Have you always wanted to go on a mission trip but never knew what to do or how to start? Well we would love for you to take a short term mission trip with us to Haiti. Read on and see how you can be a part of an exciting, life changing experience! Teams leave each month.
Trip Booklet
Why not see for yourself how God is using Lifeline in Haiti? Your trip to Haiti would be a blessing to the people and your life will be enriched from the experience. It is often possible for you to visit your sponsored child. |
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Planning Your Trip
We at Lifeline are excited that you have chosen to invest your time, energy, and talents in a short-term trip to Haiti. We know that you will be a blessing to the people of Haiti. We also believe God will use this adventure to impact your life in ways beyond what you can imagine.
If you haven't already started, begin now to pray daily for your upcoming trip. We encourage you to enlist others to pray for you as well. Satan is never happy when Christians take steps of faith, so we know that he will try to discourage you. But we are confident that God is the Great Encourager!
In this page you will find practical information for your trip, including a packing list, suggestions for preparation, policies and other helpful items. Please take time to familiarize yourself with this information.
If you have questions or need further assistance, please contact us. We will be praying for you as you plan and prepare for your Haiti adventure!
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Airline Ticket
You have the liberty of purchasing and scheduling your own ticket or we can do that for you. If Lifeline arranges your ticket you will pay Lifeline for your plane ticket. NOTE: All team members must arrive in Port-au-Prince on the same flight so that someone from the mission will be there to pick them up. Ticket rates change on a daily basis. The average ticket price to Haiti ranges from $500 to $700 round trip depending on your location and the time of the year.
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Passport
You will need a passport if you do not have one already. This can be obtained from a U.S. courthouse or post office. However, not all post offices accept passport applications. There is a fee for the passport. To apply for a passport, you will need to complete the DSP-11 application form (obtained from most post offices) and you must then present:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship (birth certificate or previous passport)
- Two photographs (must be recent within the past 6 months, 2x2 inches and in either color or black/white.)
- Proof of identity (previous passport or valid driver's license)
- Social Security number
- Passport fee
For complete passport information, go to http://travel.state.gov/passport_services.html
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Mission Fee
The cost of one week at Lifeline in Haiti is $300, which covers room and board, culligan water, food, and in country transportation. $100 deposit is required at the time of sign up. The balance of $200 is due 30 days prior to travel.
You are responsible for round-trip airfare from your point of origin.
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Spending Money
The amount of spending money you travel with is up to you. There will be time set aside on your trip for sight seeing and souvenir purchases. You may want to purchase soft drinks or other snacks. Your spending money should be in $1, $5, or $10 bills.
Don't exchange your U.S. money, as Haitians want American money. The basic unit of Haitian money is the gourde. Denominations come in one gourde and up. To convert Haitian money to U.S. value, divide by five. Our missionaries will be able to exchange your money for you and give you good advice.
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Group Leader
If you are traveling with a group of people, please designate a group leader. This person will be our contact person and will be responsible for referring any information to the entire group.
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Medical & Age Requirements
There are no medical requirements to enter the country. If you choose, you can take medication to prevent malaria. It must be started before you leave the United States and be continued after you return. If you choose, you can take injections in the States to prevent hepatitis: they are very expensive. Few, if any, visitors take these precautions. It is a good idea to have a tetanus booster if you are overdue. You are free to seek the advice of your physician and make your own decision.
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Medication
If you are on prescription medication during your trip, please inform your team leader. Medications should be in usual prescription containers with prescription number, your name, name of your physician, and name of medication. Pills in an unlabeled container could be confiscated at customs.
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Age
We ask that the person traveling be at least 15 years of age. Persons under this age must be accompanied by his or her parent.
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Packing
Light, comfortable, summer cotton clothing is best. Moderate dress is preferred in the Haitian culture. When packing, remember that Haiti is very warm most of the time, so think cool. Choose clothing that is comfortable, loose fitting, light weight, and washable. You will need to pack one nice outfit for church. Make sure that you pack a pair of comfortable walking shoes. It is recommended that you please do not wear expensive watches or jewelry during your stay at Lifeline.
You will want to bring sunscreen and a hat. Long sleeves may be necessary if you are sensitive to the sun.
Swimwear will be necessary if you plan on swimming. Please be modest when deciding on what suit to pack. We would offend many with some of the suits worn in the states. It is recommended to wear some sort of foot wear to avoid stepping on sea urchins.
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Dress Code
While visiting in Haiti, visitors are expected to adhere to the Haitian dress and conduct code. While you may not personally agree with the standards set by the Haitian culture, we ask that you respect it while there.
Women
Following clothing is not acceptable when in the villages:
- pants
- shorts
- braless tops
- halters
- tube tops
- tank tops
- anything that shows your underclothing.
Men
Shorts and muscle shirts are not acceptable in the villages. Be careful about the pictures and writing on T-shirts and hats. Shirts need to be worn at all times in the village.
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Note: When you are at the Mission home, modest shorts are acceptable.
Special Items to Pack
Our best means of sending supplies to the Mission in Haiti is by the luggage allowance of airline passengers. The airline allows two 70-pound suitcases and one carry-on bag per person. We encourage you to bring one piece of luggage filled with your personal items and one piece filled with supplies for the Mission. Please click here to see the "Needed Supplies," or contact our U.S. office for a current list of priority items needed in Haiti.
We suggest that your carry-on bag/backpack contain the following items: a plastic water bottle (fill it with fresh water in Miami, so you'll have water for the trip from Port-au-Prince to La Digue), money, passport, airline tickets, Bible, journal, pen, camera, one change of clothes, and reading material.
- Camera & film
- Flashlight & batteries
- Sunscreen
- Bug spray for your room and body (must be in pump or lotion form, pressurized cans are prohibited on the airplanes.)
- 1-liter drink bottle for water on the site
- Hand wipes or antibacterial soap
- Bars of soap
- Journal
- Snacks for you and your team
If you wish to bring gifts for the Haitians or the resident missionaries, please notify us first. The resident missionaries will decide an appropriate time for gifts to be given to the Haitians.
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Exit Visa
An exit tax of $31 cash (subject to change), paid to American Airline upon departure from Haiti.
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