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2008 will mark the 15th summer Rev. Mark Browne has been taking teams into Russia to share the Gospel! God is SO good!
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Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus!
We at Relational Bridges International (RBI)are now planning for the Summer 2008 short-term* mission trip to the Pioneer Youth Camps in the Zelenogorsk area near St. Petersburg, Russia.
Following, is all of the planning information you’ll need. Including required documents, the application process, information on team building and preparation, important deadlines, and cost breakdowns. Let's Get Started!
Possible Trip Dates:
- June 6th - June 20th
- June 27th - July 11th
- July 15th - July 29th
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*The length of your trip needs to be at least two weeks, but longer trips can be arranged.
Required Documentation
1. Your actual passport (no copies).
This is required by the Russian Consulate because the Russian Visa is glued into the passport. Ensure that you have enough empty pages designated for “Visas.” Check your passport to make sure you have room for a full page visa! You also need to have at least 6 months remaining before your passport expires from the end of the trip date in order for it to be accepted for a visa. Get your passport updated if necessary.
2. Two Color, Passport-Size Pictures (with your signature in ball-point ink on the back of each photo).
Ensure that you have photos taken by an authorized passport photographer. DO NOT attempt to make them yourself on your computer, do not have them made at the “little photo booth in the mall,” etc. This will delay your visa application.
3. Completed Visa Application Form.
All questions must be answered, even if the answer is “Not Applicable” or “No.” Church Workers, ministers, etc. should put “self-employed” as vocation and the church address as the employer’s address. If you are not sure how to complete this form, please contact RBI. This form can be obtained from RBI along with detailed instructions for its' completion.
4. Completed Risk Waiver Form
5. A Completed Team Application
The Application form needs to be filled out completely with accompanying photos.
6. Completed, Signed Medical Release Form
7. Two Character References
8. Insurance Coverage
Ensure that your existing insurance includes coverage overseas, or take out a travel policy. We recommend our Travel Agent and Consolidator:
Wallach and Company, Inc.
107 West Federal Street
Middleburg, VA 20117
Phone: (800) 237-6615
www.wallach.com
9. Team Member Information (Excel spreadsheet) information
Team leaders must complete the Excel spreadsheet, provided by RBI, with specific team member information for our Russian foundation to be able to obtain the invitations we will need to get each team member their Russian visas. This process takes at least one month after the information reaches Russia. The Excel spreadsheet needs to be emailed to RBI as soon as it is completed. RBI will email the Excel spreadsheet to each leader by February 11, 2008. It is important that it be filled out exactly (i.e., street addresses are required, no P.O. Box addresses, home and office phone numbers must be included). Note:Team leaders will have instructions sent to them on completing these forms.
All necessary forms can be requested at relationalbridgesinternat@msn.com
Bridges of Friendship
RBI's Russian foundation, Bridges of Friendship, in St. Petersburg provides the invitations so that teams can get Russian visas. They also book buses and spaces in the camps where the teams will live during their mission trips. We need a firm commitment for the number of people that will be in your group so we can coordinate with the other teams that will be going and get each team’s invitations in a timely manner that allows us to process their visas with plenty of lead-time.
Team Building and Preparation
1. You will need to attend scheduled prayer meetings, orientation, preparation and training sessions for your team. RBI will provide the team with a training manual with language and music CDs for a minimal fee to cover the cost of materials.
2. You will need to be willing to submit to the leadership of your team leaders, leaders approved by your church, school or Christian mission organization.
3. You will need to be on time at regularly scheduled team meetings and attend them faithfully in order to grow in spiritual unity with the rest of the team. You will also be expected to participate in the teaching, dramatics, games, etc. that the team will be preparing for the camps.
4. We request that you purchase, read and study the short book on relational Christian apologetics titled, Yes or No, by author Peter Kreeft. The team should spend some time talking and discussing the issues raised in this book as they are the type of questions that will be asked of you about your faith in Jesus Christ. The team needs to be as prepared as they can be so they can be positive witnesses to the truth of God's love for us in Christ Jesus.
Important Deadlines
March 15, 2008
Each team needs to do its' best to reserve airline seats through Riverside Travel, Inc. This will help ensure that your team gets the best “group rate.” The travel agent will tell you when you need to send in the balance for the team. Please be prompt, as timing is very crucial in order to get the best prices.
March 25, 2008
The following information and required documents must be received by RBI:- Completed Excel spreadsheet with team information
- Original team member passports (no copies)
- Completed team applications
- Completed visa applications for team
- 2 passport pictures (for each team member)
This information will also make it possible for the Foundation leadership in Russia to reserve the exact number of rooms necessary to house the teams in each camp. This is crucial and time sensitive information.
(We cannot make arrangements for a team in Russia until these documents have been received and the funds below are received.)
