World Missions Alliance has been ministering in the Republic of Georgia since 2008, when Russia invaded this country and caused much physical and emotional damage there.
This mission to this beautiful mountainous nation will focus on the minority people that have been living in Georgia for over a hundred years – the Kurdish people.
The Kurds are the largest minority group in the world (over 20 million people) who don’t have their own land. They are dispersed among Iraq, Iran, Turkey, Syria and a few former Soviet Republics. The native Yezidi religion worships Satan and many of them became Muslims under the influence of the Arab countries where they live. Today the Kurdish people are very open to the Gospel message, and we view the Kurdish outreach as one of our most urgent and strategic missions.
There is a group of Kurds who recently fled to Georgia from the Muslim Azerbaijan to escape persecution. They came with nothing but the clothes they wore. They live in the streets in cardboard boxes or slums on the outskirts of the city. Most of them have nothing to keep them warm through the winter.
You will have a unique opportunity to:
• Evangelize a previously unreached people
• Distribute Bibles and Gospel tracts in the Kurdish language
- Share the Gospel through medical clinic outreach
We have confirmed the special retreat outreach our team will host on the coast of the Black Sea for the underprivileged Kurdish families. We will stay with them at a seaside resort to share the Gospel, host discipleship training and children’s ministry for the people who have never had an opportunity to get away from their homes or have a break from their jobs.
This will be an incredible blessing, a “dream come true” to them and we have a chance to facilitate this.
This is a great opportunity to evangelize the Kurdish people in a country that is not only safe and stable but is a historic and cultural jewel. The stunning Caucasus Mountains range, the unique architecture, churches dating to the 3rd and fourth centuries, the incredible hospitality of the local people who treat every guest like royalty and of course the incredible Georgian cuisine are the additional benefits of the exciting mission.
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I want to help meet the immediate needs of the most impoverished communities of Georgia through distribution of food, clothing, other essential supplies and Bibles.
Georgia 2024 Outreach
The cost of the Georgia trip is $1800 (Due by 7/22/24)
Includes: lodging, 3 meals/day, ground transportation, itinerary planning and translator services. This fee does not include airfare. Our office can assist you with booking your flight out of your home airport and connect you with other travelers along the way.
The price for this trip is currently $1800, however due to inflation, may have to be increased. If you’d like to hold a spot on the 2024 Georgia trip, you can do so with a $200 deposit. As long as your deposit is received prior to any announced price increases, we will honor the $1800 price.
Click the link to make a trip payment https://rfwma.org/make-a-trip-payment/
A deposit of $200 is required to secure your spot on the team. Your deposit is nonrefundable, but will be applied to the total amount due which is $1800, due by 7/22/2024.
The price for this trip is currently $1800, however due to inflation, may have to be increased. If you’d like to hold a spot on the 2024 Georgia trip, you can do so with a $200 deposit. As long as your deposit is received prior to any announced price increases, we will honor the $1800 price.
EXCEPTION: for first time travelers with WMA who are still in the application process please note, the deposit is refundable if your application cannot be approved.
Please read our full cancellation policy, including information about deposits and refunds
Click the link to make your deposit https://rfwma.org/make-a-trip-payment/
If you need to raise funds for your mission trip to Georgia, here is how we suggest you get started.
1.Read Our E-book 10 Great Ways to Fundraise for Your Mission Trip. You can download it here
2. Send A Support Letter to everyone you know and ask them to send it to everyone they know. Remember to include a link in your emails and online posts to our “Give” page https://rfwma.org/give/ or to your personal fundraising page if you set one up so it’s very easy for those the Lord prompts to support your mission trip to give. We will send you updates on any donations that come in for your trip. Below is the support letter template we’ve written for the Georgia 2023 trip. It’s completely editable and you may use it however you’d like to get the word out about the opportunity you have to join this mission and how anyone who wants to can support in prayer and financially.
Dear Friends & Family
I have an amazing opportunity I want to share with you. I was invited to be a part of a mission’s trip to Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia September 5-15, 2024 with World Missions Alliance. We will travel to Georgia to partner with local churches in evangelism to the Kurdish communities, Bible distribution, Kurdish pastors’ ministry, youth ministry and medical clinic outreach.
