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IRIS GLOBAL
Harvest School of Missions
STUDENT MANUAL
HS 21, October 2014
CONTENTS
GETTING STARTED VISA PROCESS
EXTENDED OUTREACH
REQUIRED READING LIST
TUITION & REFUNDS FOOTWEAR
HOTELS, AIRPORTS & SAFETY
FLIGHTS
HOTEL OPTIONS
PASSPORT INFORMATION
VACCINATIONS
MALARIA
WATER & ELECTRICITY
MEDICAL INSURANCE
PACKING
FIRST AID & MEDICATIONS
ID REQUIREMENTS
GIVING
SAFETY
HOUSING
COMMUNICATION
OVERNIGHT OUTREACH
INTERNET & PHONES
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
DONATIONS
Pictured above: a photo of the first building on
our property that welcomes you through the
gate to your new home.
Our property in Pemba, Mozambique on the beach
TRANSIT VISA
CLOTHING GUIDELINES
LONG TERM OPPORTUNITIES
BANKING & EXPENSES
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
A WORD FROM THE ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTORS
My Dear Students,
I have spent the day with my love
Jesus in my bedroom. I will share a
portion from my journal from this
time because it is for you too. I
wrote these things down as I was
experiencing them. I felt like He's
speaking and showing me such
beautiful things.
"My plans for you have never
changed. No circumstance can
change my plans for you. They are
secure. I am welcoming you into
My house - everything I have is
yours – every room, every
chamber, every golden object,
every provision. My table - not
another table - is your table. You sit at
Pictured above: Rolland & Heidi with Tony & Pamela Maxwell
My table with me. I'm inviting you in not as a guest, but as an heir. Every
beautiful picture on the wall,
everything in the kitchen, every golden object of splendor...the healing, the prophetic, the anointing,
the deliverance...they're not only for the high-ups, the select few. They are ALL for you - fully, full
measure, no holding back, unlimited measure. My plans have not changed for you; My place has not
changed for you.
(I have taken in my daughter's three cats as she was getting married.)
You have offered the new cats a secure, warm, nourishing home, but they have run off scared to shiver
in the woods. They sneak back at night to steal a bit of food and run away scared. They don't
understand your love and desire to provide a home for them. So come, My daughter, My son. It is the
Father's desire to give you the kingdom - full ownership, quiet rest, secure belonging, abundant
provision, your own place by My side. Come - I hold the door open to welcome you in - to welcome
you home - eager to give you everything - your full inheritance, My glory, My all..."
Oh Jesus, my love, I am blown away by your intimate love, your desire to have me so close to you. I
come not just onto your property to hear about your stories and songs for us. I must have more. I don’t
come into your yard just so I can see you from afar. I must be closer. I climb upon your porch where I
can see your radiance shining beyond the door. My soul pants for you. I enter in and cross the
threshold with all my bags like a son coming home for good. I run into your welcome, your embrace,
your heart. I have found my place, I am home at last. I walk with you into every room, beholding,
touching every beautiful object. I sit at the long table with You to enjoy the feast You have provided
for me. I walk into a room I've never been in before. The walls are covered with promises. You say
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Iris Global
School of Missions
these are for me and ask me if I am willing to carry them. I lay
on the big rug on the floor and hold my arms open and say
Yes as tears roll down my face. The promises fly off the walls
and fill my heart and become part of me. I am changed, my
whole perspective of myself. I arise changed - a son, filled
with His fullness, knowing who I am and what I carry.
Somehow now I know the home is not just a dwelling place, a
place of rest and refuge, but a command post where I will
come in and out and do exploits for my King."
My dear Students, you are His cherished ones! Everything He
has is for YOU! It is the Father's pleasure to give YOU the
kingdom!!! His plans have not changed for YOU! Every
promise you have ever heard from Him is for YOU!
Pour out upon these, Papa, their full inheritance, the Holy
Spirit without measure, anointing to break every yoke, love that shatters every stronghold, your perfect
peace that casts out all fear.
The word I keep hearing from the Lord for you is: "COME".
Come into the secret place of the Most High.
Come up to Me on the mountain and stay here.
Come let us meet together.
Come meet with Me face-to-face.
Come and behold Me.
Come with your burdens, your cares, your hurts, your fears.
Come to Me all who are weary.
Come into the arms of the Almighty, the Lover of your soul,
your Beloved.
Come all who are thirsty.
Come and drink of My waters.
Come and see, come and taste, come near.
Come into My fullness for I have so much more for you.
Come up to My altar and lay down your life.
Come follow Me.
Come to My table.
Come into My garden.
Come out to the tent of meeting.
Come into the sanctuary.
Come and enter my rest.
Come and be filled to the measure of the fullness of God.
Come and carry My heart, My life, My love, My glory to the ends of the earth.
COME.
May you rest in His peace and dance in His joy as you enter into this marvelous journey!
Much Love and Blessings,
Pamela Maxwell
Administrative Director
3
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
GETTING STARTED
AKA - I’M ACCEPTED.
NOW WHAT?
First things first – if you haven’t already gotten excited – do so! Secondly – read the ENTIRE Student
Manual – it is FULL of useful and helpful information to help you along your journey to Pemba. And
yes, there will be a test on this book! ;o)
Upon acceptance, there are several things that need to happen. This list will help you know what
steps to take next:
1. The very first responsibility you will undertake as a student is reading this manual in its
entirety. It’s not only full of helpful information – it’s also a requirement and is not an optional
part of your participation. Those who have not read this manual will not receive the letter of
invitation required to apply for a visa. (Your letter of acceptance does not count as a letter of
invite.)
2. Pay your $200 tuition deposit within 10 days of acceptance. We cannot hold your place in the
school until this is completed. (https://www.irisglobal.org/giving-center/harvest). After
making the payment, email [email protected] to confirm your payment has been made.
3. Join Harvest School 21 Facebook group to chat with staff and other students at this link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1455754118002808
4. Get started reading the required books. They are also available on Kindle.
5. Read outreach options and email your outreach choice and application to Kurt & Brooke
Wilson at [email protected]
6. To gain access to your letter of invitation, please follow instructions on page 18 of this manual.
7. Find the Mozambican Embassy nearest to you to apply
for a visa.
8. Purchase flights
9. Purchase medical insurance and email your insurance
policy to [email protected]
10. Email your arrival information: name, airline carrier
and time of arrival to [email protected]
11. Login: https://www.irisglobal.org/harvest/register/HS21/ Complete the form for your passport, visa,
insurance, malaria medicine, flight information and other items. Please also go to the upload page and
upload a copy your passport, visa and liability form.
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Iris Global
School of Missions
HARVEST SCHOOL 2014 DATES
School HS21: Oct. 1st – Dec 4th, 2014
Tuition: $3000 USD includes $200 non-refundable application
processing fee. This non-refundable deposit must be paid
within 10 days after receiving your acceptance letter.
August 25th, 2014 – All school fees are due
Nov. 1st, 2014 - Last date to make outreach changes
Arrival Dates: Sept. 27th – 30th
Departure Dates: Dec. 5th – 7th
(please stick to these dates unless otherwise instructed)
EXTENDED OUTREACH OPTIONS
(extended outreach is an outreach to a different location, sometimes local,
sometimes international, that takes place after the school is completed)
Location: Locations are not limited to the bush-bush of
Mozambique, but will be throughout the world. Some locations
include; India, Nepal, South Africa, Cambodia, Zimbabwe, Brazil,
Thailand, Sudan, Moldova, Romania, Japan, Madagascar, Sierra
Leone, USA inner city missions in Mississippi and Israel, amongst
others.
Costs: Cost will vary with each location and these outreach
locations may change due to the instabilities in the political
climates.
Where to find this information: Further information will be
emailed to you upon acceptance and will be updated as outreaches
are added. It will also be added to the Harvest School Facebook
page.
Students going to international outreaches will leave from their
outreach locations and will not return to Pemba. More specific
information and instructions will be sent shortly - Please do not
book your tickets at this time.
Graduation
Requirements
Students must attend
all core classes and at
least 80% of all other
classroom activities.
Students who
habitually do not
attend classes will be
asked to leave the
Missions School at
their own expense and
no refunds will be
given a refund.
PARTICIPATION
REQUIREMENTS
Students must attend
their scheduled
weekend outreaches,
participate in
scheduled home
groups and complete
all assigned work
duties to be
considered a graduate
of the Harvest
Missions School.
PLEASE NOTE: Should you not be approved for outreach, but
have already booked your flights, it will be your responsibility to
change your flight to leave 2-3 days after graduation at your own
cost. If you are accepted for outreach and decide not to go, you will
be responsible to re-schedule your plane ticket to leave 2-3 days
after graduation. You cannot stay on base after this time if you are
not going on outreach. For most, the airline would assess a schedule
change fee. Be sure to check out the amount of the fee and make
provision for its payment from Mozambique.
5
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
REQUIRED READING LIST
We highly recommend that you purchase your books early and read them before leaving. The
schedule is very full in Pemba and it is difficult to find time to read the books while you are there.
The required reading list is part of the pre-requisites to graduate from the Iris Harvest School of
Missions. There will also be a few articles sent through email for you to read.
All of the books on the list can be purchased through any bookstore and most can be downloaded
through on a kindle, iPad or other notepad that supports electronic books.
PLEASE NOTE: Students who do not complete all of the graduation, participation and reading
requirements will not receive a certificate of graduation, but a certificate of attendance to Iris Harvest
School. Also note that students must fulfill all requirements for graduation, participation & reading
requirements from the Harvest School to apply for long-term missions with Iris Ministries.
o
o
Baker, Heidi. Birthing the Miraculous. (Florida: USA: Charisma House, 2014) ISBN: 978-1-62136-219-7
Baker, Heidi & Pradhan, Shara. Compelled by Love. (Florida, USA: Charisma House,2008). ISBN 978-159979-351-1
o
Baker, H.A. Visions Beyond the Veil. (Kent, UK: Sovereign World, 2001) ISBN: 1-85240-278-4
o
Baker, Rolland and Heidi. There Is Always Enough (Kent, UK: Sovereign World, 2003). ISBN 1-85240-2873. The book has also been published under the title Always Enough (Chosen Books, 2003). ISBN 0-80079-361-7
o
Baker, Rolland. Toward a Biblical Strategy of Missions: The Effects of the Five Christian Core Values
of Iris Global. 2013. PhD. Dissertation.
o
Brown, Michael. Hyper-Grace; Exposing the Dangers of the Modern Grace Message. (Florida, USA:
Charisma House, 2014) ISBN: 978-1-62136-589-1
o
Ligenfelter, Sherwood, G. & Marvin K. Mayers Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational
Model for Personal Relationships. (Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Books,1986; reprinted 2001). ISBN 08010-5632-2
o
Sithole, Surpise Voice in the Night (See www.irismin.org to purchase). Disciple of Jesus Christ,
(Milton Keynes, England: Armour Publishing, 2005). ISBN-13: 978-981-4138-55-0
o
Tari, Mel. Like a Mighty Wind. (USA: New Leaf Press, 2001). First printed 1971. ISBN 0-89221-123-7
o
Tucker, Ruth*. From Jerusalem to Irian Jaya. 2nd edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2004). Hardcover;
ISBN 0-310-23937-0. First edition is still available (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1983). Softcover; ISBN 0-31045931
* From Jerusalem to Iran Jaya - Students aren't required to read the whole book. You may select a few
missionaries from the book (even do a little extra research) to make a presentation to the school. This book
may also be borrowed from the school library in Pemba as we have plenty of copies in Pemba.
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Iris Global
RESEARCH
ASSIGNMENT
Students will need to
have researched the
life of at least two
missionaries in order
to participate in one of
the assignments given
in Pemba. Please use
reliable sources for
your information and
avoid books and
websites that do not
have credible
information.
RECOMMENDED
READING
School of Missions
Research assignment
Students will be asked to work with their weekend outreach group
to perform a drama on the life of a missionary. Please research a
minimum of two missionaries whose stories have impacted you
and write down pivotal moments through their lives. Consider the
major influences in their lives, their struggles, their triumphs and
their legacy.
Recommended
 Baker, Rolland and Heidi. The Hungry Always Get
Fed (Also been published under the title Expecting
Miracle)
 Bunyan, John. The Pilgrim’s Progress
 Chevreau, Guy. Turnings: The Kingdom of God and
the Western World
 Foster, Richard J. Prayer: Finding the Heart's True
Home
 Grubb, Norman. Rees Howells: Intercessor
This list is only to
share the books that
Rolland and Heidi
recommend for those
who are interested in
further reading.
These books have
impacted them in
their journey of
missions and faith.
These books are only
recommendations,
and are not a
requirement for
graduation.
 Johnson, Bill. When Heaven Invades Earth: A
Practical Guide to a Life of Miracles
 Pullinger, Jackie. Chasing The Dragon
 Richardson, Don. Peace Child
 Sithole, Surpise. Rush Hour
 Smith, Duncan. Consumed by Love
 Thompson, Phyllis. Sadhu Sundar Singh: A Biography
of the Remarkable Indian Disciple of Jesus Christ
 Vallotton, Kris. Purity: The New Moral Revolution
 Van der Steen, Mattheus. Dare to Dream
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Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
TUITION & PAYMENT OPTIONS
By now you will have paid, or are getting ready
to pay your $200 deposit and will soon be on
your way to paying your tuition fees.
Please remember that the deposit holds your
place in the school. Each applicant (excluding
children 0-5) must pay the tuition deposit. This
is necessary to hold your place in the school.
Deposit fees are NON-REFUNDABLE if you
should decide to withdraw.
