FAQs
(from the Hope of Life site, adjusted a bit by Robin)

Welcome to Hope of Life!

Our goal is to make your trip the most valuable use of your time, to allow you to help the needy and impoverished of Guatemala, and give you every tool necessary to change lives!

Below is a list of our most frequently asked questions. Please scroll through to learn more about what a trip to Hope of Life is like!

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What to Expect:

Food

●  All meals are served buffet style, and each person can serve themselves as desired.

●  There are always peanut butter and jelly sandwiches available throughout the day.

●  Coffee and water are always available.

●  Starbuck's-style coffee and smoothie bar has drinks available for purchase by the pool.

●  Sodas, Gatorades, snacks, and ice cream bars are available for purchase at all times.

●  All meals are currently served in the main dining hall at specific times set by Hope of Life and as needed for team needs.

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Examples of meals are as follows, depending on the daily menu:

○  Breakfast: fresh fruit, eggs (various styles), black beans, salsa, meats, omelets, pancakes, French toast.

○  Lunch: tacos, chicken salad sandwiches, rice and meat, hamburgers, fried chicken, potatoes.

○  Dinner: Chile rellenos, tostadas, hamburgers, vegetables, rice and meats, pasta dishes.

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Lodging

● There are bunk rooms for large groups. Each room can house between 4 and 12 people, depending on the size of the group.

●  Approximately 90% of the rooms for missions teams have air conditioning.

●  There may be smaller private rooms available if you are traveling with your spouse; please be flexible if you need to be housed separately.

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Immunizations

• NONE ARE REQUIRED

• Immunizations that the Hope of Life recommends follow the recommendations of the CDC:

  All routine vaccines, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Hepatitis B, Malaria, Rabies, and Yellow Fever.

• Please be aware that any or all of these vaccines can make you feel ill and should be administered in the recommended time frames.

• Should you choose to take Malaria medication while visiting Hope of Life, be sure to check with your physician regarding which medication would be best. It is our experience that any of the Malaria medications that cause sensitivity to sunlight should be avoided.

• Should you or anyone in your group have a medical emergency, experience a reaction to a medicine, or have a reaction to a food or allergy – there are medical professionals available at all times, and we are within driving distance of a private hospital.

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Internet and Connectivity

• WiFi is available in eating areas and in the housing areas on campus, at an additional cost of $10 per device (total, not daily)- due upon request of connection information.

• WiFi and cellular service is not available in the villages, and the use of your phone and hotspots is discouraged while you are ministering to the people. We recommend being as present as you can during your time with us and limiting your internet usage.

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Airport Pick-ups and Drop-offs

• When you arrive, you will first go through immigration; this will require a form given to you by your flight staff and your passport. It is a very simple process and will just take time, depending on the length of the line.

• When you reach baggage claim you will find your bags, locate your saved tags and line up to go through security and customs.

• Once you pass through security you will enter a final foyer before stepping outside the airport. We suggest you wait in this area for your entire group to gather together before leaving – once you leave the airport, you cannot go back inside.

• Outside the airport you will navigate to the right. Our staff is next to the barrier that you’ll have stepped into; there will be a translator and usually one or two guards waiting. They will be looking for you and will assist you with your luggage.

• Once you leave Guatemala City, the bus ride to Hope of Life is approximately 3.5 hours. There is a bathroom stop halfway, so you can plan accordingly.

   

Daily Schedules

• Projects and agendas are set up and confirmed through your Mission Trip Coordinator at Hope of Life. You will have a general agenda for day-to-day activities when you arrive.

• There are multiple ministry areas on campus to be involved in – please speak with your mission trip coordinator about specific preferences for areas of service.

• Some examples of other ministry opportunities that you can be a part of are:

  • Serving food at a local feeding center

  • Food bag distributions

  • Construction projects

  • Medical assistance

  • VBS and other spiritual programs

Packing Essentials

• Active wear (appropriate for hot weather and outdoor activity that may be ruined during work)

• Undergarments

• Sleepwear

• Sunglasses

• Hat

• Work gloves

• Tennis shoes (may be ruined during work)

• Flip-flops or sandals (for shower or evenings)

• Sunscreen and aloe vera

• Reading materials (Bible, journal, reading book)

• Toiletries (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, conditioner, shaving cream, contact solution, brush, etc.)

• Bug spray with DEET

• Medicines (Rx, antidiarrheal, headache, etc.)

• Towel and washcloth

• Flashlight with batteries

• Hand sanitizer

• Refillable water bottle

• Camera

• Ear plugs/Eye mask

• Modest bathing suit

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Personal Appearance

Men's Attire –

• Work/Casual – modest shorts, pants, jeans, and t-shirts

• Church – khakis, jeans, button up shirts or polos

Women's Attire –

• Work/Casual – modest shorts, capris, pants, jeans, and tshirts

• Church – skirts or dresses (knee length) with a sleeved shirt, light sweater/shrug

Modesty –

• No short shorts or short skirts

• No halter tops

• No string bikinis or revealing swimsuits

• No male racing swimsuits or speedos

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Currency and Spending Money

• $1 = 7.5 Quetzales.

• Exchanging of brand new bills that are $20 or higher is available on campus.

• Amount of spending money is determined upon your discretion.

• There is a gift shop on campus and refreshments available for

  purchase.

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Weather and Climate

• Hope of Life International is located in Zacapa, Guatemala – it is quite warm year round.

• May to October is the rainy season: temperatures are typically in the 90’s and 100’s and there is a mix of sunshine, clouds, and short tropical downpours throughout the evening and night.

• November to April is the dry season: it is coolest during this time where it ranges from low 70’s to high 80’s.

• December – January has the coolest nighttime temperatures of the year.