Date: June 26th- July 3rd
Who can go? Completed 8th grade-Adults
Where are we going? San Ramon, Costa Rica
Cost: $1100
Includes airfare, lodging, meals (excluding a few during travel), side trip*, and
transportation. Does not include a passport.
Payment Deadlines:
February 6th - $100 deposit (non-refundable)
April 3rd - $460 for airfare
June 5th – Final Balance Due
*Volcano & Hot Springs. It is a scenic two hour scenic drive through the cloud
forest from our mission base will get you to the base of Volcano Arenal. See the
lava flow, enjoy a jungle canopy tour and relax in hot springs heated by the
volcano.
Mission Trip Information
In order to better equip you for your mission trip to Costa Rica, we ask that you
read and familiarize yourself with the mission and the work you will be doing. You
may have certain expectations and questions about what you will be
experiencing during your week with us. Hopefully this will also help answer some
questions you may have. Please be praying about your trip and ask God to use
you in ways beyond your own imagination during your trip. Isaiah 52:7 tells us,
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who
proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion
your God reigns!”
Purpose and Values
Our Purpose
Our purpose is to provide Christ-centered, life-changing mission adventures. Our
trips are designed to be a cross-cultural adventure of learning and missions all in
one. By sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with the people of Costa Rica,
your mission team will experience, first hand, what Jesus called His followers to
do in Mathew 28:19:20. Through immersion in a different culture and way of life
your team will learn to appreciate the relationships and things they have at home.
They will learn how to have a better daily relationship with Jesus Christ and to
share the love and message of Christ with others. By living and working with
other Christians for a week, your group will make friendships that will last a
lifetime.
PURA VIDA!
Pure Life! We didn’t coin the phrase, the “Tico’s” (Costa Rican’s) did, but we
thought it was the perfect name for our Mission and the life in Christ. We believe
that being a Christian is not just a one-time event: it’s a way of life. Jesus calls
his followers to be like Him and that means living a Christ-filled life. We believe
that the good news of Jesus Christ is life changing and we trust that everyone
who comes to serve will experience pura vida and return home forever changed.
Multi-Generational
Because most of our leadership team is or has been involved in youth ministry,
we originally set out to bring youth to Costa Rica to do missions. However, we
began to see the desire of all different age groups to come and serve. After all,
the church is not made up of just one generation. So, we decided to design our
mission trips to meet the needs of any age group. We value creating mission
experiences that will challenge any follower of Jesus Christ.
Relationships
We were created for community by a God who lives in community (Father, Son
and Holy Spirit). This means that everyone we meet has a desire to know and
be known, love and be loved, and serve and be served. It’s our desire to build
authentic and long-lasting relationships with the people we serve.
Servant Leadership
Jesus said, “I did not come to be served but to serve” (Mk. 10:45). As followers
of Jesus, the ultimate servant, we want to be like Him. Not only were we
commanded to serve one another, we were commanded to serve Christ Himself,
by serving the least, the last and the lost.
Kingdom Focus
We believe in doing Kingdom work. Jesus talked about the Kingdom of God
more than any other topic. We are not here to prop up or put down any particular
denomination. We are here to share the Kingdom of God with others. This
means that we are a ‘multi-denominational ministry’ and that we want to help
bring unity to the body of Christ and the Kingdom by serving in it together.
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Mission
We are passionate about reaching the lost for Jesus Christ. We believe that
every Christian is called into and is gifted for mission. We believe that the church
was created to participate in the mission of God, to reach the world with the good
news of salvation through Jesus Christ.
“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me
and for the gospel will save it. “ Mark 8:35
Pre-Trip Preparation
Preparing Parents and Family
It is imperative that you reassure parents and family members that all measures
to insure the safety of everyone. To do this, you can hold a meeting to offer a
confident and informative presentation. Here are a couple of frequently asked
questions –
What is Pura Vida Missions, Inc?
We are an interdenominational ministry providing short-term mission trips, for
churches and youth ministries to Costa Rica. We are a 501 (c ) 3 non-profit
corporation created by 3 youth ministers and a pastor. Pura Vida’s inaugural
year was 2005, but our leaders have been taking their own churches and youth
ministries to Costa Rica since 1999. Since then, we have hosted over 50 teams
at our mission facility in San Ramon. Please visit our website for more details –
www.puravidamissions.com.
Will I be safe?
Safety is of utmost importance to us! Although there is some inherent risk in
almost everything we do in life, we assure you that the well being of participants
attending our mission is the number one priority with us. We care about each
and every person that participates as if they were our own family. We think about
safety. We look seriously at risks. We are mindful of those who have been
entrusted to us. Our staff is familiar with the areas in which we work, and know
the people of the community. We are prepared to take the most appropriate
course of action in the case of a medical emergency. In addition, there are
hospitals in the area that can be reached quickly, if needed. We also have a
Doctor on call for any non-emergency.
