2015 Edition TPS Laos 2015 Trip Announcement The Potter s School Contact Lattany with questions TPSLaosTrip@pottersschool.org
1 Contents Contents... 1 Fast Facts... 2 Mission Overview: Education, Ministry, and Immersion3 Finances and Support-Raising... 4 MK Scholarship Opportunity... 5 Medical Matters... 7 Travel... 7 Pre-Trip: Getting to the Washington, DC Point-of-Origin 7 For Overseas Students Interested in Meeting the team in Asia. 8 Packing Guidelines... 9 Rough Trip Itinerary... 10 Application Process... 12
2 Fast Facts Who? TPS Students, their parents, and friends and family of TPS families. What? Service and education trip to Southeast Asia. When? October 24 th through November 7 th, 2015 Where? Southeast Asia (Thailand and Laos) Why? See Mission Overview on the next page. How much? Estimated $2,200 per person, including all airfare and expenses. See Finances and Support Raising for information on raising support. What is the point-of-origin for the trip? Washington, DC (Dulles International Airport, IAD) How do I prepare for such a trip? No worries! We will walk you through everything, right down to what to pack and how to get local currency! How do I apply? Make sure you read the information below, and then complete and submit the application at the end of this document! When are applications due? Applications are due by 11:59pm ET on Friday, August 10 th, 2015.
3 Mission Overview: Education, Ministry, and Immersion Develop Understanding of Buddhist Religion and Culture: Bangkok, Thailand Buddhism is the dominant religion throughout Southeast Asia, including in Laos. The customs and practices of Buddhism are deeply entrenched in the family life and culture of these countries, making it difficult to ascertain an individual s personal religious beliefs from their cultural practices. For this reason, in order to understand the Southeast Asian people, it is critical to develop an understanding of Buddhism as it manifests in this region of the world. The first component of this trip will be to develop a working understanding of Buddhist beliefs, culture, and practices, along with an appreciation for the rich heritage and culture of Southeast Asia. Service to Faith-Workers in Laos: Northern Thailand (Just across from the Laos border) Laos is a communist country that is hostile towards Christianity. Families who choose to live and minister in this region of the world must surrender aspects of their freedom, along with many creature-comforts, to be effective in their ministries. Once a year, these families have the opportunity to gather together and share their joys and trials, hopes and fears, challenges and successes, and be encouraged, equipped, and enriched as they return to serve another year in Laos. This conference is critical in helping to equip these families to stay on the field and continue to minister in a region where there are few other Westerners, few options for schooling their children (which requires most to homeschool), and few options for familial support. The conference will have over 100 children in attendance, and the TPS team has the joy and privilege of coordinating the entire youth and children's program for these kids, including leading the children in games, crafts, object lessons, and other activities. Immersion in the Third-World: Vientiane, Laos The final component of this trip requires the team to enter into Laos; a country that, in many ways, feels like stepping back in time by 30 years. Laos is one of only five communist countries (alongside China, Cuba, North Korea, and Vietnam), and is hostile to the Christian Gospel. Its rich history and culture date back to the 14 th century and includes over 50 years under French rule, yet it remains years in the past in areas pertaining to human rights. The Lao people are inextricably linked to Buddhism, meaning that for them to denounce Buddhism and turn to Christianity is tantamount to denouncing their heritage, family, and ethnicity. Those who choose to practice Christianity risk expulsion from their village, family, and even their country, or means of imprisonment and torture intended to motivate their return to Buddhism. Explore this country, rich in culture and history, and spend time among the people, experiencing life and faith in a third-world country where the inhabitants are largely un-reached with the Gospel.