Cost:
Adults & Youth:
Children 6-12:
Children 0 – 5:
$3000
$1500
FREE
All fees for HS 21 are due by August 25th, 2014
Your deposit, tuition and outreach fees can all
be paid with the options below.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
(payments made with non USD should be calculated
based on that days exchange rate)
Check or Money Order: Must be payable in US
dollars to Iris Global and mailed to:
Iris Global Missions School
PO Box 493995
Redding, CA 96049-3995
Include a note with the check or money order
that the payment is for HS 21 and whether it is
for tuition, deposit, or extended outreach.
Credit Card Payment: Go to tuition on the
school website or click this link directly to our
tuition page:
http://www.irisglobal.org/missions/harvest/t
uition
Then under Credit Card Payments click “Click
here to pay online”. Payments can be made all
at once or a little at a time. Be sure to fill in the
information with your name. Let us know if it is
deposit, tuition or extended outreach.
8
Wire Transfer: Please send an email to
[email protected] requesting wire transfer
information. We will send you the instructions by
return email. For security reasons we cannot include
wire transfer instructions here.
Be aware that there are additional fees for wire
transfers. Typical fees are:
1. INTERNATIONAL: Sending Bank Fee + $20
2. DOMESTIC: Sending Bank Fee + $10
Example: If your sending bank charges $30 for an
outgoing wire transfer, then add $20 for a total of $50.
Therefore if your payment is $3,000, then your total
wire transfer amount would be $3,050.
After Making ANY Payment: send an email to
[email protected] to notify our accounting
department of your payment. In the body of this email
include the following information:
a. Your full name
b. Your address
c. Your email
d. State if the payment is for tuition, deposit, or
outreach and include the code for the outreach
e. Include the details of how payment was made,
including any transaction numbers, special
information or name of the sending bank
A receipt will be issued for your payment after it has
been fully processed. This can sometimes take a few
weeks, so please be patient. Our accounting
department works hard to make sure everyone is
attended to.
UNACCEPTABLE PAYMENT METHODS
1. DIRECT DEPOSITS to our Iris Ministries bank
account are not accepted. This is because there is
no way to identify who made the deposit.
2. CASH PAYMENT & CHECKS HAND-CARRIED
TO PEMBA will NOT be accepted.
(the only exception to this will be to settle small (less than
$50) under-payments due to miscalculation of transaction
fees and preapproved exceptions for students coming from
countries where other pre-payment methods are not possible)
Iris Global
School of Missions
REFUNDS &
PAYMENTS MADE ON BEHALF OF STUDENTS
WITHDRAWALS BEFORE
SCHOOL STARTS: If certain
circumstances prohibit students
from attending the school, tuition
fees will be refunded LESS the
amount of the tuition deposit AND
any transaction fees related to the
refund.
OUTREACH FEES: If a student is
not permitted or is not able to
attend an outreach, a full refund of
the outreach portion of the tuition
fees will be made by one of the
payment methods listed above.
We must be notified of the
decision to not attend an
outreach by Nov. 1st, 2014 in order
for a refund to be issued.
If expenses have already been
incurred on the student's behalf,
then that portion of the outreach
fee may not be refundable. Final
determination will rest with the
school administration.
EARLY DEPARTURES: We regret
to inform you that we cannot
give refunds to any student who
leaves early from the Iris Harvest
School of Missions for any
reasons.
UNDER/OVER PAYMENTS:
Under-payments not exceeding
$50 can be settled in cash on
arrival in Pemba. Overpayments
should be avoided if possible,
and cannot be collected upon
arrival in Pemba.
Payments can also be made for
you, by others, using the same
options listed above. However
be sure to inform anyone making
a payment on your behalf to
include the following:
-
full name of the student
school tuition, or outreach
code
transaction details (any
transaction numbers or
special information, name of
sending bank)
We suggest asking your current
church to collect money on your
behalf, or utilizing the services of
a missions agency that may
charge a small fee to help you
with the process. Both of these
options will allow for a tax
deductible receipt to be given to
those who would like to support
you.
Tuition & Outreach payments are
due by August 25th, 2014. All
tuition correspondence goes to
[email protected]
Please do not come “in faith” without your fees for the school being fully paid. We believe the Lord
understands deadlines, so if He has not supplied in time, we won’t contradict Him by accepting you without
your finances being in order. We need to know one month prior to arrival if you are not able to attend as we
usually have a waiting list of people waiting to come.
Tuition Cost Covers:
 Communal housing
 Basic African cuisine of
three meals daily (mostly
bread, rice, beans, or fish)
 Weekend outreach
transportation
 Electricity costs
SUPPORT DONATIONS AND
TUITION PAYMENTS ARE NOT TAX
NOT INCLUDED IN TUITION:
 Airfare
 Visa
 Toiletries
 Personal spending
money
 Medical/travel insurance
 Extra snacks/treats
 Drinking water
 Extended Outreach costs
& flights
DEDUCTIBLE
Account Summary: You can view the history of payments in your account by logging in and clicking on the ‘Account’ in the upper
right of the website. Then click on the ‘Giving’ link.
9
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
TRUSTED TRAVEL AGENCIES
We have two excellent International travel agents
who have worked with us for several years to help
students find their way to Pemba.
The first is Shelly Prosch and she is based in the
United States. She has booked the tickets
for Rolland & Heidi, our guest speakers, and
students for many years. You may contact her via
email at [email protected]. She is also able to
book international flights to Africa via e-tickets
(electronic tickets which do not require paper
tickets) for our non-US international students.
Outreach requiring air travel MUST book their
entire journey with Shelly. Do not book your
flights until you know you are accepted into your
chosen outreach. Shelly can book your tickets from
Home to Pemba to Extended Outreach and back
Home again.
For many students, this is the first time
travelling internationally. Shelly and Menno
will take the time to explain your options.
Please make sure you are covered with travel
insurance, as the small fee will enable you to
change or cancel flights should you find
yourself having to change your plans.
Flying to Pemba, Mozambique
Menno Travel is a Travel agency located in
Abbotsford, British Columbia and has been
serving the travel needs of the Missionary/
Humanitarian market since 1971. Menno Travel
has been able to maintain and grow unique
arrangements/contracts with the airlines to allow
for special fares around the world when travelling
as a missionary or humanitarian. They work with
travelers in the USA, Canada and throughout the
world.
Two agents are assigned to work with the Harvest
students and they will research the best fares for
your travel and provide you with several options.
Based on your travel request you may be offered a
combination with a humanitarian/missionary
ticket alongside a published fare.
While some of these fares offer flexibility with
lower cancellation/change penalties together with
the ability to hold space while fundraising, it is
important to read what has been offered as Menno
Travel will give you several options. Some fares
are more restrictive than others. This will be
explained in your quote but should you need
10
further details, please don’t hesitate to ask.
Please send your request with your name as it
appears in your passport along with your date of
birth, to the email set up specifically for Harvest
School students: [email protected]
Please also feel free to call them at 1.800.667.5559 to
speak to an agent.
ALTHOUGH BOTH SHELLY AND MENNO TRAVEL
WILL DO ALL POSSIBLE TO AVOID FORCED
OVERNIGHTS, SOMETIMES IT IS UNAVOIDABLE,
ESPECIALLY WHEN BOOKING LAST MINUTE.
PLEASE CONTACT THEM EARLY IN YOUR PROCESS
TO ENSURE THEY CAN PROVIDE SEVERAL
OPTIONS.
When communicating with Shelly or Menno,
please be sure to tell them your departure city and
your arrival city, which of course, will be Pemba.
Please read the itinerary carefully before finalizing
it with any travel agency, and note the policies on
change fees, cancellation fees etc.
Iris Global
School of Missions
Before You Fly: Vital Passport Information
Your passport will be one of the most important items you
take with you when you travel, so it is imperative that you
ensure that your passport has 6 months remaining validity
upon your return. Occasionally people are denied a visa or
access to a country if their passport is not valid for 6 months
after the return to your homeland. If your passport expires
before February of next year – it will be important to renew
your passport before applying for your visa or booking your
flights.
Before you apply for a visa or
purchase a flight, follow the
important instructions regarding
passport information.
Also be sure that your passport has 3 free pages remaining, as
having less than 3 free pages can cause problems when
traveling. We have had students denied passage at the
boarding gate because they have had less than 3 free pages
available for stamps/visas. Please renew your passport or get
pages amended (if your country allows) if you do not have
the necessary number of free pages available. (free pages
means pages with no stamps or visas).
Flights to Pemba
There are 3 common ways to fly into Pemba,
Mozambique; through Johannesburg (South
Africa), through Nairobi (Kenya), and through
Dar es Salaam (Tanzania). If you are not
attending an extended outreach – you are free to
book your flights through our suggested travel
agents, or online if you choose.
When traveling through Dar es Salaam, you will need
to leave the secure area to get your luggage and check
back in on LAM. This often results in a fee of $50$100 USD for an entry visa fee to go through customs
to get your luggage. Please ensure you have at least
$100 USD for this extra expense should this situation
occur.
Keep in mind that when in transfer to another
airline – you will need a minimum of 2 ½ hours
to ensure you make your connecting flight.
IRIS has a corporate frequent flyer status with LAM
and the number is FC000097MAI. When booking
your flights, use this number, or bring it with you to
give to the airline at the check in counter – as it often
will permit 10-15 extra kilos of weight at no extra
charge.
LAM flies from Johannesburg, Nairobi, Dar es
Salaam. Please be aware that if you choose to fly
on LAM from Johannesburg, you will be making
a stop in Maputo, and this is where you will
deplane, go through customs and board once
again for your flight to Pemba. Please also
understand that LAM does NOT have a
partnership with any other airline in the world –
so your luggage will NOT be checked through
no matter what the travel agent tells you. You
will need to pick up your luggage at your
transfer point, then check back in at the LAM
counter.
Please Note: if you are flying on LAM through
Johannesburg and you book the flight on your own –
you will need to be sure you have booked a flight all
the way to Pemba (airport code POL), as previously
students have purchased flights only to Maputo and
have been stranded in Maputo trying to find flights.
Iris does NOT recommend travel by bus in
Mozambique. Flights are the safest and most reliable
route to Pemba.
11
Student Manual HS 21
Flights to Pemba
(continued)
South African Airlines also flies
to Pemba and does have
partnerships with other airlines,
so it is possible your luggage
can be checked through to
Pemba. If you have an
overnight stay in a city while
waiting for a flight to Pemba, it
is not recommended to leave
your luggage with the airline
overnight.
South African Airways also flies
directly to Pemba from
Johannesburg with no stops in
between. This sometimes makes
the flight more expensive than
LAM.
The inter-Africa leg is very
expensive compared to a transcontinental flight. Prices vary
from $500 - $1000 USD for the
round- trip ticket to Pemba
when flying from another city in
Africa. In total you can pay
from anywhere to $2000-$3500
USD for a return ticket from
your homeland to Pemba,
depending on the place of
origin.
We recommend that you
purchase Travel Insurance when
booking your flight. Travel
insurance covers the costs
associated with your trip – such
as flight cancellation or changes
and lost baggage. Every school
we have students who have had
to cancel a flight, change the
flight schedule due to visa or
passport issues, natural
disasters or family emergencies.
Paying for travel insurance
ensures you will not need to pay
for any changes made due to
12
Updated June 26, 2014
unforeseen circumstances, or if
your luggage is lost you are
covered with a monetary
reimbursement.
Travel
Insurance
BAGGAGE WEIGHT LIMITS:
Weight limits on luggage vary
from airline to airline. You may
start out with a 32 kg weight
limit and transfer onto a different
airline such as LAM that has a
weight limit of 22 kg.
Typically both SAA and LAM
weight limits are stated on your
e-ticket or itinerary. If you look
online for weight limits you will
find conflicting information, so if
you are uncertain, please read
your ticket or call the airline
directly to confirm weight limits.
Travel insurance
differs from medical
insurance in that it
covers only the cost
associated with your
physical journey such
as flight changes, flight
cancellations or lost
baggage. We highly
recommend paying the
extra fee for this
insurance.
CARRY-ONS:
Airlines are becoming more strict
with carry-on weight limits so
please be aware that often both
SAA and LAM weigh carry-on
baggage and if they are found to
be overweight, it will be
necessary to check them through,
and will be forced to pay extra
fees for being over the luggage
limit if this happens.
If calling LAM, please be sure to
call the offices in Johannesburg
as they speak English. If calling
SAA you can call either the USA
or Johannesburg offices.
Both SAA and LAM allow for
one carry on and one personal
item such as a purse or regular
sized backpack.
Each airline and route is different
so to avoid problems you must
check this carefully with your
travel agent or airline carrier.
Medical
Insurance
Medical Insurance
differs from travel
insurance in that it
does not cover the cost
or you original journey
to/from Pemba but
instead covers the cost
of any medical
expenses you may
incur from the date of
departure to the time
you return home. This
is a mandatory
requirement for
attendance to the
Harvest School.
Iris Global
School of Missions
MEDICAL
INSURANCE
Emergency medical coverage is a
required component of
attending the harvest school
and should be purchased before
departure.
Medical insurance is a requirement to attend the
Harvest School of Missions and must be
purchased before departure.
Should you encounter a medical emergency you will
need to pay for your medical care up front as most
insurance companies only pay for medical care as an
approved reimbursement after a claim has been
filed. Please be sure you have both emergency
medical coverage, and emergency evacuation
coverage included in your policy.
