HTI TRIP POLICIES & DISCLAIMER
We are honored that you are interested in spreading God's love through medical evangelism with Health Talents International. Health Talents began its global medical evangelism ministry in 1973. Today the ministry is centered in Guatemala and Nicaragua. The ministries in both countries are staffed entirely by nationals who operate primary care clinics in conjunction with area Churches of Christ.
We intend for our work together to be a spiritual
experience for everyone, including the North American team, our patients and
our Central American workers. A
Board of Directors oversees the activities of Health Talents, which is a
ministry of the Churches of Christ.
Every team member should have a spiritual view of life and must agree to
personal conduct that honors the Christ-centered nature of our work. It is not a requirement that participants be
members of the Church of Christ. Respect
and tolerance for different faith traditions among team members is presumed.
When in Guatemala or Nicaragua, it is not unusual
for team members to see situations of poverty and great need. This often
prompts a desire to contribute money in response. If you encounter a situation in which you
feel drawn to respond, please discuss it with the North American team leader so
that the need can be evaluated. You
should not discuss your desire to be helpful economically with any Guatemalans,
including HTI staff members. You should
speak only with the team leader. If
appropriate, the support can be channeled through HTI to minimize the negative
effects of jealousy and inequity that gifts of money often create. In this manner, the relationships of the
national staff, the people we serve, and Health Talents are respected and
preserved. The HTI Board does not permit
soliciting of monetary gifts by nationals…and none are expected from team
members. We ask each team participant to
abide by this policy. If you feel you
cannot do this, please discuss it with Rick Harper or the trip leader before
plans for your inclusion on the team are finalized.
Since we are working in Central America in
association with local Christian congregations, our teams must remain
culturally sensitive and act in ways that are not offensive in light of local
Christian practices. Actions accepted in
the United States by some Christian people may be offensive or not acceptable
in Central America. Smoking is an
example. In Central America, Christians
perceive smoking as a habit of a non-believer.
Team participants are expected to follow the
policies outlined below:
1.
For the duration of our time outside the United States, abstain from
the use of tobacco, alcohol, illegal
drugs and improper sexual conduct, whether at clinic sites or on side trips for
shopping and sightseeing.
2.
Attend all devotional sessions and the worship service on Sunday.
3.
Cooperate with the team leader's decisions at all times. The trip leader has been assigned
responsibility for the group and his/her decision regarding any changes in
arrangements due to unforeseen developments will be final. The team leader will make decisions based on
input from our emergency contact in the United States, US Embassy, our Board of
Directors and team members.
Because of our experience in September, 2001, when an HTI surgical team was in Guatemala during the World Trade Center attack, we recognize the importance of team solidarity in crisis situations. Although that team was not in imminent danger, the team leader had to make decisions regarding housing and changes in transportation. Since it may be important for the group to stay together for security reasons, it is critical that the team members comply with the group leader’s instructions.
Should an unforeseen change in circumstances occur in the future, the HTI policy is that the team leader and the State side HTI staff members will attempt to re-arrange travel as efficiently as possible. The group may need to split up in order to return. The team leader will take your input regarding travel plans but ultimately the safety of the whole team will take priority over any individual travel requests. Anyone who does not follow the group leader’s advice and decides to make independent travel arrangements, must accept full responsibility physically and financially for the decision.
It is your responsibility to ensure that HTI has correct emergency notification numbers (preferably an e-mail address) of your contact, so we can keep family members informed of any changes.
Disclaimer
Guatemala
and Nicaragua are developing countries and often experience instability. Team members should understand that while HTI
will take reasonable steps to ensure the personal safety of team members, there
are risks inherent in living, traveling, and working in such situations. Each team member assumes a certain amount of
risk when he commits to participate in medical evangelism.
Health Talents has sponsored medical evangelism
trips for many years and has had very few problems. We want your trip to be a positive
life-changing experience, so we request that you comply with the conditions of
this statement.
That
being said, when registering for a trip by clicking the box stating that you
have read and agree to the HTI policies and disclaimer you are also consenting
to the following Assumption of Risk and Release Document below as further
evidence of your understanding of the unique risks associated with travel to
Guatemala or Nicaragua.
ASSUMPTION OF RISK AND RELEASE-Guatemala/Nicaragua
In consideration of being permitted to participate in the Health Talents International (HTI) Medical/Surgical Mission Trip (Mission Trip) to Guatemala or Nicaragua as the case may be, the Trip Participant checking the box to submit my reservation form is hereby acknowledging consent to this document, in full recognition and appreciation of the dangers and hazards inherent in the HTI Mission Trip for which The Participant is registering and the planned activities and the hazards inherent in transportation to and from destinations on the trip during my participation in the Mission Trip, does hereby agree to assume all the risks and responsibilities surrounding participation in the HTI Mission Trip or any independent activities undertaken as an adjunct thereto; and further, I do for myself, my heirs and personal representative(s) hereby defend, hold harmless, indemnify and release and forever discharge Health Talents International, Inc., and all its officers, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, demands and actions, or causes of action, on account of damage to personal property, or personal injury, or death which may result from my participation, and which result from causes beyond the control of , and without the fault or negligence of Health Talents International, Inc., its officers, agents or employees, during the period of my participation as aforesaid.
Furthermore, I hereby designate and appoint the assigned Health Talents International Team Leader be it one of the following:
Rick Harper, Executive Director of HTI,
Julie Obregon, Mission Trips and Events Coordinator of HTI
Dave Mellor, Mission Trips and Church Relations Coordinator of HTI
Susan Mellor, Public Relations Coordinator of HTI
Marie Agee, Board Member of HTI
As my true and lawful attorney or agent, to take whatever reasonable action or procedure, including the execution of any documents or instruments which may be required or necessary by emergency circumstances, to obtain medical or hospital care, treatment or surgical procedures for and on my behalf which may arise on the HTI Mission Trip to Guatemala or Nicaragua. I further accept the financial responsibility for all medical attention.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have caused this Release of Power of Attorney to be executed on the day of my registration for Mission Trip upon the submission of my reservation form.
GUIDELINES FOR CLOTHING DONATIONS
The HTI Board of Directors
respectfully requests that you refrain from bringing clothing and shoes to
distribute to the villagers. We are
grateful for all efforts to help in this ministry, but the reality is that
donations of clothing and shoes are tricky. We've been working in
Guatemala since 1978, and we have learned that such donations don't help
the work of HTI or the churches. In
fact, they have an adverse effect. They cause chaos, jealousy
and strife among the people and create a system of "beggars" overall.
The tension that exists
in a medical ministry is to help people without causing harm. The aim is
to help them physically in the name of the Lord so as to help them make the
connection to spiritual health that comes only from Jesus. Glitz and
glamour and giveaway programs don't do this nearly as well as helping people
when they know they need help... and doing it in a way that exudes
love and caring.
We appreciate so much and
understand why people want to help in this way, and it sounds really uncaring
to say that we don't want anyone to do it. However, it makes the
Guatemalans see us as Santa Claus, and in so doing, takes the focus
off our Lord. If you want to
help, support a child in our ABC or scholarship programs, take part in a
medical/ dental or surgical trip, or donate funds with which to buy medicines
and Bibles. These are the things that help keep the focus of the ministry
where it belongs.
In conclusion, we've all seen
here at home what harm welfare can do to an individual's
motivation and
expectations. It is critical for us to avoid that in Guatemala if we have
any hope of raising up a generation of people who truly believe that their
hope is in the Lord Jesus.