I would like to officially than you for your interest in a mission trip with Vine and Branches Ministries. My name is Lance Whitehurst and I am the Executive Directory and Missionary for Vine and Branches Ministries PR. I have been involved in leading teams in Puerto Rico since 2015 and in 2023 I moved full time to the island. Before Puerto Rico I led mission trips in Mexico, Canada, Jamaica and numerous US domestic locations.
I would be happy to welcome you to the beautiful island Puerto Rico where the only thing warmer than the weather is the welcome you will get from the people. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, so you don't need a passport, but like every domestic trip now you do need a real ID. Even though Puerto Rico is a territory, you will feel like you are in a different country and will hear Spanish spoken in most places.
Puerto Rico has amazing diverse geopgraphy from mountains to a rainforest, to an arid desert to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and some amazing waterfalls. The average temperature in Puerto Rico is 80-90 degrees and if you are serving on the west side of the island there is usually an ocean breeze most days. You will get to select some fun activities while you are in Puerto Rico as you have at least a half day set aside for recreation to enjoy the beauty of the island.
I encourage you to read through this handbok and if you have any questions get a hold of your group leader. If they don't know the answer, they know how to get a hold of us. Thanks again for checking out Vine and Branches Ministries and hope I or my staff will be able to welcome you to Puerto Rico very soon.
Sincerely,
Lance Whitehurst
Executive Director and Missionary
Vine and Branches Ministries PR
I would be happy to welcome you to the beautiful island Puerto Rico where the only thing warmer than the weather is the welcome you will get from the people. Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States, so you don't need a passport, but like every domestic trip now you do need a real ID. Even though Puerto Rico is a territory, you will feel like you are in a different country and will hear Spanish spoken in most places.
Puerto Rico has amazing diverse geopgraphy from mountains to a rainforest, to an arid desert to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, and some amazing waterfalls. The average temperature in Puerto Rico is 80-90 degrees and if you are serving on the west side of the island there is usually an ocean breeze most days. You will get to select some fun activities while you are in Puerto Rico as you have at least a half day set aside for recreation to enjoy the beauty of the island.
I encourage you to read through this handbok and if you have any questions get a hold of your group leader. If they don't know the answer, they know how to get a hold of us. Thanks again for checking out Vine and Branches Ministries and hope I or my staff will be able to welcome you to Puerto Rico very soon.
Sincerely,
Lance Whitehurst
Executive Director and Missionary
Vine and Branches Ministries PR
General Information
Why go with us?
We will book your airfare, arrange your housing, your transportation, your food and what type of ministry you will do, we handle it all.By booking with us we will have you arrive on the island and in less than 10 minutes you will be where you are staying for the week. No long travel accross the island to get to where you are staying.
We will book your airfare, arrange your housing, your transportation, your food and what type of ministry you will do, we handle it all.By booking with us we will have you arrive on the island and in less than 10 minutes you will be where you are staying for the week. No long travel accross the island to get to where you are staying.
Vine and Branches Ministries PR
RELEASE OF LIABILITY
Your Safety is always our primary focus so that you can enjoy a successful Mission trip with Vine and Branches Ministries PR. Please read this form carefully before signing and either give it to your Group Leader or if you are traveling without a group, mail it back to Vine and Branches Office at PO Box 5043 Aguadilla, PR 00605. This is a legally binding contract, and each participant must sign a separate form, and a parent or guardian must sign for minors under 18 years old.
LOCATION
We have partnered with local churches all around the island. However most of our teams will be serving in and or around Aguadilla which is on the westside of the island. By serving in this area we will have you fly into Aguadilla airport and many teams will be at there housing location in under 10 minutes from leaving the airport. No long road trips across the island.
We have partnered with local churches all around the island. However most of our teams will be serving in and or around Aguadilla which is on the westside of the island. By serving in this area we will have you fly into Aguadilla airport and many teams will be at there housing location in under 10 minutes from leaving the airport. No long road trips across the island.
HOUSING
Most teams will be serving on the west side of the island where we have a church and mission house that you will be staying at. If you are serving elsewhere on the island we will determine your housing based on your specific location. Eitherway we will have a ladies sleeping area and a men's sleeping area. Even married couples will be split up for the week along with children must sleep with same sex.
Transportation
You will travel all week in vans. We will have staff that handle all the driving as driving in Puerto Rico can be very adventurous at times.
You will travel all week in vans. We will have staff that handle all the driving as driving in Puerto Rico can be very adventurous at times.
FOOD
Your food will be prepared by locals who take great care in providing a mix between Puerto Rican meals and some American meals. While Puerto Rican water is safe to drink, it is filtered different than in the US, so we will always have 5 gallon jugs of water to fill your water bottles with.
Your food will be prepared by locals who take great care in providing a mix between Puerto Rican meals and some American meals. While Puerto Rican water is safe to drink, it is filtered different than in the US, so we will always have 5 gallon jugs of water to fill your water bottles with.
Ministry
Vine and Branches exists to help the local church in reaching out to their community. How your team accomplishes this will be based on your groups gifts, such as VBS, Sports Camps, Cheer camp etc, or may include some educational programs for the adults. Depending on the teams desire and churches need we have also done physical labor on home repairs or with mercy ministry. The important thing is your team will be assisting with a ministry that will continue when your team leaves, so it is part of a lasting impact in the community and for the local church.
Vine and Branches exists to help the local church in reaching out to their community. How your team accomplishes this will be based on your groups gifts, such as VBS, Sports Camps, Cheer camp etc, or may include some educational programs for the adults. Depending on the teams desire and churches need we have also done physical labor on home repairs or with mercy ministry. The important thing is your team will be assisting with a ministry that will continue when your team leaves, so it is part of a lasting impact in the community and for the local church.
Recreation
Another important aspect of a mission trip is to enjoy the surrounding beauty and culture of the island. You will have a recreation day along with generally an afternoon for recreation. See the recreation tab for more information and options.
Another important aspect of a mission trip is to enjoy the surrounding beauty and culture of the island. You will have a recreation day along with generally an afternoon for recreation. See the recreation tab for more information and options.
Currency
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States so Puerto Rico official currency is US Dollars. Although Visa and Mastercard are pretty well accepted on the island American Express and Discover card not so much.
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States so Puerto Rico official currency is US Dollars. Although Visa and Mastercard are pretty well accepted on the island American Express and Discover card not so much.
Credit Card
It is a good idea for those that can to have a credit card on hand in case of emergency. If you have to go to the hospital they will take your insurance but sometimes they still require a deposit of $200-$500. For shopping Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted and some places accept American Express. Discover card is very rarely accepted on the island.
It is a good idea for those that can to have a credit card on hand in case of emergency. If you have to go to the hospital they will take your insurance but sometimes they still require a deposit of $200-$500. For shopping Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted and some places accept American Express. Discover card is very rarely accepted on the island.
