Hey everyone! I know that it has been a bit since I have posted, but I thought that it might be a good idea to get a reminder out that we have a mandatory meeting this Thursday night. (you should already have the date from the last paper letter that I sent out).
The team is finalized and confirmed at 28 students. In a group of that size, there is no doubt that some of the students (if not all of them) do not know everyone. This Thursday night we will focus on building the team.
Ok - details. We will meet in the youth center from 6:30 - 8:00 PM (eat dinner before you come, but we will have some light snacks available).
If you have questions, please call me ASAP.
See you Thursday!!!
Jeremy
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Sunday, March 30, 2008
DEADLINE UPDATE!!!
Hello everyone! It's hard to believe, but we are about to put the final cap on the team that is going to Honduras in July! As of right now, I have 28 students (in addition to our adult staff) signed up and confirmed.
Here is the deal... THIS NOTICE IS FOR ANYONE OUT THERE IN THE BLOGOSPHERE...
If you are still on the bubble about going, you need to make a decision or unfortunately it will be made for you. I can take your registration and commitment via email until 8AM tomorrow morning! All that you (actually your parent) needs to do is to send me an email stating that you are planning to go with us to Honduras and that they will commit to paying the cost of the plane ticket even if you do not go.
My reasoning for extending this deadline is help those of you who might be considering a last minute plea. I would love to be as gracious in this as I possibly can, but you must understand the VERY limited flexibility that I have once I order the tickets.
So in short, if you have any questions or concerns about the trip, please feel free to contact me ASAP so that I can answer them and get you registered.
You can reach me by emailing me at jeremy@newhopecc.org or calling me at (419) 553-0050.
I am looking forward to serving with you!!!!!
Jeremy
Here is the deal... THIS NOTICE IS FOR ANYONE OUT THERE IN THE BLOGOSPHERE...
If you are still on the bubble about going, you need to make a decision or unfortunately it will be made for you. I can take your registration and commitment via email until 8AM tomorrow morning! All that you (actually your parent) needs to do is to send me an email stating that you are planning to go with us to Honduras and that they will commit to paying the cost of the plane ticket even if you do not go.
My reasoning for extending this deadline is help those of you who might be considering a last minute plea. I would love to be as gracious in this as I possibly can, but you must understand the VERY limited flexibility that I have once I order the tickets.
So in short, if you have any questions or concerns about the trip, please feel free to contact me ASAP so that I can answer them and get you registered.
You can reach me by emailing me at jeremy@newhopecc.org or calling me at (419) 553-0050.
I am looking forward to serving with you!!!!!
Jeremy
The DEADLINE is HERE!!!!
Remember - TODAY (Sunday, March 30) is the DEADLINE to sign up for the trip to Honduras! I have done everything I can to communicate this deadline to as many people as I can, but inevitably there will be some misunderstanding about the details... let's clarify what is going on:
TODAY is the deadline that is set by our airline (DELTA) for us to be able to secure the same rate for students to attend. So, each student has been asked to bring in a $150 non-refundable deposit as well as the "Parent Affirmation Form" which communicates the commitment on the part of the family to pay for at least an additional $800 on the behalf of their student regardless of that student's attendance.
Now, understand that the $150 being DUE TODAY should not prohibit your student from registering today! I will be glad to make alternate arrangements for the payment - the most important piece is the commitment on the part of parents to paying the full amount if the students cannot go for some reason.
PLEASE REGISTER WITH ME TODAY (OR COMMUNICATE WITH ME A.S.A.P)! THIS IS VITAL!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!!! (I am really looking forward to having the team secured and named so that I can start crafting the experience portions of the trip!!!)
Jeremy
TODAY is the deadline that is set by our airline (DELTA) for us to be able to secure the same rate for students to attend. So, each student has been asked to bring in a $150 non-refundable deposit as well as the "Parent Affirmation Form" which communicates the commitment on the part of the family to pay for at least an additional $800 on the behalf of their student regardless of that student's attendance.
Now, understand that the $150 being DUE TODAY should not prohibit your student from registering today! I will be glad to make alternate arrangements for the payment - the most important piece is the commitment on the part of parents to paying the full amount if the students cannot go for some reason.
