Trips
Merge Trips
COVID-19 and Merge Trips
The goal of Merge is not to put any trip member, Merge staff, or host partner in danger in any way regarding COVID-19. Only when Merge, the Evangelical Covenant Church, and the global church hosts agree the danger regarding COVID-19 is within a manageable risk level will a team be allowed to travel to a specific location on a Merge trip. As always Merge is monitoring all situations regarding the pandemic and other health issues. Different countries may have different entrance and travel restrictions, which will mean decisions will need to be made on a case-by-case basis.
Nevertheless, Merge is currently signing up teams for 2021, especially starting in June 2021. During the six months before the implementation of a particular trip, the Merge coach and director will be in communication with the team leader regarding the latest COVID-19 restrictions. During the six months the team leader, Merge staff, and hosts will determine the feasibility regarding the implementation of the trip. The final decision can be made at any time before the trip in what the team leader, Merge staff, and host partners feel most comfortable with.
No deposits are being requested for teams who register for trips in 2021. Therefore, there will be no deposits to refund. Teams will not need to pay for their trips until the last minute, so that refunds will likely not be necessary.
If a trip is implemented, there may be COVID-19 restrictions placed on the trip for the protection of all involved. What those guidelines and restrictions will be depends on the medical professional's recommendations at the time.
Thank you,
Dale Lusk
International Director - Global Engagements
Where in the World
These are some of the locations around the world that have opportunities for MERGE trips:
North America – Canada, Mexico, US (including Alaska)
Central America – Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama
South America – Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Uruguay
Caribbean – Cuba, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica
Europe – Estonia, France, Finland, Spain, Sweden
Africa – Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Zimbabwe
Asia – India, Japan, Taiwan
How to Get Started
- Contact Dale Lusk at MERGE to discuss your team’s best options.
- Confirm which country you will visit and dates you will travel.
- Your trip facilitator will then contact you to help plan ministry ideas, housing, and more
- Mail your $250 deposit to: MERGE, c/o Serve Globally, 8303 W. Higgins Rd., Chicago, IL 60631
- You will be emailed a packet of MERGE forms for your team to fill out and send back before your trip
You Will Be Responsible for
- Your team’s airline tickets to and from country of service
- Fundraising for your team
- Gathering MERGE forms and sending them in before your trip
Current Trip Offerings: 2021
AFRICA
KENYA
August 5-16 – KAPENGURIA, KENYA
- Jitokeze Development Project
- Self-Helps Groups/Community Development, Computer Training, Sewing
$1005 per person
November 4-15 - KAPENGURIA, KENYA
- Jitokeze Development Project
- Self-Helps Groups/Community Development, Computer Training, Sewing
ASIA
INDIA
July 10-18 – KANNAD, INDIA
- Rural Ministry with farmers in villages
- Agriculture, Music, Education
$800 per person
October 9-18 GUJURAT, INDIA
- Hindustani Covenant Church
- Men’s Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Agriculture, Community Development
November 5-13 PUNE, INDIA
- Hindustani Covenant Church
- Social Justice, Community Development, Outreach
EUROPE
FINLAND
December 27-January 3 - VAASA, FINLAND
- Swedish Free Church in Finland annual Midwinter Camp
- Youth Camping Ministry
$915 per person
SWEDEN
June 14-21 – NORRKOPING, SWEDEN
- Immigrant Outreach, Muslims, Church Plant
- Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Women’s Ministry, Outreach
$700 per person
July 4-11 – GOTHENBERG, SWEDEN
- Camp on Hönö Island
- Camping Ministry
LATIN AMERICA
ARGENTINA
December 27-January 3 – BARILOCHE, ARGENTINA
- Covenant Churches of Argentina, Feeding program
- Feeding program for senior adults and children, Worship Services
BRAZIL
July 1-10 – SÃO LUIS, BRAZIL
- Urban Ministry, Church Partnership
- Children and Youth Ministry, Urban Partnerships, Construction
$725 per person
COLOMBIA
July 18-24 ARMENIA, COLOMBIA
- Urban community ministries
- Teenage moms, Drug Rehab, Street Children, Food Bank
$675 per person
COSTA RICA
March 23-30 – HEREDIA/SARAPIQUI, COSTA RICA
- Urban Church/ Rural Mission Outreach to Nicaraguan immigrants
- Youth Camp, Homeless Ministry, Children’s Ministry, School Classes, Women’s Ministry
$825 per person
July 23-30 – HEREDIA, COSTA RICA
- Rural Church Ministry
