Sierra Leone Mission Trip

Our primary goal for all mission trips is relationship.

This team will spend part of its time hosting a retreat for missionaries who are living and serving full-time in Sierra Leone. This retreat allows them to rest physically, emotionally, and spiritually amid very challenging assignments.

We will also visit our mission partner, Enable the Children, an organization serving children with physical disabilities in Freetown, the capital.

We encourage everyone who feels prompted by Holy Spirit to apply. We do not operate with rigid rules about who can and cannot apply, because we recognize that God is always at work in people’s hearts. We welcome the opportunity to pray and discern alongside you.

That said, due to the cost, rigors, and unique nature of this trip, we are more selective in our acceptance process. This experience requires a high level of flexibility, cultural awareness, emotional maturity, and physical stamina. There is too much at stake in the ministries we support to bring someone who is not prepared for the realities of this trip.

This journey is deeply meaningful and life-giving—but it is also demanding. Our goal is not to discourage anyone, but to ensure that those who join the team are positioned to thrive and serve well.

This trip requires significant physical stamina and resilience.
Participants should be prepared for:

• Extreme heat (often in the high 90s - low 100s, commonly in direct sun)

• Walking several miles in hot conditions, often on rough, steep, or uneven terrain

• Riding in vehicles on very poor or unpaved roads (with or without air conditioning)

• Several long international airline flights (it usually takes 3 flights to get there, and 3 to get back)

• At least one hour-long boat ride from the airport to Freetown

• Visiting homes and communities experiencing extreme poverty

• Daily activity in physically demanding environments

• Limited food variety and unfamiliar meals (Hot dogs or whole fish for breakfast? Fish head soup in a village? Yes—and we eat it to honor our hosts.)

• Stomach illness is very common

• Exposure to insects, wildlife, and “creepy crawlies”

• Long, physically and emotionally taxing travel days

• Cultural and environmental conditions that are very different from life in the U.S.

These realities are not meant to discourage anyone, but to provide a clear and honest picture of what participants should be prepared to face with humility, flexibility, and a positive spirit.

Due to extensive interaction with children at Enable the Children and the missionary retreat, all participants must complete a background check. Upon approval from Faith Church, you’ll be guided through a secondary application process with World Hope, including the background check.

The missionaries in Sierra Leone have requested that we bring the same core team whenever possible. The level of trust built by this group, which travels there each year, listens to their hearts, prays with them, and supports them throughout the year, is invaluable. Having the missionaries rebuild that trust each year with new people would not have the same effect. While this limits the number of open spots on the team, we want to honor their request. 

Several factors are considered when selecting participants for those roles. One significant factor is team size, given housing and transportation logistics. Therefore, we must consider the number of men versus women and couples versus singles to determine the minimum number of hotel rooms needed to be good stewards of the funds raised.

Additionally, specific roles are required for this trip, so we are looking for team members who can fill those roles, work well within the team dynamics and Sierra Leonean culture, and are physically able to meet the demands of this trip.

Yellow Fever is a REQUIRED vaccine. Sierra Leone will not allow you into the country without a yellow fever vaccine.

There are also some recommended vaccines and medications. You can find the recommended list on the CDC.gov website by searching for "Sierra Leone Traveler’s Health."

The MSU Travel Clinic is also an excellent resource and can provide all the needed vaccines—call (517) 353-3161 to schedule an appointment.

Due to the physical challenges of this trip, a medical release from your healthcare provider is required. Consult with your doctor as soon as you receive confirmation of the status of your application from the Trip Leader(s) to schedule a physical exam. This is to keep you safe and protect the integrity of the work we will do as a team.

The release form is provided with the application. Your vaccination records should also be submitted with this release form.

Note: This release and its contents will be kept confidential between you and the team leaders/church staff/World Hope administration

The total cost is approximately $2,500-$4,000 per person, depending on final flight costs, which can vary by up to $500 in either direction. 

This amount covers most expenses directly related to the trip, including World Hope administrative fees, air travel, visa and airport security fees, housing, all meals, travel insurance, and ground transportation.

The price does not include spending money for souvenirs, travel clinic fees, vaccine costs, Malaria medication (or any other medications you may require for travel), and passport fees. Plan to spend $400-600+ on the last four items if you don’t have a passport and haven't received the required vaccines.

A $100 deposit per person is due upon approval of your application. This amount is applied to the total trip cost. If you need to withdraw from the trip, this deposit (and any other amounts paid) can be refunded only if we have not yet paid for the flight tickets or if someone is on the waiting list and we can transfer everything to them. 

The cost of the trip is ultimately your responsibility. However, we hope to offer several fundraising options, including guidance with writing support letters and 1-2 group fundraising events. We welcome any ideas you may have!

God is bigger than the total amount. We understand that this is a LARGE amount of money, but we have seen the power of these international trips on individuals and how God provides in astounding ways. Please pray diligently about your potential involvement.

Please be aware of the following deadlines:

6 months before trip – Application and $100 non-refundable deposit (upon approval)

2 months before the trip - 50% of the trip expense is due 

2 weeks before trip  – Balance of trip expense due

Tentative Travel Dates: TBA
The finalized dates may be adjusted based on airfare and plans with our Sierra Leone partners. Training sessions will be held each month leading up to the trip, and participation is highly encouraged.

• TBA: Application and $50 deposit due

• TBA: 50% of trip cost due

• TBA: Final payment due

Passports are required to travel out of the U.S. and to enter all connecting countries en route to Sierra Leone. The passport process can take several months, so please start immediately if you still need a current passport. 

If passports are not obtained in time, applicants must use expensive emergency rush services in Detroit or Chicago. So get started right away! 

Please note: Passports must not expire earlier than one year after the return date of travel to Sierra Leone for visa approval and must have at least one blank page.

• For example, if this trip is tentatively scheduled to return on February 23, 2027, your passport must not expire before February 23, 2028.

Visas are obtained at Freetown Airport (the cost is included in the trip price).

Forms and other information are available at www.travel.state.gov/passport. 

Ashley Burger will lead this trip. She has traveled to Sierra Leone multiple times since 2017 and is excited to share her experience.

For any questions, please reach out to:

• Ashley: ashley@wearefaithchurch.com

• Amy (Office Manager): amy@wearefaithchurch.com

As with all mission trips, please remember that this is not a vacation. While part of the trip takes place in a beautiful beach setting, your time will primarily be focused on ministry, encouragement, and service. You will have occasional downtime, but you will be expected to serve in some capacity for most of the trip.

In addition to the physical and relational aspects of the trip, there is also a strong spiritual component. Team members are asked to seek Holy Spirit’s guidance throughout the experience and to work together in prayer as spiritual needs arise.

This trip requires MASSIVE amounts of flexibility and fluidity. Things in Sierra Leone change frequently, and a willing, adaptable spirit is essential.