After much deliberation and conversation with families, we have some to a decision regarding the 2020 Florida Mission Trip.

The current facts are these:
1. We are still in the early phases of reopening in both Oklahoma and Florida and unsure what the coming weeks hold.
2. As of today, Florida still has a ban on short term rentals, which we would be utilizing for our stay. The current band is “indefinite” and can be lifted at any time, but could go easily into July.
3. We are not sure a VBS is an option anymore due to social distancing and limitations on the number of people who can gather. (We have decided to postpone our own VBS at CTR that was to be June 8-12.)
4. We must consider what would happen if any member of the group became ill during the trip and how we could safely care for them and the rest of the group. It would be difficult to guarantee group members do not bring illness with them unless they quarantined for 2 weeks pre-trip.
5. There is a lot we just don’t know. And while we want to take things on faith, we also know that we must be smart and diligent. The majority of our group are minors and we want to consider everyone’s safety.

Therefore, we are going to cancel the summer trip to Florida. We have contacted the condo companies and asked what we can do about the money we have already paid in as deposits on the 3 units. Both companies have offered to let us move the money forward up to 18 months for a future trip at no loss.

We would like to suggest we reschedule the trip for June 2021 and Hope on the Beach in Santa Rosa is also excited about that opportunity. Likely the same week of the month, leave Tulsa June 19 and return to Tulsa June 27 with a stay in Florida from the 19-26 and an extra day for travel back. This would put us hosting VBS there June 21-25, 2021.

Again, we are sad that this decision had to be made, but pray that God would work in our communities in the coming days, weeks and months and lead us to a new opportunity next summer. Parents and families, please email DCE Suzanne back as soon as possible and let her know where you stand as far as considering next summer so we can get back in touch with our rental companies as well as Hope on the Beach regarding this plan.