Trip Resources
MODULE ONE VIDEO RESOURCES
Module 1: Basic Training
First and foremost, FLEXIBILITY. We operate in dynamic mission fields and unexpected changes can occur.
About The CUPS Mission
Our mission is to rescue a child, transform a family, and do it again tomorrow. In areas plagued by poverty and joblessness, vulnerable children are enticed into human trafficking and exploitation with promises of financial security and a brighter future. CUPS Mission intervenes by providing discipleship, education, and empowerment. We foster spiritual growth through Bible studies, basketball programs, and personal relationships built on accountability. We support children in accessing education, offering English programs and first aid training. We equip our communities by teaching culinary, baking, sewing, and alterations skills, enabling them to launch micro-businesses from their homes.
Exit Your Comfort Zone (Training Drill)
First, we want you to be an active participant in your preparation for your trip. In this spirit, we have a few suggestions for you: go to a church that is not yours (a different denomination) and practice being around Christians who are outside of your usual circle, talk to a few strangers (practice getting comfortable starting conversations), and try to learn some basic Spanish vocabulary & grammar (use Duolingo, Ella Verbs app, etc.). These are just suggestions, but past trip participants have told us that they wished they had done these things before they left. In addition, we strongly suggest reading:
Book Recommendations
MODULE TWO VIDEO RESOURCES
Module 2: Pre-Deployment
Passports
If you don’t have one, apply for a passport with the State Department promptly. We’ve experienced instances where participants couldn’t join us due to expired or delayed passports. Make two copies upon receiving your passport: one for travel (keep it separate) and the other for your emergency contact.
Pre-Deployment Checklist
Before booking your flight, contact a CUPS Team member. You will fly into POP (Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic) unless the cost is prohibitive. (If you fly American, use this code in the “Business Extra/On Business” box: 967618 to support CUPS Mission with matching points.)
Submit a photo of your passport and flight itinerary, fill out and sign our liability waiver and take our pre-trip survey.
Trip Cost
Your deposit of $300 secures your spot. Signing up online doesn’t guarantee a reservation (trip availability is limited and prioritized for those with confirmed deposits). You’ll receive a confirmation email upon deposit. The second payment is due 90 days before your trip, and the third payment is due 60 days before your trip, with a $25 late fee per person for missed deadlines.
Trip cost includes OTG (on-the-ground) transportation (fuel, driver, & gratuities), interpreters (as needed), OTG meals, water, ministry supplies (for Painting/Construction), and lodging (specific hotel/lodge not guaranteed).
Trip cost does NOT include airfare (coordinate your own to arrive in POP—airfare costs vary as teams come from all over the country, making predictions impossible; lodging for departure from/return to the US is not included). Also unincluded, is the checked donation supply suitcase (~$40). For snorkeling, bring $35 (group discount possible). Bring small denominations ($1 & $5 for bargaining; USD is widely accepted) for souvenirs and consider an emergency credit card. Cash for tipping drivers/translators is optional.
Fundraising
There are endless ways to fundraise. Write letters to people who may be interested in partnering with you. Host a car wash with others who are also fundraising. Sell baked goods or frozen meals. Offer childcare or babysitting services. Host a silent auction with donated items from friends, family, or local businesses. Offer lawn care or maintenance services. More ideas can be found online, and feel free to contact our stateside office if you have questions.
MODULE THREE VIDEO RESOURCES
Module 3: Packing
Checked Bag Donations
To help meet the needs of our mission, it’s crucial to collect the specific items on the list and pack them in an old suitcase that you can leave as a donation. If you or someone you know doesn’t have an old suitcase to donate, consider purchasing one inexpensively from a thrift store. Please note that the list of supplies may change from year to year.
Personal Packing List
You will have a carry-on and a personal bag for your plane journey. If possible, try to fit everything into a backpack, which can serve as your personal bag. Check with your airline to ensure your carry-on will fit within the airline’s overhead storage size requirements as this bag will contain your personal items for the trip. Be mindful of liquids and toiletries in your carry-on; they should not exceed 3 oz. each to comply with TSA regulations. Start by packing what you think you need, and then take out half of it. You probably won’t use most of what you bring. On that note, we recommend avoiding bringing valuables or electronic devices. Cell phone service may not be available, but the lodge offers WiFi. You will receive a contact telephone number for emergencies. Consider bringing old or second-hand clothing for workdays. Keep in mind that trips typically last five days (not including travel days), and you might want to change T-shirts twice a day (due to sweat). We recommend bringing culturally appropriate shorts, jeans, flip-flops, a church outfit (if desired), a pair of old sneakers or shoes (closed-toed) to be worn during trips to the dump that can be discarded at the end of your trip, and a modest bathing suit (women bring a cover-up for traveling to and from the pool). Consider that you can donate the clothes you brought to other families or children in need at the end of the week.
