Tonga

DATE: 

6/16/24 - 6/30/24

TRIP FEE COST: 

$1,400 (not including airfare)

FUNDRAISING GOAL:

$5k

OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES

We will be traveling to the island of Tongatapu Tonga to serve our new ministry partners Chris and Ashley Paquette Along with their children. There ministry and reach continues to expand and they are in need of a outdoor church. We will be working alongside Chris and deportees from his deportee ministry to construct the new Church.  

TYPICAL SCHEDULE

Below is the tentative schedule for the trip, but we approach this with flexibility because our ultimate focus is on relationships.

Day 1

– Arrive in Tonga and meet with local Missionary family

Day 2-6

– Fellowship with Tonga Missionaries

– Learn what the Pastors is currently doing (e.g. outreach etc.) 

– Go to local market 

Day 7

– Pack up and say our goodbyes 

LODGING & FOOD

Where We Stay & What We Eat

Lodging will be at the Combined Orphanage/church. There will be basic but comfortable sleeping arrangements. There is running water for a shower and standard toilet.  

The food is prepared by the Missionary's wife. We will be served a variety of food from:

• Native fruit, vegetable and proteins

SUPPLY LIST

What to Bring

• Bible
• Bedding: Sleeping bag, pillow, fitted sheet, alarm clock and ear plugs (if a light sleeper) etc.
• Bath: Bath towel, soap, shampoo, toothbrush and toothpaste, personal items, flip flops for shower etc.
• Cloths: Work clothes, one nice (not dressy) outfit for church, jacket and/or sweater (cold at night), work gloves, bandanna or hat, swimsuit (modest please; no bikinis) etc.
• Shoes: Flip flops or open toed shoes, tennis or work shoes for remote outreach and work (e.g. no bare feet at any time) etc.
• Other: baby wipes, beach towel, camera, flashlight, hand sanitize, sunscreen and water bottle etc.
• Bug repellent

DRESS CODE

• No undergarments showing at any time (guys and gals)
• Dresses/skirts for outreach should be mid-calf to ankle
• No tight fitting shirts (girls) especially those that barely meet the top of the pants when moving or stretching (e.g. showing bellies)
• No tank tops, low-cut or scoop neck for girls (sleeveless is ok)
• No skimpy clothing worn to and from the dorms to the showers
• No skimpy shorts/skirts, except on beach day
• Men cannot take off their shirts, except on the beach day
• No Bikinis 

HEALTH & SAFETY

Helping Hands International recommends you follow the health and safety recommendations readily published by the CDC and Travel Alert program offered by the US State Department, as well as those recommended by your personal physician. Please click here for vaccination requirements and/or recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Please note, if you do take prescription medicines, please check with your local pharmacist to ensure the medicines are not considered a controlled substance in the location you are traveling.  

PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS

Please be sure to read specific passport and visa requirements listed here, per the U.S. State Department.