FACC PHILIPPINES STMT
JANUARY 2016
PRELIMINARY TRIP INFORMATION AND CHECK LIST –Part 2
AIR TRAVEL:
I am always anxious to book flights early, because there are often good deals advertised
that have a reasonable schedule, but have limited availability. As soon as everyone is
fully committed, I will be checking prices daily to get the best possible deal. There are no
refunds on the kinds of tickets we will buy.
LIKELY ITINERARY:
At this point the sure team members are Dwayne, Mike, Chris and me. I will be in the
Philippines October 30 to December 31. Dwayne will make an advance trip there in
November to help me arrange the materials for our project. Here is the likely schedule:
 DEPARTURE. Tentatively JANUARY 20, but if we can get a better airfare
leaving a day or two earlier or later, we will do it. If the departure date is
changed, I will send you an adjusted schedule. We will most likely travel on
DELTA airlines. If you have a frequent flyer number with them, be sure to
give it to me.
o These trips usually leave Great Falls on a 6 AM or 7 AM flight.
 With a January 20 departure, we will arrive in Manila late night of JANUARY
21 (We lose a day crossing the International Date Line. We will gain it back
when we go home.).
 JANUARY 22: Rest and orientation at the church in Navotas, Metro Manila.
 JANUARY 23: Travel to Ragay, Camarines Sur, most likely by bus.
 JANUARY 24: Church services and activities in Ragay, survey the project and
visit some church members.
o I’m not yet sure if we will stay at the church or at a boarding house. It
depends upon the water supply at the church. If we stay at the
church, we save money.
o In any case we will eat most meals at the church.
 JANUARY 25 to FEBRUARY 10: Work project on the church. Sundays, January
31 and February 7 will be in Ragay and San Jose.
 FEBRUARY 11: Likely date of travel back to Manila or possibly earlier.
 FEBRUARY 12-13: Some tourist activities and visiting some members in
Navotas. If we are able to return to Manila earlier than the 11th, we will use
extra time for some small projects at the Navotas church.
 FEBRUARY 14: Church services and activities in Navotas and debriefing.
 FEBRUARY 15: Travel back to the US. Usually, this means a morning flight to
Tokyo.
Some of these things might change as we know our exact arrival and departure
schedule and as we determine progress on our projects.
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BUDGET AND COST PER PERSON:
The final cost of the trip will be:
AIRFARE + $350
Airfare will range from $1100 to $1400 depending on when we are able to book the
tickets and lock in prices. The $350 ($750 - $400 assistance from our FACC Mission Fund)
per person covers everything from the time we get on the plane in Great Falls until you
step off the plane in Great Falls at the end, except your personal expenses for souvenirs,
extra food, etc. The $350 is broken down as follows:
FOOD $15/day based on 24 days
$360
(Even when we eat at peoples houses, I will subsidize
them from our food budget so as not to be a burden)
GROUND TRANSPORTATION IN THE PHILIPPINES
$150
(This includes the bus trip to Ragay, airport pickup,
airport drop off, etc.)
CLOTHES WASHING
$40
(This is for supplies and some assistance for those
who will do the work.)
BOARDING HOUSE (19 nights approx.)
$200
(If we are able to save by staying at the church, we
can use this for project expenses)
SUPPORT from FACC Short-Term Mission Fund
-$400.
(To be approved by the Mission Committee)
---------------$350
[As soon as we have an exact budget, we will review it with the Mission Committee and
send out TEAM SUPPORT LETTERS as needed. Be thinking of those you can approach to
help us.]
[Major supplies for the project will be paid by Dale’s mission budget]
PRAYER SUPPORT:
Each of us individually and the group need to arrange for those who will cover us in
prayer throughout our trip. Be thinking of those you can depend upon.
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CHECKED BAGGAGE:
Our likely airlines are ALASKA/HORIZON, DELTA, and/or KOREAN AIR.
Flights to the Philippines allow two 50 lb checked bags and 1 carry-on.
CARRY ON:
Don’t carry knives, scissors or any other suspicious type item in your carry on.
Here is the standard carry-on size rule from Alaska Airlines and is similar to Delta Airlines
and others. : You're allowed one carry-on bag, which including wheels and handles can measure up to
10" H x 17" W x 24" L (25 x 43 x 61 cm), plus one personal item, such as a purse, briefcase or laptop
computer. At least one of the items should be stowed under the seat in front of you.
