Covenant

2009 St. Luke’s Mission to La Paz Covenant

Agreed upon guidelines for team behavior and function

Why write one? A covenant helps to clarify expectations for group members. It also provides a process by which to open up communication regarding needs and concerns of team members. Finally a covenant strengthens the team and therefore the work that it does

We agree to honor one another as members of God’s family during this experience by treating each other in the following Christian manner…

Demonstrate the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness)

Love one another

Communicate openly.

>Be responsible for preparing our “task areas” completely and communicating our needs to the others in the group.

We will honor the work of the Children of Love Foundation and the culture of those we serve in the following ways…

Learn about the culture of our surroundings and show respect

Try new things (like food)

Show appreciation (please, thank you, etc.)

Respect the rules of the CLF and help the children to do the same (for example, the kids would rather play with us than do their chores or go to sleep. It is our role to support the leadership of CLF and its rules and routines)

Be flexible and patient! Schedules change.

When in doubt talk to the trip leader or Mama Doris before acting.

We will represent our Lord and our church by agreeing to the following guidelines for speech, dress, and behavior…

Modest dress

Appropriate speech (no profanity, use words that build up rather than tear down)

Alcohol consumption (The official policy of CLF is “Alcohol and tobacco may be used at the Foundation, using discretion when and where it is being consumed. Smoking and drinking areas are established.) This is an item that we need to define further as a group and will do so before finalizing this covenant.

Practice Matthew 18

Practice the 24 hour rule (If you have a conflict or issue with a teammate, you should approach them to talk about it or deal with it within 24 hours, rather than let it fester.)

When someone refuses to follow this covenant, we will handle the problem with the following consequences…

Practice Matthew 18

The primary purpose of this trip is to share the message of the love of God and salvation through Jesus Christ alone.

I will give my best to communicate those messages by participating in the leadership of the Bible school program, participating in evening team Bible study, and praying for and with children and staff of the Children of Love Foundation.

I will do my best to live witness to the children of the orphanage and the La Paz community.

Alcohol/Behavior

“Chain of command”

Don’t make promises you can’t keep.