How to prepare for a Thrive Retreat:

Prayer

Prayer is the best way to prepare for volunteering at a Thrive retreat. Even now, please begin praying that the retreat will be a time of refreshment and rest for our attendees, and that God will use the time to speak truth, comfort, and identity into the hearts of both attendees and volunteers. Pray for your own heart, that you’ll be open to the Holy Spirit’s promptings for service and ways you can help to bless a global worker at the retreat.

Flexibility

The Thrive team works hard to coordinate logistics before each retreat, but there are inevitably unexpected pieces of every event. Please also pray for your heart and mind to remain flexible as our team—both volunteers and staff—serves attendees with willing and grace-filled hearts.

Logistics

Schedule & Expectations

At a typical Thrive retreat, mornings are reserved for worship and teaching, during which small groups will gather and attendees have the chance to enjoy receiving Biblical teaching and worship in English, a rare opportunity for many. Self-care appointments and rest will take most of the afternoon time, providing space for attendees to relax and be replenished by time with God, with each other, and being served by selfless volunteers. Everyone will regroup in the evenings for time of laughter and fun, serving as another reminder of how women are made in the image of God —full of joy and desiring connection!

As you spend time throughout the retreat serving the women who attend, we encourage you to engage with them deeply – ask them questions, encourage them, pray with them, enjoy new friendships with them, pour out God’s love on them. Observe the needs around you, and initiate meeting those needs as you’re able.

Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Romans 12:13

Accommodations & Meals

Thrive will handle all volunteer travel arrangements once our time together begins. We will eat most of our meals onsite at the hotel. You will be sharing a room with another member of the volunteer team unless you would like to cover the cost difference to have a single room (when available, based on hotel occupancy).

All of the meals during your time with us (excluding meals while traveling) will be included in the total amount of support that you raise for the trip. During the retreat, we will eat at the hotel with attendees. On the days before and after the retreats, we will eat either at the hotel or at local restaurants. The Thrive team will research various restaurants ahead of time, but, as mentioned above, flexibility is key!

If you choose to arrive a day earlier than our volunteer team meetings begin, we can make arrangements at the resort for you, then adjust your cost/support goal accordingly. Please let us know of this request as soon as possible to ensure availability.

Travel Requirements

PASSPORT
A passport that is valid for six months beyond the dates of the trip is required for entry into most countries. Please be sure to check the expiration date of your passport as soon as possible. If you do not yet have a passport, please purchase one as soon as possible to allow time for any complications that may occur.

IMMUNIZATIONS
Travel to most international locations will require that you get certain immunizations. We will provide you with specific information for the retreat location, but be prepared to pay for and receive the necessary immunizations. You can read more information about immunization/vaccination requirements on the CDC website.

VISAS
Some countries require travelers to obtain a visa before entering the country. You must have a valid U.S. passport good for six months after departure in order to purchase a visa. You will also need four passport-sized photographs (2x2 inches) to submit with your visa application. We will provide you with all of the necessary forms and information if you need a visa for the country we will be traveling to.

Updated on: 11/11/2021