Josh's Mission Trip to Ecuador
Donation protected
Who Am I: My name is Josh Calton. I am a 23 year old pre-med student, and I am raising the funds necessary for my long-term mission trip to Playas, Ecuador.
Background: My church in Tucson, Arizona (along with two other churches in southern AZ) partner with a church in the coastal region of Playas, Ecuador. Our churches in Tucson helped contribute financially to the building of the Ecuadorian church, the building of which also doubles as a children's development center. Because of this partnership, our churches have developed a close relationship, which has allowed us to visit annually.
This Upcoming Trip: I have taken two previous trips to Ecuador, which have both been extremely impactful on me as an individual, most notably on the way I view and live out God's purpose for my life. [To learn more about my ties to Playas and my previous trips, please check out the "Updates" tab.] After my most recent mission trip in June, I felt in my gut that God was calling me to return to Playas. More specifically, I felt Him telling me that there was a need for long-term assistance at the understaffed church. Therefore I plan to take this year, while I apply to medical school, to return to Playas on a long-term mission trip. I am excited for this trip because clearly God has done some amazing things during my previous trips, however the relative impact of these two trips were limited due to their short-term nature. Therefore, I am planning a 3-6 month trip in hopes that this longer stay will correlate to a deeper, longer-lasting impact on the community of Playas.
What Will I Be Doing: During my 3-6 month stay in Playas, I will be working with the church staff to meet any need they may have. In my preliminary talks with the pastor, it is my understanding that I will be working primarily with the teenagers in the youth group, but will also assist with adults and kids if necessary. Specifically I am preparing myself to assist with Bible school, organize activities for the teenage youth group, start a weekly small group, and even teach an English class for those interested .
Price Breakdown For This Upcoming Trip:
(All values are approximate)
One Time Fees -
Round trip flight from Tucson, AZ to Guayaquil, ECU: $800
Ecuador Missionary Visa: $450
Monthly Fees -
Food: $350
Rent: $150
Health/Personal Care: $20
Public Transportation: $10
3-month trip total: $2,840
4-month trip total: $3,370
5-month trip total: $3,900
6-month trip total: $4,430
My goal: To be fully funded for the 6-month trip ($4,430) by the end of the 2016 calendar year, before flying to Ecuador in January 2017. However, if I have not raised the full amount needed for a 6-month mission trip, then the amount of funds raised at that time will dictate the length of my stay. In the event that I raise more than the full amount needed for a 6-month mission trip, all additional funds will be donated to the local church and Compassion program in Playas, Ecuador.
Assistance: I am asking for your help in a couple of ways- First, pray for me throughout the extent of this journey. I need people standing alongside me while I raise funds, while I prepare, while I travel, and while I’m on the ground serving in Ecuador. Secondly, I need assistance with the funding of this trip. I would really appreciate any amount you could contribute. No gift is too small. But if you're not in a place where you can financially donate, no worries! A 'Like' on this page or a share on Facebook to help spread the word would mean the world to me.
Thank you! Words can not even begin to explain how much I appreciate all your support, encouragement, and prayers! I know that I’m going to see and experience God work in some pretty amazing ways.
¡Gloria a Dios!
Background: My church in Tucson, Arizona (along with two other churches in southern AZ) partner with a church in the coastal region of Playas, Ecuador. Our churches in Tucson helped contribute financially to the building of the Ecuadorian church, the building of which also doubles as a children's development center. Because of this partnership, our churches have developed a close relationship, which has allowed us to visit annually.
This Upcoming Trip: I have taken two previous trips to Ecuador, which have both been extremely impactful on me as an individual, most notably on the way I view and live out God's purpose for my life. [To learn more about my ties to Playas and my previous trips, please check out the "Updates" tab.] After my most recent mission trip in June, I felt in my gut that God was calling me to return to Playas. More specifically, I felt Him telling me that there was a need for long-term assistance at the understaffed church. Therefore I plan to take this year, while I apply to medical school, to return to Playas on a long-term mission trip. I am excited for this trip because clearly God has done some amazing things during my previous trips, however the relative impact of these two trips were limited due to their short-term nature. Therefore, I am planning a 3-6 month trip in hopes that this longer stay will correlate to a deeper, longer-lasting impact on the community of Playas.
What Will I Be Doing: During my 3-6 month stay in Playas, I will be working with the church staff to meet any need they may have. In my preliminary talks with the pastor, it is my understanding that I will be working primarily with the teenagers in the youth group, but will also assist with adults and kids if necessary. Specifically I am preparing myself to assist with Bible school, organize activities for the teenage youth group, start a weekly small group, and even teach an English class for those interested .
Price Breakdown For This Upcoming Trip:
(All values are approximate)
One Time Fees -
Round trip flight from Tucson, AZ to Guayaquil, ECU: $800
Ecuador Missionary Visa: $450
Monthly Fees -
Food: $350
Rent: $150
Health/Personal Care: $20
Public Transportation: $10
3-month trip total: $2,840
4-month trip total: $3,370
5-month trip total: $3,900
6-month trip total: $4,430
My goal: To be fully funded for the 6-month trip ($4,430) by the end of the 2016 calendar year, before flying to Ecuador in January 2017. However, if I have not raised the full amount needed for a 6-month mission trip, then the amount of funds raised at that time will dictate the length of my stay. In the event that I raise more than the full amount needed for a 6-month mission trip, all additional funds will be donated to the local church and Compassion program in Playas, Ecuador.
Assistance: I am asking for your help in a couple of ways- First, pray for me throughout the extent of this journey. I need people standing alongside me while I raise funds, while I prepare, while I travel, and while I’m on the ground serving in Ecuador. Secondly, I need assistance with the funding of this trip. I would really appreciate any amount you could contribute. No gift is too small. But if you're not in a place where you can financially donate, no worries! A 'Like' on this page or a share on Facebook to help spread the word would mean the world to me.
Thank you! Words can not even begin to explain how much I appreciate all your support, encouragement, and prayers! I know that I’m going to see and experience God work in some pretty amazing ways.
¡Gloria a Dios!
Organizer
Josh Calton
Organizer
Tucson, AZ