Organizing your Amor Mission Trip

Here are some essential tid-bits on how to plan your Amor Mission Trip.  These are just the basics to get you started.  For more specific information, please download our complete Amor Mission Trip Planning Guide.  For additional help or questions, please feel free to contact us directly.  Let the planning begin!

The Amor House Project

Depending on your Amor Mission Trip location, most teams who come on trips with Amor typically build a 11’ x 22’, two-room home, with a concrete foundation and stucco finished exterior.  Each location builds a slightly different house based on the needs of that particular ministry location.

Your Amor Mission Trip Planning Timeline

Here is a dateline that outlines the basic Amor Mission Trip information and group responsibilities.  Any questions that may arise from this information can be answered by calling your Mission Trip Coordinator at (619) 662-1200 ext.6.

One Year - Six Months Before a Trip:

• Register your missions group and confirm your Amor Mission Trip with a Mission Trip Coordinator.
• Continue recruiting participants for your missions group.

Seven Months - Five Months Before a Trip:

• Secure transportation to, from, and within ministry location.
• Get necessary insurance (if applicable).
• Begin preparing your missions team. (We recommend Deep Justice Journeys: 50 Activities to Move From Mission Trips to Missional Living by Powell and Griffin From the Fuller Youth Institute.)
• If applicable, start rounding up necessary camping gear, cooking equipment, and tools for your trip. (For Amor Mission Trips in Mexico, download a suggested list within our Planning Manual.)
• Fee Schedule and Statement of Commitment should be turned in by now.  If not, send it ASAP to the Global Headquarters in San Diego, CA.

13 Weeks Before a Trip:

• 60% of the Amor Mission Trip fees are due to the Global Headquarters in San Diego, CA.

Four Weeks Before a Trip:

• Check on your church's/organization’s liability insurance policy.  A group should ensure that their policy will cover traveling and working in the specific ministry location you will be serving.
• Begin organizing teams (examples: Cooking Team, Worship Team, Outreach Team, etc.) to help your Amor Mission Trip run smoothly.  Get the teams started on planning.

Ten Days Before a Trip:

• 40% of the Amor Mission Trip fees are due to the Global Headquarters in San Diego, CA.
• Finalize arrival and check-in times with your Mission Service Representative.
• For Mexico trips, double-check the packing lists from the Planning Manual (section six) to make sure your missions group is all set on tools, first aid supplies and personal items for the trip.

Check-In and Border Crossing Information (Mexico Only)

These procedures are in place for groups meeting us in San Diego and El Paso only. Groups going to Puerto Peñasco will receive special instructions unique to your trip.

Before Your Check-In

• Fill all vehicles with gas and pick up Mexican auto insurance.

Check-In

• Be as punctual as possible (your Mission Trip Coordinator with contact you the week prior to your trip  to arrange a check-in time).
• Turn in all complete and signed Individual Mission Trip Participation Forms.  Remember that minors must have a parent or legal guardian's signature on their form.
• All financial obligations will be reconciled.

Crossing the Border

• Groups are not allowed to cross on their own.  Amor will lead each group, by caravan, to their worksite or campsite.
• The Mexican border officials will inspect vehicles and trailers for any illegal items, building materials, firewood, and donations.  Please be patient and respectfully quiet.  (Your Mission Trip Coordinator will supply you with a list of banned items for you to abide by.)

Meal Planning and Preparation (Mexico and San Carlos Only)

Here are some basic guidelines to keep in mind when planning and preparing your groups meals.  This is for trips to Mexico and the San Carlos Apache Reservation (food for trips to South Africa are included in the trip fees).

• IMPORTANT: The Amor Field Team Member and interns who are assigned to your group will eat with your group, therefore you should plan on one or two extra people for each meal.
• Your group is responsible for your own food.
• Designate a team to be in charge of the meals, or share the responsibility and rotate teams for meal preparation.
• Plan on using portable stoves that operate on their own energy source (such as Coleman-type stoves) and ice chests for refrigerated goods (ice can be replenished with help of an Amor Team Member).