Sierra Leone Mission Trip
Info & Application

This is different from your typical idea of a mission trip. We will rarely be painting, demoing, constructing, or fixing anything. We have repeatedly heard from our missionaries that those things are not the most beneficial for the cost of coming over. 

Our primary purpose is to encourage and replenish the in-country missionaries. It will be a lot of talking and, even more so, a lot of listening (often followed by prayer). 

We are truly partners in ministry, and this trip is not to flex our muscles but to connect our hearts. Once you return, you will take what you see and experience and champion what God is doing in Sierra Leone! 

 Information

  • Faith Church supports two missionaries/organizations in Sierra Leone: Geoff and Carrie Jo Cain (Global Partners - Wesleyan Church) and Enable the Children (Anna Vines through World Hope).

  • Our primary goal for all mission trips is relationship.

    The team will spend part of its time putting on a retreat for missionaries in Sierra Leone, allowing them some physical and spiritual rest amidst their challenging assignments.

    We will also work with our Missions Partner, Enable the Children, which works with kids with physical disabilities in the capital city of Freetown, and with Carrie Jo Cain, one of our missionaries in Makeni.

    Note: This trip requires MASSIVE amounts of flexibility and fluidity. Things in Sierra Leone change frequently!

  • We encourage everyone who feels a strong tug to apply. We will never make a hard and fast rule about who can and can’t apply because we never know what God is doing in a person’s heart. We want to pray and discuss this with you if you want to go on the trip.

    However, because of this trip's cost, rigors, and unique nature, we are more strict about who we accept. This trip requires such a high level of flexibility, cultural awareness, and physical fortitude that it’s truly not for everyone. There is too much at stake in the ministries we support for us to bring someone who can’t handle the extremes of this trip. 

    Some examples of typical extremes on this trip:

    • long airline flights

    • high heat - 106℉ is not uncommon

    • close encounters with people living in extreme poverty

    • terrible roads - MI roads have nothing on Sierra Leone!

    • tummy trouble - everyone gets it!

    • daily walking on unsteady terrain or up steep hills, sometimes both

    • dietary “weirdness”

      • hot dogs or whole fish for breakfast? Yep.

      • fish head soup when visiting a village? Yep – and you will eat it because we will not risk offending our hosts

    These examples are not given to scare anyone off but to give a realistic idea of what you will experience and be expected to face without complaint.

    One rule of thumb is considering going on our Mexico mission trip before applying for Sierra Leone. It is a natural stepping-stone experience. We also encourage you to serve locally with one of our local partners in depth.

    Minors under 18 will be considered if they meet the criteria discussed in this packet.
    Note: If you plan to travel without your parents, you must have written consent from both of your legal parents/guardians.

    If you have any questions about the trip or the type of individuals who would be a good fit, please do not hesitate to contact us.

  • Since we have extensive contact with children at the retreat and those that Enable the Children works with, World Hope requires background checks for everyone who travels with us. Upon approval from Faith Church for the trip, you must complete a separate application 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 traveling there each year, listening to their hearts, praying with them, and supporting them throughout the year is invaluable. For the missionaries to have to rebuild that 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 come into consideration when choosing who to fill those spots. One significant factor is that due to housing and transportation logistics the team we try to keep the team to a maximum of eight people. Therefore, we must consider the number of men vs. women and couples vs. singles to get the fewest hotel rooms necessary to be good stewards of the money raised.

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

  • There are REQUIRED vaccines (yellow fever), and some recommended vaccines and medications. 

    You can find that list through the CDC.gov website and search for Sierra Leone Traveler’s Health.

    The MSU Travel Clinic is also an excellent resource. This clinic 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. The release form is available for download at the end of the application below.

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

  • The tentative travel dates are January 25-February 10, 2025, give or take a day or two on either end. The finalized dates will be impacted primarily by airfare costs and plans on the Sierra Leone side. 

    OCTOBER 15th: APPLICATION DEADLINE

    Four mandatory training dates will likely occur each month leading up to the trip. We will inform you as soon as they are confirmed. Please make every effort to attend all of the trainings.

  • Ashley Burger and Amy Heeschen will co-lead this trip. 

    Ashley has been to Sierra Leone four times and is eager to share her experience with the team and her talents with our mission partners.
    This will be Amy’s fourth trip to Sierra Leone, and she will primarily be responsible for managing all administrative and logistical details.

    THey can be reached via email:
    ashley@wearefaithchurch.com
    amy@wearefaithchurch.com

  • The total cost is approximately $3,200 per person – depending on final flight costs (which are variable – so the price could be $500 in either direction). 

    This includes World Hope administrative fees, air travel, visa fees, airport security fees, housing, all meals, travel insurance, and ground transportation fees.

    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 on at least $400-600 for the last four items if you don’t have a passport and have never received appropriate vaccines.

    A deposit of $50 per person is due at the time of registration. This amount is applied to the total trip cost and is due at the time of registration. If, for any reason, you have to withdraw from the trip, this deposit (and any other amount paid toward the trip) can only be refunded if we have yet to pay for flight tickets or if someone is on the waiting list, and we can transfer everything over to them. 

    The trip cost is ultimately your responsibility. However, we hope to offer some fundraising options, including help writing support letters and fundraising events. We welcome any ideas you may have!

    God is bigger than the bottom line 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:

    - October 15th – Application deadline and $50 non-refundable deposit 

    - December 20th - 50% of trip expense due 

    - January 15th – Balance of trip expense due

  • Passports are required to travel out of the U.S. and arrive in all connecting countries on the way to Sierra Leone. The passport process can take several months, so please start immediately if you still need to get a current one. 

    If passports are not obtained in time, they will have to go through emergency rush services in Detroit or Chicago, which is expensive. So get started right away! 

    **Please note: passports can expire no earlier than one year past the travel return dates for visa approval to Sierra Leone and must have one blank page.

    • Example: this trip is scheduled to return on February 10, 2025. Your passport cannot expire earlier than February 10, 2026.

    Visas are obtained at the airport in Freetown (the cost is included in the trip's price).

    Forms and other information can be found at www.travel.state.gov/passport.

APPLICATION FOR SIERRA LEONE MISSION TRIP