Go!

There are many ways to approach short-term trips. Some of these approaches are helpful, while some can be less helpful and even harmful to the people that we are aiming to help. 

Though our trips vary greatly in purpose and the way they are run by different team leaders, based on what we know, we prayerfully strive to avoid doing harm. These are four focuses we see as part of Eastbrook’s DNA for short-term trips that help guard us and point us toward making a positive impact in the lives and communities of those we partner with.

Relationships

Relationships is a key word to how we approach short-term missions at Eastbrook. We believe that every short-term mission needs to stem from and build into a long-term relationship(s). We work together under the direction and guidance of local leaders who have invited us to participate in what God is doing in their area. We strive to develop the relationships that already exist and cultivate ones that are growing through regular contact and prayer after the trips.  

Being > Doing

We go to “be with”, not to “accomplish stuff”. Of course there will be doing and serving on our trips, but our aim and motivation in going should not be to fill our need to feel good about doing something significant, but instead to learn how to join in with what God is doing regardless of what that means for us-hard manual labor, or sitting for a week and listening to people. We embrace the ministry of presence, being with as more important than doing for. We recognize that Jesus is the Savior, not us. 

Sacrifice

Jesus encourages us to die to ourselves that we may truly live. Short-term trips require a lot of small sacrifices: time, money, comfort, security, etc. We encourage trip participants to pay for their trips in a sacrificial way. You may need to work extra hours, not eat out for a few months, and/or ask people around you to participate in the trip by donating some money to help cover trip costs. Going overseas into a new context with a group of people that are different from you can be very stretching. Learning these little ways of sacrifice is an important part of our growth as disciples in Christ, and short-term trips offer many opportunities to learn in this way. 

Spirit-Led

Short-term trips offer a unique space to learn to listen and rely on the Holy Spirit. We want each potential trip participant and leader to be prayerfully seeking the Spirit’s guidance in each step of the process. We plan diligently but also expect to be led into unexpected and stretching circumstances. We prepare well but also realize that God’s ways are higher than ours and He can change things whenever He sees fit. We bring our gifts, talents, and experiences, but we recognize that apart from Him we can do nothing.  

Care

Every year, we send people to visit our fieldworkers where they live and work to care for and support them personally if they are going through a tough time, or just for fun and encouragement. These trips are generally very small groups and are selected based on who would be a best fit for what the worker needs at the time. Usually, we send people from the field-worker’s care team. These trips are not highlighted in our Ready, Set, Go information session, but if you are interested in this type of trip please contact Dan Ryan at dryan@eastbrook.org.

SERVE

We send these trips to our partners and friends all over the world to support and encourage them in their ministry and provide physical help in the form of teaching, relationship-building, ministry of presence, prayer, kids camps, etc. Serve trips are based on the communicated needs of our partners and friends. We don’t go in presuming the needs of the ministries we are going to serve. Team leaders for these trips are those who have established relationships with those we are going to serve. The teams for these trips vary in size and the trips vary greatly in structure.

Due to security reasons, we cannot post detailed information about all of our upcoming short-term trips online. If you are interested in any of these trips and would like to learn more, please contact Miranda at miranda@eastbrook.org. 

US-Based

Through one of our members, we recruit several teams each year to partner with Samaritan’s Purse in their disaster relief and recovery efforts following hurricanes, flooding, and other natural disasters. Team members cover their transportation and hotel costs while traveling to the work site, but all other expenses are covered by Samaritan’s Purse during their service (food, housing, worksite expenses, etc.), often resulting in a total cost of only $200 to $300 per person.

Central America

Each year in December (and sometimes at other times throughout the year), our members lead trips to work with Friends of Eastbrook in Central America. This trip is a great opportunity for individuals, families with teenagers, and teens. Teams typically help lead a VBS for the local church, but each trip looks a little different depending on the invitation and the needs of our friends on the ground. While the dates are not set in stone, the cost has averaged about $1,500 per person each year.

Eastern Europe

This trip partners with a Friend of Eastbrook who focuses on serving children in impoverished communities through church planting and community development efforts in Eastern Europe. This trip is well suited for individuals, families, and teenagers. Participants serve children and families while also focusing on fellowship with the local church, building relationships, and sharing their God stories. The anticipated cost is around $1,500 per person, depending on airfare. Trips are scheduled based on interest, and families and small groups can also participate together as a team.

Africa

Several times each year (typically one trip in the spring and one in the summer), our members lead trips to Rwanda to serve alongside our friends at Good News International. We focus on the ministry of presence by meeting with, loving, listening to, and learning from the people there. Trip themes vary and may focus on men, women, youth, or pastors, depending on the team and the needs on the ground. The cost is usually between $3,000 and $5,000 per person, depending on airfare.

Southeast Asia

Each year in early August, our members travel to serve alongside Eastbrook’s long-term field workers, who operate a residential job skills training program for youth from rural areas of the country. The team supports the local staff as they launch the new school year and welcome students back to the center. Costs vary each year based on airfare but have consistently been around $3,000 per person.

If you are interested in any of these trips, please contact Miranda at miranda@eastbrook.org