MEDICINE:
Make sure that you have enough medicine for the entire trip. We can buy medicine in
the Philippines, but it can be complicated. Carry prescription information with you just
in case.
Make sure you have all medicine you might need during the flight with you in your
carry-on baggage.
I will have things like antihistamines, anti-diarrhea tablets and stuff like that available as
needed.
SOAP / SHAMPOO /TOOTHPASTE / DEODERANT / ETC:
It is best to bring all needed personal hygiene items with you, but avoid large sizes.
Large sizes add a lot of weight to your baggage and can raise questions for security.
Maximum liquid volumes in carry-on baggage is usually limited to 3.4 oz. (100 ml). Put
larger liquid containers in your checked bag. We can buy some things there, but it takes
time and your favorite brand might not be available or of satisfactory quality.
PASSPORTS:
During air travel, keep your passport, and boarding pass, with you and safe at all times.
Your passport is often required at boarding time, will be required at a security check in
Tokyo, and, of course, will be required when immigration officials check you in Manila.
In Manila, a 1 month visa will be stamped in your passport.
VERIFICATION OF ONWARD TRAVEL:
Immigration officials in the Philippines have the right to ask you to verify that you have
an onward ticket out of the country. If they do, just show them a copy of your return
ticket, which I will give to you. The security check in Tokyo will require you to show your
connecting boarding pass.
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CELL PHONES:
Most likely your cell phone will not work outside the US, unless your plan allows it. Be
careful about charges. If your cell phone is open line, you can buy an inexpensive SIM
card in the Philippines, but probably you will be better off to just use email or Facebook
for communications, since international calls or texting is expensive. I will give a contact
information sheet that your family can use to contact you for emergency. In any case,
try to limit non-essential communications so that we can focus on our mission. I will
arrange it so that my Philippine phone can be used for calling back home from Ragay
COMPUTERS / WIFI:
There is a computer that you can use at the church in the Navotas. Also, secure WIFI is
available at the church in Navotas. In Ragay WIFI will probably not be available.
However, there are computer shops that we can go to for sending emails, etc. . I will
also be looking into the possibility of getting at least a temporary WIFI connection at the
church in Ragay.
MONEY:
In the Philippines we can exchange your dollars for you and buy back any excess pesos
you have at the end. Exchange rates will be around 45 Philippine Pesos per dollar.
Do not expect to use ATM’s and don’t bring travelers checks. It is best to bring new
condition $100 or $50 bills. Smaller bills get a lower exchange rate. Old bills or those
with even a slight damage are often not accepted. Ask your bank for new bills.
All your airport fees, transportation and regular meals have been included in your team
budget. $15 per day was included for meals. If we go to something extra along the way,
like McDonalds or Starbucks, that probably will be at your own expense.
ELECTRICITY:
Electricity is 220 Volts and 60 Cycle everywhere we go in the Philippines. Most chargers
or other electronic equipment will work either for 110 or 220. Check carefully to be
sure. Usually it will say something like “Input 110 -220 Volts” or “Auto-volt.” If it says
110 Volts only, we have a transformer for that.
WATER PRECAUTIONS:
Be careful with drinking water everywhere. For the most part, we will be using bottled
water. Keep your mouth shut when showering. Don’t use tap water when brushing your
teeth. Remember that ice might have been made with contaminated water. Always
check. Always be cautious. If you are not sure, check with me. Generally, carbonated
beverages are safe.
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FOOD AND PRECAUTIONS:
Read the above precautions about water. Do not set out on your own adventure with
food. We will eat our meals in safe places, but there will be lots of delicious looking
things available on the street. Be Careful and check with me when in doubt. Let me
know of any food allergies.
GENERAL SANITATION:
Be extra cautious with hand washing, toilet procedures, etc. Avoid keeping sweets and
snacks in your bag. Ants, cockroaches and other bugs will find them. If you have things,
keep them in very tight containers.
CULTURAL SENSITIVITY:
Be sensitive to the poverty and traditions of the people. Don’t joke about strange
customs and practices that you observe. Even if our church members do not practice
many of the traditions, some of their close family members do and might be offended
by jokes.
