Travel Funds

• $3,500—Includes airfare, lodging, food, tips, and other incidental expenses incurred while in Africa.  This money can be handled in two different ways.
• The entire amount can be sent ahead of trip departure.  All checks should be made payable to Firewind Ministries, and be sent to me:

Lori Loomis

135 Alexander Drive

Elyria, OH 44035

• At least $2,000 needs to be sent to me by June 30.  This will cover flight expenses that have been placed on Firewind Ministries’ credit card.  The remaining $1,500 can be carried in cash to Africa.  This is a preferred alternative so that the Cheshiers have money to exchange for purchase of supplies, etc.  (If you are hesitant about carrying money on your person during the flight, other team members can carry it for you.)
• So that donors may receive tax credit for the cash that you need to take, have those checks made payable to your local church.  Then the church can credit the giving, and convert it to cash for your trip.  (If this is unclear, we can discuss this personally.)
• All giving for the Africa trip is tax deductable.  
• I must keep records of your account.  Payments sent to me will be recorded and forwarded to Firewind Ministries.
• After June 30, I will need to hear from you regarding any cash that you are taking.

• $35—Required travel insurance through the Assemblies of God World Missions Department.  I will give you this form and you can set it to me, along with a check made payable to Firewind Ministries.  I must have this by June 1, 2011.  Marigold will pay AGWM for the entire team.

• $50—When we arrive in Nairobi’s Kenyatta Airport, we must purchase a Kenya visa.  I will have the necessary paperwork for you to fill out on the plane before our arrival.  This fund MUST be a $50 bill that you bring with you.  Perchance this amount has been reduced to $25 (as on very recent trips), have a $20 and a $5 bill available.

• Additional Travel Costs—If you are planning to travel with me from Cleveland, Ohio (or possibly Detroit—in which case I will provide van transportation to that Michigan airport), and live in another locale, it will be necessary for you to make travel arrangements in order to make connections.  We can discuss this personally.  My home is always open to team members who need a room before or after a trip.
• You may choose to fly on your own from your home directly to Kenya.  However, if you are a first-time international traveler, this is not recommended.

• Spending Money—This amount is up to you.  It covers:
• Food and drinks at airports.  These should be smaller bills.  If you give a foreign merchant a large US bill, he may not have enough US currency to make change, and will substitute his local currency.
• Until Marigold makes our flight arrangements, we will not know where our layovers will be, or how long they will last.  Local sightseeing MAY be an option.  If that is the case, I will notify you of the plans so that you can have necessary funds.
• Soft drinks in Kenya—Plenty of safe drinking water will be provided for you throughout our stay in Kenya.  Coffee and hot teas are also provided in the restaurants at no cost to you.  However, if you choose to drink soft drinks, juice, iced tea, bottled water, etc., you will need to pay for these at the time of purchase.

• Souvenirs—There will be opportunity for you to purchase items for you and your friends.  We will have at least one day where we will visit Nairobi shops.  The safari lodge also has a gift shop.  Street vendors will make their wares available to you.  The amount is completely up to you.  Most team members take $150-200 for these items.
• At the beginning of our trip, we will exchange our dollars for shillings (Ksh).  The larger the bill, the better rate of exchange you will be offered.  $100 and $50 bills receive the best rate of exchange.  The bills should be dated after 2000.
• You will use these Ksh to make your purchases while in Kenya.  Any leftover money at the end of the trip can either be given as an offering to the ministry, or can be exchanged back into US currency.
• Most credit cards are accepted.
• Preplan what you might like to buy, and whom you need to shop for.  This will help expedite time.  Remember—we’re not in Kenya to shop.  We’re there to minister.