Are you ready to bring a missionary team to serve at Casa Bernabé Children’s Home?
Follow these 10 steps to ensure a smooth, meaningful, and impactful experience for both your team and the children you’ll be serving.
Step 1: Read About Casa Bernabé and Contact Us
Start by reviewing the website to learn more about Casa Bernabé. If you’re interested in bringing a team, the team leader should submit the Inquiry Form to officially begin the process. If you have questions, feel free to contact us.
Step 2: Meet with Teams Coordinator, Apply to Lead a Team and Secure Dates
After submitting the inquiry form, we'll set up a Zoom call with our Stateside Teams Coordinator. During this call, we’ll discuss your team's needs, review the Orientation Packet and identify potential projects that you can work on during your visit. If you decide to move forward, the Team Leader will need to submit an application and a deposit will be required to secure your dates.
Step 3: Share and Pray
Begin sharing the opportunity with others and inviting team members to join. Make this a time of prayer, asking God to bring those He wants to be part of the team. Focus on building a strong team with the right heart, rather than just on the number of people involved. We highly recommend using our 30-day prayer guide as you prepare.
Step 4: Complete Applications and Background Checks
All team members are required to complete an application. This includes reviewing and agreeing to our Visitors Agreement, which outlines expectations, responsibilities, and guidelines for a safe and respectful experience at Casa Bernabé.
For the safety and security of everyone, and to maintain compliance with Guatemalan regulations, we will require all team members over the age of 18 (at the time of the trip) to complete a background check. This is a standard procedure to ensure that your team is prepared for working with children and legally required by the Guatemalan government for any individuals staying on campus.
Step 9: Final Forms
Two weeks prior to arriving on campus, all team members will be asked to complete a final form with their emergency contact information and medical information. They will also be asked confirm their review of the orientation packet, and reaffirming their commitment to comply with visitor’s agreement while on campus.
Step 5: Finalize Team Size, Project & Cost
Once you have your team in place, we will work with you to finalize the number of participants and the specific project(s) your team will focus on. FOCE charges a minimum project fee per team. Teams will work with Casa Bernabe to identify an appropriate project based on team size, skills and budget. If actual costs during the team’s stay fall below the estimate, the excess will remain in the project fund to go towards the completion of that project and/or future similar projects on campus. When a team wants to dedicate funds to a specific large project, a report will be provided to the team upon completion of the project detailing how the money was spent.
Step 6: Book Flights
We recommend booking your flights as soon as possible to secure the best rates. While you’ll be responsible for booking your own flight, feel free to reach out to us for any advice or guidance as needed.
Step 7: Training and Orientation
Preparation is key for a successful trip. We provide a suggested training curriculum to help your team get spiritually and practically ready. Orientation will help ensure everyone is aligned with the mission and knows what to expect.
Step 8: Submit Final Payment
Your final room and board and project payments will be invoiced and payment should be submitted at least 6 weeks before your trip. This allows ample time for processing and ensures that any project supplies and be purchased and ready for you upon arrival.
Step 10: “Last Call”
As your trip date approaches, we’ll schedule a “Last Call” meeting with your full team, our Stateside Team Coordinator, and On-Site Missionary Coordinator. During this call, we’ll review the trip schedule, discuss your project, and answer any last-minute questions.