PLEASE REGISTER WITH ME TODAY (OR COMMUNICATE WITH ME A.S.A.P)! THIS IS VITAL!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks!!! (I am really looking forward to having the team secured and named so that I can start crafting the experience portions of the trip!!!)
Jeremy
Friday, March 21, 2008
Meeting Recap - IMPORTANT INFORMATION!!!
Hey everyone - hope this snow isn't slowing you down too much!
Well, we had a great meeting last night! It was a lot of fun watching student's (and parent's) faces when they saw the pictures and videos that we showed of our pre-trip to Honduras.
I just want to recap a couple of things that are VITAL for you to know (did I mention VITAL?):
- All of the documents that we handed out will be available at the South Campus Welcome Center (you will need to pick them up THIS SUNDAY as some of the information is time sensitive!)
- PARENT AFFIRMATION FORM: Each student who is going on the trip will need to have a parent read and sign a "Parent Affirmation Form." This form is DUE by the deadline below
- $150 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: Each student will need to submit at least $150 as a non-refundable deposit by the deadline below
- THE DEADLINE to sign up for the trip is Sunday, March 30th. Your sign-up will need to be done by filling out the enclosed (in the parent pack that is available at the South Campus Welcome Center) envelope, the Parent affirmation form and the $150 non-refundable deposit. You will need to turn that envelope with the necessary contents in to the South Campus Welcome Center that Sunday (or to the Church office BEFORE that Sunday) or you will not be included in the list of students for whom airline tickets will be purchased on Monday morning. I am very sorry, but there is NO GRACE PERIOD for late sign ups - I cannot purchase additional tickets at this rate once we have made the list.
Well, we had a great meeting last night! It was a lot of fun watching student's (and parent's) faces when they saw the pictures and videos that we showed of our pre-trip to Honduras.
I just want to recap a couple of things that are VITAL for you to know (did I mention VITAL?):
- All of the documents that we handed out will be available at the South Campus Welcome Center (you will need to pick them up THIS SUNDAY as some of the information is time sensitive!)
- PARENT AFFIRMATION FORM: Each student who is going on the trip will need to have a parent read and sign a "Parent Affirmation Form." This form is DUE by the deadline below
- $150 NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: Each student will need to submit at least $150 as a non-refundable deposit by the deadline below
- THE DEADLINE to sign up for the trip is Sunday, March 30th. Your sign-up will need to be done by filling out the enclosed (in the parent pack that is available at the South Campus Welcome Center) envelope, the Parent affirmation form and the $150 non-refundable deposit. You will need to turn that envelope with the necessary contents in to the South Campus Welcome Center that Sunday (or to the Church office BEFORE that Sunday) or you will not be included in the list of students for whom airline tickets will be purchased on Monday morning. I am very sorry, but there is NO GRACE PERIOD for late sign ups - I cannot purchase additional tickets at this rate once we have made the list.
Monday, March 17, 2008
MANDATORY PARENT AND STUDENT MEETING!
Hello everyone!
I am home and (almost) recovered from the trip (my forehead is peeling... and I have a rather LARGE forehead).
I just wanted to remind you that this Thursday night is our mandatory parent and student meeting! We will meet at 7 PM in the youth center (NC110).
If you are unable to make it for some special reason, please communicate that to me ASAP so that I can make plans to get the important information to you after the meeting.
Remember, as with all of the required team events, the list of students who are going to go with us will be made up of those who PRIORITIZE our time together - that means no skipping out because you got a better offer. That being said, I am a realistic (and reasonable) - please let me know that you won't be able to make something (and a decent reason) and we will make it work somehow.
This Thursday, in addition to medical plans, we will talk about the travel, lodging and schedule arrangements and carve out some time to answer questions.
See you Thursday!
Jeremy
I am home and (almost) recovered from the trip (my forehead is peeling... and I have a rather LARGE forehead).
I just wanted to remind you that this Thursday night is our mandatory parent and student meeting! We will meet at 7 PM in the youth center (NC110).
If you are unable to make it for some special reason, please communicate that to me ASAP so that I can make plans to get the important information to you after the meeting.
Remember, as with all of the required team events, the list of students who are going to go with us will be made up of those who PRIORITIZE our time together - that means no skipping out because you got a better offer. That being said, I am a realistic (and reasonable) - please let me know that you won't be able to make something (and a decent reason) and we will make it work somehow.