MODULE FOUR VIDEO RESOURCES
Module 4: Activities
Here’s a glimpse of the activities you may engage in during your trip. Each day, you’ll typically have the opportunity to participate in two to three activities, allowing you to experience various villages. Please keep in mind that we may not be able to do all these activities and variations or additional activities may be included.
Bible Camp
Serve hundreds of kids through Bible camps, where you’ll dance, share your testimony, and pray while teaching Bible lessons.
Dump Service
Serve soup (with hot sauce & mayonnaise–Dominican Style!), bananas, peanut butter sandwiches, and water to people working in the city garbage dump. Remember the Greeting. If we only meet physical needs without reminding that it is done in His name, we have forgotten why we are there in the first place. Be mindful of your body language and facial expressions. Smiles & eye contact speak for us where language is a barrier. Please remove sunglasses. Wait to use hand sanitizer until we are back on the main road. Avoid touching your face. Absolutely no pictures.
Mountain Village Hike
Explore Alto de la Jagua through a physically demanding hike, with activities like an adult Bible study, kids’ mini Bible camp, worship, and a community meal.
Painting Houses
Help brighten up the communities by painting, as many families can’t afford to decorate their homes. Encourage homeowners to take ownership of their homes’ appearance.
Worship & Missionary Story
Gather for worship with your team and Dominican friends. Listen to the testimonies of one of our missionary families and learn how the Lord led them to serve with CUPS!
Village Movie Night
Enjoy a fun evening with kids and families in the villages. Worship together, dance, sing, and watch an outdoor movie.
House Visitation
Go door-to-door in various communities to connect with families, learn how to pray for them, and pray with them with the help of a translator. Share your testimony and offer a small gift of rice and oil. Hold on to these items until everyone is finished praying to not distract anyone. Focus on the homeowner and engage with them.
Snorkeling/Free Time
Enjoy some leisure time to relax by the beautiful Dominican beaches. Options include a snorkeling cruise (additional fee) or free time by the hotel pool.
Worship & Debrief
Reflect on the lessons learned during the week. Worship together, share your “snapshot” moments, and discuss your experiences serving the Lord.
MODULE FIVE VIDEO RESOURCES
Module 5: Testimony
Sharing your testimony is crucial, whether you’re traveling individually or with your church group. Revelation 12:11 emphasizes the power of testimonies in overcoming the enemy, stating, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimonies. For they loved not their lives even unto death.” Your story demonstrates Christ’s love and sacrifice, crushing the enemy’s work and expanding God’s kingdom.
We’ve created a 5-Point Testimony outline to help you share your story effectively:
Final Requirement
The final requirement before the trip is a Zoom meeting with a stateside staff member. Reach out to us to schedule a time. For additional Q&A’s, visit the FAQ at the bottom of this page.
MODULE SIX VIDEO RESOURCES
Module 6: Arrival
Fill out (& optionally upload) the DR International Travel E-ticket.
When you land at POP, move together with your team through Dominican Customs to Baggage Claim to pick up the donation supplies. We have some friends who work at the airport, so sometimes we don’t have to send the bags through Exit Security. Next, find the white trucks to load the donated suitcases. Your bags will stay with you. When we leave the airport on the trucks, we will go over everyone’s name and then your CUPS Mission or group leader will go over some verbal instructions.
Need To Knows
- Only use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. The hotel offers many bottled water stations. Water will also be provided at all work locations. Some individuals bring a water bottle/container with them on the trip that they can refill. Drink lots of water; people get sick because they do not drink enough water!
- When using the toilet, do not flush toilet paper, it goes in the trash bin–this is the rule for the whole island.
- Regularly apply sunscreen, bug spray, and hand sanitizer.
- Do not give out anything to anyone (who is not a team member) without asking the person in charge first.
- Anytime a team member is giving instructions OTG (e.g. prayer walk) it is important to stop what you are doing and listen!
Final Preparation
- Ensure you’re well-rested before departure for your peak performance on the ground.
