• What to expect

  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.Some readers

• What are the steps to become a volunteer?

  We are so thrilled you’re interested! Here are the steps to become a retreat volunteer! Contact the Retreat Coordinator Complete Volunteer Application Form Wait for Volunteer Approval Notification Support Raising and Scheduled Payment(s) Review all Pre-Retreat Communications View Videocasts and Read Training Materials Travel Itinerary Secured by Thrive Please don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions!Some readers

• Culture shock

  Please take a moment to read the article linked below that describes the experiences of culture-shock and re-entry stress.  Even though we will only be abroad for a short time, we will be in a new and different environment. This can be exciting, novel, and stressful all at the same time. Sometimes the stress of being in a new environment takes us by surprise, so I think it’s helpful to know that these feelings are normal. Find the article here: thriveministry.box.com/CultureShock (https://Some readers

• Questions to ask a cross-cultural worker

  Sometimes it can be difficult to know what questions to ask a cross-cultural worker because their life experiences are so different from yours.  Many times the only questions people can think of to ask are, "Is it hot in the country where you work?" or "What is the food like?" and nothing else. The following are a few suggestions of simple questions to ask workers to get them talking about their world so that you can engage in a genuine dialogue as well as learn more about what God is doing globSome readers

• For Volunteers

  A Thrive retreat is a four-day gift of renewal and refreshment spiritually, emotionally, and physically for North American women serving cross-culturally. Our retreats provide a safe place outside of their church and agency for women to be themselves and share their unique challenges. We host our retreats at conference centers or hotels around the world. Friends and supporters of Thrive typically underwrite the retreats. Our retreats serve 300-350 women annually. Our July Colorado retreat hSome readers

• What is the time commitment to serve at a retreat?

  Here are some things you should consider: The international retreats in February, May, and October are 10–11 day experiences, depending on travel. The July Colorado retreat is 7 days plus personal travel to the location. Gather events are 5-day virtual events, and therefore require no travel.Some readers

• Retreat volunteer example bio

  When you are applying for our Retreat Volunteer application, you will be asked to write a short bio of yourself.  We use this to create a booklet for all volunteers to get to know one another.  Here is a sample bio: Lorrie Lindgren joined the Thrive team in 2000 and became the CEO in April, 2005. She loves to share our passion to care for women working around the worlFew readers

• Gifts for Global Women

  One of the amazing parts of the retreat experience is that the global women receive gifts each day of the retreat. These are gifts that are meant to be special “treats” that the women may not normally splurge on for themselves or are unable to purchase internationally. In the coming months, we will be sending out individual gift assignments to each of you. Please be prayerfully considering whom you can ask to donate and help you collect these gifts. Friends, family, bible studies, Sunday schoolFew readers

• Gratuities

  Your gratuities at the retreat will be covered by Thrive. We pay these as a lump sum rather than on a per person basis, so rest assured that even if we aren’t standing with you when someone offers a helping hand we will get their gratuities to them! This includes gratuities for luggage assistance at the airports, driver gratuities (for all Thrive organized transportation), bellman gratuities at the resorts, housekeeping gratuities at the resorts, and wait staff gratuities for all group meals.Few readers

• What are the travel requirements?

  Passport: A passport that is valid for 6 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 immediately in case complications 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 payFew readers

• How are volunteers involved?

  The volunteer team is made up of women from a variety of denominational backgrounds from across the U.S. and Canada. This short-term trip is unique in that it gives Christian stateside women the opportunity to minister to the hearts of cross-cultural workers. A typical retreat has 25–30 volunteers. Our retreats would not be possible without our amazing volunteers who come and serve with their time, talents and treasures. One of the highlights is developing new friendships with other incrediFew readers

• What supplies do I need to bring?

  Here are some recommendations: A packing list for personal items will be provided. For those living in the Denver area, Thrive will most likely pack an additional piece of luggage for your to bring with you. Thrive will cover the airline cost of this Thrive excess luggage. Volunteers may also be asked to collect gifts with the help of their small groups, family, and friends.Few readers

• Writing your support letter

  Thank you for deciding to partner with us for our upcoming retreat! As you compose your support letter, the following information may be beneficial. We have found it is helpful to include background information about Thrive, a description of what your involvement will be at the retreat, information about where we are going, the total cost of your trip, and a few necessary details about making donations towards your trip. Please use the following information when composing your letter, but fFew readers

• Are there any retreat volunteer policies?

  Statement of Faith and Team Charter Our Thrive volunteer team operates under the umbrella of our Statement of Faith and Team Charter. This is a tangible way to express our commitment to one another as well as our commitment to fulfilling the mission of Thrive. 💾  Download Statement of Faith 💾  Download Team Charter Release FormFew readers

• What qualification and skill sets are needed to volunteer?

  No special skills are required, simply a servant’s heart and a desire to be a part of this kind of ministry. Some volunteers will be asked to be small group leaders, provide pedicures, pray, or assist Thrive staff members. While there are several roles that require particular skills and training (counselors, hair stylists, massage therapists, etc.), we primarily need women who are willing to serve in any way possible to extend love and grace to the attendees!Few readers

• What does a typical day look like? What is expected of me when I am there?

  As with most short-term trips, be prepared to serve extensively! You can expect long days and a full schedule. Our typical day runs from 8:00 am to 9:00 pm. In order to build relationships and unify our volunteer team, we ask that volunteers participate in all sessions. Please contact us to discuss situations that may affect your participation. First 2-3 days (depending on the length of the retreat) Time zone adjustment Orientation, teamFew readers

• Does Thrive provide fundraising tools to help volunteers raise support for their costs?

  Yes! Many volunteers choose to raise support to serve with us. We will equip and guide you in your fundraising efforts with a template letter as well as our online peer-to-peer support raising tool called "Donately". Donately Features Fun, personal, simple way to share your story Easy for donors to partner Allows you to have up-to-date knowledge of incoming gifts Safe and secure User friendly. Thrive staff will assist you, as needed. All donationsFew readers

• Will there be opportunities for sightseeing at the international retreats? Is that covered in my overall cost?

  The final two days in country will include both touring and reflection of our experience. Because we have traveled so far, we encourage all volunteers to take advantage of experiencing the culture together! Volunteers will be asked to pay for chosen tours before departing the US, this is not part of your support total.Few readers

• Voltage converters and adapters

  Please make sure to check the voltage converters and adapters to country you are traveling. You can see the list of plug, socket and voltage by countries here: www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plug-voltage-by-country/ Here are pictures of all the plugs and sockets: www.worldstandards.eu/electricity/plugs-and-sockets/Few readers