Come with us on a Short-Term Mission Trip to Beautiful Gate, Maseru, Lesotho (South Africa) in January 2027!

Dear Supporter of Beautiful Gate:

Chyrlle & Michael Dunne will be leading the team and would like to invite you to join us on a visit to Beautiful Gate Child Care Center (BGL) in Lesotho, Africa.

There is an opportunity for individuals, couples or families to join the team, up to 6 adults. Children age 7+ with parents may be accommodated. And, for those remaining behind, to join us by providing financial support, prayer for the team and BGL, and pre and post trip training, and debrief of team members here at home.

All donations are to be made only through www.beautifulrunbc.org, with tax receipts from Discipleship International.

The purpose of the trip is to serve as the hands and feet of Christ:

First - We will introduce you to our BGL Family (up to 75 children (age 0 - 5) & 45 staff), while living and working with them.

Second -We will take medical supplies and donated baby quilts.

Third - We will serve and support the children, staff and Board of BGL by volunteering our time and prayer before, during and after the trip. Those going would have the opportunity to serve in childcare and/or maintenance roles with BGL staff, including spiritual training through Vacation Bible School Activities for children, and Discipleship Training for staff.

We will be taking a couple of personal days on safari when we first arrive in South Africa, to rest and acclimatize, ready to start first thing Monday morning. (Note: Approximately 24 hours flying, plus layover, and a 9-hour time change).

Discussions with BGL have confirmed these arrangements for our arrival in January 2027 including use of their guest house. The estimated cost of transportation and accommodation is approximately $5,000 per person, depending on the impact jet fuel surcharges will have on air fares. Half of the Mission cost is due Sept 25, 2026 when the flights must be booked and paid for then, the balance Nov 30, 2026.

Proposed itinerary is as follows:

Wednesday, January 13 - Depart Vancouver in the evening
Thursday, January 14 - Arrive Heathrow, London
Thursday, January 14 - Depart Heathrow
Friday, January 15 - Arrive in Johannesburg. Take van from Johannesburg to Ndakab Safari Lodge, South Africa ( www.ndaka.co.za )
Sunday, January 17 - Depart midmorning from Ndaka Safari Lodge, and arrive at BGL for dinner.
Monday, January 18 - Thursday, January 29 - Minister and serve at BGL (www.beautifulgatelesotho.org)
Friday, January 29 - Leave BGL and travel home via Johannesburg
Saturday, January 30 - Arrive at Heathrow - 10-hour layover with opportunity to take a tour if desired (extra cost) in London
Saturday, January 30 – Arrive in Vancouver

1. Pre-Trip - Training and Preparation - Roles and Volunteers Needed

2. Pre-Trip – Passports, Visa, Travel and Medical Insurance, Vaccinations, Water, Food, Allergies, Diabetes, Vegetarian, Travel Clinics, What to Pack, Personal Medical and First Aid Supplies, Laundry Supplies, Internet Access on Site, Mobile Cell Plans in South Africa and Lesotho.

3. Suggested Fund Raising Letters - C Dunne

4. What to expect at BGL:

   • Schedules, daily routines, activities, feeding, cleaning, maintenance projects, spending time with the children, BGL staff training, worship-Church/chapel, tourist/weekend activities. Evenings we will do an individual team member testimony each night.

     Maroon House Guest Residence – we will prepare our own meals - allocate rooms, do menu planning, food shopping, meal prep, cleanup, our own laundry, and Maroon House cleaning.

5. How to engage the children in group and one-on-one settings (this could include providing materials such as songs, books, stories, puppets, and how to engage kids with these – any purchases will be covered by the budget).

6. Cultural sensitivity training (what is and is not appropriate to do in various settings, such as in the children’s houses; how to appropriately interact with the House Mothers and Assistants, Cleaning, and Maintenance Staff). (Awaiting content from Lindiwe OPS Manager at BGL).

7. Team building and getting to know each other activities.

Call for Specific Roles:

1. Trip Planning and Budget, Documents, Travel Clinic, Insurance, Health, Food - Do’s and Don’ts – C & M Dunne

2. Liaison – Plan with BGL for daily schedule from morning to bed, with kids and with staff. Communicate same to team early in planning process. (C & M Dunne)

3. Discipleship Training for BGL Staff – e.g. How to memorize Scripture, Tyranny of the Urgent.

4. Maintenance Project Leader - Site Work Projects if any – suitable for skills inherent in the team and BGL needs– TBD in discussion with BGL and the Team Participants. Inventory team skills, work and hobbies, match to BGL needs with Lindiwe.

5. Training Co-ordinator – Someone skilled in coordinating and providing training, and able to lead post-trip debrief and feedback sessions. (Travis Whims, M&C Dunne)

6. On-Site Group-Time Leader – Lead nightly debriefs with sensitivity to the challenges of cross-cultural experiences. Sharing of personal testimonies and daily highs and lows and singing, if musical instrument, and player available.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:

1. VBS – Coordinator(s) – Gathering materials, planning lessons and songs for children 0-6 years of age. This took approximately 40 hours over 6 months prior to the last trip. If volunteer stays at home, we will require training for participants going to use the programme planned. Melanie Funk will guide.

2. Chapel Service Co-ordinator – plan a chapel service for staff & children (age <6), usually a children’s Bible story with role play, puppets, or felt board and some great action songs.

3. Suggested Meeting Date Tuesday, August 11, 7:00 PM for those interested at The Square.

Join us – By Coming, By Donating, By Praying, By Fulfilling Team Roles at Home!

Blessings!

Chyrlle & Michael Dunne

C - 778-840-6855, M - 604-365-3710

Email: 2cdunne@gmail.com, 2mfdunne@gmail.com