Frequently asked questions
1) Who qualifies to stay at D&D Missionary Homes?
Missionaries and pastors in full-time, active ministry who are in periods of transition and who are part of a protestant evangelical mission agency or church. Examples of transition include: furlough (home ministry/assignment), prefield (deputation), medical emergency and rehabilitation, study sabbatical, evacuation from war zone or area of civil strife, and even vacations. Also, retiring missionaries may stay at D&D if they are in their first year of retirement while still reporting to churches. Other full-time Christian workers may be considered on a case by case basis.
2) What is the initial application procedure for applying for housing at D&D Missionary Homes?
Print the application form from this web site, fill it in completely, and return it by fax (727-522-0524), email (DDMissionaryHomes@juno.org), or postal service along with the $100 Administrative Fee. You may send a check (in $US) but we also accept MasterCard and VISA. We need to receive this fee to confirm your reservations. Please do not send credit card information via email.
3) What is the $100 Administrative Fee for that is requested?
$50 of the Administrative Fee is for application processing and is non-refundable. After departure from D&D, the remaining $50 is a deposit that will be applied to any potential cleaning costs, linen washing costs, damages, or unpaid long distance phone calls costs. When all the costs have been calculated and subtracted from the deposit, a refund up to $50 will be sent after your departure, or an invoice sent for any additional costs not covered.
4) What is involved with the work hours we are required to do on the campus?
We need help in all aspects of our ministry to help keep your costs lower. Work hours may be done in our maintenance department, yard work, our clothing center, our benefit sales, our donation pick-ups, housekeeping, front desk, etc. Families are required to give five work hours weekly and singles are required to give three work hours weekly. Work hours must be done by those over 16 years of age. If a missionary chooses not to do the work hours, they may pay $7 per hour.
5) Whom is the Clothing Center available to and is there a cost? What are the hours of operation? Do I need to apply to use the center?
The Clothing Center is available to full-time, active missionaries and also retired missionaries, as well as full-time pastors. They do not need to be residing on the campus. They may be passing through the area or participating in local church meetings. The Clothing Center is open Monday through Thursday from 8:30 - 11:30 a.m. It is available for school age children to shop with their parents’ supervision from 3-5 p.m. on Tuesday afternoons. There is no cost to shop in our Clothing Center. The clothing and accessories are free. To ensure eligibility, there is an short application process required if you are not residing on campus.
6) Can we bring our pets (dogs, cats, birds, fish, etc.) with us when we move to D&D?
D&D observes a strict NO PET policy (except for service animals) for all resident missionaries on this campus and in our homes.
7) What schools are available for my children in the area?
There are many schooling options and we suggest that you send an email to our office to get that information. There are several good Christian schools (K-12) in the area. There is a public elementary school right across the street. Middle and high school students are bussed to their public schools. This county is on school choice which will require your early attention to public schooling needs. Many families homeschool their children and there are numerous resources available through the homeschooling group in our county.
8) What are the hours for check-in?
Hours for check-in are from 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. For those unable to arrive until the evening hours or the weekends, we have a keybox system. Information will be sent to you via email if you let us know in advance of a late arrival.
9) What do I need to bring when I come to stay at D&D?
D&D provides fully-furnished homes. There are linens for all the beds, towels, and all the kitchenware and appliances, etc. There is a television in each home. We do not provide cleaning supplies, or meals (although we have a food pantry from which you will be able to get some basic items). You provide your basic personal necessities.
10) What do I need to know before checking out?
Upon arrival, at D&D you will receive an packet of information. In that packet is a Housekeeping Checklist which needs to be completed prior to your departure. We do require our homes to be left thoroughly clean and ready for the next arrival. You would also need to meet with our Business Coordinator to pay your final bill and leave an address for returning any refund and forwarding mail.
11) Is there a penalty for leaving earlier than my scheduled departure date?
If you must leave early, please notify the office in writing. There may be a penalty if we do not receive sufficient notice since we may not be able to fill the home if you leave early.
12) Do you have staff to provide counseling services?
We do not have trained counselors on the staff. However, we can refer you to several in the area. But...., many on the staff can be of help! We have been around a lot of missionaries and understand many of your concerns. Some of our staff have missionary experience or are adult MKs themselves.
13) Do you provide food or meals?
We do not provide daily meals. Once a month, we have a picnic on campus for all the residents and staff and D&D provides meals on special occasions like Thanksgiving and Christmas. We also have a “pantry” which is accessible to all the missionaries on campus free of charge. It often has breads, pastries and cakes, produce, frozen meats, and sometimes canned goods.
14) Do you provide vehicles for missionaries?
We have another ministry co-located on campus that provides vehicles for temporary, in-state use. You can email Tom Wilson, at missionaryministries@juno.com for more information about available vehicles.
15) Is there access to internet service?
D&D’s library has computers which are on DSL. The campus has wireless, internet service available in the homes, but you must provide your own hardware and software. Of course, dial-up access is also available.
16) Can we get cable TV?
Most homes at D&D are appropriately wired for cable TV but D&D does not provide it for you. If you want it, you will need to contract for cable TV and cancel it prior to your departure. All billing is your responsibility.
17) Do you provide VCR/DVD players in the homes?
Many of the homes have VCR’s and the library has a few for check-out. We do not have DVD players.
18) How far are you from an interstate highway or an international airport?
D&D is less than two miles from interstate I-275 and is 20 miles from the Tampa International Airport.
19) May we choose our own home?
No, homes are assigned based on family size and availability.
20) What can our children do while at D&D?
We have a wonderful playground on campus for younger children and bicycles are available for all ages. (In Florida, the law requires bike helmets for riders under age 16. You provide them for your family members.) There is plenty of “running room” and skateboarding space. We have a large library that has books and videos that can be checked out. Twice a month we have Teen Night in our teen room with ping pong, pool table, video games, air hockey, and chit-chat space. There are a couple of basketball hoops on the campus. Three or four times each year, “field” trips are planned to area events or attractions — parks, the Florida Aquarium, fire station, Seabird Sanctuary, Lowry Park Zoo, Marine Science Aquarium, etc.
D&D Missionary Homes
4020 - 58th Avenue North
St. Petersburg, Florida 33714-1133
Phone: (727)522-0522 Fax: (727)522-0524
E-mail: DDMissionaryHomes@juno.com
D&D Missionary Homes, Inc.
© D&D Missionary Homes,
Inc. All rights reserved.