Question
· I’ve decided that I would like to join an Overland Expedition, where do I start?
· Is travel with Overland Missions safe?
· If there is some kind of emergency while I am away is there any way I can be contacted?
· Do I have to be inoculated before going on a mission trip with Overland even if I have obtained a religious exemption in the US?
· What kind of food would I eat on an Overland mission?
· What do I do when I get back from a expedition?
· How do I pay for my Trip?
· Does Overland offer any help with the fundraising aspect of the expedition?
· Am I Too Old for an Overland Expedition?
· How do I know that God is calling me to go?
· I have a question that isn't mentioned here?
Answer
· I’ve decided that I would like to join an Overland Expedition, where do I start?
Completing an application is the best place to start. Try to narrow down your 1st and 2nd expedition of choice, considering: dates, length of expedition and location. But even if you don’t get that far, go ahead and complete the application process. Once we receive your application we will contact you within a weeks time to talk with you more at length about your placement on an expedition team. Please be aware that we cannot guarantee a spot for you on a particular expedition until you pay a deposit ($200, non-refundable). Once you complete our telephone interview you'll be notified of your acceptance and we will hold your application and pre-approved status for one year. This will give you the flexibility to join an expedition immediately without waiting through the application process only to discover that your mission of choice is already full.
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· Is travel with Overland Missions safe?
Define safe. We guarantee that while on an Overland Mission you will be out of your usual comfort zone and will experience any number of the following: eating something that doesn’t agree with your body (and the bathroom may be the side of the road), coming into contact with dangerous wild life, strange rashes or bug bites, adrenaline rushes (that could have varying effects on your body) and you will most likely be absolutely ruined for the status quo. However though there are risks involved in this type of adventure travel (see disclaimer), understand that you will be traveling with experts in the field who have the experience and the best technology at their fingertip to deal with unsafe situations, should they arise. If you are the type of person limited by fears, this type of mission may be just the thing you need to help you to realize how big our God is and that the earth truly is the Lord’s and everything in it. We believe that we have been commissioned by God and that with that comes His protection. This of course does not mean that everything will be easy, but we do believe that He is bigger than any other force in this world.
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· If there is some kind of emergency while I am away is there any way I can be contacted?
Yes, every expedition is outfitted with a satellite phone. In the case of an emergency instruct your friends or family to contact our office and we will get in touch with your team leader.
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· Do I have to be inoculated before going on a mission trip with Overland even if I have obtained a religious exemption in the US?
Yes, keep in mind that you will be dealing with third world border patrols who are not given to the ‘politically correct theme’ popular in the States. You must have the required vaccines (see Center for Disease Control – www.cdc.com and speak with your doctor) along with the appropriate paperwork provided by the health care professionals who administer them. Customs will not let you enter their country without the correct paperwork (they are not concerned that you will catch a disease while in their country, they are concerned you will bring one in). Overland Missions recommends every vaccine and preventative measure recommended by the CDC, however we only require what is mandatory for travel in the regions we expedition.
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· What kind of food would I eat on an Overland mission?
While in the third world you will probably find that yourself eating better than you did at home. Because of the lack of refrigeration and other modern conveniences, the food is incredibly fresh. There will be available to you many fresh fruits and vegetables (some that you have never tried before), meats and grains/lagoons, which will provide a well balanced, nutritious diet. When traveling through the larger cities or ports, you will find more of the junk food we’re accustomed to in the States, and at times you will be served local cooking (most meals are prepared by the team) at homes or in restaurants – be prepared to try some different things to avoid offending those we are ministering to.
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· What do I do when I get back from a expedition?
Keep in touch with all alumi from your expedition. Keep in touch with all third world people that you ministered to on the field for at least two years. Attend the Overland conferences and keep in touch with Overland Missions for future opportunities for short-term and long-term trips. Share your experiences (We won't have to tell you to do that). Encourage people (help them develop a global perspective) to get involved in Missions in a variety of ways (Prayer, financial support, prayer, fundraising, prayer, supporting specific projects, and did I mention prayer?)
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· How do I pay for my Trip?
Each candidate is responsible for raising their own support for the expedition. You will be responsible to raise the money for your expedition fee, your airfare and any other costs that you might have for the trip. Please read the answer to the fundraising question for more information.
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· Does Overland offer any help with the fundraising aspect of the expedition?
Yes. Often times the financial aspect of the expedition is the most fearful part of the preparation process. You may think that the cost of the expedition is beyond your resources; please let me encourage you from God's perspective. If God is calling you to go then He will provide what you need to get there. We have a fundraising section in our orientation packet that will help you with your fundraising. Once You've got the assurance of God's call, you'll be able to stand firm to see His provision come. Once you've got that, we'll help build you up and encourage you in the fundraising aspect of the expedition.
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· Am I Too Old for an Overland Expedition?
No, although the age of most of our candidates ranges from 18-25, we do not put any restrictions on the ages of our candidates. Candidates must be at least 18 however. We accept all ages because of the group dynamics involved in each expedition team. Each team member has knowledge of God through life experiences that the other members may not have. We welcome and encourage participation from all ages because every person contributes to the team with their wisdom and unique perspective. Our oldest candidate to date was 76.
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· How do I know that God is calling me to go?
Perhaps the better question is . . . How do I know that God is not calling me go? or . . . Is God calling me to stay home? God has issued a call to His followers to spread the Gospel throughout the earth. Mark 16:15, Matt 28:18-20. If you have a desire to bring the Gospel to those in other nations, start putting your foot forward to fulfill that call. Again, Don't let your circumstances dictate whether you'll participate in a missions trip or not. If Paul let his ship wrecks and beatings determine the will of God for his life he would have surely given up. Don't let your success in raising money determine whether God is calling you or not. God's call doesn't come through circumstances. Get on your face and find out what God is saying to you. Get your face in the Scriptures and ask the Lord to speak to you from His Word. Get the assurance of His call on the inside of you and set your face toward fulfilling the call, whatever it takes!
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· I have a question that isn't mentioned here?
Please feel free to contact us with any question. Call the office 321-452-9696 or e-mail the office: office@overlandmissions.com. You can also write to us: PO BOX 566 Cape Canaveral, FL 32920
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