Top Producer’s Trip - ParaguayJune 27 – July 5Team 1 Call #2

Agenda

• Reflection • Roll Call • Tentative Build/Trip Itinerary • Hotel Info• Build Site info• Packing• Pre-Trip Planning• Trip Costs• Assignments• Q & A

Team Members1. Tom & Kailee Bjerke 2. Skip & Diane Blodnick3. Rob & Trevor Burns4. Jack & Susan Ficken 5. Ted & Allison Haar 6. Craig & Valerie Holocher 7. Greg Jahnke & Brian

Farmer8. Todd & Lisa Kraft9. Michael & Molly Stensland 10. Ray & Tiffany Weiss11. Keith Weston & Paul

Hibbard

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Trip Executive Sponsors:Jim & Kathy ThomsenJoel & Randi Johnson

Trip Leaders:Jackie Hintz & Sherri MaurerTom Edelen & Bill Martchenke

Event Planning:Lynn & Rick Schwandt

Paraguay

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Tentative Itinerary/Build Schedule

• Saturday, June 27– Arrive Asuncion– Dinner– Orientation

• Sunday, June 28– Possible church service in Asuncion– Lunch in Asuncion– Travel to hotel near the build site in Tobati– Cultural activity near hotel– Dinner at hotel

• Monday, June 29 - Thursday, July 2• 6 am, Breakfast - 4:00 pm, Depart build site• Leave for build site - 6:00 pm, Team Meeting• 8:00 am, Work - 7:00 pm, Dinner at local restaurant• Noon, Lunch

Tentative Itinerary/Build Schedule, Cont.

• Friday, July 3– Cultural day trip outside of Asuncion– Transfer to Hotel, Asuncion– Dinner in Asuncion

• Saturday, July 4– Cultural morning tour in Asuncion– Afternoon free in Asuncion– Dinner in Asuncion

• Sunday, July 5– Depart Paraguay

Our Habitat Hosts

Our Homes for the Week: Hotels

• First Night in Asuncion• Hotel Portal del Sol• http://www.hotelportaldelsol.com/?page_id=5

Our hotel during the week;

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http://www.vistaserrana.com.py/

Hotel back in Asuncion• La Mission Boutique Hotel– http://www.lamision.com.py/ENG/index.p

hp?idioma=eng

Helpful notes about our hotels for the week.

• WIFI is available in guest rooms of all three hotels.• Shampoo and soap are provided in each room. • Hairdryers are only available at La Mision at the end of the week.• All rooms are air conditioned• Paraguay’s electrical current is 230 volts (US is 110). You will

need an adapter.• Laundry service is available at Vista Serrana• Breakfast is buffet style and includes cereal, eggs, sausages,

bread, cheese and meats, fruit, yogurt and juice and coffee.• Drinking the tap is not recommended. Bottled water will be

provided.• Alarm clocks should be available, but bringing an additional one is

recommended.• Do not flush the toilet paper.

Where we will be working:• In a rural community outside of Arroyos y

Esteros – approximately 1 hour drive from hotel.

Paraguay Currency

• The currency in Paraguay is the Guarani .– Currently the exchange is approximately 4,966 Guarani to $1

US Dollar.– Opportunities to exchange will happen when we arrive.– Some locations do take the American dollar– Credit cards are taken at some shops and restaurants. If you

intend to use a credit card, it’s a good idea to insure that there is a 4 digit PIN number attached to it.

– Habitat Paraguay feels that exchanging $100 into Guarani should be sufficient.

– If you are bringing US$, smaller bills are preferred.

Packing list Work gloves Hat for protection from the sun Sunglasses Old, non-baggy clothes for construction work:

T-shirts – including your Thrivent Builds Worldwide Live Generously T-shirt. Light-weight cotton or breathable synthetics are best (again, extras can be left behind in a bag at the end of the week and they will be distributed to people who can use them)

Dress in layers – with temperatures likely in the 60’s, it may get cool and a light-weight long sleeve shirt or jacket is suggested. It might get warm in the afternoon.

Light weight pants or shorts can be worn on the work site. Because of mosquitos, long pants are preferred.

Comfortable shoes for the build site and for walking around (No sandals or flip flops on build site & heavy work boots are usually not needed)

Handy wipes/moist towelettes for cleaning your hands at the work site Bandanas Electrolyte or “hydrating” drink mix like Gatorade, Propel, Crystal Light, or Replenish Personal snacks, if desired Mask or goggles for dust, if desired Water Bottle

Packing list• Personal Items Any prescription drugs or medical care information in case of emergency, including

medications you may need for cholesterol, allergy, headache, athletes foot, etc. Your team leaders will have a First Aid kit including: Pepto-Bismol tablets, Imodium, a general antibiotic cream, an anti-itching cream, Band-Aids, aspirin, etc.

• Note: prescription medication should be in its’ original container and clearly labeled

Insurance information and note card detailing medical conditions/allergies (keep in wallet) Extra set of prescription eyeglasses, contact lenses and solutions for contact lenses. Personal cosmetic and toiletry items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, washcloths,

etc Camera, extra batteries, extra memory Passport Money belt or pouch (hint: put items in plastic bag in the money belt) Money in the form of cash/ATM/credit card for personal expenses, souvenirs, alcohol, etc. • Important Note: Let your credit card company and banks (ATM cards) know that

you will be travelling in Paraguay. Copy of credit cards (front & back). Also a good idea to leave a copy at home with your

family. Copy of the Emergency Contact List document Backpacks are handy for the airplane and taking to the work site. Plastic bags for dirty clothes, shoes or other uses

Packing list

• Other items to consider packing: Travel alarm clock Travel package of Kleenex Washcloth Small sewing kit Small mirror Ear plugs for the plane ride Reflection material Small flashlight Zip lock bags (several different sizes-great to pack things in) Blank book for journal Eyeglass prescription if you wear glasses or contacts A photo copy of your passport. Your team leader will have a copy as well. Family photos to show your new friends Small bottle of liquid laundry soap for hand-washing clothes

Trip Costs

• Trip costs are covered for all Financial Reps and their guests who have chosen this trip as an alternative to attending a conference. – The majority of expenses you will incur (airfare,

lodging, meals, transportation , park admission) are covered. Travel medical/emergency evacuation insurance coverage

– There is a $160 Paraguayan Visa requirement. Please bring this in $20 bills (US) and obtain this in the airport in Asuncion. You will be reimbursed after we return.

• Trip cost does not include– Souvenirs/other personal purchases– Extended travel costs

Team AssignmentsPre Trip•Website/Blog Developer (1 person)•Reflection for our next meeting (1 person)

In Country•Journal/Bloggers (3 – we’ll rotate )•Paparazzi (1 or more)•Head counter (1 person)•Reflection (one person per day – 8 total days)

Post Trip•Memoir - collect/distribute photos and/or videos (1 or more)

Please send an email to Jackie at jackie.hintz@thrivent.com to express your interest.

Pre-Trip Planning

– Immunizations – up to date tetanus• Talk to your doctor about what is right for you

– Register with State Department: https://step.state.gov/step/• List Hotels as: Portal Del Sol – Asuncion, Vista Serrana

– Tobati, and La Mision - Asuncion

– Biography Book:• Be on the look out for a request for information to be

placed in a team biography book.– We will schedule our final team call for early June.

Questions?