You can read more about the hosts of this mission here: http://www.rfwma.org.
I am writing to ask for your help in 2 areas. First and foremost I ask you to pray for the success of this trip. We’ve already begun planning, getting passports, purchasing airplane tickets, etc. We need God’s guidance in every aspect of this trip. So your prayers are extremely important.
Next, I am asking you to consider helping financially if you feel lead to do so. I truly believe the Lord is directing this mission and your money will be sown into very fertile soil. Upon return, I will be excited to share with you about the harvest that will be yours as well. I will need $1800 for expenses there (hotel, food, transportation, cost of interpreters, etc..) and my flight cost of approximately $900.
Your gift is tax deductible and checks should be made out to World Missions Alliance (or W.M.A.) and designated to my missionary support. You can send the funds to me or directly to World Missions Alliance at: P.O. Box 1067 Branson West, MO 65737. You can also make a donation by credit card on the WMA website: https://rfwma.org/give/. Any amount will be a huge help and will make you a vital part of winning souls for Christ in Georgia.
Thanks for taking time to read this and thanks in advance for your support. You will be a vital part of everything God will do in Georgia. I can’t wait to share with you the incredible account of this mission!
God bless,
(YOUR NAME HERE)
World Missions Alliance
PO Box 1067,
Branson West, MO 65737
Website: www.rfwma.org
3. Online/Social Media Post Template
If you’re interested in running an online fundraiser for your trip to Georgia, here is some info that you are welcome to use. You may edit the below paragraph any way you’d like or use it as is.
Friends, I have been invited to join World Missions Alliance on an urgent and timely mission trip to the Republic of Georgia September 5-15, 2024. Our mission is to partner with the local church to reach the most vulnerable and underprivileged segments of the population through evangelistic outreach and medical clinic ministry. I will need to raise $(fill in the blank with the amount you still need to raise) to go and want to give you the opportunity to get involved in what God is going to do in Georgia on this mission. I invite you to touch the heart of God today with your love and generosity. No gift amount is too small. Giving on the WMA website is safe, quick and easy. Just click here https://rfwma.org/give/ and select “support a missionary” from the drop-down menu and remember to put my name, (Your Name), in the notes section. All donations are tax deductible. You can also support by praying for me, the team, and the mission as well as sharing this opportunity with everyone you know. Thank you in advance for your quick response and generosity. I’m so excited to see what God is going to do!!
4. Personal Fundraising Page on the WMA Website
With an approved application and $200 deposit you will be able to set up a personal fundraising page on our website which can be easily shared in your letters, emails and social media posts regarding fundraising for your mission trip. Please contact Denise at 417-231-4131 or [email protected] to request instructions on how to set up a personal fundraising page.
Get acquainted with the country God’s called you to.
Here are some fun and interesting facts you may not have known about Georgia:
Georgians are patriotic and passionate; when discussing a topic, voices may become raised and hand gestures increase. The people of Georgia are extremely hospitable, guests are seen as a gift.
· Georgian is one of the only 17 original languages with its own 33-letter alphabet. The Georgian language is believed to have remained almost unaltered for more than 1200 years. Georgian and Russian are the two most commonly spoken languages.
· Christianity was declared the official religion of Georgia as early as 337 after Christ.
· The Georgian Kingdom reached its height in the 12th to early 13th centuries known as the Georgia’s Golden Age. The Golden age was characterized by the flourishing of romantic-chivalric traditions and left a legacy of great cathedrals, romantic poetry and literature breakthroughs in philosophy. Georgia’s vineyards, colorful markets, and ancient churches are the most popular attractions.
· The country’s capital, Tbilisi, is one of the few places in the world where you can find synagogues, churches and mosques side by side.
· The city takes its name from nearby warm sulfur springs; translated from Georgian “Tbilisi” literally means “warm springs”
· Tbilisi is a multicultural city, home to more than 100 different ethnic groups. Around 89% of the population is ethnically Georgian. Tbilisi is also home to various other ethnic groups including Armenians, Ukranians, Greeks, Jews, Estonians, Kurds and Assyrians.
