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General FAQ
1. Q: When does mission trip training take place?
A: In general, mission training will take place during the evenings of the week immediately before the trip. These meetings are mandatory unless absence is obtained from the mission team lead prior. As needed, other mandatory mission team meetings will be called from time to time.
2. Q: I don’t have a passport or I have an expired passport. Can I still sign up for a trip?
A: Yes, but it is advised that you sign up for a passport immediately and use expedited services. Otherwise, there is no guarantee that you will be able to leave and re-enter the country.
3. Q: I want to go on a mission trip. However, I also want to visit home or another destination prior to returning to SFO. Is this possible?
A: Yes, as long as you cover the extra cost for the additional flight(s). In general, we collect all of your flight preferences before purchasing tickets. Once tickets are reserved (but not yet purchased), we can work with our travel agent to ensure you have the flight(s) you need.
4. Q: If I sign up for a Taiwan Mission Trip, can I stay for an extended period of time before or after the trip with our Hsinchu mission team?
A: No. In general, we do not allow people to stay longer if they have to be housed with our Hsinchu mission team because the burden and work of hosting a short term mission team is already quite heavy. Having to house people for an additional period of time is disruptive and time-consuming for our team. While exceptions are made from time to time, they must be pre-arranged with Pastor William, our Hsinchu team, and the mission team lead.
5. Q: How much is the deposit for a mission trip? Is this refundable?
A: The deposit is $300. The entire cost is refundable if you cancel prior to purchasing airplane tickets. If you cancel after that point, then your deposit is forfeited because the airline will only refund the ticket purchase price minus $300. The deposit covers the cancellation fee and does not go toward Gracepoint Fellowship Church.
6. Q: I can purchase the flight ticket from another source. Is this possible or am I required to buy tickets with the group?
A: Yes, you can purchase on your own. We still require you to pay the deposit, but after that, you are only required to pay the general fund for the mission team, which is set by the mission team lead. While this is not advisable since we have a travel agent who gets us group rates that are lower than usually available on the internet, you are definitely welcome to purchase tickets on your own. We only ask that you advise us of this in advance. (also, sometimes the general fund is less than the deposit, in which case, we will refund the difference to you)
7. Q: I signed up but now I can’t go. Is there a way to remove myself from the signup list?
A: Yes, by emailing Thomas [dot] Chow [at] gpmail [dot] org.
8. Q: I signed up, but I noticed that not everyone who signs up is guaranteed a spot. When will I find out if I am accepted?
A: You will find out as soon as we finalize the roster, which is usually a week or two after the signup deadline. In general, your signup is usually enough to ensure that you have a spot with the mission team barring other unforeseen circumstances such as (1) too many signups, or (2) the trip being cancelled for security or safety reasons.
9. Q: I am not a member or attendee of Gracepoint Fellowship Church, Waypoint Community Church, or Bridgeway Church of Silicon Valley, but I found your website on the internet. The trips you have planned seem exciting! Is it possible for me to sign up?
A: In general, no, though you are welcome to contact Thomas [dot] Chow [at] gpmail [dot] org for more information. Generally our mission teams are for our church members and attendees only, and only in rare circumstances will exceptions be made.
10. Q: I searched the FAQ, but I still have questons. Who should I contact?
A: Please contact Thomas [dot] Chow [at] gpmail [dot] org for more information.
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Winter 2008 FAQ
1. The $300 deposit is due now. Send your check, payable to GFC, to
Gracepoint Fellowship Church
c/o Pastor William Kang
2000 North Loop Road
Alameda, CA 94502
2. Copies of your passport and green card (if applicable) must be mailed to the above address. Your passport must be valid up to 6 months after your dates of travel. If your passport expires before June 2009, please contact William [dot] Kang [at] gpmail [dot] org.
3. Email a copy of your salvation testimony to gfcmissions.testimonies@gmail.com. This is due by Friday November 21. Even if you have emailed one for a previous mission trip, please email it. If you need help writing a testimony, please contact your leader.
4. Training is mandatory. Exceptions will be made for students who need to take finals and for circumstances beyond your control. We may add additional training dates.
Taiwan
Wed 12/10 – 7pm to 11pm
Thur 12/11 – 7pm to 11pm
Sat 12/13 – 9am to 6pm
Mon 12/15 – 7pm to 11pm
Wed 12/17 – 7pm to 10pm. We depart for airport at 10pm.
Cambodia
Fri 1/2 – 7pm to 11pm (includes Friday Bible study)
Sat 1/3 – 9am to 6pm
Sun 12/4 – 4pm to 10pm. We depart for airport at 10pm.
5. Please check your email daily as we’ll be sending out announcements. Please sign up for a GMAIL account if you don’t have one. We’ll be using google documents frequently for administration.
6. Once we purchase your tickets, you can still cancel your trip. However, you will lose your deposit. We will notpurchase your ticket if you don’t send us your deposit. So if you don’t send in the deposite, you may not be able to go because of limited seating.
7. Cambodia: Please visit your doctor this week and get immunizations.
8. Taiwan: We are purchasing tickets this week, so we need your itineraries ASAP.
