Puerto Vallarta Diakonos Mission Trip

This trip has been temporarily postponed due to some logistical details in getting the playground to Puerto Vallarta. We are hoping to see this trip be rescheduled in May or June 2010.Please contact info@diakonosretreat.com if you are interested in this trip. Revised costs and dates will be posted as soon as arrangements have been finalized. Thank you for your patience.

Diakonos Retreat Society is once again planning a missions based trip to Puerto Vallarta to assist Angels for Mexico in the delivery of fire equipment and police equipment to the Fire Services and Police Services of Puerto Vallarta and Region.

The Calgary Fire Department, Calgary Police Service and EMS are providing used equipment to be delivered to Puerto Vallarta Emergency Services. To date, hundreds of pieces of firefighting equipment has been delivered to the Fire Department and over 100 bullet proof vests have been delivered to their local Police Service.

Over the past 10 years Diakonos has been providing opportunities to make a difference in the working poor in Tijuana Mexico. In October 2009, we took on an opportunity to do the same building for the working poor in Puerto Vallarta, however, the families happened to be Fire Fighters, Rescue workers and Police Officers. Diakonos provided the supplies needed to repair, rebuild or build housing for these fire, rescue and police families and assisted those families in improving their living conditions and hopefully the pride they have in the profession they have chosen. We also visited a local school to deliver an abundance of donated school supplies to the children.

Diakonos will once again be going to Puerto Vallarta. We have arranged to work on at least 2 houses in Puerto Vallarta. We will also be building a playground in a community near a Firehall Substation. The playground will be built in honor of Cliff Robinson, a Calgary Firefighter who passed away in January 2009.

This mission trip is open to all Peace Officers, Fire Fighters, and EMS family members age 12 and up. Those under 18 must be with a parent or designate.

SAFETY CONCERNS

For those concerned about safety in Mexico - Over past few years there has been an increase in violence along the border towns between the US and Mexico. This has caused considerable concern amongst members considering taking family members to Mexico. Secondly, with the world wide concerns of swine flu this has increased general health questions. We encourage you to seek advice from your family doctor about what you require for your own personal health situation.

While it is impossible for us to convince people that Puerto Vallarta is not a safety concern we realize that people will make up their own minds regardless of the information provided. What we can tell you is, Puerto Vallarta continues to be a safe environment for tourists with minimal impact. As with all of our mission trips, we will continue to take reasonable precaution to ensure as safe a trip as possible.

We are excited for this upcoming Missions Trip! If you are interested in going on this trip or would like to make a donation or inquiry, please contact us at info@diakonosretreat.com

COSTS

The $1400.00 cost of this trip covers airfare, accommodations, meals, ground transportation and building materials for the homes in Mexico.

Should there be significant changes in the currency exchange, airfare fuel or building materials costs impact, we with let those who sign up be aware of this.

We require a non-refundable deposit of $200 per person to help cover costs of flight and hotel deposits by January 9^th, 2010. Application form, authorization/privacy, liability and Notary letter must also be submitted at this time. See link below for these documents.

Next installment of cost ($600.00) is due by February 15^th, 2010

Remaining balance ($600.00) is due by March 6^th, 2010

Diakonos Retreat Society is a charitable organization and all funds raised are tax deductible for the purpose of this mission. Individuals can raised the total amount needed through individuals and businesses willing to support the cause and they can be issued a tax receipt for their donation. Please contact

info@diakonosretreat.com

for assistance if necessary. See link below for Sponsor Form.

All cheques need to be made out to Diakonos Retreat Society. In the memo area, DO NOT put the participants name – just note Missions Trip (this is due to Government Regulated procedures). Put the cheque in an envelope with the participants name on it.

If you know of those who would like to contribute but cannot go on this trip, they can do so by clicking on the button or going to

www.canadahelps.org and search for Diakonos Retreat Society.

FORMS (click to download)

2010 Mexico Application Form

2010 Sponsorship Form

Authorization and Privacy Form

Diakonos Liability Form

Notary Letter