Group Leader Information

Group Leader's Info

On this page is information to help you as you lead a group

Lance Whitehurst Missionary and Executive Director

As a former Youth Minister who has taken families, teens and adults all on mission trips I understand that leading a group on a mission trip can be a challenge. We are here to help you through this process in any way possible. If you have any questions feel free to reach out directly to me at lance@vineandbranchesministriespr.com. I will be in contact with you throughout the process of getting you signed up and getting the trip planned. We will schedule several calls and again you are always free to reach out to me with any questions.

Your cost includes your airfare so we will arrange your airfare and let you know your flight information as soon as we get it. We take care of your flights so you have time to focus on the team and prepare the team for the trip. Once you arrive on the island our staff will greet you at the airport and guide you through the week so that you can focus on your team and enjoy the trip.

We do have a $200 surcharge for teams that have 9 or less members. We do have a max. of 30 people. Churches here are generally very small and too big of team can be overwhelming for the host church. We ask that the participants be at least 5 years old and anyone who has not finished their first year in High School should be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Any exceptions to this must be discussed with me before the trip.

Each evening we will have a team meeting lead by our staff and part of the meeting will include a short devotion which the staff could do or your team. Only thing we ask is the our staff do the first and last night as it ties the week together.

We will be flying you most likely into Aguadilla Airport which is on the west side of the island and is less than 10 minutes from where most of our teams stay. This way you will not have to travel across the island to get to your community for the week.

Here are some more tips:

Identify the team's luggage by tying either a unique ribbon or duck tape on each piece, makes claiming the backs so much easier at the airport.
Make sure when you check you bags in that they are checked in all the way to Puerto Rico.
Make sure the teams wear their Vine and Branches shirts. At times being a mission team does make things go smoothier at the airport and also makes it easier for us to identify you at pickup.
We will give you the name and number of who ever will be picking you up and any problems or delays on day of travel call and let them know.
If some bags don't arrive, don't leave the baggage area but go to the lost baggage office and fill out a report. We will give you the address of where you will be staying and the airlines usually can deliever the bag to you next day.
We will have a first aid kit for small emergencies but for larger ones we have well equipped hospitals near by. While the hospitals will take American Insurance sometimes they do require a deposit of $200-$500, so it is helpful to have a credit card for this purpose.
Where there are no shots required for entrance to Puerto Rico we do recommend each participant is up to date on their tetanus shot.
For cell phone use it is up to you as the group leader if you are going to allow the team to have cell phones. In this section we have our cell phone useage policy and we expect you to go over it with the team before hand and everyone on the team needs to abide by it.
Mastercard and Visa are pretty much accepted everywhere however American Express not so much and Discover Card not at all.
I will go over the deposit and payment schedule with you.

As the group leader you are responsible to collect all the money and send it as a group. All costs are to be sent to Vine and Branches Ministries PR at the address below. In our phone conversations we will discuss if there is to be ministry cost, which are costs in order to do the ministry that you are going to do. If there are ministry costs this money also needs to be sent to the Vine and Branches address no later than 30 days before the trip. Sometimes supplies take awhile to get to the island.

Vine and Branches Ministries PR

PO Box 5043

Aguadilla, PR 00605

Social Media Guidelines
GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL MEDIA

You need to keep in mind that you are not on vacation you are on a mission trip. We understand that every aspect of our lives now some people feel need to be put on Social Media, rather it is a trip, an evening out whatever the occasion there is a dire need in our society to post about it. So I want to give you some guidance for this mission trip, again I said mission trip not vacation so we have a totally different purpose and that purpose can affect how we use Social Media.So Social Media access is going to be limited on the trip. In fact there may very well be places you will not have service at all. Now whether or not you are allowed to have your phone at all for the trip is up to your Group Leader. However we do have the following rules concerning social media.

1. GIVE YOURSELF BOUNDARIES

When we enter another community, we need to realize that we are not tourists. By going in on day one and taking pictures you are giving the Puerto Ricans the feeling that they are objects to see not humans who want a relationship with you. You need to build a relationship with them first then they will be more than happy to have pictures with you. We have to respect the dignity and privacy of the people we encounter so we need to ask permission before we take a picture of someone.

2. RESPECT VINE AND BRANCHES

There are times we may go to an orphanage or other areas where photos are not allowed, make sure you always ask first and then respect the decision. Some of the kids in orphanages and such some of their family members don't know where they are at on purpose so we can be photographing them.