Some companies we have previously had experience
with are:
https://www.sevencorners.com/
http://www.trailfinders.com/insurance
https://www.internationalsos.com/en/
http://www.interglobalpmi.com/
http://www.volunteercard.com
We do have a small clinic on site with western
trained doctors and nurses and there is a private
clinic in town to help take care of any basic needs
such as wound care, infections, malaria tests and
medications etc. However we have previously
had to fly students to Maputo or out of the
country for medical complications, so it is
important that all students have medical
coverage while in Pemba and while participating
in extended outreach locations.
Most domestic insurance plans do not cover
international travel, so please check with your
insurance provider to verify your coverage. If it
does not, then you will need to purchase medical
insurance for the duration of your time in Pemba
and for your extended outreach location.
After purchasing your medical insurance please
email your name, insurance policy number,
insurance carrier and the contact number for your
insurance carrier to [email protected]
You will need to bring a copy of your insurance with
you, along with a contact number for your insurance
agency in case of an emergency.
PLEASE NOTE THAT NO HOSPITAL FROM
WHICH YOU RECEIVE CARE WILL FILE AN
INSURANCE CLAIM FOR YOUR.
YOU MUST
HAVE THE FUNDS TO PAY UPFRONT, AND
THEN FILE FOR REIMBURSEMENT WITH YOUR
INSURANCE COMPANY ON YOUR OWN.
13
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Overnight Stays: Hotels, Airports & Safety
Often it will be necessary due to flight
schedules for students to stay overnight in a
stop over city while flying to Pemba.
Johannesburg, Nairobi and Maputo are
common places for overnight layovers. We
have included a list of hotels, lodges and
guesthouses for your use as you make your
travel plans.
For those who are considering staying
overnight in an airport to save money, please
be aware that not all airport officials are
supportive of your plans. Some airports close
at night, others do not allow passengers to
sleep on the floor. If you are traveling alone
and not meeting up with other students, we do
not recommend an overnight hotel stay for
safety reasons. Research your airport of arrival
to be sure of airport business hours and
consider using a website such as:
http://www.sleepinginairports.net
No matter where you travel, there are a certain
amount of precautions that should be taken
regarding safety. There are risks no matter
where you travel, and even though we trust
that there are unseen forces watching over us
to keep us safe, we also believe that our own
actions are a powerful step towards safe
travels.
14
There is no such thing as the TSA in Africa and
theft of items in your luggage is a very real
possibility. PLEASE DO NOT PUT ANY
VALUABLE ITEMS INTO YOUR LUGGAGE TAKE THEM ON YOUR CARRY-ON. Because
of this you will see luggage wrapping machines
throughout the airport. It will cost you
approximately $5-10 dollars to have this done,
but you can also plan to take your own material
and use it to help you secure your baggage.
A good solid lock (not the kind the TSA can
open) is a good thing to lock your luggage with
(when you get to Africa). Zip or cable ties are a
good way to provide security and keep your
luggage locked – just be sure to purchase the ones
that don’t reopen with the push of a small tag
attached. Stretch wrap (like the use in
Johannesburg) is also a good item and can be
found at any moving store, office supplies store,
Tesco or Wal-Mart and it is not expensive.
We do NOT, under any circumstances,
recommend travel by bus in Mozambique. Bus
schedules are erratic and unreliable, often
breaking down and dropping passengers in cities
during the middle of the night with no access to
hotels or taxis.
Student Manual HS 20
Updated January 2014
When in transit to a different airline or on
an extended layover, we ask that you
create a back up plan should you end up
stranded in an unfamiliar city. Even if you
do not plan to stay overnight in a hotel, be
sure that you research the name and
number of a hotel to use in that city during
an emergency. Very often flights are
cancelled or connections are late and it is
beneficial to have a plan for each city in
which you have an airline connection, just
in case. Also carry the Harvest School
Emergency Phone number with you even
when traveling so that you can contact us
to let us know of your change in plans or
late arrival.
Pictured above: A zip tie (left) and a small stretch wrap roll (right)
EMERGENCY NUMBER
+258-829-446-937
ENSURE THIS NUMBER IS WITH YOU DURING YOUR
TRAVELS SO THAT YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH HS
STAFF IF YOUR ARRIVAL IS DELAYED
We encourage all of you to be proactive in your preparations, and temper your actions with caution and forethought. Make
arrangements with other students through facebook or emails and travel in groups and share taxis/shuttles. As a general rule of
thumb, if you exercise the same caution you'd use in one of the developed world's larger cities that you are unfamiliar with, then
you should be fine!
Johannesburg Hotels
BOB’S BUNK HOUSE
Cost: $15-$20 USD per person/night. Charge
for airport pick up and drop off so it’s best to
meet up with other students and share the fare
for the airport transfer. Families and children
are welcome. Self-catering kitchenette and
restaurants on premises, take out/away, super
markets, etc, within walking distance.
Bob & Joan Beggs
40 St Anne Road Hurlyvale, Edenvale
Johannesburg, South Africa 610
http://www.bobsbunkhouse.co.za
Tel: (011) 27 11 453 2294
Fax: (011) 27 11 453 2238
15
WILLOW VIEW LODGE & CONFERENCE
CENTER
Discounted for IRIS HS students. Airport pickup/drop off included in the price, if it is between
the hours of 7:00am and 18:00pm. After hours
will be R75.00 per person per trip.
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner ARE NOT
included in the accommodation!
31 R First Road Redell Kemtop Park 1620
http://www.willowviewlodge.co.za/
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +27 (0) 11 565-6600
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Johannesburg Hotels
DOVE’S NEST GUESTHOUSE
(CONTINUTED)
AIRPORT GAME LODGE
Less than 3km from airport with free shuttle
service. Rooms available: single, double,
family or self- catering. Breakfast is included
in the price and they can also serve lunch and
dinner. They also have wifi, a cinema and
shopping mall within 5km. Rooms start from
around $63.
Prices range from $50 USD with free airport
pickup/dropoff service. Full breakfast included
and plenty of restaurants near by. Internet, wifi &
currency exchange on site.
Dove’s Nest Guest House
78 Gladiator Street Aero City - Rhodesfield
Kempton Park, 1619 South Africa
http://www.airport-game-lodge.co.za/
Email: [email protected]
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +27 11 396 2969
21 Fourth Road
Bredell, Kempton Park, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 975-1746
Fax: +27 11 970-1668
AFRICAN FOOTPRINT GUESTHOUSE
Prices range from $50 - $70 USD. Free airport
transfer between business hours. Price
includes a buffet breakfast, an ensuite
bathroom, laundry facilities, air con and
heating, TV and wifi. Also available: have 2
group rooms that can take up to 8 people for
$39 per person. Family rooms available.
24 Groenewoudstreet Universitas,
Bloemfontein South Africa
http://africanfootprintguesthouse.co.za/inde
x.htm
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +27 051 5227239
or
+27 0833837983
When exiting baggage claim find the ACSA
information desk to the left of the big soccer
ball hanging from the roof in the middle of
Terminal A. Someone holding a sign with
African Footprints Accommodation and your
name on it. This person will be standing to the
right of the Information desk to take you to the
guesthouse. Please exchange your money at
the airport because Africa Footprints doesn't
accept foreign currencies, they only accept
Rands, VISA, DINERS, MASTER, DEBIT
CARDS.
16
MAPUTO
ACCOMMODATIONS
CASA KOINONIA
Run by Christian at a minimal price of $25
USD per night. Price includes breakfast and
the evening meal. Families have a discount of
$50 per night, young children are free and
couples can stay for $45 a night. You will need
to pay for airport pick up/drop off – around
$10-$15 USD each way. They can take groups
of up to 15 people. Check-in is from 11am –
11pm. Laundry service for only $2 and wifi for
only $2 USD/hour.
Rua General Pereira
D'Eca N 159,
Maputo,
Mozambique
http://casakoinoniamz.blogspot.com/
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +258- 21 49 6735
Iris Global
School of Missions
EMERGENCY NUMBER
NAIROBI
ANairobi,
CCOMMODATIONS
Kenya
HotNairobi
els
MENNONITE GUEST HOUSE
Safe and trusted this guest house arranges taxi
transport to and from airport. A variety of
rooms to accommodate your budget. Families
welcome. Prices include breakfast with a
small charge of $5 - $10 USD for other meals.
71 Church Road, Westlands
P.O. Box 14646
00800 Nairobi
http://www.mghkenya.com/
Email: [email protected]
Tel: +254 0723-161935
+258-829-446-937
ENSURE THIS NUMBER IS WITH YOU DURING YOUR TRAVELS SO
THAT YOU CAN COMMUNICATE WITH HS STAFF IF YOUR
DAR ES SALAAM
ACCOMMODATIONS
TANZANITE EXECUTIVE SUITES
A safe place in Dar to spend the night. Shuttle
services available and wifi throughout the hotel.
Average price about $80. Previous students have
felt safe and its 15 mins from the airport.
Morogoro Road,
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
http://www.tanzaniteexecutivesuites.com/index.php
?id=1
Tel: +255 22 21 27 277
Email: [email protected]
IMPORTANT: International Travel and Transit Visas
Due to recent changes in Passport Control for many European & African countries, many people who have
previously been able to travel through Europe & Africa without any problems, may now need a transit visa
to land in the country of transit. For instance, Colombian citizens may need a transit visa to travel through
South Africa to Pemba, or American citizens may need a transit visa to land in India while in transit to
Pemba.
Very frequently airports are denying entry to those who do not have the proper transit visas and sending
them back home at their own expense. It is extremely important that each student considers the countries
they are flying to, from and through while traveling to Pemba and during extended outreaches.
PLEASE TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS TO OBTAIN THE PROPER VISAS SO THAT YOUR TRAVELS GO AS
SMOOTHLY AS POSSIBLE. INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND BY CALLING OR VISITING THE EMBASSY WEBSITE OF
THE COUNTRY YOU ARE TRAVELING THROUGH.
17
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Visa Process
OBTAINING A VISA
YOUR VISA application and process is the single
most important task you will complete in
preparation for Pemba. Please follow the
instructions included in this section carefully to
help avoid complications and delays in the visa
process.
REGARDLESS OF YOUR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN, DO
NOT ATTEMPT TO OBTAIN A VISA ON ARRIVAL IN
MOZAMBIQUE
Any visa obtained at the airport will not be
renewable for the full length of the school and
you will need to leave the country at your own
expense if these instructions are not carefully
followed.
LETTER OF INVITATION
TO OBTAIN A VISA for Mozambique you will first
need a letter of invitation. You CAN NOT apply
for a visa with out a letter of invite from the
Harvest School (continue reading to discover how
to obtain this letter).
Before your letter of invitation can be sent, you
will need to email Tamara Battiste at
[email protected] with confirmation of the
following information:
1. payment of your deposit (dated receipt)
2. a statement confirming you have read
through the entire student manual
3. Your passport information in the
following format:
Name (as it appears on your passport)
Passport Number
Country of Citizenship
Once you have emailed the required information,
your letter of invite and further instructions will
be sent to you through email. Please allow for 1-3
days for your letter of invite to be processed.
Then you will be taking the first steps in your
journey to Pemba!
18
EMBASSY OF MOZAMBIQUE
IT IS IMPERATIVE that all students receive a visa from
an Embassy or High Commission of Mozambique in
their home country.
Below you will find a link that will allow you to find
the nearest Mozambican Embassy in your country:
http://mz.embassyinformation.com/
FOR CANADIANS AND AMERICANS the Embassy in
Washington DC will be the only Embassy that will
issue a 90 day visa. Avoid applying at the Embassy
of Mozambique in New York, as they will only issue
a 30 day visa.
CITIZENS OF AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND & SINGAPORE
will need to send visa applications to the High
Commission of Mozambique in London, England.
Further instructions on how to accomplish this will
be sent.
MAILING VISA APPLICATION
Upon receiving your letter of invite, you will need to
fill out the visa application, provide a copy of your
letter of invitation and proof that you have booked
flights into and out of the country.
If possible, please book your flights before applying
for your visa as the date of entry on your visa
application must match the dates on your travel
itinerary. Some Embassies require a travel itinerary,
some do not.
VISA APPLICATION INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON
THE CONSULAR SERVICES OR CONSULAR AFFAIRS
SECTION OF THE EMBASSY WEBSITE THAT YOU ARE
APPLYING AT.
After you have received your letter of invite and
understand clearly the visa process at the Embassy
you are applying at, enclose your application, your
passport (not a copy of your passport, but your
actual passport) and all other required documents,
along with the required fee and a return envelope
that has a tracking number.
Iris Global
School of Missions
Visa Process
Previously students have tried to save money
by not using a service that has a tracking
number and passports have been lost in the
mail, resulting in flight change fees, frustration
and delayed arrival dates in Pemba.
Please use a postal service or currier, such as
Fed Ex, DHL, USPS, or UPS, or any other
reputable currier to help you with the process,
or you can apply in person at the Embassy, but
you MUST include a way for the Embassy to
return your passport and visa.
Should you not include a way for them to send
it back, they will keep your passport and visa
until you provide a means for them to return
your belongings.
VISA FEES
(CONTINUTED)
written on the top.
Often the Embassy will only issue a 30 day visa or a
visa valid for less than 90 days. If this happens, don’t
panic! So long as your visa is a SINGLE ENTRY, you
will be able to renew it in Pemba for a cost of
approximately $20 USD.
Occasionally an Embassy will issue a visa that is a
MULTIPLE ENTRY. You will know it is a multiple
entry because it will have the word “MULTIPLO”
written at the top. So long as the visa is a 90 day
MULTIPLE ENTRY, it is perfectly fine and you should
have no problems at all with entry into Mozambique.