- Embrace local culture by valuing hospitality, engaging in meaningful interactions, and respecting customs.
- Familiarize yourself with local history, customs, and prevalent issues, such as poverty, government corruption, human trafficking, and the history of racism among Haitians & Dominicans, to better grasp the trip’s context.
- Approach interactions with locals confidently and warmly.
- When visiting homes, expect invitations and offers of coffee.
- Even if language barriers exist, convey love through your actions and body language.
- Designate a team member to lead a prayer before home visits to ensure the best experience.
- Approach the week with an open mind, a readiness to learn, and a willingness to challenge and reconsider any preconceived notions about poverty, the world, ministry, or nonprofits.
- Acknowledge that you may encounter emotionally challenging situations. Allow yourself time to process these experiences and use the support of your team and scheduled reflection periods during the week.
- Prioritize prayer for the people you’ll meet and interact with, seeking open hearts and receptive minds for the message you’ll share. Extend your prayers to include locals, team members, and yourself.
- Consider post-trip actions to ensure sustained impact upon your return home.
MODULE SEVEN VIDEO RESOURCES
Module 7: Cancellation Policy
We desire to offer the experience of missions in a real 24-7 working mission environment. We aren’t “producing” a mission trip, per se. We are allowing groups & individuals to be a part of what God is already doing OTG with our missionaries. We desire that you will see what God is doing and what God is doing through CUPS. We pray God would show you how you can be a part of the mission when you return AND how you can be ON MISSION every day no matter where you are.
Cancellation fees apply post-reservation to optimize on-ground funds; because we have hundreds of people coming down each year, we are trying to maximize our Stateside team’s time so that more of the funds we use are going to the efforts on the ground, rather than Stateside administrative efforts. These policies will help us do that. Policies are universal unless specific rates are mentioned on the trips page. Consider travel insurance (can be purchased while making airfare arrangements).
What CANNOT be Refunded:
Failure to arrive on the trip day, unused week portions post-departure, airfare (traveler’s responsibility), and confirmed hotel/lodging extensions. Cancellations Made Within ≤15 days before departure are non-refundable. All trip deposits made at the time of booking ($300 per person) are completely non-refundable or transferable.
What CAN be Refunded:
If the trip minimum of 12 travelers is not met. Any additional refunds based on extenuating circumstances will be discussed with the stateside office. All other refunds are minus the deposit: 15-20 days prior: 50%, 20-30 days prior: 75%, ≥30 days prior: 100%.
Please note that cancellation fees are calculated based on the date we receive your signed Cancellation Request Form and travel start date. All cancellations must be made directly with the Stateside CUPS office. In most cases, reservations paid online, by cash deposit, or by check will be refunded via check.
Please explain why you are requesting a cancellation. We will process your cancellation/refund request within one to three business days. We will not acknowledge any verbal/over-the-phone request, voicemail request, or email request. Verbally speaking with our stateside office without filling out a request form will not guarantee that your cancellation has been processed or acknowledged. If you have any questions, please contact our Director of Finance.
Transfer of Funds Policy
To transfer funds to another trip date, complete the Transfer Funds Form, specifying the reason. Extra deposits for absent team members are non-refundable and cannot be reallocated. Funds can be transferred once and expire one year from the original trip date. Transfer requests are processed in 1-3 business days. No verbal, voicemail, or email requests are acknowledged; form submission is required.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where will I be staying?
Sosua by the Sea OR Rio Vista Lodge, Dominican Republic
Convenient to the areas we serve and the places we will evangelize, these facilities have been serving missionaries for years. The layout of the grounds is ideal for worship, group devotional sessions and Bible study and will help create a team feel.
*If you would like your own room by yourself, there is an additional charge.
Your Dominican Republic accommodations are included in the cost of your trip.
(Any accommodations related to, or in preparation for your departure from or upon returning to the United States are not included. If, for example, you need to get a hotel prior to your departure close to your originating airport, that will be at your expense.)
Do I need to get any shots or immunizations?
Visit your physician to let them know that you will be participating in mission work in Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic and adhere to all immunization recommendations. Check with the CDC travelers health information.
What supplies should I bring for the mission?
You will carry three (3) pieces of luggage, including one large suitcase that you will leave behind. The one LARGE Suitcase is the one you will CHECK under the plane, the contents of which will be for the needs of the mission; the other 2 will be your personal belongings to take on the plane. (If you or someone you know does not have an old suitcase to donate, purchase one inexpensively at a thrift store. Consider asking friends, relatives, and parishioners to help support your trip by donating some or all of the following items.)
