2009

MISSION TRIP

INFORMATION

COMING

SOON

INTRODUCTION

Each spring about 40 volunteers from throughout the Holston Conference of the United Methodist church participate in the Mexico Medical Mission, bringing medical care to over 1700 persons. Our team staffs two rural medical clinics, one in Tatoxcac and one in Ixtepec. These villages are situated in the Northern Sierra Madre Mountains in the State of Puebla. Many congregations throughout the Holston Conference support this mission with volunteers and funding. This short-term team is led by The Rev. Dr. Jim Dougherty of Knoxville, and Dr. Paul Brown, M.D., of Johnson City.

The following presentation provides all of the information for next year's VIM Team Mission Trip. Please take a few minutes to read through the information provided and prayerfully consider your participation level. Certainly, if you feel that you would like to be a voluntary part of the 2008 team, we welcome your participation. If not we also welcome and encourage your prayers, and contributions to this important ministry of our church. For more information, you may contact Jim Dougherty either via email, or phone. That information is included below.

MEETINGS

Sunday, January 6, 2008 at 3 p.m.
Dr. Paul Brown's office
219 Princeton Road
Johnson City

--- OR ---

Sunday, January 13, 2008 at 3 p.m.
Washington Pike UMC
2241 Washington Pike
Knoxville

Packing Party

VERY IMPORTANT

Sunday, April 20, 2008, at 3 p.m.
Washington Pike UMC
2241 Washington Pike, Knoxville

Schedule

(flights may change)

Tuesday, May 6 - 7:40 a.m., Depart Knoxville, Fly to Mexico City on Delta, take bus to Puebla

Wednesday, May 7 –Team bus to Ixtepec

Thursday, May 8 –Team bus to Tatoxcac, work at Ixtepec

Friday, May 9 - Work at Tatoxcac and Ixtepec

Saturday, May 10 - Work at Tatoxcac and Ixtepec

Sunday, May 11 - Work at Tatoxcac, Return to Mexico City

Monday, May 12 - Depart Mexico City to US, 7:31 a.m. Arrive in Knoxville 5:03 p.m.

TWO TEAMS: We will have the Blue Team (Tatoxcac) and the Yellow Team (Ixtepec). The schedule will be different. In order to have the same amount of work time at Ixtepec, we will need to send the Yellow Team bus to Ixtepec on Wednesday and the Blue Team bus to Tatoxcac on Thursday.

PASSPORT REQUIREMENT: Beginning in 2008, all travelers to Mexico must have a US passport and proof of citizenship to reenter the US. So, if you want to come home again, you’ll have to get a passport. As we understand the new law, there are no exceptions.

     Passport Renewal: $75.00
     New passport if 16 or over: $100.00
    

It takes a long time to get a passport, so start the process today. Many US Post Offices have the application form.

CLICK HERE for more information regarding Passports

Personnel Needed

Physicians (Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Surgeon, Pediatrician, OB-GYN, and Anesthesiologist), Dentist, Dental Hygienist, Nurses (several, including scrub nurses) Pharmacists, Translators, and 4 or 5 non-medical persons for repair, etc. Final team selection will depend, of course, on having a well-rounded, task-related balance.

Mandatory Insurance

Insurance covers cancellation and trip interruption (for good reason such as illness or death in family), and medical evacuation.

 USE THIS HANDY FORM TO OBTAIN MORE INFORMATION, 

     TO PRE-REGISTER OR TO CONTACT JIM DOUGHERTY    

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

For general information and registration, contact:

Rev. Dr. Jim Dougherty
P O Box 5103
Knoxville, TN 37928
865-687-6073(H) or 865-603-1280(C)
Email: dougherty_j@comcast.net

To register, send your $50 deposit and reservation form to Jim Dougherty at the address listed below. Make checks payable to “Fountain City United Methodist Church—Mexico Fund.” Please do not make checks payable to Jim or Paul.

Expenses
Airfare …………………....$530
Insurance …………………. 60
Ground costs ………....... 300
Total ………………… …. $890

For medical or technical information, contact:

Dr. Paul Brown, Internal Medicine
219 Princeton Road
Johnson City, TN 37601
423-282-4911(O), 423-282- 4940 (FAX)

Due Dates

January 20, 2008 …….….$ 50 deposit
March 1, 2008*...……….... 590
April 1, 2008 …………...... 250
Total ……………...…...… $890

*Our commitment with Delta Airlines calls for FULL PAYMENT by March 1st. The team will fly round trip from Knoxville to Mexico City. Airfare costs may be affected by increases in taxes or fuel surcharges. Tickets after March 1st are non-refundable.

RESERVATION/INFORMATION FORM

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Weather and Clothing

Spring weather there will be much like our weather here—anywhere from frost to 80 degrees. Take jeans, sneakers, sweater, rain gear, and jacket. Wear scrubs or lab coat when “on duty.” Shorts are seldom worn in Mexico and should be conservative. Women do wear slacks in Mexico, but tank tops and bare midriffs are inappropriate. Our clothing should project an image of “camping” in the villages, “casual” in Puebla.

Living Conditions

This is a remote area with few comforts. You will need to bring a sleeping bag and possibly a compact air mattress. There is a shower and bathroom at the clinic, but hot water is in short supply. Our accommodations, however crude, will be better than the homes of the local folks, many of whom live in adobe huts with dirt floors. Mosquitoes are not a problem in the highlands of Mexico (7,000 feet).

What to Bring

In addition to your clothing, daily medication, and toiletries, you will need your passport, flashlight, sleeping bag, hand instruments, rubber gloves, medicines, BP cuff, stethoscope, and a roll of toilet paper. You may also wish to bring a pillow, earplugs, snacks, and a Swiss army knife. And by all means, bring a sense of humor.

Expectations of the Mexican Methodists

While in the village, we should not offend our Mexican Methodist colleagues by smoking, drinking, or playing cards. On the other hand, we will be invited and expected to participate in church services, singing, and social events with them.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are not required for entering Mexico. However, tetanus boosters, hepatitis, typhoid, and other shots will be discussed at the team meetings.

T-shirt order

After we divide the group into the two teams, we will order t-shirts as needed. Some may already have a yellow or blue t-shirt from previous years. Please let Jim know whether or not you need a new t-shirt.

Team Blog

http://livejournal.com/~mexicofriend_1/354.html

A team blog has been established as a way for old and new team members to share comments about the mission. Our page is interactive; that’s what a blog is, after all. You can add your own personal comments or suggestions to our information using the “reply to this” button on the page. Some of you may have suggestions for things to bring or a recommendation of something others would like to do in Puebla. The possibilities are endless. Your ideas and participation are appreciated.

This message is brought to you by the Outreach Ministry of

309 East Broadway Avenue   Maryville, TN 37804

Phone: (865) 982-6192    FAX: (865) 982-6142   e-mail: office@broadwayumc.net

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