· Although more than 95% of the residents of Tbilisi consider themselves Georgian Orthodox Christian, most of them have never experienced a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Georgian Orthodox Church is one of the oldest Christian Churches in the world.
· The currency in Georgia is called Lari (Gel) meaning ‘treasury’ or ‘property’ is currently worth 1 .ari to .39 usd.
· Weather during the month of January is expected to have highs in the upper 40’s with lows hovering around the low 30’s. Dress warm.
Practical travel and packing tips to help make your mission trip smooth and efficient:
Travel Documents
1. Is your passport up to date? Do you have a passport? I personally believe that once you have asked Jesus into your heart, you should follow up with water baptism. After you have been baptized, you should be given: a towel to dry off; and a passport application. If you are a US Citizen and don’t have an up to date passport, start by filling out the proper form. Detailed instructions are found at: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/apply-renew-passport/how-to-apply.html
| Form | Used For |
| DS-11 |
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| DS-82 |
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| DS-5504 |
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- Does the country you wish to visit require an entrance visa? (Remember visa requirements differ based on the passport you are traveling with. If you are living in USA but hold a Bolivian passport you will follow the procedures for a Bolivian citizen).
- Once you have completed the proper application process for your travel documentation you will need to get there.
Air Travel Tips
Most places we travel require air travel. This can be tricky, unless money is no object. We will go over some basic tricks to get a comfortable flight. Know this, the best procedure today may not even work tomorrow. Nothing we say will be in stone. This will just get you started. Creative thinking is the key.
- Start with a flight search engine that searches many airlines. I use Kayak.com and google.com/flights. There are many others. None are always the best. Anyone can find the best route at the lowest price on one itinerary. I have found Kayak and google are consistently good, so I would start there and experiment with others as you go.
- Where do you wish to end up? If you are flying to Paris or Moscow scheduling is pretty straight forward. Start with your local airport and enter the airport you wish to fly to.
- Small airport destinations become a little tricky since major carriers don’t fly there. Trick, find the airport website. Small airports generally list the incoming and departing flight schedules. Work backward. Find out from which airports flights depart to arrive at the airport you wish to go. Then look for flights into that airport. You may have to buy two tickets. A round trip to that intermediary airport. And the second-round trip from the intermediary airport to your destination. There are many variations here. Including open jaw (where there is a gap somewhere in the round-trip itinerary. Example: ORD to AMM outbound and BEY to ORD return. Here you have another flight from AMM to BEY. This can get complicated but can save some money, with a risk. If the flight on your first ticket is delayed or canceled and causes you to misconnect to your flight on your second ticket you are at the mercy of the airline. They can have mercy and book you on the next flight, charge you a change fee and book you on the next flight or force you to buy another ticket. If you chose to use two or more tickets be sure to get insurance. Some credit cards cover you automatically. But verify before you purchase the ticket.
- Search with the three-digit airport code used by IATA (international association of travel agents) you can find the airport code list here http://www.airportcodes.org/
- Be careful of what countries you transfer in. If you change planes in a country that requires a visa and you get stranded, you will not be allowed to leave the airport. For U.S. citizens Russia and India are two that require visas to leave the airport. It is a good idea to check if there is a hotel in the terminal. Find out where the hotel is located and how much the rooms are. Sometimes they are reasonable.
- There is no apparent logic for the airline prices. If you find a good schedule with a fair price book it and don’t check prices again. Airline prices change faster than the stock market. I have had an airline ticket go up $800 during lunch. I have also had a ticket go down by almost that much after I purchased the ticket. Don’t let this fluctuation stress you out. It is a fact of life. Your goal is to get to your destination safely.
- Check all airports you are willing to drive to. Sometimes very surprising fares or better schedules come from the unexpected areas
- Schedule. This is a person preference. I prefer a two to four-hour layover in an overseas connecting flights. You will go through security which takes time and planes are often late. When returning you must clear passport and customs. Allow a minimum of 90 minutes for a connecting flight.
Packing tips (remember less it better).
- Try to get everything in a carry-on. For a 10-day trip it can be done but takes some planning. I have some recommendations for you.
