doule? Do you have pain?

He is hurt (injured). Li blese.It hurts here. Li fè mal isit.

sit down chitalisten tandecome vini

go alewant vlehave genyeneat manje

hungry grangoudrink bwesing chantetalk pale

sleep dòmiread liwrite ekriplay jew

lie down kouchestop rete

I, me, my, mine mwenyou, your ou

nou us, our you (plural)li him, her, his, hers

You are a big boy. Ou gwo gason.You are a pretty girl. Ou belle tifi.

CREOLE : WORDS TO KNOW

zero zewoone en or yonntwo dè

three twafour katfive senksix sis

seven sèteight uitnine nèften dis

eleven onztwelve douz

thirteen trèzfourteen katozfifteen kenzsixteen sez

seventeen disèteighteen dizwitninteen diznèftwenty vennumber nimewocount konte

Sunday DimanchMonday LendiTuesday Madi

Wednesday MekrediThursday Jedi

Friday VanrediSaturday Samdi

this morning maten anthis afternoon apremidi a

today jodiatomorrow demenyesterday ye

red woujblack nwagreen vè

orange oranjblue blè

yellow jònbrown maronwhite blangrey gripink woz

color (n.) koulè

CREOLE : WORDS TO KNOW

BIBLE STUDY | DAY 1But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy

of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. Jude 1:20-21

You can never fully prepare yourself for what you will experience on your mission week in Haiti. You will see individuals being treated worse than animals because they have a special disability. Starving children who have been abandoned with no one to care for them. People who are very sick and turn to the satanic practice of Voodoo for healing.

How can you prepare yourself for these difficult encounters?

1. Stand strong in the faith of our Lord Jesus. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8). If we are weak in our faith and fearful of encounters with oppression, then we must ask God for more faith and boldness. When our faith is not exercised and active, we can become weak and fall into the lies of the Enemy (Matthew 26:41).

2. Pray in the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, God shows us that the Spirit is always with us! The Spirit dwells in us (John 14:17), intercedes for us (Romans 8:26), teaches us (2 Timothy 3:16), counsels us (John 14:16), guides us (1 Corinthians 2:14), and works miracles and wonders through His people (Hebrews 2:4). We must all pray fervently in the Holy Spirit to be ready for what the Lord has for us.

3. Keep ourselves in the love of God. Our gracious God loved us so much that He sacrificed His one and only Son to cleanse us, a tragically broken people, from our sins. Through Jesus Christ’s death on a cross, we are credited with His righteousness. When we submit to His righteousness and commands, we love one another (John 13:14), bear the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), are quick to forgive (Colossians 3:13), care for the poor (Luke 4:18-19), confess our sins to one another (James 5:16), do God’s work, and speak out for Him (1 Peter 2:9) and prepare ourselves for the return of Christ (Revelations 19:7).

4. Await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we seek mercy for ourselves and focus on the final prize of eternal life, we mustseek mercy for those lost in sin (Micah 6:8). You will have the opportunity to stand between the oppressed and the oppressor in Haiti and forcefully advance the Kingdom of God to save a lost people.

PRAYERLord Jesus, in Your Holy Name, we ask for more faith. We ask for the level of faith that moves mountains, that heals the sick,

and that drives out demons. Give us the courage to stand between the oppressed and the oppressor and for the love to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as we go. Amen.

Pre-Trip Bible Study

BIBLE STUDY | DAY 1 BIBLE STUDY | DAY 2The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

Luke 4:18

The backdrop to this passage is that Jesus had been baptized, tempted in the wilderness by Satan, and is ready to begin His ministry. He chose the town He grew up in to launch His career and His home synagogue to outline His mission. We believe that Luke 4:18-19 is Jesus’ mission statement.

As you leave the richest country in the history of the world and begin the journey to the poorest country in the world, let’s meditate on Jesus’ statement:

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

1. Why do you think Jesus said that He was anointed to preach the good news to the poor?

2. Is He excluding the rich?

3. How can we be anointed to preach the Gospel to the poor?

PRAYERLord, in the name of Jesus, please anoint us like You were anointed to bring the Good News to the poor of Haiti. As we leave our

riches behind just as You did, please let us go in the power of the Holy Spirit just as You did. Amen.

