Frequently Asked Questions
Your questions, honestly answered.
The real things parents ask before departure, during the race, and when their child walks back through the door. If yours isn't here, call me.
Before they leave
Getting ready
Route details are available on worldrace.org for each program. Specific countries can shift based on conditions on the ground; that's part of the adventure and the trust. If you want the most current breakdown for your child's squad, call me and I'll get you the answer.
Adventures in Missions sends participants a full health and preparation guide before departure. Requirements vary by country and are updated regularly. For a country-by-country breakdown and a full prep checklist, see the Vaccines & Travel Health page in Resources. The Adventures health team has the most current specifics, and I can connect you with them if you need help sorting through it.
Every parent asks this. I love it. Each participant raises their full support through a personal page on ServiceReef. The fundraising process is actually part of the mission. It builds community and teaches your child to depend on God and on people who believe in them. You can absolutely donate, share their page, and help them rally your church. Call me and I'll walk you through the whole thing.
No, we do not allow any package shipments to the field.
While they're on the field
The middle. The hardest part.
Most participants check in with family at least once a week through WhatsApp, social media, or their personal blog. But there will be stretches of silence. Internet access varies wildly by country and ministry setting. A week without a message is usually completely normal. Two weeks? Call me and let's check in together.
First, breathe. Then call me. Cell: 904-238-8680. Office: 770-744-4542. I am your bridge to the field. For a genuine safety emergency the 24-hour line is 877-356-9266, but please come to me first whenever you can.
Call me. This is literally what I'm here for. Adventures takes the emotional and spiritual health of participants seriously, and there are coaches and pastoral resources on the field. Please don't go directly to field staff; let me be the bridge. I will advocate for your child and keep you informed every step of the way.
This happens. And it is handled with a lot of care. Your child should speak with their squad leader first. Then call me. I can help you understand the process, work through the conversation with the field team, and advocate for whatever your family actually needs. You don't have to figure this out alone.
Such a good question to ask yourself. If your child is physically safe and communicating (even occasionally), give them room to grow. The discomfort you're feeling at home is often the same discomfort they're working through on the field, and it's producing something beautiful in both of you. Seth Barnes writes about this often at sethbarnes.com. And if you're still unsure, call me. I'll be honest with you.
When they come home
Re-entry: nobody warns you about this part
This is the season most parents are least prepared for. Your child may come home restless, grieved, or disconnected from things that used to matter to them. That is not failure. It is transformation. I have specific resources to help you move through it, including the Kingdom Journey framework from Seth Barnes which speaks directly to what your child and your family are experiencing.
They are different. That's not a warning sign; it's the whole point. Whether they've been gone 3, 9, or 11 months, they've been living simply and serving sacrificially, and experiencing the world at that depth reshapes a person. Give them time. Give them presence. Give them space. Don't rush them back to how things were before. I have resources built specifically for this season and I would love to connect you with them.
Listen way more than you talk. Ask questions that invite story, not resolution. 'What was the hardest moment?' lands better than 'so what's the plan now?' Don't try to fix or normalize what they went through; hold space for it. Adventures has re-entry resources and I can connect your family with community that understands. Seth Barnes' blog (sethbarnes.com) is a great starting point, especially anything tagged Kingdom Journey.
Still have a question?
Just call me.
If your question isn't here, that's exactly what I'm here for. Reach out anytime.