If by chance your visa happens to say “MULTIPLO”
and is only a 30 day visa, then it’s possible you may
need to pay up to $100 USD to have it changed in
Pemba.
Fees for visa’s vary depending on the country
of application, but be aware that not all
Embassies will take cash, checks or credit
cards. Be fully aware of what type of payment
the Embassy requires and comply with their
guidelines.
PLEASE NOTE: If you are paying with a money
order, it can be obtained at a local post office or
at your bank. If you are paying with a cashiers
check, this can be obtained at your local bank.
Do not forget to include payment in the
envelope when sending your visa application –
this will result in delays to your application
process.
VISA APPLICATION
MOST EMBASSIES will have a link to the visa
application directly on their website. You will
receive instructions on how to fill it out along
with your letter of invitation.
When applying for your visa you will be
requesting A 90 DAY SINGLE ENTRY VISA. What
does that mean? It means that you will be
allowed one entry into Mozambique and can
stay for up to 90 days. If it is a single entry
your visa will have the word “SIMPLES”
PICTURED ABOVE: A SINGLE ENTRY, VALID FOR 90
DAYS. THIS VISA STATES THE RECIPIENT CAN ENTER
MOZAMBIQUE FOR A LENGTH OF 90 DAYS. ENTRY IS
PERMITTED ANYTIME BETWEEN MAY 29 AND AUGUST
29.
19
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
MALARIA:
Medication & Information
PLEASE NOTE: LARIAM IN ANY FORM (SEE LIST BELOW) IS
PROHIBITED FOR ADULTS AND CHILDREN., REGARDLESS OF PAST
EXPERIENCE WITH THE MEDICATION. PLEASE DO NOT PUT US IN THE
POSITION OF HAVING TO REFUSE YOUR REQUEST BY ASKING TO BE AN
EXCEPTION. PREVIOUS VISITORS AND STUDENTS HAVE HAD SEVERE
PSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROLOGICAL SIDE EFFECTS WHILE ON THIS
DRUG.
It is an old adage in medicine
that an ounce of prevention is
better than a pound of
treatment. Nowhere is this truer
than in dealing with the world’s
most widespread and
devastating parasitic disease:
malaria.
Malaria is a very real health risk
and you will be exposed to
mosquitoes on a daily basis, so
it is important to obtain
malarial prophylaxis before
arriving in Mozambique.
Please keep in mind that you
have been invited to Pemba to
take part in Harvest School and
in accepting that invitation, you
will be asked to honor Iris & the
Baker’s by following the
guidelines put into place by our
medical team.
Herbal Supplements
Often students inquire about
taking ‘herbal medications’ as a
substitute for medical malaria
prophylaxis. We understand
that many people are cautious
about taking medication for
extended periods of time.
While we applaud your passion
to step out in faith and to keep
your body as healthy as
possible, we also want you to
understand that malaria can
turn into a medical emergency
within hours. We want to take
20
all necessary precautions to avoid these names, please decline and
the risk of contracting it. Herbal
ask for another option.
supplements are not considered
Safe & Acceptable Medications
medication.
All of the following medications
are viable options for malarial
Regardless of your previous
prophylaxis during your time in
missions experience, while
attending Harvest School, malaria Pemba.
medication is not optional - it is a 1. MALARONE: This is a
requirement
combination of atovaquone
While you are more than
welcome to take herbal
supplements, they cannot be a
substitute for anti-malarial
medications.
Warning: Unsafe Medications
Rolland, Heidi and our medical
team have deemed the mediation
known as LARIAM to be unsafe
due to neuro-psychiatric side
effects previously experienced by
students and visitors.
and proguanil. It is quite
expensive drug because it is a
newer drug on the market but
very effective against all forms
of malaria.
Many students have used a
malarone coupon found online
and have received significant
discounts on cost.
2. PRIMAQUINE: This drug is not
often readily available in some
parts of the world and can be
expensive, but it is the
recommended medication for
sub Sahara Africa.
Be aware that LARIAM is also
marketed under other names.
Please exclude these medications,
including Lariam, as an option for
3. DOXYCYCLINE: This drug is
malarial prophylaxis.
very inexpensive, but is also
Eloquine, Mefloquine, Mefloquine
loosing its potency in sub
Hydrochloride, Mephaquin, Mefliam,
Sahara Africa. If malarone and
APO-Mefloquine, Meflotas, Mefloc,
primaquine are not available
Confal, Larimef, Falcitab, Lariam
to you, doxycycline is still a
Roche, Mefloquine HCl, Tropicur,
viable option.
Mefque, MQF, Mefax, Mefloquin
TAKE CAREFUL ADVICE FROM A
HCl, Mephaquine, Mequin.Other
Should your doctor recommend a
medication known by any of
TRAVEL CLINCIC OR DOCTOR
BEFORE CHOOSING MEDICATIONS.
Iris Global
Malaria Treatment If you should contract malaria, it can be treated
effectively with the following medications:
Coartem (Artemether & Lumefantrine) Dosage is
6-8 tabs/day for 3 days. The cost varies around
US $45 but is very effective. You can buy this at
the pharmacy in the Johannesburg airport.
Though a prescription item, the pharmacists will
usually dispense it if you inform them that you
are going to a malaria zone. This medication is
not available in Pemba.
Malaria can also be treated with malaraone
(Proguanil & Atovaquone) Dosage 4 tablets/day
for 3 days Cost around $60. If you are taking
Malarone as prophylaxis and arranging medical
treatment and diagnosis, take 3 tablets
immediately, and then 3 tablets 12 hours later.
Malarone is not available in Pemba.
Treatment is available in Pemba with a
combination of Artesunate and Fansidar which
are used as first line treatment by Mozambicans
and it is about $10. There is some resistance to
Fansidar, it treats most cases of malaria
School of Missions
effectively. However, you may want to consider
bringing either coartem or malarone with you.
Insecticidal Spray/Insect Repellent
Mosquitoes start biting around dusk and usually stop
around dawn. Insecticidal sprays and repellents
containing permethrin or deet will be one of the most
important items in your luggage. Sprays are better
than roll ons and can used to cover both skin and
clothing. Sprays with 25-30% deet are more than
sufficient. Insecticidal spray/repellent can also be
bought in Pemba some stores at the high price of $10
USD a spray can.
Mosquito Nets
We do provide mosquito nets for each student, but it
is a good idea to bring your own permethrin
treatment for the net. This chemical is toxic to
mosquitoes but virtually non-toxic to humans. Our
mosquito nets are not treated with permethrin and
are a hoop style net (as there is no other nets available
in Pemba). A rectangular net often provides more
room and is less cumbersome during sleep. You are
more than welcome to bring your own mosquito net,
but we recommend a permethrin treated net, as they
are more effective at warding off mosquitoes.
VACCINATIONS
ALTHOUGH we do not require any specific vaccinations
for your time at Harvest School, we highly recommend
that you do consider updating these vaccinations:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Meningitis
Hepatitis A & B
Tetanus
Diphtheria
Pertussis
Measles, mumps & rubella
Polio
Keep in mind that vaccinations are not just for your
protection, but also for the protection of the infants,
children & adults in villages, who may have
compromised immune systems. Previously we have
had an outbreak of the mumps among college age
students at Harvest School, and those students were
unable to participate in village activities, outreaches
and other activities for the protection of the local
Mozambicans. Please connect with a medical
professional to determine your medical needs for
overseas travel.
21
Student Manual HS 21
Vaccinations cont’d . . .
The International Association
for Medical Assistance to
Travelers is the source that both
doctors and travel agencies
around the world use to verify
immunizations and assess
health risks when traveling.
This site is reputable and
updated regularly, so please
feel free to use it to gather
information you may need
regarding your international
travel.
http://www.iamat.org/
It is not necessary to become a
member, just scroll down and
on the lower right you will find
“TRAVEL DESTINATIONS” to
choose the country you will be
visiting or traveling through.
Then click on “TRAVEL HEALTH
ADVICE” under the country
name to link to the
recommendations for your
travel.
Yellow Fever
Mozambique has recently
changed the policy on
requirements for Yellow Fever
immunization. It is now
required for those arriving from
the countries of:
AFRICA: Angola, Benin, Burkina
Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central
African Republic, Chad, Republic
of the Congo, Democratic Republic
of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire,
Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia,
Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea,
Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Liberia,
Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria,
Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone,
South Sudan, Sudan, Togo,
Uganda.
AMERICAS: Argentina, Bolivia,
Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French
22
Updated June 26, 2014
Guiana, Guyana, Panama,
Paraguay, Peru, Suriname,
Trinidad and Tobago,
Venezuela.
GASTROENTERITIS:
(dysentery, giardia, campylobacter, E.
Coli, cholera and viral infections etc)
•
•
•
If your flights take you
through these countries, you
must carry documentation of
your immunization. If you
arrive in, or come from any of
these countries on the way to
Pemba without
documentation, you will be
required to be immunized at
the airport.
Since a few recipients have a
mild to moderate reaction to
the immunization and the
quality of the immunization
could be compromised, it is
recommended that you
secure the immunization for
Yellow Fever before leaving
your country. To prove you
have had the yellow fever
vaccine bring your
documentation!
Common Infections
Coughs, colds, viruses,
malaria, gastroenteritis, and
conjunctivitis and skin
infections are common in
Mozambique. Unfortunately,
the best medication isn’t
always available from the
pharmacies in Pemba. It is
recommended that you bring
the following medication for
your own use should the
need arise. It would be useful
to have your own basic travel
first aid kit.
To the right you will find a
list of medications used for
the most common ailments. It
is suggested you speak with a
medical professional to obtain
a script for these items.
Metronidazole
Tinidazole
Ciprofloxacin
SKIN
•
•
•
•
OR BRONCHIAL
Cephalexin
Cloxacillin
(flucloxacillin)
Erythromycin
Co-amoxiclav
EYE INFECTIONS
•
•
•
Tetracycline (ointment)
Chloramphenicol (ointment)
Neomycin drops
OTHER FIRST AID ITEMS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Band-aids
Hydro-cortizone cream
Antacids
Pain relievers
Fever reducers
Blister treatment
Digital thermometer
Decongestants
Antihistamines
Antiseptic ointment or
spray
Gauze
Adhesive tape
Sunscreen (15spf minimum)
Antibacterial wipes/gel
Iris Global
School of Missions
MOZAMBIQUE IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
PLEASE be aware that you will need to carry a
copy of your passport and visa on you at all
times while in Mozambique. In Pemba it is
required that visitors and tourists carry their ID
at all times. Parents also should carry a copy of
ID for their children. If you are stopped by any
officials while you are walking, in town, or on
outreach and do not have your ID – you will be
asked to pay a fine of up to $25 USD.
To help avoid lost passports, Immigration in
Pemba allows students to carry a copy of their
passport ID page and visa as an alternative.
They do however; request that every student
have a colored copy (colored ink, not colored
paper) of both the ID portion of your passport
and your visa page copied on the SAME page.
This will allow them to match the face with the
visa . . . And you will need three colored copies
of this document.
Once you are in Pemba, we will need to get all
of your copies notarized. It is inexpensive,
usually $1 USD per page. We will collect your copies
and take them to be notarized in one go. Remember
this will require you to bring 3 COLORED copies of
your passport page and Mozambican visa. Please do
your best to make sure that the copies are color
copies and have all the information copied clearly.
Often some office supply copy centers will refuse to
make a colored copy of your passport because it is
illegal for them to make a colored copy of someone
else’s passport. However, it is not illegal for YOU to
make a colored copy of YOUR OWN passport and
visa, so please do so, making sure the ID portion of
your passport and the visa you received from the
Embassy are on the same page. Another way to do
this is to scan both of these items into a computer as a
.jpeg and then paste them onto the same page of a
word document, then print 3 copies.
Typically an office supply place has a self-help
photocopier, local universities, community colleges
and local libraries often have photocopy services
available.
PEMBA AND THE POSTAL SERVICE
(RECEIVING MAIL)
We’ll try to explain the very unpredictable
world that you may find in the form of postal
service in Pemba. Yes, you can receive
packages and letters in Pemba – BUT – your
letter or package may or may not make it to
Pemba before you leave and if it does make its
way to you - it may cost you a LOT of money .
. . (for packages only, not letters).
A new requirement for those receiving
packages is that if there is a limit of how much
the items can be worth before you pay a fee. If
you receive a package it MUST have - IN the
package – a receipt with the list of the items
AND their cost (a receipt from the store of
purchase) so that customs knows that it is not
valued over $50 USD and you can pick up the
package without paying a fee. Any package
that does not have a receipt will be charged
for pick up, and the price will vary. Just ask
the students who paid $250 a few years ago
for their care package sent with all kinds of
American goodies!
Letters/cards don’t require any payment but be keep
in mind that it can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6
months to receive anything in the mail in Pemba.
Address envelopes packages as:
Arco-Iris
ATTN: HS 21 YOUR NAME
C.P. 275
Pemba, Cabo Delgado
Mozambique
No postal or zip code necessary.
23
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Harvest School Schedule
You have the amazing privilege to be impacted by
many outstanding anointed men and women
whom God is using today in his kingdom!
MONDAY-THURSDAY, you will have class in the
morning from around 8am-1pm, with various
weekly speakers. Some afternoons, there will be
optional classes and workshops for you to take
part in.
EVENING activities include wonderful guest
speakers, small groups, soaking, mission movie
nights, worship, and having fun together on our
porches.
EACH THURSDAY 2-3 prescheduled teams will set
out for a weekend outreach where you will
participate in evangelism opportunities with
village churches along with the Mozambican Bible
School students.
