We will be working with 3 different people groups who have settled on the Bay Islands of Honduras. One is an indigenous people group called the Garifuna, referred to as “Islanders”. Another is a people group of British decent who speak an “Island English”. And another group are Honduran mainlanders who have moved and settled on the island.

Los "Garifuna" (/ɡəˈrɪfᵿnə/ gə-rif-uu-nə) Are mixed-race of descendants. The Garifuna are a mix of people from West Africa, Carib Islands, and Central Africa. Known by British colonial administrators in the early days as "Black Carib" and "Garifuna" so that they could be distinguished from "Red" or "Yellow" Caribs which were the original Amerindian population before intermixing with Africans. It is believed that the Black Carib or Garifuna are descendants of the Igneri people. The Igneri became residents of the Lesser Antilles, present day St. Vincent, Trinidad, and Dominica.

The average temperature in Roatan in May is 84°F. The average maximum daytime temperature lies around (88°F).

Casual clothing. Girls may wear modest shorts at fingertip length. One piece swimsuits only. Skirts are cool and Chaco type hiking sandals work well. Bring tennis shoes for sports camp.

The currency is called Lempiras. The exchange rate varies each month. Currently, it is 24.46 Lps for every $1. But again, it changes each month, so be sure to ask us what it is when you come.

The missionary family will have transportation lined up to get from the airport to the Legacy Center. We will also take small boats to reach homes during house visits.

Spanish and “Island English” are spoken in Roatan. There will be translators for the mission team to utilize for communication when needed.

We have pioneered what we call a Legacy Center. A Legacy Center is a ministry center that seeks to build a strong community spiritually, academically, physically, and relationally. We are doing this through a day center for at risk children and youth, a medical clinic, a crisis center for women, and a church plant that also has multiple discipleship groups.

Teams will plug into our day center to work with children and youth and help us with community outreach events.

Honduras offers a variety of foods. One of the most popular meals is called comida típica. Típica is beans, eggs, fried plantains, avocado, mantequilla (a cross between sour cream and butter), and a white cheese. Another popular dish is baleadas. Baleadeas are flour tortillas, beans, mantequilla, and cheese.

Juan Manuel Gálvez International Airport (in Coxen Hole, Roatan)

Yes!!! Occasionally there are electricity outages, but for the majority of the time there is electricity. There is running water in Roatan, but it is not recommended that visitors drink the water. Mission teams will be able to purchase bottled water. At the Mission Team Home, there is purified water, which can be used to fill up empty water bottles. There are locations to get a Wi-Fi connection, however the connection is not always fast and when lots of people are using it, it may be unreliable.

Yes! There are a number of pharmacies in Roatan. We also have several contacts in Roatan who can help obtain medication that requires a prescription. It is recommended that you bring any prescription medicine that you currently take in their original bottle.

Each mission team should visit the CDC website to get the most up to date information on vaccines. http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/honduras

Many mission teams travel to this area WITHOUT the recommended malaria, yellow fever and typhoid shots. (per the missionary) (Additionally, my family has spent time on the island many times and we do not have the previous mentioned vaccinations. )

There is a Mission team house and meals are prepared there. The team house is located upstairs of the Legacy Center. Therefore, it is convenient to be in the middle of ministries happening around us. There are separate bunkrooms for males and females.

There is a public hospital and several private clinics in Roatan. The public hospital is not recommended except for emergencies. There are also a number of Honduran doctors who are happy to assist people in their clinics.

No. All the electrical outlets are standard outlets.

If needed, this will be determined by your team captain.

Effective July 15, 2004, the State Department has established a Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). For more information visit the US Embassy website for Honduras. https://step.state.gov/step/

As a general rule, we ask that groups always talk with the missionaries before handing out any type of gift to the Islanders. Small gifts such as candy, Bibles, and spiritual guides are almost always ok. Please know we are not against being generous to the Islanders; however, with every gift, a precedent is set for mission teams that follow. Gifts such as money, clothes, and other material items should always be discussed with the missionaries before given.

Clothes: • Jeans, shorts, capris, maxi skirts • T-shirts, light jacket, rain jacket • Tennis shoes, flip flops • One piece Swimsuit (for free day) • Hat, sunglasses Personal/Medicine: • Soap, shampoo/conditioner • Toothbrush, toothpaste • Prescription medication • Anti-diarrheal & Dramamine • Toilet paper/ feminine products • Hand Sanitizer/ wet wipes Additional Items: • Flashlight • Camera • Insect repellant • Sunscreen • Water bottle