US State Department Travel Warning for Pakistan

If you are traveling to Pakistan, then please contact Insurance Services of America to review your international health insurance benefits.  We highly recommend emergency medical evacuation coverage.  If you have a medical emergency, then your US health insurance policy will not cover medical evacuation if you need to be flown out of the country.  Speak with a Client Adviser at 800.647.4589 or get an instant travel medical insurance quote.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens to defer all non-essential travel to Pakistan. This Travel Warning replaces the Travel Warning dated August 27, 2012, to remind U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in Pakistan. Read More »

Updated Travel Warning for South Sudan

The U.S. Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens of the risks of travel to the Republic of South Sudan and strongly recommends U.S. citizens defer all travel to the country. This replaces the Travel Warning dated July 12, 2011, updates information on security incidents, and reminds U.S. citizens of ongoing security concerns in the Republic of South Sudan.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to South Sudan and strongly recommends that you avoid all travel to the states in the border region between Sudan and South Sudan (Upper Nile, Unity, and Western Bar el Ghazai states in South Sudan; Southern Kordofan and Blue Nile states in Sudan; and the Abyei Special Administrative District). Although fighting between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) has declined since spring 2012, the potential for troop build-ups along the border and renewed fighting continues to be a legitimate threat. Read More »

Adventures In Life Ministry 2012 Summer Recap

I met Dave Miller, the Executive Director of Adventure in Missions (AIL), at a  National Short-term Missionary Conference and I remember having coffee with him, listening how God was blessing the people of Oaxaca, Mexico through AIL.  Nearly a decade since I met Dave, God continues to be great things in Oaxaxa and if you don’t believe me, then Like AIL’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/AdventuresInLife and check out the pictures and updates.  I’m glad I met Dave, we provide travel medical insurance for his mission teams so they can go serve in Oaxaxa without having to worry about an unforeseen accident or illness.

Dave sent out the below update today.  Take a minute and read about Adventure In Life Ministry’s summer and check out their 20th anniversary celebration. Read More »

Health Teams International in Honduras

A Health Teams International team went to Honduras July 8 – 22, 2012, for our 3d time at the invitation of our same host family. They are a large prominent 3 generation family who started a church in Honduras’s capital of Tegucigalpa with the same purpose as Health Teams International and that is to reach the unreached with the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. One of the family members is a pastor, another a M.D., another, an international Spanish speaking Evangelist, and another is married to the Secretary of the Honduran Army. They are the most loving and helpful people I have ever met. Grandma, 85 years old, cooked the whole team safe, delicious, home made suppers every night and we ate in her home.

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Safety Tips for Ferry or Boat Travel On Your Next Mission Trip?

Many mission teams arrive by air but then travel by land and water to arrive at their destination.  Wither you are taking a boat in to the jungle or a ferry to the next island, the US State Department provides some practical safety tips for your next mission trip.  Given the recent fatal ferry accidents in the waters off Zanzibar in the past year, (The State Department) offers the following guidance for travelers:

· Purchase tickets beforehand from a reputable sales agent when possible, not from vendors on the piers.

· Plan to depart and arrive during daylight hours with good visibility.

· Avoid travel during high seas or during inclement weather.

· If you board a vessel you feel is overcrowded or unsafe, disembark immediately.

· As soon as you board, take note of your surroundings: Are the corridors free from debris, cargo, excess bags, and passengers? Learn where the nearby exits are located and test them to ensure they open.

· Verify that there are sufficient life-jackets aboard the vessel. Where are they located? Can you access them in an emergency? Are they in good condition? Read More »

Updated US State Department Travel Warning for Israel

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip, and about threats to themselves and to U.S. interests in those locations. The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to remain mindful of security factors when planning travel to Israel and the West Bank and to avoid all travel to the Gaza Strip. This replaces the Travel Warning issued March 19, 2012, to update information on the general security environment. Read More »

Expect a Traffic Jam in Nicaragua

Author: Adam Bates

This message alerts U.S. citizens of possible disruptions related to the celebration of San Andres de la Palanca, a Catholic tradition, which takes place August 7-19. The principal activities during this event will be a religious procession that will take place August 7th in the northern part of Managua celebrating San Andres de la Palanca as he is taken to Cristo del Rosario Church. On August 19th, the Saint will return to Ciudad Sandino Church.

The U.S. Embassy in Managua is located at Km 5 1/2 C. Sur Managua, Nicaragua. The U.S. Embassy in Managua can be reached 24/7 at 011-505-2252-7100. For emergencies (deaths, arrests, etc.) after hours, U.S. citizens can call this phone number and ask for the Embassy Duty Officer. The ACS unit is also available by email at ACS.Managua@state.gov.

Updated US State Department Travel Warning for Democratic Republic of Congo

If you are traveling to the DRC, then please contact Insurance Services of America first for your international health, life and travel insurance options.

The Department of State warns U.S. citizens of the risks of traveling to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (Congo-Kinshasa) (DRC), and recommends against non-essential travel to eastern and northeastern DRC. This replaces the Travel Warning dated January 12, 2012, to update information on security and air travel safety in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Read More »

US State Department Travel Warning for Syria

This Emergency Message is being sent to notify U.S. citizens seeking to depart Syria that many flights are being cancelled and land border crossings are subject to closure without notice due to the ongoing possibility of fighting between regime forces and armed opposition groups. Travelers should check with their airlines prior to planned travel. The United States continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Syria and recommends that U.S. citizens in Syria depart immediately. Read More »

US State Department Travel Warning for Madagascar

If you are planning a mission trip to Madagascar, then the please take caution.  The international airport in Antananarivo is experiencing flight cancellations and delays.  If you have purchased the Roundtrip travel insurance policy with the option to “Cancel For Any Reason” then please call the 24 hour worldwide assistance telephone number on your ID card for trip cancellation assistance.

The Embassy has received reports of soldiers taking over a military base near to the international airport in Antananarivo. Gunfire has been reported. Flights in and out of the airport have been suspended. American citizens in Madagascar are advised to avoid the area until the situation is resolved. Americans planning to travel Madagascar should check with their airlines before commencing travel to the country. Read More »