PHILIPPINES ENCOUNTER

Dates: Early June to early August
Cost: Contact Christian Reformed World Missions for more information.
This is a NON-SMOKING site.

Special Notes: You must be at least 18 years old or attending college to participate.
Registration for this ENCOUNTER experience happens directly through our partners at Christian Reformed World Missions. For more information and registration forms, visit their website at: www.crwm.org/smp or contact Kathryn Shane (USA): (800) 346-0075, kshane@crcna.org or Carol Sybenga (CAN): (800) 730-3490, csybenga@crcna.org.

General Description: Team members will participate in a variety of different ministry options with key grassroots leaders serving high-risk youth and families in the hardest places of Guatemala City. This includes options with a new ministry with street youth (largely at night), inclusion in a gang chaplaincy initiative in the midst of incarcerated active gang members and their children, and with families in extreme urban poverty. Team members need an intermediate level of conversational Spanish. Native Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply.
The descriptions of the sites are only possibilities of what will occur in the summer of 2008. Since plans are yet in the formative stage, actual ministry in these areas may vary from previous years. Changing world conditions or needs of our long-term staff on site may alter the focus of a particular program, the cost, or its location.

This ENCOUNTER site is administered through Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM) as their eight-week Summer Mission Program (SMP).  SMP is a way for college-age students and young adults to experience a life-changing summer of learning!  SMP participants experience cross-cultural missions and learn from missionaries and their national partners who are being used by God to declare His kingdom worldwide.  This eight-week program stresses spiritual growth, learning through service, and increased knowledge of God’s global kingdom.  You must be at least 18 years old or attending college to participate. The application deadline is February 13, 2009. For an application and information about cost and much more, visit www.crwm.org/smp.

Volunteers are encouraged to raise the total cost of their program.  However, for members of the Christian Reformed Church, some denominational ministry share funds may be available in cases where a diligent fundraising effort does not yield enough to cover the total cost.  A positive evaluation of that effort is required before departure will be approved.

Important Dates and Deadlines
(Subject to change)
1. Applications: Feb. 13
2. Selection of participants: Feb. 27
3. Mailing of study materials: March 6
4. Prefield training: June 2-7 or 9-14
5. Departure: June 8 or 15
6. On-site orientation: Upon arrival on field
7. On-site learning: mid-June – late July
8. On-site debriefing: late July
9. Return to North America: early August

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