Items you will supply:
- Peanut Butter
- Tuna
- Children’s Vitamins
- Small Dress Shoes BLACK
- Basketball (Deflated)
- Composition Notebooks
- Pencils – both regular and colored
- Sharpeners
- Crayons
- Glue
- Scissors
- Erasers
- Rulers
- Protractors
- Rheem Paper
- Calculator
- Markers
- Pens
- Fans
- Umbrella/Poncho
- Spanish Bibles
- Hand Sanitizer
- Canned Tuna
Here is an Amazon wish list of medical supplies needed for the mission. Don’t forget to shop through Amazon Smile with Crossover Ministries International (Crossover Cups) as your preferred nonprofit! Through shopping with Amazon Smile, Amazon will give back a portion of the profits to Cups at no extra cost to you https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2YX1PA6X7KMFN?ref_=wl_share
*Caution: Ensure within your carry-on bags liquids and toiletries do not exceed 3 oz. each. All toiletries weighing more than 3 oz. risk being confiscated by the TSA.
What should I pack for myself?
For your personal luggage, you will bring a carry-on bag which will need to fit on board the aircraft. Be sure to check the size requirements and weight limits for your specific airline. Here is what we recommend for you to pack in your carry-on:
Six sets of clothes:
One for travel and one for each of the five days of your trip.
We recommend that you take old or second-hand clothing for each workday.
One pair of old sneakers or shoes:
These will be worn when we make trips to the dump and can be discarded at the end of your trip. These must be close toed shoes!
A swimsuit:
Women, please bring a cover-up to wear traveling to and from the pool.
We recommend that you do not bring any valuables or electronic devices with you. Cell phone service is not available; however, the lodge does provide WiFi. You will be provided a contact telephone number in advance of your departure where you can be reached in the event of an emergency.
Is the water safe to drink?
Use only bottled water for drinking and brushing teeth. The hotel offers many bottled water stations. Bottled water will also be provided at all work locations. Some individuals bring a water bottle/container with them on the trip that they can refill.
Should I bring extra money?
The Dominican peso is the national currency; however, the American dollar is accepted everywhere. The trip fee covers all expenses in country, including food, water, and transportation and lodging. Bring only a small amount of money for any souvenirs you may wish to purchase, and limit this to one and five – dollar bills. (It’s hard to bargain for a $ 5 item when all you have are $20s!) Consider bringing one credit card for emergencies. If you want to snorkel, bring $25, sometimes they give us group discount. And yes, you can use some of your cash to tip our drivers/translators as you feel led.
Trip Cost Breakdown & Additional Costs
Your trip cost includes:
- Transportation on the ground, fuel, and a driver
- Interpreters, when needed
- Meals while in the D.R.
- Supplies needed for painting/construction
- Lodging during your stay (we do not guarantee a specific hotel/lodge)
- Any gratuities
Your trip cost does not include:
- Airfare: each person is responsible for coordinating airfare to arrive in POP (Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic) on the Monday afternoon of the start date of their trip. Because teams fly from all over the country to join us, it is impossible to predict an average price for airfare costs.
- The amount it costs to check in one donation supply suitcase to stow under the plane.
- Some mission participants have status with their respective airlines that give them a checked bag for free. If you do not, the average price is typically $30-$40 to check a bag.
- Travel Insurance
Fundraising Ideas
As you plan your trip, you may decide to fundraise to cover the expenses. We know it can feel uncomfortable to ask people for money, but here at the Mission, we believe that fundraising can be an opportunity for ministry. When you ask people to partner with you, you offer them a chance to be a part of the Mission too, even if they can’t go on a trip themselves. You also open up the door to encourage them with stories from your trip after you return.
Below are some ideas that maybe helpful for you to fundraise:
- Write letters to people who may be interested in partnering with you.
- One way to do this is by breaking down the total cost of your trip by day or expense. For instance, divide the total cost of your trip by the number of days you will be serving, then ask someone to partner with you for one day.
- Host a car wash with others who are also fundraising.
- Sell baked goods or frozen meals.
- Offer childcare or babysitting services.
- Host a silent auction with donated items from friends, family, or local businesses.
- Offer lawncare or maintenance services.
