Next June, several members of this church are going to Jamaica on a youth/young adult mission to help build a church in the rapidly growing city of Portmore. We have tentatively set the date for June 26-July 7. However, depending on team members’ needs and desires, there is a chance we could move that up a few days and depart on June 21, returning on or about June 30. If you are between the ages of 16 and 26 (or will be next June) and are interested in going, time to sign up is running out. Please do so this month.

If you are signed up, now is the time to get serious. All team members must have a $100 deposit and a copy of a current passport to the church by Jan. 6. In addition to the money, the passport and the time, we do expect team members to attend at least six out of eight classes we are setting up to better prepare us for the experience.

Personal costs for the trip are about $1,000 apiece. (The church will cover the project costs of building materials, tools, etc.) Team members might want to ask loved ones for Christmas gifts of money to help them pay for the trip. Others might want to make donations. Also, if you have an idea for fund-raising, please share it. Otherwise, please pray for the team, its members and leaders as well as the people with whom we will minister while there.

A two-week mission trip to Haiti is being planned to teach solar cooking and assemble solar ovens. Solar Oven Partners volunteers will serve February 26-March 10, 2008, give or take a day. Our work will be in the community of Bainet, just west of Jacmel on the south coast of Haiti. This is a new site for our project, and we are excited to take another step in our outreach! Please contact Rick Jost by emailing rjost@brookings.net or phoning 605-692-3391 to indicate your interest. Total cost per volunteer will be approximately $1,700 to cover all travel, meals & lodging, plus a contribution to the cost of putting on the solar cooking seminars. A deposit of $200 will reserve a spot on the team, but all monies are refundable up until we commit to the airline tickets. Thanks for considering it!