Pre-Trip Bible Study

BIBLE STUDY | DAY 3The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners... Luke 4:18

Continuing with the idea that this passage is Jesus’ mission statement, He now shifts His focus from the poor to another group, the captives. There are many reasons to be captive, perhaps you are captive to legalism, or maybe materialism, or drugs, or depression, or a lack of faith. Whatever it is that is keeping you tied up, Jesus is here to liberate you.

How can you prepare yourself for these difficult encounters?

1. What are you captive to? How is this trap keeping you from being all you could be in the Kingdom?

2. As we travel to Haiti, what do you think the Haitians will be captive to? How will their captivity differ from ours?

3. The word, captivating, has as its root, captive. If you’re having a hard time answering question number 1, perhaps you could rephraseit like this... What do you find captivating?

PRAYERLord Jesus, in Your Holy Name, we ask for more faith. We ask for the level of faith that moves mountains, that heals the sick and

drives out demons. Give us the courage to stand between the oppressed and the oppressor and the love to spread the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as we go. Amen.

Pre-Trip Bible Study

BIBLE STUDY | DAY 3 BIBLE STUDY | DAY 4The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind... Luke 4:18

As Jesus expands His mission statement, He includes a group that is familiar to His contemporary listeners. To His listeners, the blind would probably mean someone without sight. To us, however, there are many other reasons to be blind.

Many are blind to the Gospel itself while others who accept the Gospel are blind to the call of God in their lives. As we enter a country where many are not only physically blind from dangerous parasites, many others have not had the chance to taste and see the beauty of the Lord.

1. What blindness have you observed in the churches you’ve been in?

2. What blindness have you observed in yourself in the past?

3. How can you show the beauty of the Lord to those who don’t know Him?

PRAYERLord, in the name of Jesus, please open our eyes to see You clearly. Please give us the grace to share Your amazing love with

those who haven’t yet seen it. Amen.

Pre-Trip Bible Study

BIBLE STUDY | DAY 5The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free... Luke 4:18

Of the various facets of Jesus’ mission statement, this is my favorite. The U.S. Army Special Forces has co-opted this as their motto and express it in Latin: De Oppresso Liber. Just as the Green Beret are tasked with liberating oppressed people around the world, so was Jesus.

When we arrive in Haiti, we are going to see extreme oppression. We’ll see children orphaned from the earthquake left to fend for them-selves on dangerous streets. We’ll see the elderly left to die in mud huts on dirt floors. And we’ll see the mentally challenged sleeping on the ground, eating dirt, and suffering abandonment by their society and own families.

1. What oppression do you see around you in your day-to-day life?

2. Where do you have to position yourself to liberate the oppressed?

3. Are you willing to follow Jesus’ example and liberate the oppressed at your own peril?

PRAYERLord, in the Name of Jesus, thank You for liberating us from oppression and thank You for giving us the example that we are to

liberate others from oppression in Your Name. Please give us faith and courage to do as You did by positioning ourselves between the oppressed and the oppressor. Amen.

Pre-Trip Bible Study

BIBLE STUDY | DAY 5 BIBLE STUDY | DAY 6The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor.

He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

Luke 4:18-19

The final part of Jesus’ mission statement was to tell people about His triumphant return. Matthew says that as He went, He told others about the Kingdom of God.

The greatest gift we can give to someone is to tell them that Jesus is triumphantly returning to earth to unite His Kingdom.

1. How can you best tell others about His triumphant return?

2. Jesus said that He only did what He saw the Father doing. Now that we have this example of what Jesus did, how can we followHis example and only do what we see Him doing?

3. What does it mean, “To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord”?

PRAYERFather, in the name of Jesus, help us to understand that You sent Your Son to tell others of Your great love for us. Please give us

the faith and courage spread Your love to those who don’t know it. Amen.

Pre-Trip Bible Study