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SHORT-TERM

MISSIONS

UPCOMING TRIPS

KISUMU, KENYA

October 21 - November 3, 2023

Cost: $2,500

Registration Deadline: July 20, 2023

Who is eligible:

18 yrs and older.

 

Fundraising: 

Our team will collaborate to garner awareness for our visit and plan small events to help with team fundraising efforts. Big Valley Grace may provide scholarships of equal amount to every team member.

 

Passports:

REQUIRED – If you do not have a current passport, you should apply immediately. Passports may take 8-10 weeks to process. Kenya requires each person entering the country to apply for a mandatory Visa.

 

Housing Reach Partner:

Agape Children

 

Physical Difficulty:

We will be traveling by plane for an extended length of time. While in country, we will travel by van. There will be extensive walking, bending, and light lifting. We will be eating local foods prepared safely for westerners and sleeping in hotel style conditions, some that you would deem less comfortable than you might be accustomed. 

 

Trip Details and Locations:

What: We will be sending one team with two unique tracks or emphasis of ministry. 

Track 1: We will work with the Agape Center staff (at three different locations) to offer training, encouragement, and mentoring.

Track 2: Our team will work at the Agape Center and facilitate a Bible school camp for the children currently enrolled in the rehabilitation program. We will also be involved with evangelistic opportunities on the streets of Kenya as we minister to homeless children and young adults.

 

How do I sign up?

We plan to host an informational meeting for anyone who is interested in learning more. Check back for details or email Katie Fuentes: [email protected]

SANTIAGO IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

June 19 - July 1, 2023

Cost: $1,900

Registration Deadline: January 10, 2023

Register for the interest meeting below!

About Students International
Students International focuses on short-term missions that “help without hurting,” by placing our participants with long-term missionaries who are fully integrated into the community and who aren’t taking jobs away from local laborers.
 
What will we be doing?
You’ll have a hands-on missions experience serving real needs through the ministry site of your choice. Each day you’ll head out first thing in the morning to meet up with your site leader on the field. Every day, and every site is a unique experience. You’ll have siesta in the middle of the day, then join the rest of your team for dinner and an evening activity.
 
Where do we stay?
You’ll spend your days at ministry sites, and have free time together with the rest of your team.When not out at your site you’ll stay at a ministry base. There will be guys and girls cabins and lots of great shared spaces on base for meals and team time.
 
Is it safe?
Yes. Safety is our #1 concern. We have extensive protocols that we’ve developed over 25 years and trained staff to handle all types of problems. We know we do ministry in challenging communities, but we prepare and take wise precautions to minimize or eliminate risks.
 
Who Will We Be Working With?

You’ll be serving alongside full-time missionaries at occupational ministry sites to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the local community. Site leaders are experts in their field, and they also have a heart for sharing their passion with YOU. You’ll join 2-4 other people at the ministry site that is the best fit for you. We can’t always give you your first choice, but we do promise to make sure we find a great fit for everyone.

 
What do the ministry sites do?
Click here to read their descriptions: https://stint.com/ministry-sites-for-country/?locid=8
 
How do I sign up?
We will be announcing a meeting for anyone who is interested. Check back for details or email Pastor Scott Elliott: [email protected]

 

INDIA (FULL)

March 18 - April 1, 2023

Cost: Approximately $3,500

Registration Deadline: November 1

Locations: Siliguri, Hyderabad, and Goa

For questions, please email [email protected].

Who is eligible:

9th grade through adults. We ask that all minors be accompanies by an adult family member.

 

Fundraising: 

Big Valley Grace will provide a scholarship of equal amount to every team member. We will not be doing church sponsored fundraisers or team fundraisers.

 

Passports:

REQUIRED – If you do not have a current passport, you should apply immediately. You will need your passport to apply for a Travel Visa.

 

Housing Reach Partner:

Passion 4 People

 

Physical Difficulty:

We will be traveling by plane for extensive lengths of time. While in country, we will travel by commuter plane, van, and possibly train. There will be extensive walking, bending, and light lifting. We will be eating local foods prepared safely for westerners and sleeping in hotel style conditions, some that you would deem less comfortable than you might be accustomed.

 

Commitment: 

Each team member is committing to:

– Praying continuously! Prior to and during our trip.

– Completing all needed applications, documentation, tasks, or ministry projects on time to the best of their ability.

– Paying in-full trip costs before departure.

– Attending and participating in 4-6 team meetings prior to departure.

– Supporting one another in prayer, encouragement, and faithful growth.

– Supporting our missionaries while in country and adhering to all ministry guidelines and regional customs that will help advance their vision and ministry priority. All that we do we will promote a positive relationship between their ministry and the people they serve.

– Engaging in all ministry opportunities, constantly looking for ways to share your faith, bringing glory to God, and blessing the ministries we are invited to join.

 

Trip Details and Locations:

What: We will be sending one team with two unique tracks or emphasis of ministry.

Track 1: We will work with CR missionaries and ministries to offer training and mentoring in leading a Celebrate Recovery Ministry Team.

Track 2: We will be involved with evangelistic opportunities that might involve humanitarian aide or physical projects. We will join groups of believers who are trying to love their neighbors and share Jesus with those that they do life with. We will be involved in distributing and showing the Jesus Film and then helping to lead Bible studies after the film.

 

PAST TRIPS

2023

MEXICO

February 11-17, 2023

Location: Rancho Santa Marta Orphanage and School, San Vicente, Baja, Mexico

2022

SOUTHEAST ASIA

December 27, 2022 - January 6, 2023

Santiago in the Dominican Republic

June 25-July 2, 2022

Kenya

June 5-19, 2022

A team of women from our church went to Kenya to provide prayer and discipleship training for leaders working in Agape Children’s Ministry. The team had some specific times of intercessory prayer on streets for orphan children who are in dire circumstances. The team also be prayed over the leaders and different campuses where Agape works.

Mexico

June 4-10, 2022

Location: Rancho Santa Marta Orphanage and School, San Vicente, Baja, Mexico

Jarabacoa

June 12-26, 2022

Each year, our church commissions a time of students from BVCS to go to the Dominican Republic in Jarabacoa. You can find out how to pray and follow live updates from their trip by visiting the link below!

Mexico

April 18-23, 2022

Location: Rancho Santa Marta Orphanage and School, San Vicente, Baja, Mexico

“The missions trip to Mexico was a new experience and great example of God’s love. When we took a tour of the orphanage/campus and met the houseparent and kids, I broke down and wept. I weep because of God’s amazing love and power.

 

‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?’ – Matthew 6:25-34

 

I was in awe because I was reminded of God’s amazing love. How deeply he cares for each and everyone of us. He wants what’s good and righteous and if we follow him, he will guide us and provide for us, but we have to do our part. I am grateful for the people who run the orphanage/school and for all the people who have not met any of the children and staff, but support this ministry because of their faith in doing God’s works.

 

I am grateful to have had the opportunity to see God’s work in action, and for the privilege to love on those kids who were abandoned for no fault of their own.  My heart melts for these kids.

 

Thank you, Lord, for being such a kind and loving God. 

 

– Gorete Hahn

Greece

April 3-9, 2022

A team headed out to Greece to put on a VBS for kids of missionaries! Many of these children have been on the field for years and don't stay in one place for long. During the week of March 30 to April 9, all the kids had the opportunity to meet up again and spend time together.