These are just a few ideas to assist you as you seek to fundraise over the coming months. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to our stateside office!
How do I share my testimony?
While you’re on the ground with us in the Dominican Republic, you will have several opportunities to share your testimony. We believe that your story is important! Revelation 12:11 says, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimonies. For they loved not their lives even unto death.” Sharing a part of your story in a way that displays the love and sacrifice of Christ is how we overcome the enemy. It’s a way of showing others how you love Christ more than your own life. This being said, we want to equip you to share your testimony in the most effective way we know how!
To simplify your story, you can break it up into five short phrases that complete the following sentences:
- Once upon a time…
- Everyday…
- Until one day…
- Because of that…
- Until finally…
You don’t have to use these exact words, but it can be helpful. Let’s break it down:
- What you used to believe or how you used to act. Who were you? What was the context?
- How this belief or action impacted your everyday life. What did you do every day before the Lord transformed this part of your story?
- The moment that began to change you. What was the turning point or realization?
- The result on your daily life. What changed about your life?
- What you believe or how you act now. Who are you now? What is the new context or theme of your life because of this change?
Here is an example of what your testimony might look like:
I used to be frustrated with myself because I felt like I couldn’t ever do anything right. I felt so guilty for not being as good of a person as I thought I should be. One day, someone shared with me that God still loved me and that He sent Jesus to die for me so that I didn’t have to get it right all the time. Because of this, I was more joyful and happy because I didn’t feel guilty. Now, I feel free to obey God no matter what because even when I mess up, He still loves me!
What is a character sketch and how do I prepare one?
If you are coming down to the Dominican Republic with us during the summer months, you will have the opportunity to share a character sketch at Bible camps. This is a fun way that you can help children and youth better understand the Bible. So, here is what you need to prepare, in order to effectively teach in a creative way!
- Choose a Bible Character.
- Write down 5 -7 facts about the character you chose.
- Come up with a costume that you can bring with you to wear as you act out the characteristics/facts that you wrote about your chosen Bible character.
For example, if you chose Solomon, here are some possible facts/characteristics that you could say about him:
- I was King David’s son.
- God told me He would grant me one thing.
- I asked God for wisdom.
- I was the richest king in the whole world.
- I wrote the book of Ecclesiastes. Who am I?
After you recite and act out your character in front of the kids, they will guess who you are!
What will we be doing?
Here’s an idea of some activities you may be doing on your trip. Please note that we may not be able to particiapte in all of these activities. We will do a variation of these with the potential for a few additions
Mountain Village Hike
Join us on a steep hike up to a remote mountain village called Alto de la Jagua. There, we will have an adult bible study, a kids mini Bible Camp, worship, and share a community meal with the people who live there!
Painting Houses
Most of the homes in our villages are made of concrete brick. However, paint is expensive and most families can’t afford to decorate their home in this way. As a mission, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to make these communities visually bright and colorful, while encouraging the homeowners to take ownership of the appearance of their homes.
Bible Camp
In the afternoons, we will serve hundreds of kids at a time through Bible camps. During this time, you’ll dance with the kids, perform your character sketches, share your testimony, and pray over children as they hear a Bible lesson.
Worship & Missionary Story
Join us for a time of worship with your team members, as well as some Dominican friends. You’ll be able to hear from one of our missionary families as they tell their testimonies or how the Lord led them to serve with CUPS!
Village Movie Night
This is a wonderful time to get to know the kids in our villages! Join us as we gather with children and families to worship the Lord, dance, sing, and enjoy an outdoor movie together!
House Visitations
We’ll go door-to-door in different communities to speak with families and learn how we can pray for them. Then, on their front porch or in their living room, we will pray with them (with the help of a translator). We will also give these families a small gift of rice and oil.
Visit Orphanage
We will bring the toys and we hope you’ll bring the energy. We’ll spend a few hours playing with the children and hosting a mini Bible camp for them.
Snorkeling/Free Time
Use this time to have some fun! The beaches in the Dominican are gorgeous, and we want you to be able to experience them. You’ll have the option to go on a snorkeling cruise (additional fee) or you’ll have free time to relax by the hotel pool!
Worship & Debrief
This will be a wonderful time of reflection on what the Lord has taught you over the past week. We will worship together, share our “snapshot” moments, and reflect over the time spent serving the Lord.
*Activities subject to change
What is your cancellation policy?
You can view our cancellation policy here.