April 1, 2008
Deposit of $610.00 per team member for must be received by RBI. This will cover:- Application fee
- Invitation
- Russian Visa
- Russian administration fees
Summer 2008 Cost Breakdown for Two Week Trip| Expenses | Cost (per person) | | Application Fee | $250.00 | | Invitation for Visa1 | $80.00 | | Friendship Bridges Admin. Fee1 | $80.00 | | Room/Board in Camp | $450.00 |
| RBI Transportation Fee2 | $90.00 | | Interpreter Salary3 | $160.00 | | Russian Visa4 | $200.00 | | Ministry Supplies5 | $200.00 | SubTotal6 | $1,510.00 | SubTotal7 | $1,610.00 |
| Personal Spending Money | at your discretion | | Airline Ticket8 | $1400-$1600 | Approximate Trip Total | $2,910.00-$3,110.00 |
- 1Wired to Russia.
- 2Taken in by team leader.
- 31 interpreter/2 volunteers.
4If information received by deadline ($300.00 if information received after deadline).5Sports equipment, art/craft supplies, aid to orphans (purchased prior to departure or funds taken in to Russia).6If application and required documents are received by deadline.7If application and required documents are received after deadline.8Depending on the reservation ticket costs can vary greatly.
Flight Information, Reservations and Payment Arrangements
Riverside Travel, Inc.
2353 Rice Street North, Suite 106
Roseville, MN 55113
Phone: (800) 337-6658
FAX: (651-484-2300 or
Julia Mahoney: julia@rivertrav.com
Please identify your group is a part of “RBI” plan.
Initial Payment and Required Documents | Cost (per person) | | Application Fee | $250.00 | | Invitation for Visa | $80.00 | | Friendship Bridges Admin. Fee | $80.00 | | Russian Visa | $200.00 | Subtotal | $610.00 |
A check for $610.00 (per person) needs to be sent to the address below by April 1, 2008:
Make checks payable to: Mount Pisgah
In the memo, write: RBI Summer Trip
Mail checks to:
Mount Pisgah
ATTN: Relational Bridges International
9820 Nesbit Ferry Road
Alpharetta, GA 30022-9888
IMPORTANT: The $200/team member for ministry supplies needs to be handled by the team leader for the purchase of the ministry supplies you will need to do your work in the camp. If you need RBI to purchase supplies in Russia, like construction paper or other items that our staff can get for you there so you do not have to transport it, then you will need to send RBI those particular funds so we can wire them over to our staff in Russia in enough time for them to get them for you. You can take in whatever is left over and use to help the orphans in the camp. Our Foundation staff will assist you with this process.
Funds to be Brought To Russia for Balance of Trip Cost
To pay the balance of the team’s expenses in Russia, each team member entering Russia needs to bring in $700.00 in "clean" US dollars. These bills can have no marks on them. Try to get new ones from the bank. The Russian money exchange offfices will not exchange “dirty” bills. This is VITAL!
Divide and place this money into 3 envelopes as follows:
- Envelope 1: Camp Fees- $450.00 per team member (4 $100 bills & 1 $50 bill
- Envelope 2: Interpreters' Salary- $160.00 per team member (1 $100 bill; 3 $20 bills)
- Envelope 3: Transportation Fee- $90.00 per team member (1 $50 bill; 2 $20 bills)
Personal Spending Money
Each team member should bring their own personal spending money for the day in St. Petersburg and for incidentals, $100- $200 is normal, but this is up to each team member’s discretion.
Exchanging Currency
On the way to the camp, the RBI staff will stop at a specified facility to exchange currency into Russian Rubles. Only the team leader and one other, with an interpreter, will exchange only the Camp Fee funds from US dollars to Russian Rubles.
The other team member with the interpreter should be designated to enter the same facility to exchange $10.00 for each team member so that everyone will have some Rubles. The person should return to the bus and quickly distribute these funds so that each person on the bus can go into the store and get a soda or snack to eat on the way to the camp.
IMPORTANT: The team leader will give the envelope marked “Transportation Fee” to the Russian Foundation leadership that meets you at the airport. This envelope will not be changed into Rubles.
Camp Fees and Interpreters' Salary
The Team Leader keeps the envelope containing the Camp Fee funds (which will be changed into Rubles) as well as the envelope containing the Interpreter Salary funds (which will remain in U. S. dollars). The team leader, with an interpreter, will pay for the camp fees once the team is settled in their camp. The cost per day in your specific camp will be told to the team leader by the RBI representative prior to the team’s arrival at the camp so there is no confusion.
The team leader will pay each interpreter $160.00 in US dollars per week: first at the end of week #1 and then again at the end of your time in camp. This is in addition to the team covering the Room and Board for each interpreter.
The camp fees that each team member brings in are intended to cover not only them but the interpreters as well. This is factored into the camp costs at the rate of 1 interpreter per 2 team members. If your ratio of interpreter to team members is different, the cost will vary proportionately. Note: Each interpreter gets 1 day off per week. This does not effect what they are paid per week.
Contact Information
RBI in USA
Rev. S. Mark Browne
9925 Haynes Bridge Road; Suite 200-302
Alpharetta, GA 30022
Office Phone: 770-209-0713
Cell: 678-549-3197
eFax: 321.600.6883
Email: relationalbridgesinternat@msn.com
Russia Foundation
Sasha Kotenkov: 011.7.812.939.3276
Julie Vasilkova Zavarzin: 011.7.812.934.8169
Come join us and make an eternal difference!