4 Finances and Support-Raising Trip Cost TPS offers services trips to students because we believe it is an important part of a student s spiritual development. The trips are not revenue-generating events for TPS, and we try to keep the cost as low as possible to make them accessible to the majority of students. Students are asked to pay only what is needed to cover the costs of the trip. For 2015, the estimated per-student cost for the 2015 TPS Laos trip is $2,200 USD. (Students joining the team from overseas should contact Lattany to discuss the trip cost.) This includes each participant s plane ticket from the US, all in-country transportation, all food and lodging, and all ministry and touring costs. The only additional costs for each participant is personal spending money for souvenirs, and any fees associated with obtaining a valid passport. Support-Raising Participants are required to raise funds for this project, as a required part of their participation. We encourage all participants to raise support from their church, family, and friends. In accordance with U.S. tax laws, donations may be specified for a project, not for a participant; however, donations raised by a participant will count toward their fund-raising goal required for participation in a trip. For these reasons we request that donors specify the project (TPS Laos 2015) and support-raising participant (your name) on their donations. Under these guidelines, an individual may also donate to a project in which he is also a participant, and have the donation be tax-deductible while also counting toward his own support-raising requirements. Participants are invited to raise money through TPS, which is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization and can provide donors with receipts for their tax-deductible donation towards your trip expenses. In accordance with U.S. tax laws, donors who provide donations totaling over $250 in a tax year (and who provide us a mailing address) will be provided a letter in January of the following year. Donors of less than $250 in the tax year can be provided a donor receipt upon request. As we receive donations towards your fund-raising goal, we will track them and deduct the donated amount from your total fundraising requirement. If you receive support checks made out to "The Potter's School" (they have to be made out to TPS for the donation to be taxexempt), please send them to us as you get them. Drop an email to admin@pottersschool.org any time to check your support status. The total balance for this trip is not due until January 2016, so there is plenty of time for participants to raise support.
5 Expenses Covered by Support If your donated funds exceed $2,200.00, we cannot legally pay you the excess. Since the trip actually costs more than you are paying, TPS is grateful for any funds you raise above and beyond the required $2,200.00 and will apply them to the group costs of this trip. The exception to the above rule is your flights to the Washington, DC point of origin. In a few other cases, we can use funds raised above $2,200.00 to reimburse you for expenses unique to this trip that have no other potential benefit to you. You would need to get our approval in advance for this -- please don't assume we can reimburse you for anything without asking. Examples of things we cannot legally reimburse include luggage, inoculations, passport fees, TPS t-shirts, and other items that have enduring value to you. Support Letter Template TPS will provide every team participant with a support letter template to use as a guide in writing their own support letter. Participants are free to use as much or as little of it as they want and adapt it to suit their needs. It includes instructions for those wanting to raise support through TPS so that donors can benefit from the tax deduction. Payment Due Dates You don't need to give us credit card numbers or pay anything right now. You can raise support beginning when you receive an invitation to the trip team, through the trip, and after we return. About 8 weeks after we return, when donations typically taper off, we will send an invoice for the remaining balance not covered by donations. At that time, you can either pay the balance, or arrange an interest-free payment plan with us. We are happy to work with you. Cancelation Policy If a trip is modified or canceled for any reason, funds donated toward that trip will remain designated toward the specified project and will go towards organizational, group, and individual costs associated with that project. Because they provide no goods or services for the donor, donated funds are not refundable. (Note: Despite hurricanes, blizzards, and personal emergencies, we have only had one trip canceled in 15+ years and 50+ trips). MK Scholarship Opportunity Background A generous donor has made it possible for us to offer a couple students a partial scholarship for the TPS Laos trip. This scholarship is intended to make it possible for an MK to participate in the TPS Laos trip who could not otherwise afford to participate in a TPS service trip If you are interested in applying for this scholarship, please carefully read the criteria below to determine whether you qualify. If you meet all the qualifications, please follow the instructions for applying for the scholarship.
