Short-Term Team Orientation Manual

We at Roca Blanca want to thank you for joining our team as co-laborers in Mexico. We pray and believe that each person that comes down to join us is the person God has specially called and prepared for the task.

Please read the following orientation manual carefully. It has been written to help you prepare for your trip, increase your understanding of the area before you arrive, prevent potential problems, and increase the effectiveness of your ministry while you are here. There will also we a full oral orientation shortly after you arrive. This written guideline is to help you be as prepared as possible for your trip to minister with us here in this tropical paradise.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

The Roca Blanca (White Rock) Mission Base is located on the Pacific Coast of Southern Mexico in the small fishing village of Cacalotepec, in the state of Oaxaca. We are 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido, 2 hours from Huatulco to the east, 7 hours south of Oaxaca City, and 6 hours from Acapulco to the west. The weather is generally hot year-round. There is a dry season from November to June and a rainy season from July to October. The primary language spoken is Spanish, however we do work with the Mixteco, Chatino, and Amuzgo Indians who speak their own languages. Be sensitive to the fact that Mexican culture, as well as the cultures in indigenous villages, differ from one another and from those in the United States. Catholicism is the predominant religion in the area and is often mixed with witchcraft and idolatry. This area is very poor, with the majority of people's income coming from working small plots of land.

Prayer

We at the base recognize the importance of prayer. We begin praying for you and your time here before you arrive. Please spend time in prayer before you arrive. It is a most important part of your preparation. A good idea is to recruit a group of people who will pray for you and your team while you're here. The difference in your experience and fruitfulness can be amazing!

". . . The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

Travel

To enter Mexico you will need a passport.

»Note: If a minor is traveling with just one of his/her parents or without either parent a written and notarized consent form from the other parent (if the minor is traveling with one parent) or from both parents (if the minor is traveling without parents) is advisable to cross the border. The form needs to include the name and age of the youth, with whom they are traveling, to what country and for what period of time. This form is rarely asked for at customs, but is a safeguard.

Recommended Shots/Immunizations:

• Up to date on your Tetanus & Typhoid Immunizations.
• Hepatitis A and B Immunizations
• Anti-malaria medication, if you choose, beginning two weeks before and extending four weeks after your trip.

When traveling to Roca Blanca the following route is recommended:

Fly from any major U.S. city into Mexico City for customs clearance. From Mexico City it is best to fly to Puerto Escondido (PXM). This city is about 30 miles South of the Mission Base. If it is not feasible to fly into Puerto Escondido, a second alternative route is to fly into Huatulco (HUX). This tourist town is a little more than two hours from the base. There is a $50 US cost per car to travel from the Huatulco airport. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance with travel plans.

Packing

A general rule for both men and women regarding clothes is that dress here is conservative and modest. Extremes of fashion are generally not accepted and are offensive to the churches that we are working with. 

Women

• Light weight skirts and tops or dresses (to the knees or below).
• Split skirts & shorts to the knees or below may be worn at the base, but are not acceptable to minister in.
• No tank tops or spaghetti straps. Any make-up used or jewelry worn should be very moderate.
• Pants on women are generally not accepted in ministry activities.
• Comfortable, flat walking shoes or sandals are suggested.

Men

• Casual dress while at the base: T-shirts, shorts, light weight pants, and jeans.
• Ministry Attire: Collered shirts and pants. Shorts are not acceptable during any ministry activities.
• Comfortable walking shoes or sandals are suggested.

Other useful items to bring

• Plastic, re-usable water bottle
• Personal care items (toothbrush, soap, etc.)
• Medications (any that you are taking), analgesics (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), Dramamine.
• Anti-diarrhea meds
• Pepto Bismol tablets (enough for 2 tablets a day for short-term trips)
• Bathing suit (modest one piece for women)
• Towel
• Flip-flops or sandals
• Sunscreen
• Insect repellent
• Flashlight
• Light-weight jacket or sweater for cool nights in the mountains
• Umbrella or rain jacket during the rainy season (July - October)
• Camera and film
• Personal food snacks that you particularly want
• Bible and notebook
• Ziploc bags to protect items from water, humidity, rain, and ants.
• Mesh laundry bag