Info for your time at the IOC
Information for your time at the IOC - Texas
Location:
Mercy Ships International Operations Center (IOC) is located about halfway between Dallas, Texas and Shreveport, Louisiana, on Highway 110 N about 1 1/4 miles north of I-20 (exit 548). We are located on 430 acres of rolling hills, tall trees, and ponds.
Items to bring:
Clothing for the week, light jacket, personal items as well as a Bible, alarm clock, and a flashlight may be helpful. TVs & DVD players are located in the lounge areas of the dorms. If you are driving, feel free to bring your bicycles.
Computer/email access:
The dormitories and most public places at the IOC have wireless access. The electric voltage in the USA is 110. For the European participants joining us, it is best to come with appliances that can be switched from 220 to 110 volts.
Telephone:
Most mobile/cell phones receive good coverage at the IOC. Pay phones are also provided in the dormitory’s public area.
Immunizations:
It is not necessary to have any particular immunizations for the Foundations of Mercy Ships program. However, if you are staying for Gateway, clickhere for more information of the immunizations that will be required.
Medications:
Please bring all of your required medications with you for the entire expected stay.
Special Diets:
If you have a special diet, please bring whatever foods and dietary items necessary. You may use the refrigerator in your dormitory to store food marked with your name.
Kitchen Facilities:
There is a public kitchen that is open 24 hours a day for general use.
Children under age 18:
Children under the age of 18 must be supervised by an adult in the gym at all times. For safety reasons, we ask that no one under 13 use the strength-training equipment. Children under the age of 12 are not allowed inside the pool gate without adult supervision, and no one under the age of 18 is allowed to supervise a child. (No exceptions!) Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Contact Lenses/Glasses:
You may want to bring your extra pair in case of loss or breakage. Sunglasses are helpful.
Dress: Dress on campus is causal.
- Winter, spring and fall: the weather changes frequently and layering clothes often work best.
- Spring: a rain coat or umbrella helps protect against the rain.
- Summer: Temperatures can reach above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Jeans, walking shorts (no short shorts allowed), t-shirts, other ‘church camp’ casual types of clothing are suitable. (Please don’t bring low cut and spaghetti strap tops.) For the pool, you can bring a modest, one piece bathing suit for both men and women. (Two piece bathing suits are not allowed.) For indoor air conditioning, you may want a sweater or windbreaker.
In addition you may wish to bring a robe as the bathrooms are located in the center of the dormitory.
Mail:
Your mail can be sent to your attention at Mercy Ships, PO Box 2020, Lindale, TX 75771. The mail will be delivered to the classroom for you. Stamps can be purchased at the mail room. Hours are 12:30 – 2:00. There is a mail receptacle as you are exiting the campus where you can drop your outgoing mail. For packages via UPS, Fed X, or Overnight Carrier, please have the location address included as follows: Your name, Mercy Ships, 15862 Hwy 110 N, Lindale, TX 75771.
Housing:
Accommodations are dormitory style for singles. Family and couple rooms are available. Bedding and towels are provided. Laundry facilities are located in most dormitories. Laundry tokens can be purchased in the Anchorage Café for $.75 per load. An RV park is available on a first come first serve basis.
Swimming Pool:
The pool is available to everyone on the campus during the summer months (June – August). Pool hours are posted at the pool. Please bring a modest, one piece bathing suit. Two piece bathing suits and Speedos are not allowed. Children must be supervised at all times when they are at the pool.
Forbidden Items
- Firearms are NOT allowed on the campus.
- Smoking is NOT allowed on the campus.
- Alcoholic beverages are NOT allowed on the campus.
- Pets are NOT allowed on campus or in dorms.