Also, keep in mind that people will be watching us for signs of American excesses and
may even ask about it. Don’t flaunt fancy gadgets and things in front of them.
Where ever we go, we will be the center of attention. Be friendly, but cautious with
people outside of the church. Avoid joking and slang. Drug use, drug dealing and many
vices are common on the streets around our church in Navotas and even in Ragay. Do
not set out on your own, especially at night.
Regarding gadgets and things, just be sensitive to the poverty of the people. We want
them to follow Christ in us and not our relative wealth. You can bring some things, but
keep in mind that having too much might put a barrier between you and the people that
might have a lasting negative impact upon the church. You will be there only for a short
time, so you don’t have time to overcome barriers.
In general you should eat all that is set before you in safe venues, unless you have
allergies. If you are allergic to sea food or other things, let Dale know in advance. You
will not be forced to eat balut or other extreme foods, but it will probably be offered to
you, especially on your last night. If you don’t want it, just politely turn it down, but
avoid joking about it.
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SECURITY:
Keep your passport handy, but not too handy that a thief might distract you and grab it.
Try to keep valuables out of sight. Even when we stay in the church, the people around
are Christians, but don’t leave something unattended that would tempt them. In
airports and other crowded places be even more cautious. Beware that anything
expensive on you makes you an automatic target for thieves.
If you are concerned about keeping your passport, money or other items, give them to
Dale for safe keeping. When we are traveling, I will carry copies of all our passports.
The places we are going are not always safe for walking around alone, especially at
night. Please do not go anywhere with anyone without clearance from Dale. These are
potentially dangerous places, even in the neighborhood of our churches. Almost always,
we should be together as a team.
CLOTHING & FOOT WEAR:
Since this is mostly a work team bring light weight work clothes. You will probably find
shorts more comfortable in the heat and humidity, but you decide what you like.
Instructions for regular teams going there are below. You read into that what will be
comfortable for work days.
Bring at least 7 days worth of clothes. You can wear long shorts for non-church related
activities, but please wear long pants for all church functions. Beware of offensive
messages or slogans that might be on shirts. Given the membership of our team, I think
I don’t need to give long descriptions of modest and respectful clothing. Let’s just go out
of our way in all things to give glory to God.
We will arrange dates for our clothes to be washed for us in the Philippines (It will be
done by hand, not machine). Don’t be surprised if even you undergarments come back
ironed. Casual dress (like we wear to church in Havre) is acceptable for all occasions in
the Philippines. Bring one pair of church type shoes. Slip-on shoes are convenient for
airport security checks. One pair of sandals, running shoes or flip-flops(Filipinos call
them slippers) is good for walking around, work projects and even travel.
SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS:
You will sleep on the floor of the church or somewhere nearby. We do have enough
foam pads and pillows for all of you in Navotas. However, since the bulk of our time will
be in Ragay you might consider bringing air mattresses. Do bring your own light weight
towel and a light sheet. By January, I should know if we are going to stay in a boarding
house in Ragay. If we are at a boarding house, beds, sheets and pillows will be provided.
Don’t bring anything heavy, like a sleeping bag. When I go to Ragay or similar places, I
usually just sleep on the floor, but we are going to be there a long time. I will keep you
posted.
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BATHROOMS AND SHOWERS:
We don’t have hot water in the places where we will stay. In the Navotas church, there
is a regular shower. In Ragay you will use a bucket and dipper. The toilet you will use at
the Navotas church has an American style toilet seat. Other places have no toilet seat.
Flushing is by pouring water from a bucket. Toilets in the Philippines are called the C-R,
which stands for Comfort Room. If we stay at a boarding house in Ragay, we might have
hot water.
LEGAL:
Remember, you will no longer be bound or protected by the laws of the United States of
America. Showing respect for the other country’s laws and customs will insure a safe
and uninterrupted trip.
SHOPPING:
We plan to make a quick stop at a shopping mall or shops where you can buy some
souvenirs. Souvenirs are also available at the airport when we leave, but more
expensive.
REMINDERS:
 Don’t forget to make sure you have a VALID PASSPORT
 Don’t forget your vaccinations.
ASK ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS BY CONTACTING DALE BY EMAIL OR FACEBOOK MESSAGE
OR DURING OUR MEETINGS ALONG THE WAY. ALWAYS FEEL FREE TO ASK.
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