Short Term Team FAQ & Important Information

CONTACT INFORMATION

Contact us if you have any concerns or questions not covered here! Our desire is that your time with us be of great blessing, to you and through you!

Roca Blanca Missions Stateside Office

Telephone: 918-973-1700

E-mail: rocablancamissions@gmail.com


Ben & Hannah Clark – Short Term Missions Directors

What’s App: +52-954-157-3874

E-mail: rocaguests@gmail.com


Laura Pratt Nelson – Medical Clinic Director

What’s App: +52-954-150-2153

E-mail: laurapratt11@gmail.com

Messenger: David Laura Nelson


Steve Roberts – Trade School Director

What’s App: +52-620-200-6034

E-mail: fish4men2019@gmail.com


Physical Address:

Roca Blanca Missions Base

Frente a la Playa Roca Blanca S/N

El Cacalote,

Villa de Tututepec de Melchor Ocampo

Juquila, Oaxaca

Mexico. C.P. 71838

PROCESS FOR ARRANGING A TRIP

  • For teams in general, contact the Short-Term Missions Directors Ben & Hannah Clark at rocaguests@gmail.com
  • For medical teams, contact Laura Pratt Nelson at laurapratt11@gmail.com. Provide your desired dates. If space is available, we will tentatively reserve the dates for your team.
  • At 3 months prior to your scheduled trip, to assure your reservation, application forms and flight schedules must be sent to Ben & Hannah Clark at rocaguests@gmail.com
  • Once we have received your applications and your flight schedules, we will develop a tentative schedule for your consideration.Once you have approved the schedule, we will continue to develop the trip details.
  • At 6 weeks prior to your scheduled date, we require 50% of your team cost to be deposited in our stateside office. Checks should be made payable to “Roca Blanca Missions” and mailed to:

Roca Blanca Missions

PO Box 1101

Hutchinson, KS 67504-1101

  • At 3 weeks prior to your arrival date, the balance of your payment is required. This will enable us to purchase food and have all the preparations in order.

We will be interceding for your mission trip. Be assured it is always in the will of God to “go ye” into all the world sharing the Gospel of the Kingdom and helping to make disciples of all nations.

WHAT DO WE WEAR?

A general rule for both men and women is to dress conservatively, modestly and for hot & humid weather. Fashion extremes are generally not accepted and can be offensive to locals, especially in villages.

Ministry and work wear:

Women

  • Light weight skirts, split skirts, dresses (to the knees or below).
  • Shorts to the knees or below, capris, pants and/or jeans.
  • Comfortable, flat walking shoes or sandals. Flip flops for beach. Tennis shoes.
  • Casual shirts / blouses / T-shirts (no spaghetti straps, tube tops or tank tops). Undergarments and straps should be covered up. Please ensure tops are not transparent when dry or wet (sweat)
  • Any make-up used or jewelry worn should be very moderate. Clothes and shoes for work projects that you don’t mind being ruined.
  • Light-weight jacket or sweater for cool nights in the mountains

Men

  • T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts, shorts, light weight pants and/or jeans. Please ensure tops are not transparent when dry or wet (sweat)
  • Comfortable walking shoes or sandals. Flip flops for beach. Tennis shoes.
  • Collared short-sleeve shirt. Clothes and shoes for work projects that you don’t mind being ruined.
  • Light-weight jacket or sweater for cool nights in the mountains

Beach/casual wear:

  • One piece bathing suit, conservative. (Women)
  • Regular length bathing suit, no speedos. (Men)
  • Sandals, sun protection
  • Beach towel (bathroom towels are provided but cannot be used at the beach)

WHAT ELSE DO I BRING?

  • Personal care items (toothbrush, soap, shampoo, etc.)
  • Personal medications (make sure you have enough to cover the length of your trip)
  • Insect repellent
  • Re-usable water bottle
  • Your Bible

HOW DO I HANDLE PERSONAL SPENDING MONEY?

The Base cannot change Dollars to Pesos for team members. There are money changing places nearby, but the fees are high and the exchange rates low.

We suggest that you bring a debit card to withdraw at a local bank ATM. While this also carries fees, we have found that it’s the fastest and easiest way to get Pesos for your dollars. Some things to remember about this:

  • You must notify your bank that you will be traveling to Mexico, and the dates of your trip. If you don’t your bank may deny your withdrawal and shut down your card.
  • You will want to check with the bank about their fees for overseas withdrawals, so you’re not surprised when they appear on your account. We find that it’s best to only do one withdrawal while you’re here to minimize costs and trips to the bank.