This Thursday, in addition to medical plans, we will talk about the travel, lodging and schedule arrangements and carve out some time to answer questions.
See you Thursday!
Jeremy
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Last Day!
I can't wait to see my family! I have been able to briefly connect with my beautiful wife and three girls each night via a webcam and a great free service called Skype, but it just isn't the same! I miss my wife!!!
Ok... today was the last day of our little expidition. We spent the day looking at the available options for our "day off" while we are here. The most productive part of the day was the 3rd degree sunburn that I got (bring sunblock with you when you pack!).
I don't want to let too much out of the bag about our day off... just know that no matter what it will be a great day to relax and enjoy Honduras!
George and I leave fo rthe airport at 5 AM... ride the same ancient Russian aircraft to San Pedro Sula (a flight that students will not have to take). Then it's off to Atlanta... through imigration and customs and then on to Detroit. We will arrive (all things being equal) at 11:11 PM and then head for home.
This has been ONE CRAZY WEEK, but I am glad to say that we got a great deal of clarification about the work that we will be doing, the place we will sleep and eat and the people we will fall in love with!
I can't wait to get home, but I also can't wait to bring you guys back... YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
Sorry, no pics for today... it's a secret :-)
Jeremy
Ok... today was the last day of our little expidition. We spent the day looking at the available options for our "day off" while we are here. The most productive part of the day was the 3rd degree sunburn that I got (bring sunblock with you when you pack!).
I don't want to let too much out of the bag about our day off... just know that no matter what it will be a great day to relax and enjoy Honduras!
George and I leave fo rthe airport at 5 AM... ride the same ancient Russian aircraft to San Pedro Sula (a flight that students will not have to take). Then it's off to Atlanta... through imigration and customs and then on to Detroit. We will arrive (all things being equal) at 11:11 PM and then head for home.
This has been ONE CRAZY WEEK, but I am glad to say that we got a great deal of clarification about the work that we will be doing, the place we will sleep and eat and the people we will fall in love with!
I can't wait to get home, but I also can't wait to bring you guys back... YOU ARE GOING TO LOVE THIS PLACE!!!
Sorry, no pics for today... it's a secret :-)
Jeremy
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
DAY 2 - OVERWHELMING
In the words of my favorite American Idol judge, Randy Jackson "It's gonna be HOT!!"
It is March 11th and I left a foot of snow behind me in NW Ohio... not so much here! Today had to be at least 90 degrees... I have a sunburn on my right arm from hanging it out of the car window!
Today, we visited 3 villages, 2 churches, the mission headquarters, a campground, a 2000 student Christian school and an Applebee's... now that is one intense day!
We took off early this morning (after I posted yesterday's blog) and we headed to the headquarters of the mission that we will be working with for this trip! After touring the places that we will eat, sleep, shower and live, We toured a 2000 member Christian School that is THE cutting edge of education in Honduras - IT IS HUGE!! Students meet in classes of about 60 kids in about 600 square feet. Their computer labs are limited on PC's, so 2 or 3 students share one computer! Get this... of the 2000 students, only about 35% are actually professing Christians... TALK ABOUT INCREDIBLE INFLUENCE!!!! WOW!!!!
After the school, we crammed into a little Geo Prizm and headed out to a small village called "La Bombo" (the Bomb)... if I am being candid, that is exactly what it looked like went off! Let's jsut say that the living conditions (to me) seem inhumane. I told the family that I have been working with that I have a hard time processing just how desperate these families must feel - just how dangerous their circumstances really are, yet when you see the children, their little faces just glow - they are running, jumping and playing like they didn't have a care in the world!
THIS TRIP IS GOING TO BE AWESOME!
You are going to be remarkably uncomfortable... The heat, the traveling, and the work will be exhausting, but the experience and the rewards will be amazing! I don't know how to express this in words, but the things I have seen and the people I have met in the past 14 hours have been extremely impacting... I know that working hand in hand with the people will be nothing short of LIFE CHANGING.
If you are still on the fence about going on this trip, let me give you one piece of advice:
If you are happy with your life the way it is... STAY HOME! This place will not leave you the same!
Jeremy :.
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