I am getting more and more excited as I think about our trip and start putting pieces together.  This blog will be updated periodically as new information comes available. Please read this post in it's entirety so you may know how to use this blog to gain information and prepare for you trip. 

1. Why a blog?
While Facebook has group tools, not everyone has access to it.  This will allow everyone to see infomration and comment when needed.

2. Comments
Please comment questions you have about the trip in THIS blog post.  This will allow everyone to see the question and save me from answer questiosn over and over. 

3. Check back often
I will do my best to send out a message to everyone when new information is added to the blog, but it wouldn't hurt to save this link and check in regularly. 

4. Save the URL
this site is hidden and cannot be accessed through our church's main page.  You must use centralcitycc.org/jordan to access this blog.  I suggest saving it on your phone or in your browser

5. (Optional) Download Whatsapp.  I will be creating a group in the texting app call Whatsapp.  This app has great group messaging features and can be used over wifi (even if you don't have cell service).  This will be the easiest way to stay in contact with others who are traveling with us. Join the group on Mobile HERE.

6. Pray
In all things pray over this trip.  Pray over those going, those who wish to support us, and those we will interact with in Jordan.  Continue also to pray for the people of Books and More

Now is the time to start getting your passports lined up.  While these can be done within a month, it is good to get a head start in case there are complications.  Below are instructions on how to get a NEW passport.  All of this can be done at your local post office.  
You will need the following:

1. Application - You will need Form DS-11. 
   • You can Fill out Form DS-11 online and print it, or 
   • Download Form DS-11 and fill it out by hand, or
   • Find your local passport acceptance facility or regional agency and pick up Form DS-11
   • Do not sign Form DS-11 until you are at your appointment and the passport acceptance official tells you to do so. 
2. Personal documents including:
   • Original proof of citizenship
   • An acceptable photo ID
   • A photocopy of both your citizenship document and photo ID
3. Passport photo (They will take this picture of you at the Post Office)
4. Passport fee ($165 for passport book and fee)

If you are renewing a passport, you currently must do it by mail as online renewals are paused.  

Some of you may be interested in writing support letters to your friends and families to help raise support for your trip.  Below is a link to a website that can help you write your letter.  Be sure to include how people can make payments (Venmo, Cashapp, paypall, gofund me, check, etc.)  Be sure to consider fees associated witht things like gofund me.  If people want a tax reciept, you may have them send a check to the church at
783 Central City Road, Joplin MO 64801
and we will apply the credit to your account.  

Important note: For the protection of Books and More, please refer to this trip as a service trip (not a Missions trip) in your support letters. 

​How to Write a Mission Trip Support Letter | Experience Mission

James will be providing more accurate cost estimates when he gets a chance.  But he did provide us with some information to get us going.  I will update THIS blog post when new information becomes available.

Personal cost estimates
The following expenses will not be paid to the Church.  

• Visa $60
• Meal Money $20/day in country
  • 7 day in country $140
  • 10 day in country 200
• Travel money $100

Group expense
The following expenses will be paid to the Church.  The Jordan Pass would lesson the expense of the sites, these are just higher end estimates.

• Housing $15/day in country
  • 7 Day in country $105
  • 10 Days in country $150
• Transport $28.60/ day in country 
  • 7 day in county $200
  • 10 day in country $286
• Project funding $100
• Petra $75
  
• Jerash $15
• Jesus Baptism $22
• Misc Sites $15
• Plane ticket $2000 (HIgh end estimate)

View the cost break down below for 7,10, and 14 days IN COUNTRY.  Please note this is cost per person and several expenses are high estimates 

A spread sheet with every person has been created to track your balances, payments and scholarships applied.  You may ask Jared for this information at any time he will give your remiaining balance.  Funds will be held in our missions account at the church.  You may begin making payments at any time.  Payments schedules and deposit dates will be given at a later date. 

I have heard back from most of you regarding date availability and it appears that we would be better off leaving around May 21st or 22nd.  It will still be very imporant for us to maintain some flexibility in an effort to save costs.  

Below is an example of a price chart flying out and returning to Joplin (this is subject to change and is used only as an example. The below flight is 24 hours from Joplin to Amman).  The more specific we desire to be on dates leaving and returning the greater risk we run of making the trip much more expenseive.  To leave on May 21'st and return on June 2nd (a 12 day trip) is $382/ person more expensive than staying until the 5th.  

Please know that while we want to be accomdative as possible, we also want to keep this trip as accessible as possible to everyone.  While it is possible to travel in seperate groups, for the sake of Books and More, we want to limit how many groups we are taking.  Every group requires more than just a trip to and from the airport, it affects when orientation is (or how many times James has to hold an orientation).  It also impacts how our events are scheduled.  

If you absolutely MUST travel by certain dates, we will accommodate that (though you may not be able to fly with the group), but if you are able to be flexible, that would make things eaiser. 

Days
Based on the information cards you filled out, everyone is willing to do at least a 10 day (from leaving to returing) trip.  Most are able to accomodate 10 days in country.  With this in mind, 10 days in country is going to be the goal for the group at large.  Ideally we can flight out together around May 21st or 22nd and return on an affordable day.  Those that must return earlier are welcome to do so, and if some wish to stay later (perhaps the summer) they will be welcome to stay behind.  10 days in country would have us returning between June 4th and 5th.  

Please let Jared know as soon as you know for sure your availability and any conflicts you might have.  We will take Jame's advice and start looking for tickets around January.