- Clothes hamper for dirty clothes. I have one I bought at dollar tree. It is like this one from amazon. I really like it. https://www.amazon.com/Mesh-Pop-Up-Laundry-Hamper-Eliminate/dp/B00HZ0IOJ2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1519268074&sr=8-3&keywords=collapsible+laundry+hamper
- Clear zipper bag for electronics. I use the following: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Modella-Transparent-Black-Make-Up-Bag/10315324
- Travel adapter. I designed and made a travel adapter I thought met all my needs. Left out in a German airport then discovered this adapter which is better than my design. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Travel-Smart-TS238AP-All-In-One-Adapter-with-USB/23499900
The travel adapter above is great for a reason that is not readily apparent until you stay in some foreign hotels. I have stayed in many hotels that have no free electric outlets. So, if you want to charge your phone you must unplug the lamp. Remember their plugs are different so you can’t plug in the lamp in the USA extension cord. The plug above is universal. Unplug the lamp, plug in the adapter, plug the lamp into the adapter and you still have two more plugs to use for your extension cord or computer.
***Important note***
Transformer changes voltage. Example a stepdown transformer will drop 220-240 volts to our 110-130 volts.
Adapter only allows you to put your plug into a socket not designed for your plug. Example an American plug (using two flat blades) into a German socket (one using two round holes).
An ADAPTER WILL NOT CHANGE VOLTAGE!!!!
- Extension cord. Minimum 6 foot. Generally, there are no outlets near your bed. If you enjoy having your phone charge while on the night stand near the bed, then the extension cord will allow that.
- Travel iron. I really like this iron. Steam Bug Travel Steam Iron https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EXJ20G/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_apa_wqoJAbP4CABP8. There are other brand names that look the same (and may be the same). It’s size and function make it perfect for travel. Many hotels overseas do not have an iron in the room.
- Hair dryer. (and curling irons). Buy a hair dryer that is 220v if you travel overseas. (Save Japan). DO NOT WASTE TIME AND MONEY BUYING ELECTRIC CONVERTERS. they generally don’t work. The ones that do work are unlikely to last the entire trip. If you have one that works well, you might consider buying a Powerball ticket also. (ha, ha!) You are that lucky (blessed and highly favored) person, (and probably have a pet unicorn!)
- Curling iron. See hair dryer above.
- Chargers. Most phone, camera, computer chargers are world voltage. Verify to be sure. It will say on item or on the plug or the transformer something like; input 100~250v 50~60 hz. These you can plug directly into the wall without an electric converter (step down transformer). You may still need an adapter to get it to fit into the electrical outlet.
- Bring a backup phone charger. (Yours could quit or, more likely, get lost).
- Mix and match clothes. Appropriate for the people you are ministering to. A little research is helpful. You will generally be surprised by the real situation. You need not dress like a local but dress appropriate (non-offensive) for the locals.
- Medicine. All personal medications need to be packed in your carry-on not your checked bag. Many are of faith and rightfully believe that God is a better healer than medicine. You are 100% correct. My experience is, you will find many areas to test your faith while on the mission field. If an aspirin will get you back to the mission quickly than take it. Maybe you need to help another who has a headache. If you pack a painkiller you can bond over providing a help in time of need. Items I think are of vital importance.
- Pain killer, (Excedrin, Tylenol, ibuprofen etc. What works for you.)
- Imodium. (Bathrooms are not that nice to spend your whole trip there.)
- Any prescription medicine you take.
- Allergy medicine.
There may be other things you may want to bring but these are important. Generally, you won’t need anything, but it is nice to have it just in case.
The big challenge of short term missions is reflected in the term itself. It is short. What can and should be done in a short period of time in a nation to make a lasting impact?
Another question that is frequently asked – am I qualified to make a difference?
Being called by God for a specific assignment is very humbling. We don’t want to mess up His plan. We don’t want to embarrass ourselves trying to achieve something we don’t have the ability or expertise to do.