Free Time
When you see our schedule you will notice that it is very full. We try and arrange
for free time and fun time along with our mission work. We also want to make
sure you experience the wonderful people and culture of Costa Rica. However,
the schedule does not hold a great deal of discretionary “free time”. We know
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that everyone needs time to chill out. We also understand that your group has
made a great commitment of time and finances to be here. This may create a bit
of tension. We want to expose you to as much as possible to maximize the
blessings you will receive. Thank you for understanding and preparing for your
busy trip ahead of time.
Cross Cultures
It is very important that you prepare your group to experience a different culture.
It is important to respect and enjoy the culture. Not only is the language different,
but so are many if the ideals, such as time. We have a phrase at Pura Vida
Missions – “LATIN UP”! You will hear us use it a lot. We simply mean you are in
a Latin American, third-world country, so lighten up. Things don’t always happen
as planned so you have to go with the flow. It is important that you work with
your fellow missionaries during training sessions to recognize and lay aside any
prejudices that anyone may have. For instance, we may assume that we have
everything, and that the people we will be serving have nothing. This is simply
not true. While they may be living in circumstances radically different from ours,
they are not by any means helpless or unable to survive without our help.
Dress Code
We value building relationships and one way we can do that is by dressing
appropriately. We ask that the type of clothing brought to the mission is
respectful to Ticos, as well as respectful of the participants from other churches
that may serve with you. We want to display a witness that is mindful of the pura
vida that is found in Christ. Therefore, it is important for us to be aware of what
message the clothing we wear communicates. Please take time to think through
the type of clothing you bring on your trip. You may need to ask yourself, “what
message does this shirt communicate?” or “are these shorts appropriate for our
mission?” We ask that you strictly follow the packing list. Please, no tank tops,
sleeveless shirts or short shorts. All male participants are required to wear shirts
at the mission and ministry sites, at all times. More details below.
Travel Trips
All travelers to Costa Rica must have a current passport.
Obtaining a passport may take up to 6 weeks and applications are available
online or at the U.S. post office. Minors must apply for a passport with their
legal guardian.
No shots are required before entering Costa Rica. However, we do
recommend that you are up to date with your tetanus shots. The water in
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Costa Rica is safe to drink but we always recommend drinking bottled water
when traveling in a foreign country.
There is a $26 exit tax that is collected by the Costa Rican government when
you leave (at the airport). This fee is not included in your trip, so your trip
leader needs to make sure everyone has this exit tax money. It can be paid
by Visa credit card or cash.
Tico currency is called colones. Many places accept American dollars as well,
so there is no need to exchange money.
There is a separate “Suggested Packing List” which will help you prepare
your luggage.
Ask people, friends, family to pray for your while you are on your trip.
Dress Code & Packing List
Limit your luggage to one duffle bag (62” & under 50 lbs) and one carry on bag
(45” & 40 lbs). People almost never pack too little; they almost always pack too
much! Most airlines today charge an extra fee for your second bag. We urge you
to only bring a second bag if you are bringing supplies!!!
A shirt must be worn at all times
No halter-tops, cut-off sleeves, tank tops, or sleeveless blouses or dresses
Boys: Knee-length shorts and long pants; t-shirts, button-down shirts
Girls: Knee-length shorts, long pants or knee-length skirts/dresses; modest tshirts, button down shirts
Modest bathing suit for beach or pool
Underwear and socks, etc.
Pajamas and towels
1 pair of sturdy work shoes, sneakers, and flip flops for shower use only. (It
can get very muddy and rainy. Wear closed-toed shoes during ministry.)
Light-weight jacket/warm pants – it does get cool at night and in the morning
Rain gear – it may rain every afternoon!
Water bottle; hat; bandanna; sunscreen; bug spray; lip balm
Bible, journal & pens
Flashlight
Sleeping bag or heavy blanket/pillow/bed sheet for twin bunk bed
Toiletries: soap, shampoo, toothbrush/toothpaste, brush, deodorant, razor,
shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, etc.
One (1) roll of toilet paper per person – VERY IMPORTANT!
Small first aid kit to include Band-Aids, analgesic such as Tylenol, antibiotic
ointment, safety pins, Pepto Bismol or Imodium AD, and any Rx prescriptions
you may need.
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NO HAIRDRYERS or CURLING IRONS ALLOWED (unless you want to be
responsible for blowing the circuits of the entire area!)
ATT calling card with international access (your cell phone will not work
unless you have an international plan)
Extra spending money ($50 - $100) for your side trip
No expensive or excessive jewelry
No designer clothing (it can be intimidating
PLEASE DO NOT BRING iPods, MP3 players, Game Boys, etc.
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