Missions of the Mar Thoma Youth Fellowship

The Diocese of North America and Europe is involved in many mission projects under the leadership of our Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos. As Christians, we are called to show God's love through our service to those in need. There are many people and communities that are need in of assistance (physical, mental, spirtual, financial, etc...) and our mission is to use the resouces that God has blessed us with to help others.

2008 Mission Activities

Missions Conference - Spring Break 2008

Purpose:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20)  

 

The Mar Thoma Youth Fellowship is conducting a Missions Conference in the Mexico Mission field to provide youths an opportunity to participate in mission activities while learning more about the mission that we have been commissioned to through seminars and workshops.

 

As this is Passion Week, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday Services will be conducted by Rev. Biju Cherian (Youth Chaplain, Northeast Region).

 

Date:

Wednesday, March 19 to Sunday, March 23, 2008

All conference delegates should arrive by Wednesday evening (March 19). The conference program will begin on Thursday morning (March 20) and end on Sunday, March 23, 2008.

 

Travel:

You will have two options to attend this conference:

 

Option #1 – Harlingen, Texas:

Fly into the Valley International Airport (HRL) in Harlingen, Texas in the afternoon to evening on Wednesday, March 19.

 

We will arrange for your transportation to and from the airport. The airport is approximately 30 minutes from the Mexican border. When booking your departing flight on Sunday, March 23, please do not book flights earlier than 3:00 p.m..

 

Option #2 – Houston, Texas:

Fly into one of the following airports by 12 noon on Wednesday, March 19:

 

§       Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston, TX

 

From Houston, it is approximately 6 -7 hours to the Mexican border. For those leaving from Houston, TX, vans will be arranged and will leave from the Trinity MTC (Houston, TX) between 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. As the expected arrival back to Houston will be approximately 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, no departure flights should be booked earlier than 7:00 p.m.

 

Passport & Visa:

Please bring your passports as you will be personally responsible for its safety. If you are not a US citizen, please bring necessary immigration documentation for entering back into US. If you are a permanent resident, carry your green card. If you are holding an H-1 visa or religious visa or any other category, please carry necessary documentation with you.

 

A visa is not required for US citizens to enter Mexico. Indian passport holders with permanent resident status also do not require a visa. For non-US citizens, check with the Mexican embassy in your city.

 

 

Local Travel:

Arrangements have been made for local commute from the hotel in Matamoros by vans/bus and to Puntilla Norte and Fantasia Islands by boats. Everyday, conference delegates should be ready to depart from the hotel after devotions and breakfast. Cost of the local travel is covered in the conference registration fee.

 

Lodging:

All lodging arrangements have been made at Hotel Fontana in Matamoros. Rooms are similar to highway motel accommodation and should not expect much convenience or luxury. Every room has attached toilet/showers and window air conditioning units. Please carry your own towel, razor, soap, shampoo etc. Each room can accommodate a family of 2 adults or 4 teens. Rooms can be shared on a same sex basis. Cost of the lodging is covered in the conference registration fee.

 

Food:

Meals will be arranged at Hotel Fontana in Matamoros. As this is lent season, if you have any dietary restrictions, please note that on the registration form. The cost of the meals is covered in the conference registration fee. Time will be allocated for each team member to purchase bottled water and snacks at a local grocery store either in Harlingen or Mexico.

 

Shots & Vaccinations:

All projects encourage getting an updated Tetanus shot.

Hepatitis A is recommended but not required.

Please visit CDC (Center for Disease Control) web site for updated health information for travelers - www.cdc.gov/travel/camerica.htm

 

Registration Cost:

Cost of travel from your home to Harlingen or Houston will vary greatly. Ticket cost might vary anywhere from $120 to $500 per ticket. Make your reservation early and together to obtain a good deal on your air travel.

 

Conference Registration Fee: Approximately $ 150- 200 which will cover the following:

 

1.       Hotel                       

2.       Food                        

3.       Transportation (airport and local)     

 

The final registration fee will depend on whether you will be arriving from Harlingen or Houston (van costs). Please bring a check payable to the “Diocesan Youth Fellowship” to cover your conference registration fee.

 

Registration Deposit and Deadline:

In order to register for this conference, please fill in the registration form and mail it with a $100 registration deposit check payable to the “Diocesan Youth Fellowship” (memo: Missions Conference) to the DYFC Treasurer. For the registration form and mailing address, please send an e-mail to mission@mtcyouth.org.

 

The registration deposit and forms must be received by Sunday, March 2, 2008.

 

As space is limited, registration will be given on a first come, first serve basis. Please register as early as possible.

 

Mexico Mission - Youth Fellowship Commitments

The Mar Thoma Church has adopted two island communities in Mexico in order to share God's love and blessings. Those islands, located in the gulf of Mexico, are part of the Mosquito Islands and are named Fantasia Island and Puntilla Norte. The people of the islands need our assistance in many areas (spiritual, financial, educational, medical, etc...). The Youth Fellowship has made the following commitments to the development of the Mexico Mission:

Commitment #1 - Spritual Development:

Organize mission trips and create programs to support the spiritual development of the people of the islands.

Commitment #2 - Infrastructure Development:

Raise funds from among the working youth of the Diocese to purchase land and construct hostels for the children of the mission field.

The approximate costs for the land and construction are as follows:

Hostel Land (2.2 acres)
$10,000 down payment 
*$40,000

*includes legal and processing fees

Hostel Construction (Boys and Girls)
**Approximately $200,000

**specific plans and contractors have not been finalized yet

Hostel Maintenance
***TBD

***maintenance costs include water, electricity, etc...each Youth Fellowship will be asked to sponsor a child in order to meet the ongoing maintenance costs

Your support is needed!

Working youth should e-mail the DYFC Treasurer (Anoop George at georgeanoop@hotmail.com) in order to donate towards the purchase of the land and construction of the hostels. Receipts will be issued by the DYFC Treasurer for all donations received. Each Youth Fellowship should establish a Mexico Mission Fund in order to collect funds towards the ongoing maintenance of the hostels.

Mexico Mission - Prayer

Prayer is an important aspect in our mission as servants of Jesus Christ. A weekly conference call prayer takes place every Sunday night @ 10:00 p.m. EDT. We join together and spend a few minutes in prayer for our commitments to the development of the Mexico Mission. If you are interested in attending this conference call prayer, please e-mail the DYFC Secretary for the specific conference call dial-in information at secretary@mtcyouth.org. If you are unable to join us, please keep our commitments to the Mexico Mission in your prayers.