Thank you for your interest in the next trip to La Chinga, Honduras. Here is some information you may find helpful.

1.    The planned dates are March 1-March 17.

2.    Projects: This year, hopefully, includes working on the new water source. Otherwise, there will be floors, parging, and latrines to build.  Team members are encouraged to participate in this work as much as possible; however, community members are also very willing to help out.  (Actually, it's more likely that the community members will do the bulk of the work).

3.    Team size:  Ideal team size is 6 to 8 participants. Because this is an intergenerational project, we are hoping for a team of mixed ages and genders.

4.    Accommodations:  In Tegucigalpa, there is a beautiful home we can use. In Comayagua, there is a relaxing hotel. In Mangulile, there are comfortable bedrooms in the church. In La Chinga we will be staying in one of the larger homes.  Prepare to sleep on foam mattresses on the floor! There is some electricity but no WIFI in either the Mangulile Church or La Chinga.

5.    Food: The food has always been delicious: a blend of Honduran food, with the occasional North American comfort food! The food is prepared by community women (the beneficiary families), supervised by Sofia, the wife of Miguel – our Diaconia Nacional consultant. Team members eat their meals together at Miguel and Sofia’s house. We may have community families join us some nights.

 6.    Team member costs: Here is a sample of costs paid by team members in 2019:

• Flight, travel insurance, and Houston hotel: $1,265 CAD per person

• In-country and World Renew costs:  $1,326 + $125 CAD per person

• Total team member cost:  approximately $2,716 CAD per person

Fundraising will be utilized to lower the in-country and World Renew costs for team members to under $1000 CAD, so the total costs will be under $2,500.

7.    Project costs (paid for by Inglewood donors) Previous years (2012 - 2019) included concrete projects such as pilas, floors, wall parging, and latrines. Larger projects included the grey water project, the improved water project for homes, the school roof and fence, and the Sunday School classroom which now also functions as the Learning Centre.

 8.    Phone and internet use is limited.  There is some electricity in La Chinga and there may be occasional cell phone reception in the community.  In previous years team members use the World Renew or Diaconia Nacional cell phone once or twice during their stay. It is not yet known whether there will be the opportunity to visit another community during this trip.

Prior to leaving, all team members will receive World Renew Honduras contact information to leave with their families at home.

 9.    Benefits of joining the La Chinga project team:

•  meeting and working with the people of La Chinga; developing relationships with brothers and sisters in Christ in another culture and encouraging fellow Christians

• getting to know other Inglewoodians without distractions

• appreciating your family and community when you come home

• witnessing God's blessings and faithfulness in a remote place

10. Team preparation    

Before the trip, we are hoping to have 3 - 5 team orientation meetings, to help team members become better acquainted with each other, to provide background information on the work of World Renew and their partner organizations in Honduras, to acquaint team members with World Renew policies, to prepare activities suggested by World Renew, to practice a bit of Spanish, etc. Orientation meeting dates and times will be set in consultation with team members, and all participants are urged to attend all the meetings!

• Suggested readings:  When Helping Hurts and Serving with Eyes Wide Open

11. Other important information for team members (logistics):

World Renew is asking team members to complete their applications and set up their profiles on the iTravelIQ website.  When you decide that you would like to be part of the next Inglewood team, please provide the team leaders with your email address.  They will then forward it to Iona Buisman at World Renew.  Once the team names and emails have been submitted, Iona will send everyone a link to the iTravelIQ website, where it would be appreciated if you would complete your application as quickly as possible.

Team members will need to provide a scanned copy of their passports to the church office. Please provide a hard copy or email this to the church email address. This is needed for booking tickets and for emergency information in Honduras.

For booking flights, provide the team leaders with your phone number and the following passport information:

• Full name on passport, date of birth, passport number, passport expiry date,

Please note that your passport must be valid for 6 months past the trip return date.

Please check with your health unit or traveler's health about any vaccinations you may need.  Very few are actually needed.