Things to remember while on mission

Focus on building relationships:
- Use language of the heart
- Be aware of your non-verbal language
- Bring pictures for family and church family

When we are in El Estor, remember to focus on building relationships with our brothers and sisters in El Estor. We will have time to debrief when we return to Rio Dulce /Guatemala City.

Cultural differences:
- Our partner churches are more conservative than Crescent Hill folks. So you will notice that women may sit on one side of the church while the men may sit on the opposite side. Prayer in our partner churches may be different. In many Latin churches everyone prays while a church leader/pastor prays.
- Since some of our sisters/brothers do not read, so we may be singing without a hymnal with lots of hand clapping.
- Remember as we are walking about the communities in El Estor, we will STAND OUT.
- Remember that everyone in the community will know that we are connected with the church.
- So our actions need to support the mission/ministry of our partner church. While drinking a beer or smoking may be very acceptable in our tradition, this could be very damaging to the testimony of our partner church. Keep this in mind.
- Dress, jewelry, and cameras.
- Dress conservatively while in El Estor. No shorts, flip flops, tank tops.
- Leave jewelry at home
- Ask before you take pictures

Giving of gifts: Be Very CAREFUL. We will see lots of needs, but once we begin giving things (money, caps, stuff) to people it changes our relationship. If we give anything it should be given to the pastors. They know the needs within their communities better than we do.

Health:
- Do not eat raw vegetables. If you eat fruit, make sure it can be pealed because parasites can remain on the outer layer of the fruit like grapes, apples, mangos, etc..
- ICE: Be careful. In the D.R. ice with holes in the middle of it was a sign that it was filtered and safe.
- Water: Drink only bottled water. Ellen and Ben will buy water for the team throughout the day.
- Do not drink water out of the tap (they might not have running water)
- Toilets: If there is a toilet, do not flush when you urinate. The rule of thumb is “if it’s yellow, let it mellow. If it’s brown, flush it down”
- Brushing teeth. If there is running water, DO NOT RINSE tooth brush. Use only water from your water bottle.
- Use of water. Remember that water is VERY VALUABLE. Use it sparingly.
- Bucket baths if any baths at all!!
- Pack light and pack clothes that dry quickly.

-- Ben