April 2020—Brazil Retreat Cancelled: Volunteer 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 is with utmost excitement today that we invite you to join us by participating in 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 the attendees many aspects of the retreat digitally!

Will my support be refunded?
We are so grateful for your trust in this ministry - you've committed your time and finances to serve alongside us. We, like many nonprofits and other face-to-face service-based and travel industries, will be taking significant financial losses. Most of the Brazil retreat was contractually paid for in the months leading up to the retreat. We are working with the hotel to see how much of those expenses, if any, we will be able to recoup. At this time, we are unsure.

Additionally, since funds given were provided and receipted as tax-deductible donations to the ministry, there are tax laws and implications. We are working with specialists to see what the options for reimbursement are. We will continue to be in touch as we know more.

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. We hope to open our February 2021 retreat in Portugal soon. If any of these retreats are possible for you, we would love to transfer your registration and any recoverable funds. 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.

What about my flight? Can I get money back for my airline ticket?
Our travel agent has advised us that most, if not all, of the flights we booked through them will likely be cancelled by the airlines. If this happens, the funds will be returned to the original payment method (either back to Thrive if your flight was paid for with your support raised or back to your personal credit card if you self-paid). In the case that the airline does not cancel your flight, the travel agent can cancel the flight for you and those funds would be held in your name for a future flight booked through them. Usually these funds are available for one year from the date of purchase. With everything going on in the travel industry, this window is likely to be increased. Whether you purchased your flight on your own or through our travel agent, the suggestion is to hang tight and see if the airline cancels the flight on their own—giving you the best reimbursement option.

Is there any way I can still support the workers who were supposed to attend the Brazil retreat?
Join us for the online virtual retreat April 21–23. Check your email for more information on how you can still serve, from home! Thank you for your heart to care for these precious women.

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