Setting a realistic objective helps to eliminate the initial concerns. God chose you because He has determined that your life experience, your gifts, your story are going to be useful for this place and time. Do you lead a Bible study in your church? Do you enjoy playing with children? Do you have a beautiful voice, play instruments, love to worship? These natural gifts and affinities will be used during your time in the country. From the moment you have felt the call start asking God what is the subject that He wants you to prepare to teach on, what songs you should rehearse, etc. Always be prepared to share a personal testimony. We all have many experiences in our lives of God’s favor, provision, deliverance, rescue – these are your best tools to introduce someone to Jesus. Pray and seek which story you should share during the trip. You may not know all the people you will encounter on your journey but God does. He prepares divine appointments for us – if you consult Him in advance, He will help you be prepared.
In Luke 10:1 Jesus had several practical reasons for sending His disciples in teams.
1. The power of the message you proclaim on the mission field is solidified by having at least one more person who is an agreement. “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” 2 Cor 13:1
2. Being able to agree in prayer with at least one other person creates God’s presence and activates His answer. “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20
The power of being a team is something that we have witnessed through the decades of doing missions work. It creates a pool of multiple talents, personalities, ages groups and makes us relevant an appealing to a larger segment of the local population. It keeps each person challenged to maintain the focus of big vision and willingness to sacrifice personal needs for the sake of the success of the entire team. In short, it creates a favorable environment for God to move and perfects the vessels that he has chosen to use. The people who have traveled with WMA missions teams make life long friendships during the trip because the desire to spread the Gospel is an excellent common ground for a lasting quality relationship.
An important aspect in setting your objectives is recognizing that in missions work there will be a time to sow and a time to reap. The first should always the objective of a successful missions trip. The second is more of a reward that God grants us to encourage us to continue.
“Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. 36 Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together. 37 Thus the saying ‘One sows and another reaps’ is true. 38 I sent you to reap what you have not worked for. Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor.” John 4:35-38
Reaping is rewarding, sowing is done by faith. The fruit of your sowing may become someone else’s reward, but the Lord of the Harvest rejoices over both – the sower and the reaper.
Three key elements to prepare for your mission trip are:
1. Prayer
2. Fasting
3. Enlisting partners to cover you and your mission in prayer
TRAVEL/TRIP/HEALTH INSURANCE
WMA strongly recommends the purchase of comprehensive travel insurance, which includes coverage for trip cancellation, lost luggage, emergency evacuation, and medical expenses. This will protect any funds that are nonrefundable as well as cost for flights and other travel expenses.
While WMA has no affiliation with any insurance providers, we have successfully used the insurance company mentioned below for our staff and missionaries. However, you may pick any other provider of your choice.
AVAILABLE COVERAGE PLANS
There many customizable insurance coverage options available such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, and cancel-for-any reason insurance. While your airline may offer insurance for your flight, we have found private insurance companies such as this one listed below often offer comparable if not better coverage options at similar if not lower prices.
NOAH JAMES INSURANCE – www.noahjamesinsurance.com
Agent: James Pruss
Agency Director – Devoted Father, Fan of all Boston Teams, Global Citizen
Katy, TX USA
Mobile: (617) 676-7858
MEDICAL INSURANCE
Be prepared for an overseas medical emergency or illness with travel medical insurance including emergency medical evacuation benefits, terrorism coverage, and more.
SHELVIE’S STORY
Prior to going on a mission trip to Ireland, Shelvie purchased travel medical insurance through one of our recommended insurance providers. During her trip she fell and broke her and had to have a hip replacement surgery. The insurance covered all her medical expenses while in Ireland, it also covered the upgrade to first class with a personal medical travel aid for the trip home. During the flight home Shelvie was able to share the Gospel with the medical aid. This was God’s way of helping Shelive to accomplish her mission in spite of the accident. We believe in God’s protection and provision for every WMA missionary!
SEP 5- Traveling day
SEP 6- Arrive in Tbilisi, our partners will be at the airport to pick you up to take you to the hotel
SEP 7
– Orientation for the team
– Ministry begins
SEP 15
– Travel home day
Our staff is happy to assist you in finding a flight and coordinating your flight itinerary with other team members when possible. However, generally, the team members are responsible for booking their own international flights. Download our free FLIGHT BOOKING GUIDE for a step by step guide to booking an international flight. Included are important and helpful instructions, reminders,tips, suggestions and more.