If you’re unable to bring a debit card, please let us know in advance so that we can work out a way to have some pesos ready for you.

WHAT IF I HAVE DIET RESTRICTIONS?

Our staff can accommodate meals for most food allergies or diet restrictions.

  • It’s important that we know this ahead of time – please notify your team leader so we can prepare.
  • We cannot accommodate food preferences (i.e. don’t like tomatoes) but are happy to help with allergies or special restrictions.

IS IT OK TO CONSUME ALCOHOL DURING OUR TIME AT ROCA BLANCA?

No. While alcohol consumption is acceptable in some places in the U.S., it is not appropriate culturally for your time here in Mexico.

CAN I SWIM IN THE OCEAN?

Roca Blanca has a beautiful beachfront. However, it is an open ocean. The Pacific Ocean can be very violent at times. Waves change size and strength quickly. Even if you have experience in swimming in the ocean, it can be dangerous. Waves have taken glasses from many people that didn’t want to even get wet. Unfortunately, we even had one death.

  • DO NOT SWIM ALONE
  • DO NOT SWIM AT NIGHT
  • ASK BASE STAFF AS TO WHEN AND WHERE TO SWIM.

CONDUCT

No smoking, drinking or drugs. Short-term groups will be expected to submit to the authority of your group leader, the designated base leader, and the pastors of the churches where we minister. Please note that violation of the rules may mean being sent home early at your own expense.

FOOD & WATER

Purified drinking water will be available at the Roca Blanca Base. However, do not drink the water from the faucets or use it for brushing your teeth or rinsing. Pure drinking water will be available at the Guest House, and each person will be responsible for carrying his or her own personal water bottle.

While at the base and in the mountains, meals will be provided by the base. Special diets can be accommodated if advised beforehand.

SANITATION

Where toilets are available, toilet paper may not be flushed. Rather, you roll it up inside clean toilet paper and it is deposited in a basket beside the toilet.

ELECTRICAL

Voltage in Mexico is 110 as in the U.S. However, you may need an adapter plug to convert a 3-prong plug to a 2-prong outlet.

PHOTOS

When taking pictures in church services or during times of ministry, please be discreet and sensitive so as not to interrupt the flow of the Spirit or disturb the speaker. When taking pictures of individuals, it is always polite to ask their permission first. There are some government areas where photos are prohibited (for example – when getting off the airplane).

CHILDREN

Young children will need to have constant supervision. We consider this to be the parent’s responsibility or the person whom they have appointed. While the Base doesn’t have a policy on the minimum age for children, you should be aware that we don’t have facilities for entertaining small children. The teachers also request you not bring them into the classrooms as they can distract the students. Please take into consideration any special food needs that your children may have because they may not be available here.

TELEPHONE & INTERNET

Your present cell phone provider may offer an inexpensive Mexico plan. Check with them to see if your phone will function in Mexico. Our cell phone signal comes from three sources: Telcel, Movistar, and Unefon. Your provider may have an agreement with one of these for coverage in our area.

We have secure Internet Wifi on the Mission Base. The password is provided in each room when you arrive. The Internet won’t be near as fast as you’re accustomed to, but it generally works well. Remember that you are coming to focus on serving and communing with your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Don’t spend hours on the internet and miss this opportunity to talk with and listen to Him. Everything at home will still be there when you return.

WhatsApp is great to use for your visit. When connected to the internet (Wifi at the Guest House), you can contact anyone, anywhere for free who is also on WhatsApp and connected to a Wifi – talk, text, or video call. Just make sure to download the app and set it up on your phone (be sure to activate Alerts and Microphone) and tell your friends and family to do the same.

CULTURAL TIPS

You are expected to greet everyone when you enter a room. Men should shake hands with a normal (not strong American) grip. Women can shake hands or hug or kiss on cheek depending on degree you know them. Men are not to hug women.

Women are not to be alone with a single or married man. Thus, you need two women to ride with a man or a woman will ride with a husband and wife. The same applies to entering a room. Therefore, the cleaning staff may not enter your room if these conditions are not present, and they will leave the door open as long as they are in the room.