ON FRIDAYS, students who are not on outreach,
will participate in Practical Missions by helping in
a wide range of activities working side by side
with our long-term missionaries.
SATURDAYS are a day of rest for those who are not
on outreach. On this day, you can go to the
Internet cafe, go to market, go to the beach, or do
other things you enjoy, such as visiting your new
Mozambican friends, etc.
ON SUNDAYS, you will have opportunities to
minister in our local and regional church
meetings.
OVERNIGHT OUTREACHES
Travel
During weekend outreaches, we
travel with the Mozambican Bible
School students on the back of a
3.5 flatbed truck for several hours
on bumpy roads in the hot sun.
It’s crowded, uncomfortable, and
the most amazing fun you’ll
have! Outreaches will be in very
simple outdoor camping settings
with no running water or
electricity.
It will important for students to
bring a jumper or sweater or
sweatshirt on outreaches as it can
get as low as 50°F (10°C) at night
and traveling on the truck at
night can be very cold!
Families can go on outreach as a
unit or parents can take turns
going on outreach, while one
parent stays on base with the
children.
Tents Each student, couple or
family must bring their own tent
24
for outreach. It may seem like
a good idea to share tents, but
students may end up on
different outreach teams that
are scheduled at the same time,
so it may not be possible to
share.
It will be in your best interest
to bring a tent that is free
standing, and does not require
pegs. That means the tent
stands erect after the poles are
inserted without pegs. The soil
in many of the places that we
camp out at is hard and it is
sometimes impossible to put
up tents that require pegs for
the tent to be in an upright
position.
Mattress/Pad
It is imperative for you to bring
a sleeping pad/mattress for
outreach. It gets cold on
outreach and sleeping without
padding is uncomfortable – the
sand does not insulate and you
will find yourself awake all night
just trying to be warm. An air
mattress is not necessary – just
even a foam pad, you can
purchase at Wal-Mart or Tesco
or ASDA . . . It doesn’t have to be
expensive – it just needs to be a
barrier between you and the cold
sand inside of your tent.
Sleeping Bag
It will be best for you to bring a
sleeping bag or blanket that is
easily washed and dried.
Typically a fleece sleeping bag is
more than sufficient for both
your bed and your outreach.
During the June school it gets
cold at night, and gets even
colder further inland on
outreaches.
Backpack/Duffel Bag
Along with your tent, pad &
sleeping bag, you will need to
bring water, toiletries and a
change of clothes. Its best to use
Iris Global
School of Missions
Outreaches cont’d . . .
a backpack or duffel bag in which to place
your belongings. It’s not necessary to
purchase a new expensive backpack. Your
backpack will get soiled quickly, so new
expensive equipment will not stay new very
long. Check out thrift shops or second hand
stores for a duffel bag or backpack that will
allow you to strap your mattress pad and
tent to it.
Outreach Dress Code
Village life in rural Mozambique is very
modest, so it is vital for women (aged 12+)
to have a long skirt or dress that covers your
knees and shirts that cover the shoulders.
While on base and in Pemba you can wear
tank tops, but for outreach purposes, your
shirts will need to cover the shoulders. A
‘capulana’ (wrap around skirt) may be
purchased in Pemba for $12 USD or non-seethrough sarongs/beach wraps may be
brought with you. You may wear leggings
under your skirt for protection, but wearing
leggings alone is unacceptable. Children
(aged 0-12) may wear shorts and tank tops.
For males, shorts are acceptable, but it is
considered more respectable for men to wear
long trousers or pants. If you choose to wear
shorts, they should come to the knee if
possible. Wearing a shirt that covers the
shoulders is also necessary for men, and it is
considered improper to go shirtless, unless
you are swimming.
Torches/Flashlights
A battery operated torch, lantern or flashlight
will be a necessity as it gets dark early and you
will need to find your way from your tent to
the latrine. Most battery sizes are available in
Pemba, but you may want to bring some just
in case. Headlamps are also a good idea as
you can freely use both hands if needed.
Torches and flashlights are available in Pemba,
but can be expensive, so it’s best to purchase
them in your homeland.
Valuables We do not have a place to secure
any valuables while on outreach, so it is
important that you consider this regarding
things such as cameras, phones or money.
Please be discreet when taking pictures or
videos and keep your valuables with you.
A typical village home under the stars
WEEKEND OUTREACH LIST
•
•
•
•
•
•
Tent
Sleeping bag
Mattress pad
Toilet paper
Wipes
Inflatable
pillow
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Insect repellent
Flashlight/torch
Antibacterial gel
Needed toiletries
Change of clothing
Sunscreen
Bottled water
TOILETRIES
Students will learn quickly to be comfortable with
using latrines and will need to bring toilet paper or
wipes to use while on outreach.
For women, monthly cycles need not interfere with
outreach. Feminine hygiene products should be
brought with you as they are difficult to purchase in
Pemba and when they are available they are
outrageously expensive.
Students will be responsible for their own toilet paper
purchases during the school – most often a roll costs
$1 USD in town. You can purchase your own or share
the cost with our housemates.
25
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Living in Pemba
WATER & ELECTRICITY
WATER
You will find that, in a thirdworld country, sanitation will not
be of the quality you are
accustomed! When the water
supply is disrupted, showers will
be "bucket showers". Some
cleaning products are not readily
available in Pemba. You may like
to bring some liquid hand soap,
wet wipes, hand sanitizer and
alcohol wipes with you. The
flexible package of wet wipes or
small bottles of hand sanitizer
that can be purchased at WalMart or Tesco should be your
constant companion to avoid
bacteria and infection.
Drinking water
Although we do have running
water on base, our water supply
is often interrupted for weeks at a
time. Bottled water is available
for purchase on the base for
approximately $10-$13 USD per
box – each box contains 12 bottles
of 1.5 litres each.
26
Owing to the extreme shortage
of water please use it sparingly.
Use water saving techniques:
Two-minute showers: rinse, turn
water off, soap up and wash
hair, then rinse. As gas is also
very expensive, please don’t boil
water for drinking but make use
of water purification tablets,
filter systems or bottled water.
Water Filters
Students are more than welcome
to bring water filters. We
recommend Earth Easy
LifeStraw Filters. They are
inexpensive and reliable.
However, be aware that
purchasing a filter does not
guarantee you will save money
on bottled water. Because we
are often without water for
weeks on end, it is wise to
budget an emergency bottled
water fund into your expenses.
ELECTRICITY
Mozambique uses a 220 voltage
with a two pronged European
plug.
Most computers, phones &
tablets run on 220V and 110V
so a voltage converter won’t be
necessary for those items.
However, electricity in Pemba
is unpredictable and power
surges can ruin electrical
items when they are plugged
into the outlet.
If you are bringing electrical
items its best to bring a
European surge adapter with
the prongs pictured above.
They can be found online.
American surge protectors
work only on 110 V and will
be blown if used in Pemba.
Iris Global
School of Missions
HOUSING
God gave us a wonderful, large piece of land
where we have built an Iris Center known as
the Village of Joy (Mission School, Bible School,
hospital, clinic, baby house, dorms for children,
schools for children, housing for missionaries,
kitchen, prayer hut, offices, sewing school, and
a large church building).
Up to a total of fourteen students will share one
house. Single students will be in a room with 68 other students. Married couples will have a
private room either in a house with other single
students, or in a compound with other married
couples. Families will share one large private
room, possibly in a house with other single
students or in a compound with other families.
Each compound or house will have one fridge
and propane gas stove available to share
among all house members. Each compound or
house has a few shared bathrooms with a
shower, basin & toilet.
All houses do have running water & electricity.
WE KINDLY ASK THAT YOU DON’T NAIL OR
Beds
Single students will sleep in bunk beds that are
single/twin sized and will need to bring twin sized
sheets. We do provide students with a mosquito
net but they are not treated with insecticide so
students are welcome to bring their own nets if
they choose.
Married couples will have a double/full-sized bed
and often our mosquito nets are not big enough to
cover a double sized bed, so it would be wise to
bring a large mosquito for you and your spouse.
We do have small mattresses for toddlers and
children if bunk beds are not an ideal set up for
young children.
Housing requests
We understand that students may sometimes ask to
be placed in the same house. But we pray hard
regarding housing placement, and we find that its
beneficial for students if, upon arrival, if everyone
is on the same footing. Those who are sharing
supplies can do so even from separate houses.
SCREW ANYTHING TO THE WALLS IN YOUR
HOUSE OR DORM ROOM.
Housing Supplies
Each house/dorm has been supplied with
basic equipment such as buckets, mops, and
brooms. However, if any items are lost or
stolen, we ask that all members of your
household share financial responsibility for
replacement.
Kitchen Supplies
Each kitchen is supplied with a minimal
amount of cooking utensils. Any cooking
utensils needed can be purchased in Pemba,
including plates, cups, utensils, pots etc, but
the quality lower than you may find in your
homeland.
Students will not need to bring plates or eating
utensils, but if you decide to, we do not
recommend metal bowls/plates as they absorb
heat quickly and can easily burn. The food in
the kitchen is HOT!
27
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS
BODY PIERCINGS & TATTOOS
Our children take great delight in interacting with
the many students that come and often students
have a very great impact on this culture. Our
children see the western world as something to
emulate and they often imitate that world in any
way they can.
Whether its clothing, or music or jewelry – our
children are greatly influenced by those who come
– which is really wonderful as we have incredible
people with incredible hearts that come to pour
out on our children! At other times it can be
difficult as our children also imitate things that
might not benefit them in the culture they live in.
Because of this, we ask that body piercings be
removed, and for tattoos to be covered if possible.
In general – if wearing just regular clothing can
cover your tattoo(s), please cover them as such. If
that is not possible, then it is not necessary to go to
great lengths to cover any tattoo(s) with makeup
or by wearing long sleeves in the middle of 100
degree weather!
28
We are asking that you take the requests seriously
and please consider the cultural impact the western
world has in places such as Pemba.
Males:
If you are male and have visible piercings in any
area, such as your ears, brow, tongue etc., please
remove them before arriving in Pemba. If your ears
are gauged and it is possible to take them out
without leaving gaping holes in your earlobes,
please do so. If not, then please choose a gauge that
will appear as though it is a whole earring.
Female:
If you are female, having normal ear piercings of
the lobe, and small piercings in the nose are
perfectly acceptable, but if the cartilage of your
ears, your tongue, cheeks or brows are pierced in
any fashion, please remove them before arriving in
Pemba.
Iris Global
School of Missions
We ask out of respect to our Mozambican
culture that you refrain from smoking, drinking
alcohol, using drugs, wearing body piercings
(other than normal ear or small nose piercings
for women) or have intimate relationships out
of marriage. Even entering the bedroom of a
member of the opposite sex can be construed as
improper in this culture, so please avoid the
appearance of impropriety.
We understand this may be a sacrifice for many
of you – but we do appreciate your willingness
to honor this culture.
Thank you so much for your sensitivity to the
culture on this end! We sometimes come up
against these kinds of situations and we
appreciate that your heart is responsive and
sensitive to how things might be perceived
here.
BY ACCEPTING THE INVITATION TO JOIN US IN
PEMBA, YOU ARE AGREEING TO HONOR THE
GUIDELINES PUT FORTH BY THE HARVEST
SCHOOL. IRIS STAFF RESERVES THE RIGHT TO
SEND STUDENTS HOME AT THEIR OWN EXPENSE.
CLOTHING GUIDELINES
WOMEN
Although your knees may appear to be a very
benign part of your anatomy, in Mozambique
the most private part of a woman’s body is from
her waist to her knees. It may seem strange to
you – but it is their custom – so we ask that you
would honor the culture in this area.
These guidelines apply to women and
young ladies 12 years of age and older
Walking around with knees uncovered conveys
a very impure message and will discredit you
with any Mozambican women that you are
trying to witness to, so please, at all times, cover
your knees.
Skirts/Shorts/Capris
Any clothing you wear that is form fitting from
your waist down is inappropriate to wear.
Skinny or tight jeans, leggings, and spandex or
exercise shorts CANNOT be worn unless you
have a long dress/skirt that comes over your
knees overtop of these articles. Even while
sitting in class, if your knees are bent, your skirt
or shorts must be long enough to cover your
knees.
Shorts or capris are good to wear, but they must
come past your knees. Shorter shorts can be worn
inside of your house and to bed, but you must NOT
step outside of your house with your knees
uncovered or stand inside of the front or back door
with exposed knees. If you have any questions
regarding skirt or short length, consider this
statement: KNEES = NUDITY. Keep that at the
forefront of your mind at all times.
For some classes, gatherings with the Mozambican
Bible School students, outreaches and church, you
must wear a dress or a skirt/capulana. This is a
length of cloth, wrapped around your waist, which
the Africans wear as skirts, baby carriers, etc.
Capulanas can be purchased locally for a reasonable
price of $12 USD and are also available at the Sewing
School at the base. The proceeds from the sale of
these will go towards the general fund for the
ministry.
Bring skirts/capulanas or dresses and capris that go
below the knee, leggings for wearing underneath
skirts/capulanas, capri pants and/or trousers.
Wearing leggings under your skirt or capulana is
essential. Be aware that the heat, dust and insects can
be serious irritants for many. Baby powder or corn
starch works well for most for skin discomfort – or
long bicycle shorts!
29
Student Manual HS 21
Shirts & Tank Tops
In Mozambique the chest areas
is considered nothing more than
a source of food for children, so
you will sometimes notice that
women, especially those who
are breast feeding, will not go
thru any extra efforts to be
modest in this area. It is cultural
and very acceptable in Pemba.