FLIGHT BOOKING ASSISTANCE REQUEST
WMA and the staff at WMA are not licensed travel agents and only offer flight booking assistance to help those who are not seasoned travelers and need assistance with navigating the flight booking process. Click the link to request assistance with booking your flight https://rfwma.org/flight-booking-assistance-request/
TRAVEL AND ARRIVAL DATES
You will fly from your closest international airport on September 5th and arrive in Tbilisi, Georgia (airport code TBS) on September 6th. You will fly home from on September 15th.
SEND US YOUR FULL FLIGHT ITINERARY
You can send it to [email protected] or email your booking or confirmation code (6 letters or letter/number combo) and the airline you are flying with and we can look it up online.
Your passport must be valid for six months beyond the date the you will exit the United States or Canada
Please verify Georgia’s current visa document and other entry requirements for the country you are a citizen of here: https://georgiaembassyusa.org/
MANDITORY:
Click the link to fill out the responsibility and emergency contact form. We must receive your completed form prior to the trip for you to be eligible to attend.
MEDICATIONS FOR CLINIC
The medication for the clinic has to be purchased in Georgia, we are not able to being the medicine in with us this trip.
We are looking for donations to help us be able to purchase these medicines. If your family, friends, church, etc are looking for the ways they can help, this would be a great need that can be fulfilled.
MEDICAL ITEM LIST
(Many items can be brought by non medical team members if you want to help with supplies for the clinic)
MEDICAL EQUIPMENT
• glucometer
• otoscope (and covers)
• oximeter
• sphygmomanometer
• stethoscope
• thermometer
SUPPLIES TO BRING
• clipboards
• hand-sanitizer (lg pump-style bottle)
• index cards
• plastic containers (to hold liquid meds, topical creams)
• scissors
• scotch tape
• sharpies (thin and thick point)
• wall organizer (clear plastic ‘over-the-door’ shoe organizer…great for meds, etc)
• writing pens
• zip locks: small, snack, sandwich (to hold all meds given to pt), gallon (to organize pharmacy), extra large zips ($Tree…3/$10)
***Several printed copies of the WMA drug formulary***
MEDS TO BRING
• Folic Acid
• Inhalers
• Iron supplements
• Kaopectate / Pepto-Bismol
• MVI:
• adult
• pre-natal
• children’s
These medications are sometimes not as easily found or are more expensive in foreign countries.
SUGGETIONS FOR MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL:
• Monitoring # of patients that are checked in according to number of providers available to ensure that all patients can be seen and given quality care from the beginning to the end of clinic
• Having a short medical team meeting before starting clinic to get to know each others clinical strengths, determine assignments: intake, triage/people mover, pharmacy, provider assistant, to discuss flow, etc
• Asking translators (at the beginning of the 1st clinic) to please not use their cell phones while translating (unless it is an emergency or for translation purposes)
Here are some helpful resources you may use to share about your mission trip with your church or group:
- Trip Video: https://youtu.be/2nezceW3jYY
This is a short video highlighting the country you’ll be traveling to, the people groups you’ll be ministering to and helping, and what types of outreaches you’ll be involved in on the mission.
- WMA Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aif-CudY7Lk
- WMA Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHThB5LB0y8&t=9s
These videos give an overview of World Missions Alliance, who we are, where we go, what we do, who we help and who can get involved.
4. Ministry Outreach Fundraising Page: https://rfwma.org/2024-georgia-outreach/
This link can be shared with anyone who would like to donate to the ministry outreach for the trip. These funds are used to purchase food, clothes, supplies, medicines, and Bibles for those we will be ministering to on the trip.
5. A link to your trip fundraising page if you have one and are raising funds to cover the cost of your mission trip. This link is provided to you once you set up your fundraising page.
6. A link to our website www.rfwma.org as there is an immense amount of information about WMA and all the ways someone can get involved in missions. The website has mission trip opportunities, answers to our most commonly asked questions, video testimonies from those who have traveled with us, podcast episodes, Missions Beat recordings, information about Project Medical Missions, our Child Sponsorship program, giving opportunities and so much more!