February 25, 2011 - Travel Tip - Trip Insurance vs. Travel Insurance

The questions is, "Which one do I need, if I need any at all?"

There is sometimes some confusion about the type of insurance a traveler might need or want. Essentially, there are two forms of insurance available to travelers and they are completely different from one another. Both can be very valuable and are usually reasonably priced. The questions is, "Which one do I need, if I need any at all?"

In this article, we will try to answer this and other questions about these important travel tools.

What is travel insurance? You can think of this as a temporary insurance policy that helps you in case of a medical emergency or illness while you are traveling (during the period covered by your policy. Coverage varies from one company to another, but generally you can buy coverage that applies to:

* Medical reimbursement

* Emergency medical evacuation

* Permanent total disability

* Personal property

* Accidental death and dismemberment

* Return of remains in case of death

* Medical assistance services

* Travel assistance services

The pricing begins at about $3.00 per day, per person and varies from one company to another.

Jody Kennedy International has had great experiences with Gallagher Charitable International Insurance Services.

We cover all our mission teams with travel insurance for the duration of the mission trip. We recommend that you never leave the country without comprehensive travel insurance.

What is trip insurance? Trip insurance, also called trip cancellation insurance, is not a medical policy or a policy that covers your property while you are traveling. Instead, trip insurance is all about protecting you financially if your trip is canceled or interrupted due to a covered cause.

For example, you have booked a flight for your family to a great vacation spot. Suddenly, your child becomes very ill and there is no way your family can travel for vacation while your child is sick. If you had purchased trip insurance, you would be covered for the cost of your trip or the cost of rescheduling (airline fees, hotel cancellation fees, etc.).

Some of these companies also offer travel assistance if your trip is interrupted. Say your are making your way across Europe and there is a major storm or maybe a labor strike. Your policy might cover the additional expenses involved in delayed travel, re-booking flights, lodging and even meals.

Although we have less experience with trip insurance, our travel insurance provider, Gallagher Charitable International Insurance Services, also offers trip insurance policies. Trip insurance may or may not be of value to you. You must evaluate the cost of your trip, your destinations and other factors, but you may want to buy trip insurance simply for peace of mind.

Always read the fine print. Just like anything else, insurance policies vary greatly from one provider to another. Be sure to read the entire insurance offering, including exclusions and limitations, to be sure you are getting the coverage that suits your needs.

Look for reputable insurance providers. Sometimes the company that covers your house and cars may offer these policies. If they do, they are a great resource for getting your questions answered.

We recommend that you always buy travel insurance whenever you leave the country. Trip insurance is optional but it might be a good addition to your travel plans.

November 17, 2010 - Siberian Fajitas? For Real?

I've learned not to be surprised by anything we find as we travel on mission. However, to find a restaurant named "Amigo's" in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk came very close to surprising us. I still don't know how to say "fajitas" in Russian, but I know how to eat them in Russia, and they were very good. This unexpected treat came after another successful Practically Speaking English event with our partner, Joe Wilson and a great team from Georgia and Texas.

God blessed us once again with encouraging testimony from our students, many of whom are now bound for Heaven. Then, after a short, few days at home, we were refreshed by the work with the "MK's" in Germany.

Won't you pray for us right now? Will you consider how you can help us during 2011 by going, giving, sending and praying?

Thank you for 10 years and thanking Him in advance for the next 10.

Jody

Bet You Can't Guess Who This Is

April 8, 2011 - Starring in one of my favorite TV shows is a rather unlovable character who over time reveals a softer side that hints at the true character of the actor. This gruff and loud portrayal hides the fact that the man himself was reported to be gentle, kind and likable. Use the clues at the end of this article and take a guess (without using Google or Bing or some other web tools).

We just spent a week at one of the great churches in Texas where we were encouraged, loved, prayed for, challenged and then encouraged some more. Our sweet hosts, who opened their home to us, were clearly not "acting". They extended to us an honest and authentic hospitality that refreshed us in our perspective. Thank you Great Hills Baptist Church of Austin, Texas.

As if that was not blessing enough, our dearest friends happened to be in Austin at the same time and they went to the trouble to connect with us for a few hours that added sweetness and blessing to an already blessed time. Thank you God for encouragers.

Now, read on for the clues to the name of the actor.

He ...

Started acting in Nashville, TN and was a radio announcer during World War II

Graduated cum laude from Columbia University in dramatic arts

Was a Black Belt in Judo

While serving in the U.S. Army in WWII, he distinguished himself by taking part in 14 assault landings, including Leyte, Luzon, Bataan and Corregidor

In an interesting turnaround, the actor whose best known role was playing a Marine sergeant, could not pass the Marine Corps. physical during WWII and ended up serving in the Army.

What was the actor's name and what was his most famous role?

Think you know? Click here to check your answer.

Jody

Finders Keepers, Losers Weepers

This old children's adage has amazing application to the human condition. Those who find (receive) Christ keep their life forever. Those who do not receive Christ are eternally lost (losers). The Bible is clear. John 3:18 says:

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. (John 3:18 NIV)

Missions is about telling people how to enter into relationship with Jesus Christ. The cool thing about the gospel is that Jesus is looking for the "weepers" so that He can turn them into "keepers". What a joy it is to be part of that process.

Anywhere and Everywhere

Anywhere and Everywhere Taking the Gospel Message to the World

We travel to many, many places in the U.S. and abroad. The constant question we hear is "How can I know God?" The answer is amazingly simple because God has made it so that every one of His human creations can know Him. Ready for the answer? God loves you and desires that you have peace and abundant life on earth and eternal life in Heaven with Him. The problem is that we have separated ourselves from Him through our sin which means our free will choices to disobey Him (tell lies, cheat, steal, etc.), not believe in Him, and follow our own selfish ways instead of His ways. The Bible says that the penalty for our disbelief is eternal separation from Him in eternal Hell. The earthly consequences are also seriously negative (turmoil, frustration, lack of purpose and selfishness). God has made a way for us to return to Him through Jesus Christ. Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sin. He was buried but rose from the grave in demonstration of His power over death and He offers us the same hope for new life through His forgiveness of our disbelief. Nothing remains to be done but to ask Jesus to forgive you, confess that He is the son of God, born to a virgin and that He died on the cross for you, was buried and rose again. Sincerely and honestly Invite Jesus to come into your life, forgive you and give you the free gift of eternal life. More questions? Contact us and we will guide you in your search for forgiveness and life.