As female students in the
Harvest School, you will not
have the cultural privilege that
the Mozambican women have in
this area. It is important that you
are modest in all areas, not just
your knees, so please be careful
when choosing a bathing suit,
shirts, tops, to be sure that you
are choosing modest necklines
and are honoring your western
brothers who are joining you on
this journey.
Shirts that are tank tops are okay
but NO SPAGHETTI STRAPS.
Tank tops that have a 2 inch
strap are a good choice. It is
important to be sure you have
shirts that cover your shoulders
when venturing out on
outreaches and going into the
villages, in class with
Mozambican Pastors or in
church. Any shirts that have
open backs or strapless
sundresses are not acceptable
unless there is a wider strapped
tank top underneath. Also,
please note that shirts much be
worn over bathing suits when
you are at the beach.
Swimming Attire
We have the great pleasure of
living at one of the most
beautiful beaches in Pemba. Still,
we need to be very aware that
we live in a Muslim culture.
Please bring or use a modest
one-piece bathing suit. Even
while swimming it is important
30
Updated June 26, 2014
PLEASE
will want to climb on your back
and hug your neck!
Be aware that you will find a lot of
western style clothing worn in Pemba.
You may even notice that our young
girls are wearing clothing that may
not cover their knees completely and
may be a little tight and revealing.
They have this innate ability to see
what our visitors and students are
wearing and imitate it.
MEN
PLEASE honor what the missionaries
are trying to instill in them and be an
example of integrity and modesty to
them. You have such an impact on our
girls – please be a part of the story that
changes their perspective on what
gives them value and worth.
to have your knees covered. Please
choose long shorts that cover your
knees and dry quickly. Men’s long
swim trunks are really good for this
and can be used as regular shorts
also. Loose fitting workout capri
pants are also great to have. Bikini
tops or bathing suits that reveal
your stomach are inappropriate.
Swim shoes for protection from
coral and sea urchins are a must.
This is very important. Parts of the
beach are stony; sea urchins are
plentiful and coral cut can cause
serious infection. The last thing you
need in a hot climate is a swollen
and infected foot. Our beaches are
natural and not groomed by large
tourist hotel complexes.
Church Attire
Although we are in a third world
nation, the people dress in their
nicest clothes on Sunday for church
or conferences. To honor them,
please dress in a respectful way.
Not shorts, or cut offs, or sleeveless
shirts. However, having said that,
it would be wise to wear something
that you don’t mind getting dirty as
there will be plenty of children who
Shorts and trousers are both
acceptable for males in Pemba,
but it is important that modesty
is valued and that shorts come
at least to the knee, or below the
knee.
Shirts & Tank Tops
It considered disrespectful for
Mozambican men to walk
around outside of their home
without a shirt. If women are
present – it is considered even
more disrespectful, so please
respect this custom and do not
remove your shirt unless you
are at the beach.
Tank tops are okay, but should
only be worn in your home or
compound. When out in class
or in town or anywhere in
public, t-shirts or button up
shirts are best.
These guidelines apply to
all men aged 12 years of
age and older
You may notice that our young
men and boys have begun
taking their shirts off while
playing football (soccer) as they
like to imitate our wonderful
visitors and students. Please
make an effort, even on the
hottest of days, to respect the
culture and be an example of
integrity and modesty to our
young men – and help them
retain this piece of their own
culture by modeling this to
them.
Your presence and your
example have such an impact
on our children. Please be part
of the story that changes their
perspective on what gives them
value and worth.
Iris Global
School of Missions
FOOTWEAR
Footwear options are plentiful but your choices
don’t need to be complicated. Simple flip-flops are
more than sufficient if you don’t want to spend
money on expensive sandals.
Whether you choose flip-flops, sandals, crocs or
chacos, the best options for footwear are shoes that
you can easily wash and don’t absorb water. It may
be wise to bring more than one pair, but there are
plenty of shoes for sale in Pemba, so if your shoes
should break, you will have plenty of options to
choose from.
Regardless of what you choose, its imperative to
wear shoes at all times. Cutaneous larvae can
burrow into your feet; broken glass is plentiful and
sharp objects are easily hidden beneath the sand.
Avoid paying for emergency medical care by
wearing shoes at all times.
Running shoes or hiking boots are an option, but
you won’t often find yourself hiking. Snakes are
not typically found on our compound or in the city,
but outreaches are more rural and snakes may be
encountered in tall grasses and on walking
pathways.
Comfortable thick soled sandals or flip flops which
are easy to slip off may be the perfect companion,
allowing your feet to breathe and giving you
enough protection against thorns, stones and glass.
31
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Internet & Phones
We understand that it is important to communicate
with family and friends at home to share your
experiences. Tablets & laptops are usually the
communication tool of choice, and although these
may seem helpful, it is important that you
understand the Internet capabilities in
Mozambique. ALL of Southern Africa uses the
same satellite system for wireless Internet, which
means that the speed of the internet in areas like
Pemba can be very slow.
Laptops, tablets, iPads & iPhones
Many are preparing to bring laptops, computers
and ipads. Please be aware that every week both
visitors and students show up with expensive cell
phones, cameras, laptops, itouches, iphones, ipads a
plethora of other gadgets. These items although
useful in your homeland, reveal a whole new world
to Mozambican nationals. With a median income of
$1.50 a day, purchasing anything of such value is
impossible for them, so please be discreet about
your possessions.
Often students like to bond with the children over
electronic equipment – but we encourage you to
build relationship based on mutual desire for
friendship – not based on electronic equipment.
Theft is also an issue, and word quickly gets around
about who owns the coolest gadgets, so please do
your best to avoid public displays of your
material/electrical wealth. A good rule of thumb –
if you care about it and don’t want it to be stolen or
broken or lost – leave it at home.
We encourage students to leave electronic
equipment at home if possible – leaving the western
world behind for 10 weeks is more beneficial than
being connected to it.
Internet
There are a few different internet cafes in Pemba,
but they have a limited number of computers, and
can be very slow and a trip into town to send a
quick email or update on Facebook can take hours
longer than you anticipated, just due to lines and
internet speed. Please have low expectations of
Internet capabilities. With 300 hundred extra
students and hundreds of visitors, Pemba is bustling
32
with activity and western standards of Internet
access usually disappoint. There are a few places
that have wireless, but it too is typically slow and
occasionally doesn’t work at all.
You can purchase a dongle/mobile jump drive that
will cost about $100 USD that will allow you to
connect to the internet by purchasing phone credit
– but that too can get expensive – and can also be a
distraction that allows you to connect more with
the world back home than the world you originally
came to engage in.
Phones
Smart phones are probably the best way to
communicate through email and international
texting. An inexpensive smart phone can be found
online. If you need a phone we request you to
bring a tri-band non-locked or non-blocked cell
phone. SIM cards can be bought in Pemba for just
$5 USD. With a Mozambican SIM card you can be
reached easily by anyone from the other side of the
world. This is the main way we communicate in
Mozambique
It is much easier and probably cheaper to use a
smart-phone to text home and will give you access
more easily than a computer. Keep in mind that
phone service too is unreliable, and that sometimes
cell service can be out for days on end. Purchasing
a phone in Pemba will cost you around $100 USD,
so bringing a unlocked tri-band or quad-band
phone will be helpful if you can find it cheaper in
your home country.
Remember also that you will need to bring an
adapter to charge it! SIM cards are cheap in Pemba
and you pay as you go for phone credit. A smartphone will be best way to communicate with home
as it will allow you to connect to the Internet and
complete email or Facebook updates should you so
desire.
An UNLOCKED phone means that it is not
required to be used with a specific carrier – so it is
able to use any phone service with a SIM card
throughout the world.
The SIM cards in Pemba are normal sized. If you
are bringing a phone that needs a microSIM card,
be sure to bring a SIM card cutter.
Iris Global
School of Missions
BANKING & CURRENCY
The local currency in Pemba is
the Meticais. Typically $1 USD =
30 MTZ. We recommend you
bring US dollars. They are the
only currency readily
exchangeable in Pemba. Be sure
that you bring US bills 2006 or
later, with the large portraits, as
older- style bills are NOT
generally accepted.
Please make sure the bills are
clean with no ink marks, or tears.
Bills must be new – completely
UNMARKED (which means, no
ink, writing, stains or any other
discoloration).
Bills that are $50 USD and higher
have the highest exchange
rate. What does that mean? It
means that if you exchange a $50
USD bill you may get 30
meticais to each dollar. f you
use a $20 USD you may only get
26 meticais to the dollar. Then
again – if you use a $100 dollar
bill – you may get 32 mets. The
higher the bill, the higher the
exchange rate.
Credit Cards & ATMs
Credit cards are accepted in
several places in town and there
are several ATM’s from which
you can withdraw money from
your bank account.
Before your departure, it’s
important to call your bank and
your credit card company. Let
them know you will be traveling
to Africa so that when they see
use of your card in a foreign
country, they permit the
transactions to go through. If
you don’t call them – your card
may be cancelled and
activating it again from Pemba
is time consuming and costly.
How much money you travel
with is up to you, but we
suggest anywhere from $300$500 USD. This will cover you
in case you encounter extra
luggage fees or need to stay in
a hotel while in transit.
While traveling to any country,
you should be mindful of
where your money and
valuables are kept. Avoid
putting ANY money or small
electronics in your bags, purse
pockets and/or backpack.
Living expenses are very high in Pemba. Many
things you are used to aren't available. Retail
choices have been improving, but the prices are
high. For example, 1 liter of milk = $3.00 USD;
small plain cereal = $9 USD; butter = $10 USD.
As a student of Iris Harvest School, we want you
to spend some time eating with our staff, bible
school students and kids. We are blessed to have
a good diet of basic African cuisine (mostly rice,
beans, potatoes, fish, goat, and some chicken and
eggs). Most of the local Makua people are not so
blessed.
Depending on your budget and time, you will be
able to supplement the food provided by buying
your own from market stalls or in the town
supermarkets. You will find an increasing range
of fruit, vegetables and packaged food available.
However, we recommend you bring some
comfort food/snacks with you. Across the street
are people who sell roasted peanuts, sweet wheat,
honey treats and bananas. Coke products are
usually available and more specialized or
processed foods are slighty more expensive.
If you don’t tolerate heat well at night, budget to buy
a fan in town for $20 - $30 USD. That of course, will
only be helpful if we have electricity!
Most students suggest budgeting $250 per month for
incidentals, occasional restaurants and food (not
including water), which will typically cost $80 a
month per person. In general planning $300-$350
USD per month should give you a decent budget.
33
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
EVERY DAY LIFE IN PEMBA
Washing Laundry
Students will be required to wash
laundry by hand. It can be a time
consuming task, and one that is
not easily mastered if you have
not done it before. It would be
beneficial to research some
YouTube videos regarding
techniques for this task.
Laundry soap can easily be
purchased in Pemba and is a
better choice than using laundry
soap from home.
Clothespins can be bought in
Pemba, but they break easily. It is
best to bring some better quality
ones from home.
Staff & families only will have
access to laundry ladies to help
with washing.
We ask that you only hang clothes
34
in the allocated laundry area
and not in or around the
houses. Families and Staff
alone will have access to a
laundry lady once or twice a
week for a small fee.
House Responsibilities
As it is important to maintain
a healthy environment, there
are certain house duties that
students will all share with
housemates.
Houses must be cleaned daily in
order to keep dust and dirt to
a minimum. We especially ask
that the bathrooms be kept
clean.
All food must be stored away in
to avoid rats coming into the
houses. If crumbs are left out
on tables or on the floor
overnight, we provide an
enticing banquet for rats to
return in search of food.
We ask that you do not nail or
screw anything into the walls.
Command strips and hooks
with taped backing are good
alternatives.
Color Groups
All students will be assigned
to groups for outreach and
certain activities. Each team is
typically named for different
colors in the Portuguese
language.
Color group teams do not just
include the Harvest School
Students, but the Mozambican
Bible School students as well.
Both Harvest School and Bible
School students will go on
outreach together, participate
in group activities together
Iris Global
School of Missions
and work together on various tasks
throughout the base.
Families and couples will all be
assigned to color groups as a unit
and will not be separated.
You will not be allowed to change to
an alternate color group. If you can’t
participate in any of the assigned
team activities, please inform your
color group leader.
Serving the Center
To help be part of serving the greater
needs of the school and the base,
color groups or house members will
be scheduled to perform certain
daily chores such as:
•
•
•
Cleaning the classroom
Sound system set up
Kitchen clean up
Home Groups
Each week students will engage in a
home group where you will meet at
arranged times to share, pray and
have fellowship. Home group
leaders will assist you in the
transition to Harvest School and
help you to get the best out of your
time in Pemba. We encourage you to
invest with your heart in those
relationships and to learn from each
other.
Wimbi Beach
You have the privilege to live at the
most beautiful beach in Pemba –
Wimbi Beach. You are welcome to
walk there for your personal time
with God or just for recreation and
to go for a swim, but you must go in
a group or of at least 4 and only
during the daylight hours.
Please read the section on dress code
for appropriate swimwear and note
in the safety section that it is unwise
to take valuables to the beach even
in a group of people.
Going to Town
You will probably find a taxi or a
‘chapa’ (pubic transport) is the best
way to find your way to town. You
can walk but it may take some
time.
We kindly request that you go
to town in groups of four
during the day. Also, always be
conscious that you are
representing the Lord Jesus
Christ in everything you do and
wherever you go.
We respectfully ask that you
please do not make any
promises to our children or the
village children.
Any giving of gifts should be
done in conjunction with Iris
staff. Thank you for your
understanding.
