Trinidad

Application Information

• Please create an account for both you and your student. Then apply for the trip under the student’s name. 
• There are questions the student will need to fill out in the application and questions that the parent will need to fill out.
• The application will take 15 - 20 minutes. 
• If you are a family that has multiple people applying for trips, check out the ServiceReef How To Guide. 

Trinidad and Tobago Urban Ministries Vision

The vision of Trinidad and Tobago Urban Ministries is to assist individuals, families, and communities with their physical and spiritual needs in order to grow the body of Christ, His church, and to give glory to God the Father. TTUM has been hosting mission teams for over twenty years under the supervision of Pastor Ashoke Bachew.

 Mission opportunities include:

• Vacation Bible School / Backyard Bible Clubs
• Construction projects
• Outreach at rehab centers, elderly homes, children’s homes
• Sports ministry

This year's team will be focused on Vacation Bible School/ Backyard Bible Clubs, sports ministry, and potentially some construction projects.

Stories from Last Year

“God showed me how giving and serving can be so fruitful to both parties. I was able to spend time with people and pray for them and one even prayed for us back. We also heard a sermon about a testimony about a pastor that was evangelized by missionaries from Michigan which shows the importance of our work there.” - Student

“On our last day of VBS, I met a 15 year old named Joshua. He was my age, so we connected pretty well. We passed the frisbee around, and eventually got to talking. He told me all about how his ADHD makes school difficult for him, and even told me about his struggle with depression. After worshiping with the kids at the VBS, another Austin Stone student, a local teenager, and I all got together to pray for him personally. I told him that even when It feels like nobody in the world loves you, Jesus does, and His love is the only thing we really need.” - Student  

Trip Leaders

• North: Faith O'Brien and Emily Echols
• St. John Leader: Coming Soon
• Downtown Leader: Coming Soon

Safety

The ministry has been working with Americans for over 30 years and they have never had any issues with crime, and our previous trips to this partner have been executed with the standard of safety and care we require at The Austin Stone. Every year around this time, the American Embassy typically puts up warnings to their citizens to stay away from Trinidad because of the Carnival Festival, which is similar to Mardi Gras. Most of these parties take place around the Port Of Spain area, which is about an hour away by car from where the partner ministry, TTUM, works.

All outreach is finished by 6pm and then the students remain inside the gated retreat center, which is also about an hour away from the places that the US Embassy has listed as dangerous. We are thankful that God has provided opportunities to engage in what He is doing in Trinidad. During the trip, the student participants will be led by Students ministry staff, who are committed to keeping every student safe. The teams will be operating in groups of 3 or more, including at the airport and going through customs, so no one will be alone and they will remain in constant contact with Students staff.

Support Raising:

We encourage all of our students to support raise for their trip. It is an opportunity to invite them to see how God provides. Part of the first training will be going over how to support raise. We will also send out the information following that training.

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. You can see the estimated breakdown of the budget here to learn more. 

• 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 (including Covid-19), 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.

• Student Drop Deadline: Any student that has to drop out of the trip after April 7 for any reason is required to raise the full amount of $950 to cover the trip expenses incurred by the church on their behalf. Any charitable contributions received that exceed $950 are not legally refundable.

Logistics

• Travel: The team will be flying to and from Port of Spain Trinidad.

• Lodging: The team will be lodging at TTUM retreat center. Participants should bring a flat sheet and a light blanket. (We will be provided a fitted sheet, pillow, and pillowcase at the TTUM retreat center.)  

Trainings

• There will be a total of 4 trainings leading up to the trip. The dates will be communicated with you once your student is registered for the trip. They are held after the Sunday worship service at St. John Campus.