Just one more week and we will be picking you up in Quito.  And then your “M101″ training begins!  Please read the following information carefully and feel free to comment with any q’s you may have.

Important Information

• You are all curious as to where you will be going and what you will be doing, I am sure.  The training part of your mission will take place at a small local Christian school, about 45 minutes outside of Quito.  It is a very simple school and we are honored that they are giving us the space to run our boot camp there.  We will return their favor by painting rooms and desks for them during the training portion of your stay.
• We will be sleeping inside and on cement floors at the school.  You will have a comfortable mat to sleep on, and you need to have warm bedding (sleeping bag or sheet and blanket) to sleep with.  The weather here (in the Andes mountains) has been unseasonably cold, so bring warm clothes to sleep in too.
• You will be traveling six hours away (by bus) on Thursday (5th) to a jungle town where we will give ourselves in service to a small community there, provide games and fun for the children, and be a part of sharing the gospel to the people.  It will most likely be hot and humid there, as it is in the jungle region.  The team will remain there through the 10th, when we will return by bus to the school outside of Quito.
• Please read through your prep manuals again to remind yourself what you should and should not be packing to bring with you!  Remember to pack LIGHT and bring the minimum amount of clothing.  Don’t forget to bring a modest bathing suit, sun block, and bug repellent.
• Boots for muddy weather will be provided for you by us.
• While in the jungle, you will be sleeping in tents.  These will help to protect you from bugs, as well as give you some privacy.
• PLEASE BRING ANY SUPPLIES THAT YOU CAN FOR CHILDREN’S MINISTRY!  We need: soccer balls (deflated), blowing bubbles, paper and crayons or markers, scissors, craft projects, beads and string, copied coloring sheets (from color books), small toys to use as prizes, etc.  All of these can be purchased at a 99 cent store or perhaps found in your closet or could be donated by your children’s ministry.  Any items will be helpful for your team’s contact with children while you are here.  Please take the time to let me know what you are able to bring.

Arrival at the Quito airport:

• The airport here is very small, therefore sometimes it takes a while to get through the limited immigration check point.  Be certain that you have your passport ready.
• Immediately beyond that is a small area where your baggage will arrive on baggage belts.  It can be really crazy there!  If you are a part of a group, I would suggest that you have someone stand guard over all the stuff you collect up so that you can move through the next step together once all your luggage has arrived.
• You will then move to an inspection point where all luggage and carry ons will have to be placed on a belt to go through an X Ray machine.  You may get questioned about the contents of your bag or asked to open your bags for inspection here.  It is always best to answer simply (if questioned) that the contents are your personal belongings as well as gifts.
• You will then walk through sliding glass doors and up a small ramp to where you will be required to show your luggage tags (that are usually stuck to the other side of your plane tickets) before you can pass through, so have these ready and accessible! They will match up your luggage tags with the tags on your luggage to be sure that you are only taking what is yours.
• After this, look for a sign that says “M101″ – that will be us!  We will get the luggage loaded up and have a very short briefing right there and then travel to the school that will become our Boot Camp Training Grounds for the next few days.

That’s it for now – but please keep checking for more updates.