Vehicles
We regret that Iris vehicles may
not be used by any of the
students.
Our Mozambican Children
For daily matters relating to the
Iris children, please talk with
our children’s department.
Please be aware that Iris
children have their own
schedule during the week. The
Mission School schedule is quite
tight, so we will plan some
afternoon and weekend times
when you can interact with
them, have fun on the beach,
sing songs, dance and play with
them.
35
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Giving to Children
Please check with the children’s department
on their protocols on how to give to the
children.
We are trying to encourage relationships that can’t
be bought or measured by "things"
Instead, take time and talk with the youth,
play with the kids, learn their language and
teach them yours. Iris children have all they
need (no matter what they may say).
If, at the end of your school, you feel led to
bless someone you've established a bond with,
talk to the Children’s Director on base about
leaving something to bless the child with on
their birthday, Children's Day or Christmas.
If you brought gifts for the children or want to
do any special activities, we will coordinate
these things with the Children’s Director.
Please do not give any money to any
Mozambicans. We ask that ALL gifts by
visitors or Harvest School students be
channeled through our accounting department
or in conjunction with Iris staff. This will ensure that
the intended purpose/person is the recipient.
Children of Students/Families
Although parents are primarily responsible for the
safety of their own children, please share that
responsibility with them, especially if you see a child
outside of the student area without their parents.
CLASS SUPPLIES
You will need to bring a few pens, pencils and
notebooks if you are interested in taking notes
during lectures. You can buy some notebooks and
pens in Pemba, as there is an office store in town.
We highly recommend you read your books before
departure and leave them at home. Books are heavy
and you will miss out on fun activities in
Mozambique while reading them before graduation.
A compact folding chair or some kind will save
your back, and your backside from sitting on the
concrete floor.
A digital recorder for language learning is helpful
and will also allow you to record and learn
worship songs in Makua or Portuguese.
Bring an 8GB or larger jump drive/thumb
drive/dongle to gather and share photos music,
and teachings with your new found family! USB
2.0 or 3.0 (USB 1.0 will NOT work for school
recordings)
36
Iris Global
School of Missions
SAFETY & PEMBA
Regardless of your budget, when you are traveling in
Africa keep in mind that you are much richer than the
majority of local people around you. While most people
are honest, the sight of someone with cash to spare,
cameras and phones dangling, is too tempting for some.
Be wise about carrying valuable items such as cellphones, I-pods, wallets. Don’t take backpacks unless
necessary. Purses should have thick straps. Thin straps
that are string-like are easy targets for theft.
When visiting villages, (which should only happen
during daylight hours) please take national Bible School
students or other trusted Mozambicans with you
Bandito attacks have increased in the past few years and
because of this, we have been asked by the chief of police
to follow these guidelines:
During the day, students must always walk in groups of
no less than 4 and in groups of 8 after 5pm.
We strongly advise that anyone who goes out after dark
to travel in a vehicle or taxi.
Pictured above: the pathway leading to our
beautiful Bethel Prayer Hut
Curfew & Quiet Time
Villages around our compound
are often in bed & sleeping by
8pm. To respect those in our
community, a strict quiet time is
to be observed in the student
compound from 9:00pm until
6:30am the next morning. This
includes music and even casual
conversation. Please respect this
guideline, as sound travels easily
over the compound walls and
from house to house.
This not just to respect the
community but also to be
considerate of families with
children, and to give people a
chance to spent quiet time with
God and get a good night’s
sleep. Generally students are to
be back on base by 10:00 pm.
It is not permitted to sleep outside your house in the
open.
Please follow these guidelines for your safety, and for
the safety of those with you.
You MUST be in a group with
flashlights if walking back to the
base from a restaurant after dark
(around 5:30pm).
compound unless express
permission has been given by
the staff and/or children’s
department.
More specific guidelines will be
given at the school.
As a result of previous
difficulties we have experienced,
we kindly ask that you don't
make any promises to children
or local vendors.
Visitors
We encourage you to invite
visitors to our church services.
Please stay with your visitors at
all times to avoid any confusion.
Further, in respect for the
privacy of your fellow students
we kindly ask you to not to
bring visitors or ANY children
(even Iris children) into the
student compound.
No village children or Iris
children or older youth are
allowed inside the student
This includes older Mozambican
youth, etc. If any of the children
help haul stuff for students
(water, groceries etc.), they are
to stop at the gate and not to
enter.
Guards
We have guards throughout the
base who monitor the center and
the school compound. Please
honor the guidelines set forth by
the guards.
37
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Boundaries for Relationships
Please refrain from physical affection with the
opposite sex unless you are married. This
includes holding hands, hugging, laying
together on day beds or hammocks, and
entering houses of the opposite sex as that
portrays a very different view in the
Mozambican culture than it does in your own
homeland.
First Aid & Clinic Hours
A medical person from the school will be available
at all times. If you are sick, please call the medical
phone to have the medical staff come and assess
your health so you can have the proper care. This
number will be given to you at the school. During
the day, we will have assigned hours for our
students to visit the medical clinic or see the
Harvest School Medical Volunteer/s on duty.
Class Recordings
We have so many wonderful worship sessions
and guest speakers with powerful messages.
We hope to be able to record the majority of the
classroom sessions. These recordings will be
available at the end of the school for a cost of
$50 USD. Your key deposit can be used for
payment if you wish. The proceeds from the
recordings go to special projects on the base.
Doctors, Nurses & Medical Personnel
For students who have a medical background, there
will be an opportunity for you to join a rotating
medical team to help with monitoring medical
needs.
Its important to bring a jump drive/thumb
drive/dongle of at least 8GB to store the
recordings on if you would like a copy. USB 2.0
or 3.0 (USB 1.0 will NOT work for recordings)
Family & Friends Visiting
If you have family and friends that want to come
visit you while you are in Pemba, they will have to
apply through our hospitality department. Please
be aware that June – August is our busiest time for
visitors and that those months are booked
sometimes up to a year in advance.
BRINGING MEDICAL SUPPLIES
As is the case with virtually every jurisdiction,
Mozambique restricts and controls the entry of
pharmaceuticals and medical supplies and
equipment into the country. Iris visitors need to
take careful note of the following information.
Donated medical supplies are deeply
appreciated and highly valued. However,
visitors wishing to donate medical supplies to
Iris must send, at least three weeks in advance,
a complete inventory of such items that will be
accompanying you. Please email this list to the
[email protected] and they
will respond with information regarding the
need for the items on the list.
When the itemized list has been approved by
the clinical director, you will need to create
another list of the inventory.
The inventory must list the complete name of
each item including size of dosage and
quantity, plus an approximate retail value
(even if the item is donated). We will then have
your information translated into Portuguese
and request that the Provincial Department of
38
Health put their official stamp on a copy of the
list.
It is recommended that all
medications travel in labeled
pharmacy containers or unopened
packaging.
The Health Department’s stamp serves primarily
to confirm to Customs that the goods you are
bringing in are approved by the Department and
are not illegal or restricted. It is still quite
possible that Customs may require you to pay
duty on the items you are bringing in; however,
duty should not exceed 10% of the listed value of
the goods.
The above information only applies if Pemba is
your port of entry into Mozambique for Customs
clearance purposes. If you enter into
Mozambique through Maputo, you will need to
clarify that with our Health Clinic director as
there may be different paperwork needed for the
process.
Iris Global
School of Missions
PACKING FOR PEMBA
HINTS, TIPS, TRICKS & WHAT TO LEAVE BEHIND
When you arrive in Pemba you will go through
customs and leave the airport. Every suitcase,
duffel bag, hiking bag, back pack and carry-on
may be opened and the contents reviewed by
customs agents. Anything that looks new,
unused or looks as though it is not a personal
item, will be taxed and you will need to pay
duty on it.
going to starve or be even close to missing out on
food in Pemba. Will it be the standard you are
accustomed to? Probably not - but it’s a temporary
circumstance and unless you have specific medical
conditions that prevent you from consuming the
food in Pemba, the stores in the city have enough
luxury items for purchase that you won't feel
deprived. You can purchase the following in Pemba:
A few tips on packing:
COOKIES * CRACKERS/SNACKS/CHIPS/CRISPS * NUTELLA • SPREAD items out – don’t put all your
clothes in one bag and only camping
gear in another.
• USE your new items, shoes, clothes, tent
& camping gear.
• PLACE at least one change of clothes,
toothbrush, toothpaste and other
personal hygiene items into your carry-on, in case your luggage does not make
it to Pemba with you.
• TAKE off all tags and stickers .
If you are looking for a way to make new
clothes look used – wash them several times,
even the ones you are bringing for the children.
Your tent and camping gear should have a bit of
dirt, some markings or duct tape – whatever
you need to do to make it look like you’ve used
it before. Invite some friends, have a sleepover
in your tent. Track some dirt through it, slap on
some duct tape. Use it. Scuff it up a bit. Even if
it’s dirty at your home – its cleaner than its ever
going to be in Pemba!
Medications & Vitamins:
These should stay in their original
packaging/bottles and should not be taken out
and placed in ziploc/plastic bags to save space.
Open them – take the seals off so they know you
have been using them for personal use.
Food
It’s fine to bring some familiar things like
comfort foods, but remember that if it looks like
you brought a store house you may end up
paying taxes on it. In all honesty - you aren't
JAMS/JELLIES * CHOCOLATE & CANDY BARS * PEANUT BUTTER * POPCORN * FRESH FRUITS, VEGETABLES * EGGS * PEANUTS *BREAD * CHEESE * YOGURT * BUTTER/MARGARINE * SPICES: SALT, PEPPER, CINNAMON, NUTMEG, ADOBE, CURRY * FLOUR, BAKING SODA, SUGAR * JUICE * MILK * CEREAL * OATMEAL* COCOA * SODA/POP/COKE * COFFEE (QUITE EXPENSIVE)
Below you will find a little information to help you
make some decisions regarding what to bring that
can save you a few pounds!
Laundry Soap
Laundry soap in the western world is used
specifically for high-energy machines and is not
good to use for hand-washing clothes. Bring a few
small travel laundry soaps with you – then purchase
laundry soap in Pemba that is made specifically for
hand-washing (which means the soap rinses out
easily) and is very inexpensive. Borax is a great
powder to bring as it helps with cleaning the house
and laundry and can be used as roach and ant bait!
39
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
Toiletries
It will save a lot of weight if you bring travel
size samples of the necessities, and purchase
the rest in Pemba. They may be more
expensive in Pemba – but will save you money
if you don’t have to pay overage on the weight
of your luggage. Feminine Hygiene products
are available, but are very expensive and very
rare. Best to bring your own.
It’s a good idea to
bring a few dishtowels and hand
towels to use in the
kitchen and
bathrooms.
If you aren't picky and don't mind using a
different/off brand, the following can be
purchased in Pemba:
Bath Towels
Heavy towels are
not ideal for the
climate in Pemba.
They are difficult to
wash and rinse and
usually end up smelling moldy. Bring some quick
dry towels or a large piece fabric that absorbs and
dries quickly to use for bathing.
SHAMPOO * CONDITIONER * SHAVING CREAM * TOOTHPASTE (VERY INEXPENSIVE) * TOOTHBRUSH* LOTION * BODY SOAP (BARS & LIQUID) * LAUNDRY SOAP * DISH SOAP * TOILET PAPER * DEODORANT * BUG SPRAY (EXPENSIVE) * CLEANING SUPPLIES * SCRUB Matches are
abundant in Pemba.
BRUSHES * Household Items: Most houses you will be living in have a
limited amount of utensils, silverware, plates,
bowls, pots and pans. These can be brought
with you – but can also be purchased in
Pemba. They are not always great quality – but
the quality of things available is getting better
over time:
FORKS * CUPS * KNIVES * SPOONS * PLATES * POTS * FRYING PANS * BAKING PANS * CLEANING ITEMS * TUPPERWARE* CLOTHESPINS (NOT VERY STURDY) •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CONSIDER BRINGING
Plastic storage bags
Trash bags: small, medium or large
Dish rags/clothes
A few ant or roach bait food traps (not
aerosol spray)
Mattress covers (to help avoid the spread of
bed bugs). Single mattress for single
students & children, double mattress for
couples
Bed bug fogger (just in case – we’ve had a
few cases of bed bugs)
Borax (good for cleaning house, laundry,
and can be used for roach/ant bait
A good can opener
Mosquito repellent (anything with 20-40
percent Deet is more than sufficient)
Portuguese dictionary or phrasebook
A light weight bag for shopping
Please note: It will be important to bring a lanyard
for your house key – one that goes around your
neck is the best option.
Heidi praying for Harvest School students
40
Iris Global
School of Missions
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
As a student body we gather every morning at 8am to send worship out over the city and up to the
heavens! This worship is most often student-led. Students will have an opportunity to sign up for and join
a rotational worship for the duration of the school. Bring your guitars, flutes, bagpipes and voices because
we will be bringing nothing less that our whole hearts every morning. Musical instruments are not
available for purchase in Pemba.
NAME TAGS
Please bring a nametag with your name clearly printed on it. Not only does it help us identify you and for
the benefit other students, but Rolland & Heidi really loves to be able to see your name in class. Bring it and
wear it, & bring extra in case you loose one! . You can bring any type of name-tag and make it as creative as
you desire. Include your name, city or state & country.
Example: Firstname Lastname
Tennessee, USA
DONATIONS
While 300 Harvest School students are arriving in Pemba, there
will also be more than 200 Mozambicans students arriving to
attend the Pemba Bible School. Most of these students come to
the Bible School at a huge sacrifice to their families. They often
come with only the clothes they have on. For this reason Rolland
& Heidi ask that each student bring an extra set of sheets for the
Bible School students as a gift to your Mozambican classmates.
