Upcoming Mission Journeys

 

Orhei Team
Orhei/Ivancea, Moldova
March 7–15, 2009
Mission Code: 0309OR
Cost: Approx. $2600

 

    Trip Leaders: TBA

    Team Meetings and Deadlines: TBA

Passports

A valid U.S. passport is required to leave and re-enter the United States. VERY IMPORTANT: Please check the expiration date of your passport. Your passport must not expire within six months of your RETURN date. If the expiration date is within six months of your return date, you MUST RENEW your passport.

New Application for a U.S. Passport

To apply for your passport, click here (link) to print your application. You will need two headshot photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship (such as a birth certificate), and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.

Completed applications and additional required items can be taken to a post office that processes passport applications. There are also agencies that serve customers who are traveling within two weeks or who need foreign visas for travel.

You must apply in person if you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time; if your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession; if your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago; if your previous U.S. passport was issued when you were under age 16; or if your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost or stolen.

For more information on getting a new passport, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.

Renewal of a U.S. Passport

You can renew by mail if: Your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged; you received the passport within the past 15 years; you were over age 16 when it was issued; you still have the same name or can legally document your name change.

You can get a passport renewal application form by downloading at the U.S. Department of State website.

If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.

    Journey Itinerary

    Journey Itinerary:

    Saturday, March 7 – Depart Nashville
    Sunday, March 8 – Arrive Chisinau, Moldova
    Monday, March 9–Friday, March 13 – Work on-site in Orhei/Ivancea
    Saturday, March 14 – Finish Projects/Sight-See in Chisinau
    Sunday, March 15 – Return to Nashville

    Immunizations

    Some immunizations may be required. Sweet Sleep recommends you contact your physician’s office and talk with them about the region of your travel. You may also visit the Center for Disease Control (CDC) website, www.cdc.gov/travel, for additional information.

    Your local Health and Human Services department may also have the necessary immunizations. Additionally, your community might have a medical clinic geared towards traveler’s health.

    Raising Support

    Tips and Frequently Asked Questions

  • Those who make financial donations for volunteers traveling on a mission journey will receive a receipt for their donation.
  • Keep track of your donations for your personal records: list the donor name, mailing address and amount received.
  • Remember to send each donor a personal thank-you note and trip update upon return.

    • Checks

    Checks should be made payable to Sweet Sleep. The mission code and your first and last name should be in the memo line of each check you submit. Failure to do so could result in an error in your journey balance.

    If you receive a check payable in your name, you must sign the check over to Sweet Sleep by signing your name AND writing, “For deposit only to Sweet Sleep, Inc.” This allows Sweet Sleep to send a tax receipt to your journey supporter.

    Mail the collected checks in an envelope with a note that states your name and mission trip code.

    Mail the checks to:
    Sweet Sleep, Inc.
    ATTN: Orhei/Ivancea Mission Journey
    PO Box 157
    Brentwood, TN 37024-0157

    Cash

    DO NOT send cash through the mail. Instead, send a money order for the total cash amount you have received. Include an itemized list of each donor name, mailing address and amount given so tax-deductible receipts can be mailed. If you write a personal check on behalf of donors who send cash, you will receive a receipt but your donors will not.

    Fundraising Ideas:

  • Write personal support letters explaining your mission and fundraising goal
  • Tell everyone you know what you are doing and how they can help
  • Speak to your church, businesses or groups that may have a special interest in your trip
  • Host a garage sale for your neighborhood or church with donated items
  • Host a fundraising dinner for friends and share about the needs of the orphaned children

    Packing Information

  • Passport
  • Paper ticket or E-ticket
  • Bible and devotional reading
  • Journal
  • Money for souvenirs (bills must be crisp, no tears and no writing)
  • Money belt (money, passport/visa, and ticket will be kept on you at all times)
  • Camera, batteries or charger
  • Small packets of tissue
  • Antibacterial hand cleanser/wipes
  • Travel alarm clock
  • Prescription drugs, in original bottles (place in carry-on luggage)
  • Over the counter medicine (cold & cough, stomach, diarrhea, pain relief, Tylenol PM)
  • Toiletries (shampoo, soap, toothbrush & paste, personal hygiene items)
  • Eyeglasses/contact lenses
  • Sunscreen, hat, umbrella
  • Everyday clothing appropriate for time of year and work being done: khakis, capris, jeans, t-shirts and sweatshirts; (no “short shorts,” low cut shirts or tank tops with spaghetti straps). Pack one to two changes of clothing in your carry-on luggage.
  • One set nice clothing: slacks or long skirt for women, nice shirt and khakis for men
  • Tennis shoes
  • Adapter and converter for electrical items (these are country-specific and can be bought in the travel section of your favorite local superstore or where luggage is sold)
  • Snacks
  • Small flashlight with batteries
  • Books/magazines for flight

    • Baggage Allowance

  • For international travel, each person is allowed two checked bags (each not exceeding 50 lbs); please use one bag for personal luggage and one bag for mission journey supplies.
  • You are allowed one piece of carry-on luggage and one personal item (such as a small purse or backpack)

    Insurance

    Sweet Sleep purchases secondary insurance for each participant traveling with us on a mission journey. The cost of the secondary insurance is included in your total cost. Information completed in your application (such as listing your designated beneficiary) is used by our office to purchase the insurance. Your leader is trained to know what to do in case of emergency and will carry the needed documents during your journey.

    AIG is our provider for travel insurance during your service with Sweet Sleep. The insurance purchased for this short-term mission trip is a secondary insurance that, for example, covers lost or stolen baggage all the way up to emergency medical evacuation. In case of an incident, the participant will need to pay charges and then get reimbursed through AIG after filling out the proper claim form following the mission journey.

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