- English Classes, Feeding Program, Youth Camp
$710 per person
ECUADOR
July 15-21 GUAYAQUIL, ECUADOR
- Evangelical Covenant Churches and Schools
- Worship Services, School Events, Church outreach events
$820 per person
July 16-22 CAYAMBE, ECUADOR
- Evangelical Covenant Churches and Ministries
- Worship Services, Clinic, Children’s Home, At-risk Women’s ministry
$800 per person
August 9-15 – SANTO DOMINGO, ECUADOR
- Covenant Churches and Camping Ministry
- English Classes, Sports Ministry, Camping Ministry
$790 per person
JAMAICA
May 15-22 – KINGSTON, JAMAICA
- Child Development Center
- Teaching and Construction
$940 per person
June 9-16 – SPANISH TOWN, JAMAICA
- Children’s Home
- Children’s Ministry, Youth Ministry, Construction, Agriculture
$940 per person
July 1-8 – KINGSTON, JAMAICA
- Urban Senior’s Ministry
- Senior Citizens Ministry, Gardening, Community Clean Up
$940 per person
MEXICO
March 27-April 2 – SAN LUIS RIO COLORADO, MEXICO
- Immigrant and Church Ministry
- Food service, Construction, Single Mothers, Children’s ministry, Prayer Walks
$635 per person
May 29-June 5 – PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
- Education and Sports Partnership
- School Classes, Cooking, Parenting workshops, Drama, Home Visits, Sports Ministry
$830 per person
June 14-21 – PLAYA DEL CARMEN, MEXICO
- Education and Sports Partnership
- School Classes, Cooking, Parenting workshops, Drama, Home Visits, Sports Ministry
$830 per person
June 21-27 – SALTILLO, MEXICO
- Rural Church and Immigrant Ministry
- Children, Women, Sports and Immigrant Ministry
$560 per person
July 10-17 – MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Urban Ministries to Immigrants
- Immigration Journey
$805 per person
July 24-31 – MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Urban Ministries for Women
- Female Victims of Abuse
$760 per person
August 7-14 – MEXICO CITY, MEXICO
- Urban Ministry to Rural women
- Indigenous Families in Urban Situations
$825 per person
NICARAGUA
July 6-11 – RIVAS, NICARAGUA
- Bethel Mission Rivas – Ministry to families living in the city dump
- Children’s Ministry, Construction, Reforestation
$730 per person
PANAMA
July 10-21 – PACORA, PANAMA
- Church and School in a housing project
- Youth and Children, Evangelism, Construction, Marriage Workshops
$1140 per person
July 24-August 4 – PANAMA CITY, PANAMA
- Urban Church
- Youth and Children, Women’s Ministry, Construction
$1140 per person
PERU
July 24-31 – PIURA, PERU
- HIV Infected individuals and their families
- Sewing, Baking, Cooking, Construction, Carpentry
$685 per person
NORTH AMERICA
UNITED STATES
June 5-12 – CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, USA
- Urban Community Ministry
- Feeding program, Education about urban poverty, thrift store, Apartment projects
$500 per person
July 31-August 7 – BETHEL, ALASKA, USA
- Evangelical Covenant Church
- Construction, Home Visits, Feeding program, Children, Youth
$685 per person
Current Trip Offerings: 2022
AFRICA
KENYA
March 19-27 KAPENGURIA, KENYA
- Jitokeze Development Project
- Self-Helps Groups/Community Development, Computer Training, Sewing
$1005 per person
August 6-14 KAPENGURIA, KENYA
- Jitokeze Development Project
- Self-Helps Groups/Community Development, Computer Training, Sewing
$1005 per person
November 5-13 KAPENGURIA, KENYA
- Jitokeze Development Project
- Self-Helps Groups/Community Development, Computer Training, Sewing
$1005 per person
ASIA
INDIA
January 15-23 – KANNAD, INDIA
- Rural Ministry with farmers in villages
- Agriculture, Music, Education
$800 per person
LATIN AMERICA
HAITI
January 29 – February 5 - BERCY, HAITI
- Rural church and school
- Agricultural Work, Medical Clinic, Construction
$1565 per person
Current Trip Offerings:
Disaster Response Trips are suspended due to COVID-19.
FUNDRAISING
Following the call to missions involves the whole community. Let others share in your joy and support your MERGE mission trip.
Ideas:
- Have a MERGE Mission Sunday. Ask for your church for support.
- Host bake sales, dinners, or work days where the proceeds benefit missions and you ask for sponsors.
- Encourage potential supporters to buy Top of the Lake Coffee
Top of the Lake Coffee
Support: MERGE receives a generous portion of the proceeds from each package purchased.
Give Back: Your freshly roasted coffee is purchased from individual farmers or local cooperatives at better than the commodity index price for coffee, providing meaningful economic impact for their families and communities.
Build: Your group receives the difference to support mission experiences or other youth ministry projects.
Contact us
Dale Lusk:
dale.lusk@covchurch.org
(956) 458-9568
MERGE:
merge@covchurch.org
(773) 907-3351
8303 W. Higgins Rd.
Chicago, IL 60631