Instructions for 2010 Mexico Dental Mission Trip
Southwest flight #201 Departing Thursday, March 4th at 6:30am, Leaving Dallas Love Field
Leaves Houston 8:05am
Arrives in Harlingen 9:10am
Southwest flight #50 Departing Sunday, March 7th at 5:00pm, Leaving Harlingen
Arrives Houston 6:00pm
Arrives Dallas 7:30pm
Passport must be current to go on trip. You cannot go without a CURRENT Passport. Apply immediately for a new Passport since the process normally takes 8 weeks.
General Information:
This dental mission trip is arranged by the area missionaries and churches. Their ethics must be observed and respected. We are going to serve and help those who are in need – not to offend in any way.- Remember we are invited guests in a foreign land. We should admire and respect their culture. Be very careful of attitudes, comments, looks, and actions. We represent the best of America, our culture, and foremost the Lord. Your smiles and bright cheerfulness are uplifting to all.
- No alcoholic beverages allowed at any time, including air flights, meals, and purchases for return trip. No smoking permitted at any time.
- All planned activities and meetings during the trip are mandatory. Remember that this mission trip demands great coordination.
- All personal items (valuables, medicine, etc.) must be marked and identified as such. You are responsible for what you carry.
- DO NOT CARRY ANY KNIVES (of any sort) ON THE PLANE, unless checked into a bag. Security is tight – be informed before packing. DO NOT tape or lock bags. They must be unlocked for security check. They will lock them after checking.
- Sleep well the night before our departure as we will keep late/early hours! Watch TV weather forecasts Wednesday night to anticipate temperature in Brownsville, Texas as well as appropriate clothing to bring. Nights can be cold so bring enough overlay or wrap up for warmth. If warm weather and time permit beach time, you’ll want to bring a swim suit, beach shoes, sunglasses and a towel.
- If you must be contacted by someone in an emergency, call First Baptist Church Brownsville (956-542-5334) or the MOC (Mission Outreach Center, our dorm) (956-542-0332), or T. Bob’s cell phone (214-236-1652). All calls should be true emergencies! Bringing your own cell phone on the trip would be the best way to keep contact with family (you are responsible for the safety of your phone). Dr. T. Bob Davis is in charge and will assign specific duties. Please get acquainted with him personally so as to facilitate best talent uses. Please notify Dr. Davis immediately if problems arise.
- Our desire is that your cup will be filled up and run over as you experience short term dental missions first hand. Yours is a privilege few possess. Blessings and joys await. Pray for God to work through us!
Each team member must gather some supplies and instruments in order to have adequate equipment and supplies. Together we make it happen. Scripture teaches "Ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and it shall be opened". Donations are imperative.
Specific Departure Information - Dallas:
Arrive at Love Field Thursday, March 4th, 2010. Late arrival may delay baggage check-in time and result in it getting left behind. Dress casual, prepared for forecasted conditions.- Arriving late at Love Field will prevent supplies from getting to Mexico (we check supplies along with your baggage). Use the Buddy System for telephone calls and bathroom stops so that no one forgets the time. Allow for extra drive time as traffic can be heavy during that time of the morning. Drop off bags before parking if possible.
- Plan for parking time 5 – 10 min. Bags go through security first. Gather in the open area prior to personal security and we will go together through the individual security check. As a group we will go immediately to the correct gate because gate check-in is required by our tickets. No wandering around, please as this will hinder necessary communications. Stay at the gate once checked in. Keep your ticket on you at all times. Please note your time.
- Once arrived at Harlingen, please identify your own luggage and companion supplies and remain responsible for it throughout the trip. Report problems to T. Bob.
- We will immediately board vans and travel to our dorm. T. Bob will set the time and place for departure for the MOC in Brownsville. Please give T. Bob your quiet attention to expedite moving. Guys help girls! Approximately ten people will ride in each van.
- We’ll eat together and enjoy some time getting acquainted with each other. Unload immediately at the dorm – all supplies and equipment will be loaded into the common area – all personal items to the rooms. Girls to the right, guys to the left (not to be confused)! Snorers in the middle (Ha! Inside joke)
- Please remain in the common area for a mandatory organizational meeting. Team leaders (Dentists) will use every available team member to sort out equipment and supplies, meet interpreters, and organize the team for Friday.
- Dorm lights out at 11:00!!!!! Guys, no loitering around the girls dorm! Please, no counseling sessions away from the dorm! Late to bed folk make it tough on those needing rest for the demanding days ahead. Quiet and soft-spoken voices are appreciated when others are asleep. Thanks in advance! We will not use the kitchen. We will eat out. Thank you in advance for being positive role models for your younger friends.
“This is the day that the Lord hath made; I will rejoice and be glad in it”
– Psalms 118:24
Friday and Saturday March 5 and 6
6:00 AM – Crawl out of bed and get dressed, last ones up get a cold shower!
7:00 AM – Load vans, meet interpreters & eat breakfast at McDonalds. Receive lunch (sandwich and drinks – as many as you want for the day)
8:10 AM – Teams depart for the day. Each team is responsible for carrying their own
food and boxes of supplies. Each team needs to take bottled water for clinic use. NO SCRUBS WHEN CROSSING THE BORDER! Also to avoid attention, pack items under the seats to keep them out of sight. Speak only when spoken to at the border. The driver is the spokes person unless a translator is required. Remember not to drink, brush your teeth with, or otherwise use water outside the United States. Soft drinks are ok to drink, but no ice! Except ice is OK & H2O is ok in restaurants.
9:00 – 6:00 Work
5:30 PM – Shop at market (Saturday afternoon – if work ends early)
6:30 PM – Eat at designated restaurant in Mexico (¡Arriba!)
9:00 PM – Arrive back at the MOC and immediately go to common area for briefing and
devotional time. Secondary driver count off on walkie talkie before caravan starts. Listen for T. Bob’s instructions and pass them on to van occupants to save time at MOC. Any van not on line with walkie talkie holds up entire caravan.
11:00 PM – lights out! Remember courtesy to others.
Sunday March 7
7:30 AM – Shower, dress and pack for departure. Note: no breakfast.
9:00 AM – Depart for church with Spring Breaker mission groups. Worship and lunch
on Padre Island. Church is casual; we’re in South Padre!
Weather permitting, have play clothes available for playtime on the beach. There might also be an alternate group, lead by a team leader, that goes shopping in South Padre or Mexico on this day. Team leaders are responsible for packing mobile units in permanent storage containers (for Fed Ex or UPS.) Use extreme care and follow instructions to the letter. Damage or loss in transit may require monetary assessment from us all. T. Bob must personally inspect each final pack!
3:00 PM – Depart for Harlingen airport. On time departure is a must!
4:00 PM – Check in at Harlingen airport. Gate check in required.
