Panama Mission Trip
Sycamore View Youth Ministry
June 13-20, 2017
Why are we going to Panama?
We’re going to Panama to serve! That’s it! In the process, we expect to be transformed more and more into the likeness of Jesus.
For the past five summers, we have had an incredible experience serving in Panama. Specifically, we have served a small fishing
village named Farrallon. The people of Farrallon are like an extended part of our Sycamore View Family!
We will once again be working closely with Mark & Miriam Upton. Mark and Miriam are our missionaries to Panama. Although the
Uptons spend a majority of their time in Memphis, they lead short-term trips for groups throughout the year and most all of the
summer in Panama. The Uptons have a huge heart for Panama and are working diligently to encourage the small, scattered churches
in Cocle’ (a province in Panama).
We fully acknowledge that there are plenty of needs and good things to be done here in Memphis. We don’t intend to slow down
our local mission efforts at all, but we know we serve the God of the entire earth. We are part of His plan to share the good news
of Jesus with the entire world, and we believe God has opened a special opportunity for us to serve in His name in Panama.
What will we be doing?
Our mission trip will be focused on the village of Farallon. Farallon has been Mark and Miriam’s “home base” during their time in
Panama. Farallon is a small fishing village on the coast. The town has an elementary school that we will work closely with. While
in Farallon we will do some construction projects in town, put together a VBS for the school children, teach English at the school, and
form relationships with the children and their families.
What is Panama like?
Panama is the southernmost country in Central America. It is bordered by Colombia and Costa Rica. The United States built the
Panama Canal in Panama City in 1914. The Canal allows ships to pass from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean without going
around South America. The U.S. maintained an active presence in Panama throughout the 20th century, and there is still a lot of
American influence in Panama City.
Panama is a small country that runs east to west and has about 3.2 million people. Almost half of the population lives in Panama
City. It has mountains, plains, and lots of ocean shorelines. It is a tropical climate, so it’s hot and humid year round and it rains
often.
Traveling to Panama is pretty simple for international travel. Visitors from the U.S. only need a passport to enter the country. Routine
immunizations are sufficient when traveling to Panama. American currency is used frequently and accepted universally. It is in the
Central Time Zone. It takes about 6.5 hours to travel by plane from Memphis to Panama City. The Pan American Highway runs the
length of the country and is a modern four-lane highway. Many people in the cities speak English, but most of the people we serve
will speak little to no English. We’ll have the assistance of translators, but team members should take every opportunity to work on
their Spanish before we go.
Panama has a higher degree of wealth than some other developing nations, but there is still severe poverty, limited educational
opportunities, and inadequate healthcare in many areas. We will be serving some of the poorest of the poor in the country and
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traveling to some remote areas that are very isolated from the rest of the world. Some Panamanians survive on a wage of a few
dollars a day.
We’ll be staying in a hotel in Panama City. While in Farallon, we will sleep in the Upton’s home and at the elementary school.
Who is going?
Our mission team will consist of current 10th-12th graders (’16-‘17 school year) and adult leaders. Jim Hinkle will be the team
leader. We are in the process of building a team of adult leaders who will join the mission team. Our trips usually maintain at
least a 1:3 adult:teen ratio. All of our team members will participate in construction projects and ministry times with children. Student
“missionaries” must complete an application and turn in a $50 non-refundable deposit by Wednesday, Feb. 12th. Guests of SV
students are welcome, but please keep in mind that this trip is intended for students who have a strong relationship with God and
have servant attitudes. Our estimated mission team size is 35 people.
Travel & Cost
The total fee for this trip is $1,600 per person. This cost covers airfare, transportation, food, lodging, supplies, and more. The only
things not covered are passports (if you don’t have one yet), meals at the airports, and souvenir shopping. Participants will not need
to bring more than $50 with them for the trip.
We’ll fly from Memphis to Panama City with one connecting flight. Once in Panama City, we’ll travel by van (or foot) to other towns
and worksites.
Due to the cost of this trip, all team members will participate in fundraising. Our major team fundraiser will be “Fiesta” on March
26th, which is a church-wide lunch, bake sale and silent auction. We’ll also coordinate a “Hire-A-Teen” program and write fundraising
letters to non-Sycamore View members (Sample letter is in this packet).
All participants need a passport. Applications for passports MUST be made by March 1st. If a participant passport expires within 6
months of our travel dates, he/she needs to renew the passport before traveling.
Participants are required to participate in fund-raising efforts, attend team meetings, comply with deadlines, and be active in the
youth ministry.
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TO APPLY FOR THIS TRIP, YOU MUST TURN IN:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
$50 deposit (goes toward overall balance)
Application
Fundraising amount (this is on the application)
Hire-a-Teen sign-up information
Parental consent form NOTARIZED with both parent signatures
No later than Wednesday, Feb. 12th
Panama Mission Trip Application
Participating in this international mission trip takes passion, responsibility, and maturity. Please contact Jim Hinkle ([email protected])
if you have any questions. (Adults only need to complete the red portion of the application)
FULL LEGAL NAME (FIRST, MIDDLE, & LAST): __________________________________
Birthdate (M/D/Y): ____________
Passport #*: __________________________
E-Mail: ____________________________________
1. Why do you want to be a part of the Panama mission team?
2. What are you actively doing right now to feed your relationship with God? And what do you need to do to be ready to serve in Panama?
