VAPOR TRIPS Information & Application

Transcription

1 VAPOR TRIPS Information & Application Life is a vapor. Don t spend yours on the sidelines.

2 Introduction to Vapor Trips Thank you for your interest in joining us on a Vapor trip, where you can witness and take part in Vapor s mission to establish self-sustaining centers for humanitarian aid and disciple making in third-world environments. Vapor trip participants come from a wide variety of backgrounds. Some people come with very little international travel experience, while others may consider themselves mission trip experts. We recognize that there are many amazing, Kingdom-minded organizations serving around the world in a variety of ways, each with different methods for taking teams on international trips. At Vapor, we have a very focused mission. In an effort to focus all of our time, energy and resources on pursuing solely this mission, we feel that it is important to share with you who we are and how that affects Vapor trips. Our mission statement is: Vapor establishes self-sustaining centers for humanitarian aid and disciple making in thirdworld environments. You may notice the absence of the word trips in the above statement. So, why do we take trips? We take people on Vapor trips because, when carried out well, trips can greatly impact people s lives and ultimately serve to support Vapor s overall mission. In order to stay focused on our mission as we conduct trips, we have identified four principles that drive Vapor trips: 1) Spiritual and Personal Development - Vapor trips can be life transforming for each participant. We equip each guest with a Vapor booklet full of personal and spiritual growth material. Each morning of the trip, a Vapor leader helps unpack Biblical teachings. Each afternoon, a Vapor leader facilitates community debriefing times where participants are able to process their experiences. Each evening, trip participants are encouraged to personally capture what is happening in their hearts using the journal Vapor provides. We ve found that trips, when conducted well, can truly be catalysts for spiritual growth long after a trip participant s return home. 2) Awareness and Advocacy Experience - Vapor trips can help individuals connect their voice with the billions of underheard people living in poverty, who often lack adequate representation. Vapor trips provide an opportunity for participants to witness the difficulty of living in third-world environments, to build understanding and to form relationships with people at Vapor centers who live in some of the poorest places on earth. The hope is that, through building relationships, statistics actually become names and faces. We pray that when participants return, advocacy becomes a natural byproduct of the time spent with those we serve. 3) Mission and Vision Participation - Vapor trips provide opportunities for individuals and families to serve and participate in Vapor s mission. Whether someone is traveling to one of our operating centers or to a Vapor center still in its implementing phase, there is always a doing portion of a trip. We plug guests into service roles under the guidance of our indigenous leaders in a way that lifts up our international staff. Though this portion of a trip does not control the calendar, it is an integral part of time spent at the Vapor centers. Whether trip participants find themselves primarily sharing the gospel, helping teach a lesson or laying a little brick, all service given at centers (in a culturally sensitive and wise manner) will outlive a trip participant s time spent serving. 4) Cross-Cultural Encounter - Vapor trips provide rich cultural experiences, where participants can absorb life done a little differently in another part of the world. Participants have unique opportunities to participate in customs common to the areas in which Vapor serves. From bargaining in local markets, to tasting local cuisine, to viewing local scenery and praising our Maker in native tongues, trip participants learn about another culture firsthand. We ensure that there is a healthy mix of familiar and foreign aspects to Vapor trips. We hope that the cross-cultural parts of Vapor trips help participants better embrace how Christ is uniquely working in all nations of the world. Page 2

3 Important Things to Know Before Applying for a Vapor Trip 1) Vapor handles all trip logistics and guides participants through the application process, ensuring that each Vapor trip goes smoothly and successfully. If you have any questions during the application process, you may reach the trips manager by ing trips@vaporsports.org or calling ) Passports are required. If you already have one, you must check to make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after the date of the trip you are applying for. If it s not, you will need to renew your passport. 3) Vaccinations may be required or recommended, depending on trip destination. Visit wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ destinations/list.htm for country-specific information. 4) Trips are typically 7-10 days in duration. 5) Trips with less than 10 individuals are subject to cancellation. 6) Vapor trips fill up quickly. To secure your spot, here are the steps to take: a) Complete the trip application. b) Scan your passport to make a colored copy. c) Scan and completed application and the colored copy of your passport to Vapor s trips manager at trips@vaporsports.org, or mail your completed application and a colored copy of your passport to: Vapor Sports Ministries Attn: Trips Coordinator 2200 FarmLinks Boulevard Sylacauga, AL ) Many trips require country-specific visas. Once you've submitted your application and passport copy, you will receive more information about obtaining visas for your specific destination. 8) Trip costs vary from trip to trip, depending on destination. Trips can be paid in lump sum or in several payments. A non-refundable deposit will be required (amount varies, depending on trip destination). Please make all checks out to Vapor Sports Ministries and write the name of your trip in the memo line. Mail all trip payments to: Vapor Sports Ministries P.O. Box Birmingham, AL ) All Vapor trips begin at our headquarters on Pursell Farms in Sylacauga, AL. Team members are responsible for organizing their transportation to Vapor s headquarters, and must arrive before the trip begins. (If you are flying into the Birmingham Airport, we can arrange to pick you up and bring you to Vapor headquarters.) Once you arrive at our headquarters, all other expenses (food, travel, lodging, etc.) are covered. Each Vapor team begins their trip with crosscultural training, briefing, orientation and team-building activities at Vapor s headquarters before flying to their destination the following day. 10) You must notify us if you desire for your final flight (returning home) to be routed straight back to the airport nearest to your home. Page 3

4 Vapor Trip Application Form **PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION AND READ ALL TERMS AND CONDITIONS. Name/date of Vapor trip you are applying for Applicant Information Legal Name (as it appears on passport) Name you prefer to be called Date of birth Gender (please circle) Male Female Street address City State ZIP Phone number(s) address(es) Favorite candy T-shirt size (please circle) S M L XL XXL Are you a U.S. citizen? (please circle) Yes No Have you been charged or convicted of a crime? (please circle) Yes No Passport number Passport issue date Passport expiration date ***Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the date of travel. Personal History If yes, please explain: Have you been charged with sexual abuse? (please circle) Yes No If yes, please explain: Page 4

5 Personal and Spiritual information I am currently: (please circle) Single Married Divorced Widowed What is your occupation (if working) or grade level (if still in school)? How are you familiar with Vapor? Why do you want to be part of this particular Vapor trip? What mission trip experience have you had in the past, if any? Please list two interesting things about you that most people do not know. 1) 2) Church you attend Church phone number Denomination Please describe the ways you are involved with your local church. Please write a brief testimony describing how you became a Christian and about your spiritual journey since then. Page 5

6 Medical Information Please check all that apply. I do not have any medical problems that could cause difficulty on this trip. I have a medical condition(s) that might cause difficulty on this trip. If so, please describe: I have allergies. If so, please describe: Travel Information **ALL TEAM MEMBERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANIZING THEIR TRANSPORTATION TO VAPOR HEADQUARTERS BEFORE THE TRIP BEGINS. I will be (please circle answer) driving flying other to Vapor s headquarters. If flying, what airport will you be departing from? If other, please explain: References Please list one personal and one pastoral reference (not including family members). 1) PERSONAL reference name Relationship Phone number address Years known 2) PASTORAL reference name Title/Position Phone number address Years known Page 6