3. BE PRESENT

Be fully present with those around you, and be aware of the Holy Spirit's movement. You will learn more, engage more deeply, and bless the people you visit more fully if you set aside the urge to document your experience for an online audience.

4. HONOR CERTAIN SPACES

Don't post or photograph during any worship service, it can be disruptive and considered rude and even sacrilegious. Our staff will discreetly photograph the service and I will video if someone from your group speaks. If you go into someone's home wait until the end of the visit before you take pictures and then only if it feels right to ask for a photo. Don't worry so much about photo's just be present with those in the house.

5. AVOID THE SAVIOR SYNDROME

Do your photos imply that you are saving the people of Puerto Rico? Does it pain you as the hero and them as the helpless or worse lazy people? Be sensitive! WARNING nothing will bring Lance's wrath faster than someone disrespecting the Puerto Rican people, the people who have welcomed you into their country.

6. TELL THE WHOLE STORY

Are your pictures highlighting the beautiful and redemptive things God is doing in a community, or only the heavy and painful brokenness,

7. DO UNTO OTHERS

Before taking pictures ask yourself how you would feel if your roles were reversed. How would you feel if people drove down the road photographing you, or your kids without your permission and posting them online.

Now these rules are to make sure that both the people you go and serve and your group has a meaningful and impactful trip. By no means are we saying that you should not share your experiences when you get back just remember to be sensitive in the way you do it.

Q&A
1. What do we need before we are able to travel to Puerto Rico?
As Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States you will not need a passport and you will not go through customs. For team members who are 18 years old and older they will need a real ID now.

2. Do we have to exchange money once we get to Puerto Rico?
Puerto Rico is a territory of the United States and as such they use US currency.

3. Are we responsible for renting vehicles and driving the group for the week?
No. Part of your trip fee covers transportation and the staff of Vine and Branches
will do all the driving. Driving in Puerto Rico can be stressful and not the easiest.

4. I don’t speak Spanish. Is that going to be a problem?
No Most Puerto Ricans know a little bit of English at least, but you will always
have local translators with you as well. Once the Puerto Ricans get to know you,
they will probably speak more English to you.

6. Do we need to bring our food with us?
No. All food that will be prepared for the team will be purchased on the island.

7. Who will be preparing our food?
We will have locals from a church prepare your food for each meal or the staff will
cook. You will have a combination of American dishes and Puerto Rican dishes.

8. Is Puerto Rican food hot?
No it is not hot, it will have seasonings and flavor but it will not be hot at all.

9. What is Puerto Rican food like?
A lot of chicken dishes are spiced differently cooked with plantains and other local
vegetables. Also beans and rice are common dishes.

10. I have food allergies. What should I do?
On your registration form there is a place to list any food allergies. As long as it is
listed on your registration we will try our best to accommodate food allergies. If it
is not listed, we will not be able to make changes once the food is purchased.

11. Is the water safe to drink?
Yes and no.The water in most places would be safe to drink, but it is filtered a
different way than in the states so you may get sick until your system gets used to
it. For the short time you are on the island we will provide safe water to fill your
water bottles with.

12. What will the sleeping arrangements be like?
This varies depending on where you will be staying, Leah our trip coordinator will
cover that in detail on one of her calls to the group leader. As a general rule
though sleeping will be done with same sex teammates in the same room. Even
married couples and parent child or different sex will be split up.

13. What are the clothing guidelines for the trip?
See the clothing guidelines on our webpage under handbook in the short term
Missions section.

14. Are credit cards able to be used? If so, what ones or is it all of them?
Yes. Mainly only Visa and Mastercard are accepted. A few places will accept
American Express but don’t count on it. Discover card is NOT accepted on the
Island. Also be aware the credit card system goes down a lot on the island so
merchants may not always accept credit cards.

15. What will we be doing for the week?
Each week is pretty customized for the teams talents and interests. In our phone calls we will discuss schedule and events for the week.

16. What is not included in the trip price?
Any food on travel day before you arrive on the island. Depending on your week,
you may eat out once or twice. If you do the cost will be on you and we will tell you ahead of time if that is the case. Also any soverineers you want to purchase will be on your own. Also any work project that you are
going to do will require additional money, this is referred to as ministry money.

17. Is Puerto Rico safe?
Puerto Rico is a very safe country, however like most places there are places that
it is best to stay away from. For most of the time you will always be with a Vine
and Branches staff person who will make sure you are where you are supposed to
be. Only time you may be on your own is if we go to Old San Juan or Ponce Pueblo
you will be free to explore as they are set up for tourist and very safe.

