Roca Blanca

ROCA BLANCA MISSION BASE
Short-Term Team Orientation Manual

INTRODUCTION:

We at Roca Blanca want to thank you for joining our team as co-laborers in Mexico. We pray and believe that each person that comes down to join us is the person God has specially called and prepared for the task.

Please read the following orientation manual carefully. It has been written to help you prepare for your trip, increase your understanding of the area before you arrive, prevent potential problems, and increase the effectiveness of your ministry while you are here.

"For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do." - Ephesians 2:10

BACKGROUND:

The Roca Blanca (White Rock) Mission Base is located on the Pacific Coast of Southern Mexico in the small fishing village of Cacalote, in the state of Oaxaca. We are 30 minutes from Puerto Escondido, 2 hours from Huatulco, and 6 hours south of Acapulco. The weather is generally hot year-round. There is a dry season from November to June and a rainy season from July to October. The primary language spoken is Spanish, however we do work with the Mixteco, Chatino, and Amuzgo Indians who speak their own languages. Be sensitive to the fact that Mexican culture, as well as the cultures in indigenous villages, differ from one another and from those in the United States. Catholicism is the predominant religion in the area and is often mixed with witchcraft and idolatry. This area is very poor, with the majority of people's income coming from working small plots of land.

The seed for a work here on the coast of Oaxaca was planted in Duane Kershner when he was here in 1972 and received a word from the Lord based on Matthew 4:15-16 that there would be a light in the darkness. After receiving this word, he and two other men began preaching village to village along the coast. Relationships were established with the nationals and knitting of hearts occurred. In 1983, Duane and his wife Sue, while pastoring New Covenant Church in Larned, Kansas, began bringing short-term mission teams to the area to work with the churches. A great need developed for a Bible School to train pastors. During a trip in 1989 God revealed the location where the Bible School was to be established, which is the present site of the Roca Blanca Base. In July 1990 Duane and Sue along with a team of graduates from Victory World Missions Training Center arrived at the Base to begin work.

MINISTRY OBJECTIVES:

Our objective is to minister to the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the area with the purposes for the base as follows:

1. To provide a location for a Bible School.
2. To provide a location for a Praise and Worship School.
3. To provide a location for a mobile team to live and work out of as they minister to and evangelize the surrounding area.
4. To provide a location for retreats and conferences for nationals.
5. To receive ministry and medical teams from the States and other parts of Mexico.
6. To provide a location for training mission graduates with an interest in Latin America.

"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith
and pray in the Holy Spirit." - Jude 20

PRAYER:

We at the base recognize the importance of prayer. We begin praying for you and your time here before you arrive. Please spend time in prayer before you arrive. It is the most important part of your preparation.

". . . The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." - James 5:16

TRAVEL:

To enter Mexico you will need a passport.
Note: If a minor is traveling with just one of his/her parents or without either parent a written and notarized consent form from the other parent (if the minor is traveling with one parent) or from both parents (if the minor is traveling without parents) is necessary to cross the border. The form needs to include the name and age of the youth, with whom they are traveling, to what country and for what period of time.

Recommended Shots/Immunizations:
Up to date on your Tetanus & Typhoid Immunizations.

Anti-malaria medication beginning two weeks before and extending four weeks after your trip.

Hepatitis A Immunization

If you minister with a medical team it is recommended you have a TB skin test six weeks after your return home.

When traveling to Roca Blanca the following route is recommended:
Fly from any major U.S. city into Mexico City for customs clearance. From Mexico City it is best to fly to Puerto Escondido. This city is about 30 miles South of the Mission Base. If it is not feasible to fly into Puerto Escondido, a second alternative route is to fly into Huatulco. This tourist town is approximately two hours from the base. Please contact us if you have questions or need assistance.

PACKING:

A general rule for both men and women regarding clothes is that dress here is conservative and modest. Extremes of fashion are generally not accepted and are offensive to the churches that we are working with.
Women:

Light weight skirts and tops or dresses (to the knees or below).
Split skirts & shorts to the knees or below may be worn at the base, but are not acceptable to minister in.
No tank tops or spaghetti straps. Any make-up used or jewelry worn should be very moderate.
Pants on women are generally not accepted in ministry activities.
Comfortable, flat walking shoes or sandals are suggested.

