Individual FAQ
What about safety?
Food for the Hungry Team Representatives monitor international situations through the US Department of State’s Travel website (http://www.travel.state.gov/) and other subscription services. The website informs travelers about all types of risks, including health (avian influenza), terrorism and civil unrest. Team Representatives also maintain close communication with staff in the country and community where teams are sent and closely assess each situation before a team is sent out and while the team is on the field. Should a personal emergency arise either at home or while team members are on the field, the Short-term Team Ministry has an extensive emergency communication plan to address the situation. Also, all team members are required to purchase international health insurance in the event of an overseas emergency.
Do I need to obtain a visa?
While not required for all countries where teams work, some countries like China, Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia will require visitors to obtain a visa before entering the country. Typically these visas can be obtained at the airport when team members arrive. Should you be traveling to a country that requires a visa for entry, your team representative will inform you of the visa application process for that country. Also, please see http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html for foreign entry requirements.
Do I need special vaccinations or medicine?
The best advice regarding your health can only come from a professional. Team members are encouraged to visit the Center for Disease Control’s Travel website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/. This will provide information about required and recommended vaccines for particular destinations. Team members are also encouraged to visit their family doctors to update routine vaccinations as well as to receive prescriptions for any necessary malaria prophylaxis. Special vaccinations, such as typhoid and yellow fever, can only be given by special travel clinics. The CDC will have information about where to go in your area for specific vaccines.
When will I meet my team? How will I know where to go and what to do when I arrive at the airport?
While you may be in contact with some team members via email or telephone prior to the trip, you will meet the majority of your team at the airport in the pre-determined U.S. city of departure. Your team leader will provide you with all the necessary information which will be needed for you to rendezvous with your team here in the United States prior to your departure overseas. Teams will travel together with their team leader to their overseas destinations.
Once your team arrives in-country, each team is hosted by an in-country team coordinator. The team coordinator will greet the team at the airport and will have planned all of the lodging, food, transportation, and project details for the team. The team will be accompanied by the team coordinator during the entire duration of their time in the country. Often times, the team coordinator will serve as the main translator for the team. The team coordinator is very familiar with the schedule, the host country’s culture and customs. It is for this reason that team members are required to listen to and follow the instructions provided by both their team leader and team coordinator.
Do I need to know the language?
Although helpful, team members are not required to have any degree of fluency in the language of the community they will visit. The team will be accompanied by their team coordinator who will also serve as a translator at all times and additional translators will be provided, if necessary.
Do I need to have any special skills?
Team members do not need to have any special skills or experience in construction, children’s ministry, drama or music. Typically teams serve communities through basic construction projects, VBS, or education projects. Food for the Hungry will provide the details needed for your specific project to prepare your team before departing for the community. We do ask that all team participants go willing to learn and glorify God with the work of their hands.
If you do have special language, construction, music, or medical skills, we would like to know about them. Food for the Hungry will do our best to provide opportunities for you to use your abilities while serving on a short-term mission team.
What do team costs cover?
In addition to covering the costs associated with in-country lodging, transportation, food, and drinking water, the team costs will also typically provide funds that will buy materials and supplies for the project the team will be working on. This project will usually serve to meet a physical need in the community, such as building a church or school building or a water system project. Please be advised that team costs typically do not cover things such as passport application fees, visa fees, immunizations and international medical insurance.
What is the $75 participant fee for?
All team participants are required to pay a $75 participant fee. These funds help offset the costs associated with setting up a short-term team. These expenses include things such as communication with our field staff overseas and the support structures which keep us in compliance with the various international accounting and legal guidelines in the fields we serve. These costs also offset the expenses associated with things such as our pre-field ministry preparation guide and team t-shirts.
What training will I receive prior to going on the trip?
You will be provided a copy of our short-term Team Ministry Preparation Guide which includes information about Food for the Hungry’s history, vision, and ministry philosophy. Team members will work through the God’s Heart for the Poor Bible Study and look at practical information regarding culture stress, ministry ideas, how to pack for their trip and more. Supplemental information will be provided about the specific country the team is visiting as well as special project information.
How old do team members have to be?
Team members need to be 18 years of age or older. In some cases, team members below the age of 18 can apply to join a team if their parent or legal guardian is also applying to serve on the same trip. Please note that any applicant under the age of 18, must complete a special version of the team application specifically for minors.
Do team members participate in evangelism?
In short, yes. We do recognize, however, that we serve in a variety of different locations and that each of these locations faces a unique set of circumstances. As a result, our work and evangelism efforts look different in every area we serve. Paul discusses this reality in I Cor 9:19-23. In our evangelism efforts, we seek to minister to the whole person (James 2:15-17). Our in-country staff know the culture and circumstances of those the team will work with; therefore, they will serve as the team’s best resource in helping to determine what are culturally appropriate and effective means of evangelism.
How do I know I’m ready to be on a team?
One of the best ways to see if you’re ready to serve internationally is to look at the ways you’re serving here. If you have a personal relationship with Christ, are involved with your local church, and are willing to be flexible, then you might be ready to serve on a short-term team.
What is the Summit or PIM?
The Summit or Partnerships in Ministry (PIM) is a conference held by Food for the Hungry’s Volunteer Advocate and Short-term Teams Ministries every January. The conference usually begins on a Friday evening and closes Sunday with lunch. Team leaders will be given valuable training tools, encouragement by special guest speakers and musicians, and will be able to interact with FH staff and other team leaders. Any one who is involved with a team is invited to participate.
How can the team reps help me?
Often the FHUS Team Representative you work with will also be your team leader. The FHUS representative will help answer questions and guide you through the process of serving on a team.
What other opportunities are available with FH?
Food for the Hungry offers a variety of opportunities to meet spiritual and physical needs worldwide. Our Child Sponsorship program enables you to form a relationship with a child and address the spiritual, educational, health, and emotional needs he or she faces. Volunteer Advocates motivate their home community to be aware and get involved in the fight against world poverty. Food for the Hungry’s Micah Initiatives provides numerous ways for students to get involved such as the Internship Program, Campus Ministry, and study abroad opportunities through Go ED. Hunger Corps is Food for the Hungry’s long-term missionary position that serves in over 20 countries worldwide. For more information on any of these opportunities, please visit our website at www.fh.org.
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