6 The amount of the scholarship is 50% of the student s trip cost (scholarship valued at $800- $1,200, depending on which country a student will be traveling from). The in-country costs for the Laos trip, excluding all airfare, are approximately $900. Assuming the student is traveling from somewhere other than the U.S., their flight costs will vary and need to be added to the incountry costs for a total cost estimate for this trip. This scholarship will cover 50% of the incountry costs and 50% of the flight costs for the participant(s) chosen to receive it. Qualifications. Applicant must be Age 14 to 19 years old. A currently-enrolled TPS student in good standing. A MK serving with his/her family outside of their passport country in a support-based ministry. Unable to afford the cost of the trip, apart from a scholarship such as this one. Able to agree to the terms and conditions of the TPS Laos application. Application Process. 1. Write a 300-500 word essay discussing two things: (A) How do you feel that this Laos trip would enhance your relationship with God? (B) As a MK who has already experienced a foreign country and culture, why does this trip interest you? 2. Submit your essay to AsstDirector@pottersschool.org, along with your name and the country in which your family is serving, no later than Wed, Nov. 12 at 11:59PM ET. 3. The finalists will be asked to complete and submit the TPS Thailand application by Sat, Nov 15 at 11:59PM ET. 4. The student(s) chosen to receive this scholarship will be notified no later than Mon, Nov. 17. Fine Print. If the student selected to receive this scholarship declines to participate in the Laos trip, the scholarship is forfeited. This scholarship may not be applied to another TPS trip. This scholarship may not be transferred from the recipient to another student. The scholarship recipient is responsible for the remaining balance of the trip costs not covered by the scholarship, and may raise donations to cover the balance. Student recipients of the scholarship must still abide by the rules and regulations of the TPS Laos trip.
7 Medical Matters Vaccinations There are no vaccinations required for this trip. Based on the guidelines put forth by the Center for Disease Control in the regions where we will be spending time, our risk of contracting disease is no higher than that which we encounter on a daily basis living in the US. That said, we recognize that each family has their own beliefs in this regard and we invite each of you to review this website and make your own informed choice: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/thailand http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/laos On this site you will find information on diseases sometimes found in Thailand and Laos, along with food and drink recommendations. Please do not be confused by what you initially read -- look carefully at the conditions that put an individual at risk before drawing any conclusions. We will be spending most of our time in the cities of Bangkok, Thailand and Vientiane, Laos, and in the Northern mountains of Thailand. Upon careful reading you will find that incidence of any disease is insignificant in the areas we will visit. Furthermore, none of the factors that increase the risk apply to this trip. We will be in modern city areas and our lodging will be in Westernquality hotels. We will enforce the food and drink recommendations from this page -- they are common-sense and easy to follow. We will not swim in fresh water. And so on. Medical Release Forms All participants, regardless of age and whether they have an accompanying family member on the trip, are required to complete the medical release form. One Parent s Personal Experience One parent writes: "On a personal note, we and our own children have been to SE Asia many times including a visits to Thailand and Laos. For those who wish to know our PERSONAL PRACTICE, we have never received any special vaccinations or taken any precautionary medicines for ourselves or our children. We have no spiritual objection to vaccinations or medications, but we do not personally consider there to be sufficient risk to justify taking any special medical precautions for this trip. Each of you should follow God's leading and your conscience in this matter, but that is our personal practice." Travel Pre-Trip: Getting to the Washington, DC Point-of-Origin Once our international flights are confirmed, it will be time to make your connecting travel arrangements for getting to and from the Washington, DC point-of-origin. All trip participants must arrive in DC one day prior to our international departure, regardless of whether they are
8 traveling to DC by car or plane. The team will have reservations at a hotel near the airport for the night before our international departure. Connecting Flights After the team has been selected and the international flights are finalized, we will ask each participant to make arrangements to drive or fly to DC. All connecting flights must be in and out of IAD (Dulles International Airport). We cannot accommodate flights arriving at other area airports, such as DCA or BWI. We will provide detailed parameters for you to make these flight arrangements, so that we are able to support them on this end. Members of the TPS staff will assist in picking-up students from the airport and getting them safely to the team s hotel so that families don t incur any extra transportation cost. From the time your student lands in DC, we take responsibility for them. Arrival by Car If you plan to drive to DC, you can estimate your route by using Dulles Airport as your destination. The team s hotel is just a couple minutes from the airport. Students who are driving in must also arrive prior to 4pm on the day prior to our international departure. What to Expect Upon Arrival in DC Beginning in the morning and continuing until 4:00PM on the day before our international departure, the team will assemble at the hotel. Those arriving from out of town will gather there as they come in, and participants who are local to the DC area will join us. We will prep materials for the children s program, pack gear bags of team supplies, and fellowship and get to know one another. At about 5:00PM, we will eat a pizza dinner at the hotel, after which we will have the first of many team meetings to discuss details pertinent to getting everyone to the airport the following morning, travel, team mentality and caring for one another, and overarching guidelines and procedures for the trip. Any parents who wish to join us for dinner and to meet the other trip participants are welcome to do so. (This is a great opportunity to put faces and personalities with the names of friends your child will be sharing the trip with and talking a lot about when they return! However, please be forewarned that our space at the hotel is limited and dinner will be at the hotel, very laid-back and casual.) We plan to wrap up by 7:00PM so everyone can get a good night s rest before our long travel begins on the following day. For Overseas Students Interested in Meeting the team in Asia If you live overseas and would like to join the team from Asia, please discuss this possibility with Lattany prior to applying for the trip. It may be possible for a student who lives overseas to meet the team in Bangkok (BKK, Bangkok International Airport), but this would need to be arranged with Lattany ahead of time. In this case, the student would not pay for international airfare from the US, but would need to raise support or pay for all of their in-country flights and costs.
