SENIOR TRIP!

This trip is reserved for graduating high school juniors and seniors only. A good candidate for this program would include some or all of the following:

• You are a graduating junior or senior

• You have a strong desire for an intimate relationship with God

• You want to live an epic story

• Your heart breaks for the lost and needy around the world

• You’re willing to accept challenge

Ministry Backdrop

From the Andes Mountains to the Amazon rainforest, Colombia is one of the most ecologically diverse countries in the world. It is also home to unreached tribes, a large student population rapidly rejecting the Gospel, and thousands of children living on the streets. Colombia sits at the crossroads of Central and South America, making its culture almost as diverse as its natural resources.

Your team will serve in Medellin, known as the “City of Eternal Spring” for its temperate weather and host of beautiful native flowers. Nestled in the Andes mountain region of Colombia, Medellin boasts incredible views of Colombia’s lush green landscapes and rugged natural beauty.

Ministry

Our partners in Colombia have a variety of ministry programs in which you’ll be able to engage. Our partner’s vision is to provide a refuge for those in need through the provision of humanitarian aid and holistic programing. Through feeding, housing, recovery, education, and work-readiness programming we help provide both short and long term assistance for those interested in restoring their lives and creating lasting change for their futures.  

• Men and Women’s Recovery programs: You will have the opportunity to serve people coming out of homelessness, addiction, and prostitution through a Christ-centered restoration program. Through daily Bible classes, counseling, and life skills training, our partners seek to give men and women an opportunity to find total and complete healing in Christ. You will be able to assist them in these areas each morning while you are there!

• Community Meal: People from throughout the community will gather for a nice meal and a chance to feel the warmth of someone who cares for them. You will be able to help with food distribution and/or preparation, and you will be able to spend time with the locals!

• Evangelism: Join a diverse team of local and international volunteers who go out into the streets weekly to minister to the homeless, addicted and displaced. You’ll be able to share your faith, hear their stories, and offer prayer to others as well.

• Children’s Ministry: You and your team will have the opportunity to minister to the local children through sports, VBS camps, or teachings! You can share the love of God through a child’s favorite language: fun!

• Youth Ministry: Minister to the next generation through Ciudad Refugio’s Youth Development Program. The program is a safe haven for at-risk youth where they can learn, grow and develop positive relationships with God, self and others.

Sample Ministry Schedule

Lodging

You will stay at our partner’s ministry site. Beds are provided for each participant, but you will need to bring your own sheets and pillow.

Travel & Local Transportation

You and your team will travel together from Atlanta and fly into Medellin, Colombia. We will arrange your ground transportation there. All local transportation will be included in your trip cost.

Food & Meals

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will all be provided on your trip. Breakfast may include eggs or bakery items while lunch may be sandwiches or other traditional Colombian cuisine. Each dinner will be provided by a Colombian cook, prepared traditionally. It is also a cultural practice to have a snack before going to sleep each evening. This bedtime snack, called “merienda”, will often be a warm, sweet beverage or pastry. 

Adventure Days

Each weekend, you and your team will have the opportunity to experience a thrilling Colombian Adventure! The cost for these adventures will be included in your trip cost. Here are some of the experiences you may be able to be a part of:

• Zip-lining through the mountains
• Horseback riding through the mountains
• Paragliding
• Visiting a local festival or event

Debrief

You and your team will spend each Friday evening debriefing the week together and seeking God about what He may have been speaking to you throughout the week. Towards the end of your trip, you and your team will travel outside of Medellin and spend 3 days in an area where you will be able to rest and debrief the trip as a whole.

Project Leader & Team

An adult Project Leader will be assigned to your team and will live with your team and engage daily with you throughout ministry and day-to-day life. This leader will have strong missions experience, leadership experience and a demonstrated competence in the area of discipleship of youth and young adults. Your Project Leader will be assigned to your trip and you’ll have several virtual conversations with them and your team during the weeks leading up to your trip.

Each trip will have 15-20 people (a mixture of male and female) and an adult Project Leader. You will also engage daily with your ministry partners, translators and get to know them well.

Training

As previously mentioned, you’ll have several virtual conversations with your Project Leader and your team during the weeks leading up to your trip. These conversations are meant to help get you prepared for your trip and get to know your teammates.

Additionally, the first couple of days in-country will act as a time for orientation and training in ministry, culture, team building and more.

Health & Safety

The safety of our participants is a top priority for us. We have both an internal Risk Management team and external Risk Management consultants. We use a multi-pronged approach to risk management – including monitoring information from reporting agencies and relying on the knowledge of our ministry partners. In addition to our own protocols (e.g., students must be with an adult at all times), our ministry hosts and partners will provide trip specific safety guidelines for the particular trip location. Our Project Leaders are trained in risk management and have access to both on-field and home-office support.

Registration & Payment

All financial contributions toward your trip are considered donations and, as such, are non-refundable.

$500 Deposit: This deposit is required to reserve your trip. At this point, you will lock in your trip and we will keep in touch with you going forward about preparation. This deposit is applied to the total cost of your trip.

50% Deadline: Half of your total trip cost will need to be paid 3 months before your trip.

100% Deadline: The remaining balance is due 2 months before your trip.