Makarios (West)

Vision

What is the Goal of the Trip? 

The purpose is to bring skills and training to support, equip, and empower the local church or school to accomplish specific tasks/projects. All service projects will align with existing, healthy missional efforts focused on empowerment, spiritual restoration, community building, education, and family strengthening. Participants will engage in various cross-cultural serving and learning activities.

What Heart Posture is Needed for the Trip?

As team members are learning from and engaging with others, team members should have a heart posture of humility and remember that culture does not make people, people make the culture.You are part of the long-term team and are expected to participate in all their team-wide activities, events, fasts, meals, prayer meetings, work meetings, etc. Be ready to be flexible, as activities are often subject to change due to various factors (e.g. last minute invite to someone’s home).    

Other expectations include: 

• In light of our value to hear and obey the Holy Spirit, we expect all team members to spend individual time in the Word and prayer outside of group prayer meetings. This may sound far too obvious, but this can be a hard discipline to carry out, especially when on a village trip. We can’t emphasize enough the need to daily abide in the Lord!
• Come ready and eager to learn, as life and ministry here are most likely different from what you’re accustomed to.
• Be aware of your personal needs to maintain spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically health. If you need something, ask. 

What to Expect

What Does Time with the Ministry Partner Look Like? 

• Trip participants aren’t alone. When going out, the Austin Stone team is directed by the ministry partner’s team that lives in the Dominican Republic. When going out on outreach, trip participants often split into smaller teams made up of 2 to 4 people. 

What’s a Typical Day Look Like? 

• Morning on the ministry compound 
  

What are Accommodations Like?

• The team will be staying at the Makarios compound called the MAK House. You will stay in bunkhouse-style rooms, separated by girls and guys. Each room includes three showers and three toilets. Bedding and linens are provided. All meals will be prepared daily at the MAK House. 

What’s the Location Like?

• Weather - It is humid even in the spring
• City vs. rural - City
• AC - There will be AC at the MAK House, but there may not be AC at the ministry sites.
• Public transportation/walking - They will drive in vans with the ministry partner and their trip leaders.
• Traveling there - They will fly together as a team and may have one layover. The Makarios team will pick them up at the airport. 
• Food - All of the meals are prepared at the MAK house. 
• Lodging: You will stay in bunkhouse-style rooms, separated by girls and guys. Each room includes three showers and three toilets. Bedding and linens are provided. 

What All is Covered in the Trip Cost? 

Everything you need for your trip is included in the trip cost. These costs include flights, lodging, food, transportation, ministry costs, health insurance, etc. These amounts are based on preparation costs and costs given to us by the ministry partner.

Trainings

Trainings are essential for preparing well for the ministry your team will be participating in. Therefore, trainings are mandatory and if you need to miss, you will work with your trip leaders and Mission Lead to make up the content. 

The Heart Behind Training

We desire you to pursue Jesus in your daily life and grow to be more like Him. We will provide trainings that walk through abiding and resting in Jesus (John 15), ministry overview and expectations, culture, and logistics. While we can’t perfectly prepare you for everything you might encounter, we do our best to train you with everything you’d need for your trip. 

What is Covered in Trainings? 

• The vision and practicals of how to support raise. 
• The importance of gospel conversations and prayer coming from a place of overflow from your relationship with the Lord. 
• Gospel sharing tools. 
• Practice going out and engaging in spiritual conversations with strangers. 
• How to share the gospel in cross cultural 
• How to care for people through prayer. 
• How to engage in prayer walking.   
• What the culture of  location you are going to is like. 

Trip Leaders

What Are the Expectations of a Trip Leader? 

Being a short-term mission trip leader is a rewarding experience. It makes you a part of the Great Commission, letting you respond to God’s call to the nations in a sacrificial way while also shepherding a group of people. Check out the benefits and expectations here. If you are interested in being a trip leader, you apply through the application and complete the "Trip Leader" question section. 

What does Training for Trip Leaders Look Like? 

Once confirmed as a trip leader, the trip leaders will meet with the Mission Lead from their congregation and the For the Nations staff regularly for ongoing connection and support as well as equipping you on how to lead your team well!

Financial Notes

• Budget: The cost of the trip is based on traveling to and from Austin and includes all trip insurance, transportation, supplies, lodging, and meals for the duration of the event. 
• IRS Guidelines: Gifts to the For The Nations Fund are used to support the church's global mission initiatives. You may preference the use of your gift, and we will endeavor to use the funds as you desire, but in order for the contribution to be tax deductible, the church must have ultimate control/discretion as to how the money is spent. This means that any financial gifts towards trips are non refundable. 
• If a trip is canceled due to unforeseeable circumstances, refunds will not be issued in compliance with the IRS guidelines. In some cases, it may be determined to allow raised funds to be applied to future trips.