In Jesus’ Name,
- Rev. S. Mark Browne, Founder RBI relationalbridgesinternat@msn.com
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Areas of Study To Consider
The Relationship Between God and Man
- God: His Character and Nature
- God's Purpose: Creation and Intimate Relationship with Mankind
- God and Our Problem: The Fall and Universal Sin
- God's Provision: Jesus
- God's Power: The Holy Spirit
- God's Gift: New Life in the Spirit for ALL who believe
- God's Assurance: You can know you are a Christian
- God's Word: The Authority of the Bible
- God's Plan: How to follow Jesus (prayer, fellowship, Bible study, obedience)
- God's Promises: Hope, Authority of the Believer
- God's Way: Truth of God's Word versus the Cults
Relationships with Others
(illustrated in Bible Stories)- Loving Your Neighbor as You Love Yourself
- Sharing with others
- Honesty & Justice
- Forgiveness
- Courage
- Giving
- Fortitude
- Right and Wrong
- Temperance
- Obedience
- Substance abuse
- Temptation
Bible Stories
Old Testament- Creation & the Fall
- Daniel and his three friends in Babylon
- Daniel in Lions' Den
- Three Boys in the Fiery Furnace
- Elijah on Mt. Carmel
- Joshua & Jericho
- Abraham
- David & Goliath
- Jonah & the Whale
- Joseph in Egypt
- The Exodus from Egypt
- Noah and the Ark
New Testament
- Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
- Prodigal Son
- Good Samaritan
- Feeding of the Five Thousand
- The Transfiguration
- Good Friday
- Resurrection
- Road to Emmaus
- Jesus with disciples and the “Great Catch of Fish”
- Ascension
- Pentecost
- Peter & John and the Lame Man Healed in Jesus Name
- Paul and the Deliverance of the Slave Girl in Philippi
- Jesus' Second Coming
Healings- Man Born Blind
- Blind Bartimaeus
- 10 Lepers
- Gadarene Demoniac
- Man at Pool of Siloam
- Lazarus
- Jairus' Daughter
- Boy with Epilepsy
Fellowship, Relationship-Evangelism
Each team member needs to prepare a 3-minute testimony sharing his/her personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Avoid the lengthy details of your life before Christ, as such details can be interpreted negatively. Be general in such things, and leave those kinds of details until specific questions are asked. Remember, we are trying to glorify Jesus work of salvation, not our life before we knew Him.
Basics Aspects of Friendship Evangelism in Camps
Sharing the Life of Jesus Christ using games, sports, personal testimony, Gospel/friendship bracelets, wordless book, Praise/Worship songs in Russian, Bible Stories told in various ways,possible English classes, crafts, puppets, lavishing time on the children, etc.
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Planning Time Line for Team Leaders
Sept & Oct. 2005
RBI canvasses leaders, churches and groups to identify potential teams and leaders.
Friday, Oct. 29, 2005
Have list of leaders/church names to send materials to.
Friday, Nov. 19, 2005
RBI gets email address of all potential team leaders for Summer 2006 Outreach and emails their information packet and planning sheet with deadline dates.
Friday, Dec. 10, 2005
All team leader names, street addresses, email addresses and phone numbers are emailed to RBI.
Friday, Jan. 14, 2006
Team Leaders complete informational meeting for potential team members.
Friday, Jan. 28, 2006
Team leaders have list of team members for their teams with full name, street address, email and phone numbers.
Saturday, Jan. 29, 2006
Team fundraising begins in earnest!
Friday, Feb. 11, 2006
Excel spreadsheets and Russian Visa Application form with instructions are emailed to all team leaders by RBI.
Friday, March 18, 2006
Team member information (Excel spreadsheets) are completed and received by RBI. Passports and Russian Visa Applications are Fed-Ex’ed to RBI. Email Excel spreadsheet to RBI. Team trip dates are finalized by this date with camp request.
Friday, March 20, 2006
Contact Riverside Travel with team information for getting
best rates for flights for teams.
Friday March 25, 2006
Email team information (Excel spreadsheet) and copies of passports are sent to RBI Russian Foundation to process invitations for visas. Team deposits are also due this date ($570.00/person).
Friday, May 29, 2006
Passports with visas are sent back to team leaders.
Concepts
Concepts that need to be examined so they can be simply and clearly stated without using Christian lingo:
- Sin
- Forgiveness
- Grace
- The work of the Cross
- Disciplines: Prayer, Bible Reading/Study
For Your Reference
- The Facts on the Occult, by John Ankerberg
- Foundations for Faith: Design for Discipleship Series (Book 5), by The Navigators
- Right From Wrong, by Josh McDowell
- The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, by Josh McDowell
- The Attributes of God, by Arthur Pink
- Basic Christianity, by John Stott
- The Deceivers, Josh McDowell (translated into Russian)
- More Than a Carpenter, Josh McDowell (translated into Russian)
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