3. What gifts and skills do you hope to be able to use on this mission trip?
4. What fears or concerns do you have about this experience?
5. How much, if any, Spanish have you taken?
6. *Do you have a passport?
YES (# is above)
If no, have you applied for one? YES
NO
NO
7. I recognize sacrifice is part of this mission experience. Of the $1,600, my family and I can pay $___________, and we hope to
fundraise $__________.
I understand that, as a member of this mission team, I must attend team meetings, comply with deadlines, get a passport, and participate in
fundraising.
________________________________
(student signature)
___________________________________
(parent signature)
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Hire a Teen Sign-Up
Hire-a-Teen is a great way to fundraise for the Panama Mission Trip. Members of Sycamore View will be given a sheet with your name and all
of the tasks you’re willing to do to fundraise. Members will call you to set up times for you to work and then you’ll work hard to earn some
money! Kim Chapman will be coordinating Hire-A-Teen.
Circle tasks that you would be interested in doing:
Babysitting
Cleaning indoors
Yard Work
Running Errands
Tutoring
Cleaning Out Garages
Pet Sitting
OTHER _________________________
The best phone number for contacting you: _________________________________________
Times of the week when you are available to work:
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Parent Consent Letter For Minors
We (I), ___________________________________ give permission for our (my) child,
______________________________, to travel to Farallon, Panama with Sycamore View Church
of Christ, under the direction on Jim Hinkle (Group Director). Our (my) child is in their care
for the duration of the trip, which is June 13-20, 2017. Jim Hinkle (Group Director) and/or
one of her designees is hereby responsible for the well being of our (my) child and we (I)
authorize them to take the necessary measures involving the health of our (my) child. If
there are any questions, we (I) can be reached at the following phone number by day
(____) _____-__________ and in the evenings we (I) can be reached at
(____) _____-__________. Please refer to the medical release form signed by us (me) for
other emergency contacts.
Sincerely,
____________________________________________________________(Parent Signature)
____________________________________________________________(Parent Signature)
Yo ________________________________ aurorizo a mi hijo(a),
_______________________________________, a participar en el viaje a la Farallon, Panama
con Sycamore View Church of Christ bajo la dirección de Jim Hinkle. Mi hijo(a) estarà en
su cuidado por todo el viaje, que se realiza en las siguientes fechas Junio 13-20, 2017. Jim
Hinkle el cual es responsable por la salud de mi hijo(a) y le doy autorización a hacer
decisions de auxilio en beneficio de mi hijo(a). Si hay algún problema o duda, me puede
localizar a teléfono (____) _____-__________ durante el día y por la noche al (____) _______________. Revisar la hoja información medica referente a otras personas que puede
llamar en caso de emergencia.
Atentamente,
____________________________________________________________(Parent Signature)
____________________________________________________________(Parent Signature)
________________________________________________________(Signature of Notary)
_____________________________ (Date Notarized)
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SAMPLE LETTER FOR FUNDRAISING – PLEASE DO NOT SEND LETTERS TO SYCAMORE VIEW
MEMBERS. THEY ARE ASKED TO SUPPORT OUR TRIP THROUGH FIESTA & HIRE-A-TEEN.
Dear ________,
I wanted to tell you about an exciting opportunity I have to serve others this summer. I am planning on
going to Panama on a mission trip with my church family June 13-20. Our mission team is made up of high
school students and adults from Sycamore View Church of Christ. We will have many opportunities to serve
and grow during our time in Panama. We will be working and staying in the small town of Farallon.
Farallon is a small fishing village in Panama where we will have the opportunity to lead a Vacation Bible
School at the local school, teach English, and do some repair projects in town. I am so excited about this
chance to get out of my comfort zone and serve God!
My mission team and I could use your help in two ways. First, please keep us in your prayers. Please ask
God to give us strength, courage, and compassion. Second, if you are able, I am asking for a monetary
donation to financially assist my team and me. The cost for construction and teaching materials,
transportation, accommodations, meals and other supplies is $1600 per person. All donated funds will help
lives be changed in Panama. Any donation amount is appreciated.
If you would like to make a donation to my mission fund, please send a check to:
Sycamore View Church of Christ
c/o Panama Mission Fund
1910 Sycamore View Road
Memphis, TN 38134
Please do NOT put my name in the “For” section of the check. Instead, please write my name on a post-it
note and stick it to the check. All donations must be received at Sycamore View Church of Christ by May
1st.
Thank you for being someone I could ask for support. I look forward to telling you about my experience.
In Christ,
Your Name
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