Other items you may want to consider bringing for the Bible
School students are:
•
•
•
•
A BUTTON-­‐UP SHIRT OR POLO SHIRT (SIZE SMALL OR MEDIUM) T-­‐SHIRT (SIZE SMALL OR MEDIUM) A BACKPACK SANDALS OR FLIP FLOPS (ANY SIZE) For those of you interested in bringing items for the children, we
will email wish lists from the children’s and medical department.
Also, we have recently built new buildings in our compound for
students and are having a hard time finding shower curtains in
Pemba. It would be very helpful for you and your housemates if
you brought an 84-inch long mold resistant shower curtain. Two
are needed per home. They can be purchased online.
41
Student Manual HS 21
Updated June 26, 2014
COMMUNICATION
(GUIDELINES FOR EMAILS, UPDATES & FACEBOOK)
We know that many of you use and
communicate using the Internet, whether
through email and community sites such as
Facebook or through blogs, online newsletters
or personal websites.
We are excited that many students are going to
be joining us on our extended outreaches all
over the world. However, with every positive is
a potential negative. We strongly urge all of you
to exercise EXTREME CAUTION in any
communication online and via email. Many of
you may not realize how closely the Internet is
monitored, especially by such agencies as
immigration.
Avoid talking openly about times,
places, dates, and the full nature of
Iris work.
We do not want to compromise Iris, or each
other, in any way as they continue to take the
gospel into the darkest and hardest corners of
the world, encouraging persecuted believers
and seeing nations come to Jesus.
The main five areas that we would ask you to
make sure are NOT in any online blogs etc (and
carefully coded or disguised in emails): China,
Tibet, India, Indonesia, and Israel.
Our basic 4 prong guideline is that we try in all
we do (email, web etc.) to not talk openly or
42
unnecessarily about specific 1) times 2) places 3)
dates or 4) the full nature of our work.
Guidelines to consider:
-STAY VAGUE: Use the names of Continents rather
than countries and specific locations. The words
"team" and "family" are much better than the
names of specific individuals, locations and last
names, thus keeping each other protected. Even if
you are talking about your own personal heart or
calling to an area, be aware that whatever you
write could also compromise your immigration to
that country in the future.
-STAY POSITIVE: Please be aware of the language
that you use when writing. Many conversational
or even biblical terms can be read in more than
one light and easily be taken the wrong way. We
wish to always be purely communicating Jesus'
heart of service, respect of culture and of love.
-STAY SAFE: If you are unsure of what you can
and can’t write...don't write anything until you
have checked the www.irisglobal.org site. If it is
already online officially, then go ahead, if it’s
not...leave it in phone conversations (outside the
countries concerned), letters and private
correspondence. Please - if in doubt – leave it out!
Iris Global
School of Missions
Long Term Opportunities
We usually require everyone who wants to
come as a long-term missionary to attend our
School first. Opportunities to serve at different
Iris mission bases will open up, but only a few
of them will be in Pemba.
You will have the opportunity to meet with the
long term committee during the Harvest
School. This interview will give you an
opportunity to share your dreams for the
future, communicate your skills and attributes
and allow you to consider the positions we
have available at our bases worldwide.
After graduation a student may be transferred to
another base after a successful interview. If you
want to come back as a long-term missionary, you
need to re-apply after returning home. We like to
get to know each individual first and hear their
heart, before taking them on as a long-term
missionary.
Iris Core Values are a vital part of missionary life
and it’s important that you read through the
following information carefully.
CORE VALUES AT IRIS
(SIMPLE, CONTROVERSIAL & NOT OPTIONAL)
WRITTEN BY: ROLLAND HEIDI BAKER
It was an unlikely spot for a leadership
conference aiming for global revival! Hidden
away in our cozy little African prayer hut on the
beach, with stiff ocean breezes whipping our
crude canvas walls, we gathered together to
represent our worldwide Iris family. Far out of
town on a rough, sandy road under clear, brilliant
African sky by day and under a starry southern
array with a bright moon by night, we met with
God and melted together in His Presence. The
natural ambiance felt wild, raw and peaceful; the
spiritual ambiance was a milestone in our Iris
history.
For the first time we convened our key Iris
leaders from bases around the world to pray,
soak, worship, dream and find unity together.
Well over one hundred missionaries and
nationals from dozens of countries descended on
little Pemba in our remote corner of Africa. For
days we ate and drank, wept, laughed and
celebrated together as we built each other up with
faith-building encouragement and testimonies.
We were so honored to have Bill Johnson as our guest
speaker, and he brought such an atmosphere of depth
and holy presence. We were awed as we began to
grasp the extent of what God has been doing among
us, and the strength of our family bonding. We as a
missions-oriented body are in fact enjoying God and
our life of service to Him to a degree Heidi and I never
anticipated thirty years ago when we first headed for
the mission field.
The meetings were also a chance for us as leaders to
articulate like never before what it is that makes Iris
"Iris." The word is Greek and also Portuguese for
"rainbow," as Heidi and I began as a Christian dancedrama ministry called "Rainbow Productions." We saw
our different creative talents as colors of a rainbow that
the "Son" shines through, giving a beautiful result.
We "contend earnestly for the faith which was once for
all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3), and have never
tried to emphasize anything that is new, unique, clever
or different. We try not to be controversial, and share
with all Christian streams what no born-again believer
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can argue with: the glory of the basic Gospel,
repentance and faith in Jesus, the simplicity and
purity of devotion to Christ, avoiding anything
that would empty the Cross of its power,
knowing nothing but Christ and
Him crucified when backed
against a wall, seeking
righteousness that comes from
faith, transformation through
adoption by our Heavenly
Father, and understanding faith
working through love as the
only thing that counts (Gal. 5:6),
with the hope of attaining to the
resurrection from the dead (Phil
3:11).
Updated June 26, 2014
We think they should all be normal in the Christian
life and in Christian ministries everywhere, not special
and unusual. Heidi and I began naively in these areas,
but now realize we must prize, protect and nurture
As we changed course from an
itinerant evangelistic ministry to
stopping for the poor, we
became more and more holistic
in our approach to missions. We
had no choice. When people are
thirsty and starving, the holiest
Rolland
thing we can do is offer a cold
drink of water and fresh bread.
But we're not just social workers; we have fresh
bread that comes down out of heaven, Jesus
Himself! And so our ministry is not finished.
We go on to "proclaim him, admonishing and
teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we
may present everyone perfect in Christ" (Col.
1:28).
In the process we find that we cannot just be an
orphanage, or a church, or a Bible school, or a
humanitarian aid organization. We can't just
hold bush conferences, plant farms and
engineer micro-investment. We can't just
specialize in education and technical assistance.
We as a broadly-based international family
must embrace all of the above, and more... All
the while we share with Paul his attitude in
Acts 20:24: "However, I consider my life worth
nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and
complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me -the task of testifying to the gospel of God's
grace."
But we have discovered that some key elements
of our lives and ministry in Jesus are
controversial, although absolutely necessary.
44
sharing and ministering at a conference
these values in our hearts, and impart them to others.
If we lose any one of these values, Iris would not
function and be what it is today. When they all come
together, it's as though we have a spiritual chain
reaction, generating life and heat in the Spirit! The
following five values are not the only critical ones to
us, but the Holy Spirit brought them to the forefront of
our minds at our leadership meetings.
1) We understand that we can find God, and can
experience intimacy, communication and
companionship with Him in His Presence, if we
share His love for righteousness.
Missions has often been taught as unromantic; it is
disciplined obedience to the Great Commission.
Prayer is hard work, feelings are irrelevant, and
getting the job done is what counts. We don't need
spiritual experience to proclaim the Gospel. We can't
expect immediacy and intimacy to be normal. We can
function without His manifest Presence.
We feel the opposite. We've gone through enough fire
and hardship to know that without actually finding
God, in fulfillment of Jer. 29:13, we cannot do what we
do. We cannot love with supernatural, unstoppable
Iris Global
love unless we actually experience the love of the
Father for us first. As the radiance and exact image
of the invisible God, Jesus is a spiritual lover, our
perfect and ultimate companion. Our first value is
to know Him in a passionate relationship with a
love that is stronger than death (Song 8:6). We
major first of all not on mission strategy, methods,
projects and fund-raising, but having the life that
the world needs and craves.
But neither are we attracted to mindless,
impersonal mysticism, experience without content
and relationship. We pursue passion and truth, not
just eastern balance and serenity with no actual
basis for happiness. We relate to God with our
minds and hearts both; we engage with Him, and
School of Missions
We run into the darkness looking for bad news
because it is the power of God that gives the world
hope. We don't apologize for seeking and valuing
power, because without it love is incomplete and
ineffectual.
Heidi and I began our life of missions with the
dream of living out the Sermon on the Mount,
taking Jesus at His word that we did not have to
worry about tomorrow. We imagined addressing
extreme human need by example, living without
anxiety, free to bless always with pure motives,
looking to God alone for what our hearts and bodies
need. We turn neither to the left nor to the right to
gain support. At every obstacle our only confidence
is in the Cross of Christ and the conviction that God
is thrilled to be trusted for miracles all
along our way.
We believe we experience miracles
because we value them and ask for
them, understanding that He will give
them to us only if they will not take us
further from Him. For His sake we will
lose our lives daily, knowing that by
His power we cannot lose, but will be
sustained and become more than
conquerors.
Heidi praying for a deaf woman in the bush
find life and joy in our interaction. When we find
Him, we find and gain everything... Without Him,
we can do nothing of real value.
2) We are totally dependent on Him for
everything, and we need and expect miracles of all
kinds to sustain us and confirm the Gospel in our
ministry.
When facing great human need with our human
frailties, we rapidly reach the limits of our
resources, wisdom and love. We face overwhelming
poverty, sickness, demonic attacks and every kind
of evil. But with excitement and joy we aim beyond
what we can imagine doing in our own strength.
The engine behind the growth of Iris in
Mozambique has been a marriage of
love and power; we do not have to
choose between them, but can look
forward to doing even greater works
than Jesus, while remaining in His love.
3) We look for revival among the broken,
humble and lowly, and start at the bottom with
ministry to the poor. God chooses the weak and
despised things of the world to shame the proud,
demonstrating His own strength and wisdom. Our
direction is lower still...
We are not experts. We haven't learned how to do
church and revival; we only know to humble
ourselves under the mighty hand of God (1 Pet. 5:6).
We gravitate to the low things of the world.
Competition and comparison with others don't suit
our DNA. We feel no pressure to succeed and excel,
but we exult in doing things well by the power of
the Spirit.
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God's ways are the reverse of the worlds. We
waste our time on the uninfluential and the few,
stopping for the one. We show where God cares
when no one else does. We go to the neglected,
the forgotten, the lonely. We will go anywhere, if
possible, to minister to the meek and desperate,
the poor in spirit, who truly understand their
need of God.
4) We understand the value of suffering in the
Christian life. Learning to love requires
willingness to suffer for the sake of
righteousness. Discipline and testing make
saints out of us, and produce in us the holiness
without which we will not see His face and
share His glory. With Paul we rejoice in our
weaknesses, for when we are weak we are
strong. Under great pressure we learn to rely on
God, who raises the dead (2 Cor. 1:9).
Jesus was rewarded for enduring evil opposition
without sin. Our reward in heaven will be for the
same -- doing the will of God. We resist sin, to
the point of shedding blood, if necessary, by
considering His example (Heb. 12:3). Jesus is
glorified now not because He exerted His power
against His enemies, but because He overcame
them with love. That kind of love entails
suffering, the willingness to turn the other cheek,
go the second mile, deny ourselves, pick up our
cross, and follow Him. He showed us the only
way to be counted worthy, and the angels sing of
him, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to
receive power and riches and wisdom and might
and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev. 5:12).
There is no shortcut to our heavenly inheritance.
"Now if we are children, then we are heirs -heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed
we share in his sufferings in order that we may
also share in his glory" (Rom. 8:17).
5) The joy of the Lord is not optional, and it far
outweighs our suffering! In Jesus it becomes
our motivation, reward and spiritual weapon.
In His Presence is fullness of joy, and with Paul
we testify that in all our troubles our joy knows
no bounds (2 Cor. 7:4). It is our strength and
energy, without which we die.
The supernatural joy of the Lord may be the
most controversial of our core values! But our
aim is to impart so much of the Holy Spirit that
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Updated June 26, 2014
people cannot stop bubbling over with love and joy!
We pass through conviction and brokenness, even
daily, but we are not left there. The Kingdom is
righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom.
14:17), in that order. And in His joy we are all the
more capable of compassion for others, unfettered by
our own sorrows.
Heidi and I could never have endured this long
without a river of life and joy flowing out of our
innermost beings. We are not cynical and downcast
about the world and the church, but are thrilled with
our perfect Savior, who is able to finish what He
began in us. We gain nothing by being negative, but
we overcome the world with faith that we can cast
our cares on Him. Joy, laughter and a light heart are
not disrespectful of God and incongruous in this
world, but are evidence of the life of heaven. We are
not referring to cheap and foolish levity that ends in
grief, but exultation in the truth and reality of our
salvation, a powerful work of the Spirit.
We in these days identify with the captives of Israel
who were brought back to Zion:
"Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues
with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations,
'The Lord has done great things for them.' The Lord
has done great things for us, and we are filled with
joy. Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like streams in the
Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs
of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to
sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves
with him" (Ps. 126:2-6)