Mission Trip Preparation #1

Important dates

March 5, 2007 - Malaria Pills – Malaria Monday
March 11, 2007 – Special Commissioning Service on Sunday
March 15, 2007 – Thursday Night - Pack Missionary Luggage
March 17, 2007 - Leave Omaha, NE on Saturday at 3:15 pm – be at airport by 1:00 pm
April 1, 2007 – Return Omaha, NE on Saturday at 6:10 pm
April 2, 2007 – Special service Sunday

Emergency Identification Kit - I will have an emergency identification kit in case your passport gets lost or stolen. I will have a photocopy of your passport and driver’s license

International Security Warnings – see www.travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html

VISA’s – All visas have been arranged for you. You have an Australian ETA Visa and a PNG Visa.

Travel Insurance – The church has purchased travel insurance for each team member. This is a primary coverage policy and covers major medical events that occur as a result of this trip.

Advance Medical Preparation

• See your doctor at least six weeks before you leave. Some vaccines don't reach the highest protection until about six weeks after you get the shots. PNG does not require any vaccinations. We would suggest that everyone have an up to date tetanus shot and a flu shot prior to traveling.
• Have medical and dental check-ups before your trip to be aware of problems and to find out about what medicines you might want to take along. If you take prescribed medication, be sure to have a sufficient supply for an extended stay and a copy of the prescription. Keep the medication in its original packaging to avoid problems with Customs.
• If you have a medical condition or allergy, prominently display the details, together with your blood type, in your passport
• If you wear glasses most of the time, take a spare pair with you.
• See your doctor to make sure you’re up to date on everything you need for PNG. Don’t let them talk you into an encephalitis vaccine – you don’t need it. You’ll want to get or be up to date on: tetanus. You may want to let your doctor know you will be taking malaria medication:
• You’ll want to start taking a malaria prophylaxis 2 weeks before travel. We will be taking a drug called mefloquine/lariam. It is one pill a week, easy and very effective. If you have hallucinations with mefloquine (or are taking psychotropic medication - Paxill, etc) – we have another drug which we will substitute for mefloquine.