How do my donors get a tax-deduction?
If a donor would like to receive a tax deduction, they need to make out their check directly to Global Ventures or donate with their personal credit card on our website or over the phone. As a team member, if someone makes a check out to you instead of Global Ventures, we cannot give them a tax-deductible receipt.
If more money is sent to GV than my trip cost, can I receive a refund?
No. Because of lRS regulations, we cannot give any refunds. We can hold the funds for one trip year (not calendar year) for you to use on another trip, or if you prefer, it will be disbursed at our discretion to another team member.
What if I miss a payment deadline?
Please call the office immediately if you have missed or are about to miss a payment deadline, and we can talk through the next steps for you.
What about Immunizations?
Please be up to date on all childhood immunizations. The following immunizations are recommended by Global Ventures for all travel:
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
- Tetanus
- Yellow Fever (Trip Specific: We will inform you if this shot is required for the trip you have applied for.)
Please check the Center for Disease Control website at: www.cdc.gov/travel for recommended immunizations pertaining to the country you will be traveling with Global Ventures.
How to best prepare for the trip?
A few months before the trip, you will receive a packet with ministry scripts commonly known to us as, “Pocket Nets”. To best prepare yourself for ministry, you will need to memorize the different “Parts”. Please follow the guide enclosed in your packet for how to memorize the information. The more you have memorized, the more effective you will be when witnessing to people. Please take the time to be prepared; it makes a difference in the amount of people who are reached.
Can I arrive earlier or depart later than the set trip dates?
No. Our trip dates are set, and any deviations will have to occur separately from the trip.
When will I receive my flight itinerary?
We do our best to send out all flight itineraries 4 weeks prior to departure, but sometimes we do not receive them from our travel agents until a later date. Therefore, you may not receive your itinerary until 2 weeks prior to departure.
Can I contact Global Venture's travel agent directly?
No, we will handle all communication with our travel agents on your behalf.
When and where will I meet up with the Global Ventures Team?
We do our best to book all team members through a common city in the US before we fly overseas so we will be together. In the rare occasion this is not possible, or you are flying from somewhere other than the US, we will make sure you have all the information you need to arrive at our final destination to meet the team in the airport.
How many suitcases can I bring?
Global Ventures policy is that each person is allowed one checked bag and one backpack. Even if the airlines do allow two checked bags, we cannot fit extra luggage into the taxis or buses that we take upon arriving in the country. Please be aware of the airlines’ baggage policies. Any overages or additional charges incurred due to not adhering to these policies will be paid by the traveler.
What should I expect to eat?
We endeavor to provide safe meals throughout the duration of your time in each respective country. As a team, we will need to be ready to be culturally sensitive when eating the meals set before us. We are often served meals common in the country we are ministering. This may include meals made with; chicken, beef, pork, or fish. Food allergies will be taken into consideration, but each team member should plan to have extra snacks to help compensate for the unforeseen.
What do I need to wear?
We will send a detailed, country-specific, dress-code and packing list closer to trip dates. General Dress-Code can look like this…
Street Ministry: Jeans, pants, or capris below the knee. (NO shorts, tights, yoga pants, or excessively tight jeans allowed). T-Shirts must be modest with no offensive typography or graphic. No sleeveless, low-cut, or midriff shirts will be allowed. Jacket and/or sweatshirt for colder climates.
Crusade Ministry: Dress or skirt below the knee with a blouse for women. (Sometimes dress pants or jeans are allowed depending on the culture.) Dress pants and collared shirts for men.
You may bring a swimsuit. One-piece swimsuit and shorts to the knee (or a cover-up) for walking from your hotel room to the pool. (Not all hotels will have a pool, please contact GV to see if you need a swimsuit.)
A country-specific packing list will be available in Team Portal on the GV website and App one month before your trip. We will also send you a packing list several weeks prior to the trip departure.
Will I receive a ministry schedule for my trip?
A basic ministry outline consists of the following: Street ministry during the day, possible rest times in the afternoon, and an evening crusade at night in which everyone will participate. There will also be at least one Kids Festival during the week. All trip schedules are subject to change at the discretion of Global Ventures Staff. More specific details will be given out during training in-country.
Will I be able to call home?
There is limited access to phones in some countries. We will do our best to make sure you can call home if needed, but we cannot guarantee anything. You may be able to email or contact through a social media platform if there is an internet connection at the hotel. We suggest each team member contact their cell phone carrier to be made aware of short-term international rates and plans prior to travel. FaceTime, Facebook Messenger, and other like apps will be beneficial to download prior to the trip.
Do I need an adaptor or converter?
It depends on what electronics you are bringing. Smartphones, iPads, and Laptops can handle 120, 220, and 240 volts, but you will need to see if your other items like hairdryer, curling iron, or c-pap machine can handle the changes in voltage. If they do not, then you will need to bring a converter. Most Central American countries have the same voltage as the U.S. (120 volts) and won’t need a converter. Country specific information will be included in your packing list sent out several weeks prior to the trip.
How much money should I bring?
We recommend bringing $50 – $200 depending upon how many souvenirs you want to purchase, and for any additional drinks or snacks you might want. Everything else you need (meals, water, lodging, airline tickets, travel health insurance, and in-country transportation) is covered by Global Ventures.
Have any other questions? Feel free to contact us via email.