9 Packing Guidelines Even if you are an experienced traveler, every trip is different and it can be hard to know what to bring if you are going on a new kind of trip or to a new destination. The good news is that we have done these trips many time and will do everything we can to try to remove some of the guess-work for you! We will provide detailed packing guidelines, suggestions for what to bring and what to leave home, and even a packing check-list with little check-boxes for those of you who likes those kinds of things. Being well-prepared will help you and the rest of the team be able to focus all your energy on the mission, without being distracted by the creature comforts you might be missing. Some of the topics covered in our packing guidelines include: What to bring for the 30+ hours of travel The best way to get local currency Suggestions for luggage Weather details so you know what kinds of clothes to bring How to keep your passport safe What is considered modest in this region of the world The best bag for a carry-on What medicines to bring to ensure you never need them Suggestions for keeping your belongings safe and secure And even how many shirts you will probably want to bring!
10 Rough Trip Itinerary Fri, Oct 23 Arrive in DC Overnight near Dulles Airport (IAD) Sat, Oct 24 Depart the US for Bangkok, Thailand Sun, Oct 25 Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand Mon, Oct 26 Cultural Education in Bangkok Tour the Grand Palace (Bangkok, Thailand) Tue, Oct 27 Cultural Education in Bangkok Wed, Oct 28 Travel from Bangkok, Thailand to Udon Thani, Thailand Set-up for Children s Program Thu, Oct 29 Run Children s Program Fri, Oct 30 Run Children s Program Sat, Oct 31 Run Children s Program Sun, Nov 1 Run Children s Program Fly from Udon Thani, Thailand to Vientiane, Laos Mon, Nov 2 Immersion in the Third-World (Vientiane, Laos) Tue, Nov 3 Immersion in the Third-World (Vientiane, Laos) Wed, Nov 4 Immersion in the Third-World (Vientiane, Laos) Thu, Nov 5 Immersion in the Third-World (Vientiane, Laos)
11 Travel from Vientiane, Laos to Udon Thani, Thailand Fly from Udon Thani, Thailand to Bangkok, Thailand Fri, Nov 6 Depart Bangkok, Thailand for the US Sat, Nov 7 Arrive in the US Travel to respective homes
12 Application Process It is an unusual thing to assemble a team of students from all over the world who have never met each other and may have never spoken and expect them to spend two-weeks together operating in unity under new and challenging circumstances. Some would say it s a recipe for disaster, but in 13 years of leading TPS service trips, we have found it to be a recipe for growth, comradery, cohesive strength, giving and receiving grace, and lasting friendships. Even while we trust God to do a mighty work in knitting together the team for each trip, we feel that our responsibility is to seek His will in the process of assembling that team. Therefore: 1. We require every interested student and parent to complete and submit an application. 2. Once the application deadline has passed and we have received all the applications, we prayerfully consider each one and seek God in assembling the team. 3. Once we have selected the participants, we will send each selected participant an email invitation to join the team. a. Those who we are regrettably unable to invite will also receive an email notification. b. These invitations and notifications are usually sent within a week of the application deadline. 4. After receiving the email invitation, invitees have two days to consider whether they accept the invitation, but prompt responses are always appreciated and help us get the best possible deal on airline tickets. 5. As soon as all invitees have responded to the invitation (no more than two days after the invitation), TPS will purchase the non-refundable international plane tickets for each participant. Click here to access the TPS Laos Trip Application: https://www.pottersschool.org/tu/kzei6djbfng