18. What about electricity does it still go out?
Yes I like to warn the group leaders that during your week the power may go out.
Nothing to really worry about it happens a lot on the island and the staff are use
to it so they will help you through it. Some things may have to be adjusted due to
no power but we will have to play that by ear.

19 Not as common as electric going out but water can go out as well.
Remember you will not be drinking the local water so you will always have water to
drink. Most places we stay will have a cistern so we will be able to use bathrooms
but no showers until the water is turned back on.

** Please emphasize with the group that Puerto Rico has a very weak and insufficent power grid so power may go out. Please don't keep asking staff or locals about when it will be back up, it could be hours or days we never know. Usually it is just a few hours. Same with water our pipes and water system are old and water pipe breaks are common. Just be paitient and water will be back on as quickly as possible. Water and power sounds scarier than it is most groups find it is no big deal.

Clothing Guidelines
Church Clothes

Pants, jeans are ok for males
Tennis Shoes or dress sandals
Polo or dress shirt or blouse
Women may want to wear a light dress or skirt.
Not all churches have A/C

Work Clothes

Shorts or jeans
Closed toed shoes
Shirts short sleeve with no drug or alcohol emblems
hat

Miscellanous Clothing Items

Swimwear (Puerto Ricans are modest no short short or speedo swimwear)
Water shoes- some beaches are very rocky and have sea urchins
Lightweight sleepwear
Undergarments
Socks
Sunscreen- sun is very intense on the island.
Hat
Wide Mouth Water Bottle-must be widemouth- very important
Bath towel/beach towel
Toiletries

Soap, shampoo,etc

Work Gloves
Sheets

Information on Travel Day

Before you leave I will make sure you have the address to where you are staying and the phone number of who will be picking you up. Make sure if there are any delays you contact that staff person and let them know of the delay.
If you like feel free to give out my number to family back home as I will also be able to be reached either by text or phone. My number is 513-477-6153 even if I am not with the group I can get ahold of staff right away.
Make sure all team members are wearing their Vine and Branches Shirts so we can Identify your group easily.

Airport Information

You will most likely be flying into Aguadilla Airport. This is a smaller airport right now but it is in the process of building on and becoming the new major airport for Puerto Rico.
Aguadilla Airport is on the old Ramey Air Force Base so the governement still has control of the airport. With that being said most commercial flights are only at night as the governement and Fed Ex use the airport during the day. However more and more day commercial flights are starting up.
Even though the flight times might not be what you are use to, the Aguadilla Airport is still the best airport for us to use. It is less than 10 minutes from where most of our teams stay, which eliminates the 2 plus hour drive across the island if you were to fly into San Juan. Also being smaller it is much easier to get around. I think you will be very pleased at how easy the Aguadilla Airport is to travel through.
Now as of this writing the jet bridges are not complete so you will be exiting the plane outside and going down steps to get into the airport. Follow the signs for baggage. Pick up all your luggage before leaving the area. If some bags are not there go to lost baggage and fill out a claim. Before you leave we will give you the address to put on the claim form and the airlines will deliever it to you the next day usually. When the group is all together and all bags are claimed head outside.
There are two main doors at the airport. If when you come outside you see a parking lot turn to the right towards the road and walk over to your right along the road and you will see a covered entrance and that is where we will pick you guys up. If you walk out under the covered entrance that is where we will pick you up. Make sure your group is wearing your shirts and we will be able to identify you. If you don't see us, call the number you will be given and let the staff person know you are outside waiting.

Luggage Requirements

We recommend that you check with your particular airlines for specific luggage and carry-on guidelines. If possible we ask that the groups bring one carry-on and a check bag. You may ship ministries supplies down ahead of time if you like to save room. You can send it to our PO Box the same one that you send your money too. In your carry-on we also recommend a change of close just in case your luggage gets delayed.

Also a suggestion, to make claiming your bags easier at the airport we recommend putting a unique piece of duck tape or string on each bag.

Team Shirts

You will be provided with a Vine and Branches shirt before your trip. We ask that you all wear your shirts on arrival day, at times Mission shirts can make the airport easier, also easier for us to identify you at the airport.

Flexibility

Flexibility is paramount for a Mission Trip. Lance will tell teams they have to be Palm Trees, ask him what that means. Due to supplies not coming in, rainy days, power shortages and many other reasons, there will be times when our plans have to be changed. Just go with God's got this and when he takes over it is better than what we planned anyway.

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Contacts

Phone: +1-513-477-6153
Email: vineandbranchesministriespr.com

Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

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