April 2020—Brazil Retreat Cancelled: Attendee FAQs

Due to circumstances out of our control related to COVID-19, the 2020 Brazil retreat in Foz do Iguaçu is cancelled.

We know there are many questions, and we will do our best to answer them below and update this page as we know more. If you have an additional question, please ask below in the comments and we will add it to this FAQ for everyone. Thank you for your love and support during this difficult time for our world.

Will the Brazil retreat be rescheduled?
At this time, we do not know. The planning process for a retreat is 15 months. Our retreat locations are currently scheduled/contracted through Summer 2021. We are looking into all options but are unsure if a rescheduled retreat in Foz do Iguaçu will be possible in the near future.

Will something take place instead of the in-person retreat?
It it with utmost excitement that we invite you to join us for a VIRTUAL RETREAT this April 21–23 in lieu of the in-person retreat in Brazil! While we were so anticipating our time together face-to-face in Brazil, we are excited to still offer you many aspects of the retreat digitally! Check your email for details.

Will my registration fee be refunded?
We know that as a Global Worker, finances are rarely in excess. You’ve invested both your registration fee and travel expenses to join us. We, like many non-profits and other face-to-face service-based and travel industries, will be taking significant financial losses. We are currently working with the hotel to see what, if any, can be recovered, but most of the Brazil retreat was contractually paid for in the months leading up to the retreat. Your registration fee covers a small portion of the actual cost to host you. At this time, we do not know how much of those expenses we will be able to recoup from the hotel. If you are in desperate need for those funds to be reimbursed, please contact us. Otherwise, we are so grateful for your financial support, if able, to allow us to continue to provide this ministry in the future.

What about my flight? Any advice for getting money back for my airline ticket?
Our travel agent has advised us that most, if not all, of the flights Thrive staff booked will likely be cancelled by the airlines. In the case that your airline does not cancel your personal flight, you can self-cancel the flight and those funds should be held in your name for a future flight booked with that airline. Usually these funds are available for one year from the date of purchase but policies are evolving daily. You should be able to check your airline's website to see their current statement/policy. The suggestion from our travel agent was to hang tight until a week or so before you were to fly and see if the airline cancels the flight on their own—giving you the best reimbursement option.

Can I transfer my Brazil retreat registration to another retreat?
Yes! We would love to have you join us for a future retreat! Currently our July retreat in Beaver Creek, Colorado* is open along with our October retreat in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. If either of these retreats are possible for you, we would love to transfer your registration. Please contact us to make this switch.

*We are praying that we will be able to safely host retreats again by the summer. Of course, we will be assessing all wisdom, recommendations, and health guidelines regarding COVID-19 as it becomes available.

This was published in April of 2020 and therefore, some information may now be outdated. Please contact us for any questions you may have.

Updated on: 12/10/2020