Men:

Casual dress while at the base: T-shirts, shorts, light weight pants, and jeans.
Ministry Attire: Collered shirts and pants. Shorts are not acceptable during any ministry activities.
Comfortable walking shoes or sandals are suggested.

Other items to bring:

Plastic, re-usable water bottle (Nalgene)
Personal care items (toothbrush, soap, etc.)
Medications (any that you are taking), analgesics (acetaminophen, ibuprofen), Dramamine.
Anti-diarrhea meds
Pepto Bismol tablets (enough for 2 tablets a day for short-term trips)
Bathing suit (modest one piece for Women)
Towel
Flip-flops or sandals
Sunscreen
Insect repellent
Flashlight
Light-weight jacket or sweater for cool nights in the mountains
Umbrella or rain jacket during the rainy season (July - October)
Camera and film
Personal food snacks
Bible and notebook
Ziploc bags to protect items from water, humidity, rain, and ants.
Mesh laundry bag

ITEMS YOU CAN BRING TO ASSIST THE MINISTRY:

We invite you to prayerfully consider partnering with us to impact the lives of all the people of Oaxaca. Most of these items are either not readily available here or much more expensive. Please, sow a seed into the Kingdom of God
Note: Please advise the Roca Blanca Mission Base staff, at least 45 days prior to arrival, of items that you may be bringing for the ministry such as Bibles or medicines. These items may need previous clearance with customs.

Spanish Bibles (NIV preferably)
Spanish evangelistic tracts.
Towel sets (bath towel, hand towel, and washcloth)
New clothing for children, teens, and adults
Prizes for children's and youth ministry
Crayons
Markers, pens, pencils
Small note pads
Candy (that doesn't melt)
Small toys (ie. Beanie Babies or stuffed animals)
Adult multi-vitamins
Children's chewable vitamins with iron
Iron supplements for adults
Prenatal vitamins
B-complex vitamins
Vitamin C
Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil)
Triple antibiotic ointment
Electric keyboards
Guitars (acoustic and electric) and guitar strings
Sound system components (Mics, cords, minisystems, etc.)
Other instruments (bass guitar, percussion accessories, sax, trumpet, flute, violin, etc.)

Note: Only one instrument per person is allowed at customs.

CONDUCT:

No smoking, drinking or drugs. Short-term groups will be expected to submit to the authority of your group leader, the designated base leader, and the pastors of the churches where we minister. Please note that violation of the rules may mean being sent home early at your own expense. The Roca Blanca code of conduct will be reviewed when you arrive.

FOOD & WATER:

Purified drinking water will be available at the Roca Blanca Base. Pure drinking water can be obtained at ministry sites and each person will be responsible to carry his or her own personal water bottle. While at the base and in the mountains, meals will be provided by the base.

SANITATION:

Where toilets are available, toilet paper may not be flushed. Rather, it is deposited in a basket beside the toilet.

ELECTRICAL:

If you bring any electrical items, voltage in Mexico is the same. However you need an adapter plug with prongs that are equal in size for any plug that has one prong larger than the other.

PHOTOS:

When taking pictures in church services or during times of ministry, please be discrete and sensitive so as not to interrupt the flow of the Spirit, or disturb the speaker. When taking pictures of individuals, it is always polite to ask their permission first. There are some government areas where photos are prohibited.

CHILDREN:

Young children will need to have constant supervision. We consider this to be the parent's responsibility or the person whom they have appointed. Please take into consideration any special food needs that your children may have and do not assume that they will be available here.

DANGERS:

There are some natural dangers at the base that you need to be aware of such as scorpions, snakes, coconuts falling from the trees, and ocean tides. There are also occasional dangers in the area from robbers or persecution from the unbelievers. If you are aware of them and act wisely, you should have no problems. More specific guidelines and instructions will be given when you arrive.

ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBERS:

Roca Blanca Base
Apartado # 78
Puerto Escondido, 71980
Oaxaca, Mexico

Roca Blanca Telephone:
011-52-954-588-9022
Roca Blanca e-mail:
admin@rocablanca.org

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