Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS A JOURNEY 117 TRIP?

A Journey trip is an opportunity for you to learn, experience and grow. An essential part of the Journey is to learn more about God’s heart for the orphan, widow and outcast. You will be led through a discipleship process prior to and during your Journey trip that will open your eyes to the crisis around the world and teach you what God has called us as the church to do in response.

The Journey trip will take you into an area of the world where issues surrounding the fatherless are prevalent, i.e. child trafficking, poverty, HIV/AIDS, child soldiers. By experiencing these cultures first-hand and learning more about the various models of orphan care and rescue, you will walk away with a better understanding of how you can be an advocate on behalf of the fatherless.

Our goal at Journey 117 is to equip you to live out the rest of your days as an advocate. When your Journey trip is over, it’s not really over….it’s only the beginning of YOUR journey. What you decide to do with the knowledge, compassion and experience is up to you. Our prayer is that you will walk away with a clear understanding of the verbs of Isaiah 1:17 and put those into action for the rest of your days: LEARN, SEEK, HELP, DEFEND, FIGHT.

WHAT IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH WORLD ORPHANS?

World Orphans is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 Christian ministry. Journey 117 is a ministry of World Orphans.

ARE THERE ANY AGE LIMITS?

Volunteers must be 16 years or older unless they are accompanied by a legal guardian. Applicants under the age of 18 go through a more strenuous application screening by the Journey 117 staff to determine emotional stability and maturity. A parental release form must be completed to allow an underage child to participate on a Journey trip without the presence of a parent or guardian.

WHERE DO JOURNEY 117 TEAMS SERVE AND HOW LONG ARE THE TRIPS?

Journey 117 serves in areas of the world where the orphan crisis is prevalent. We work in conjunction with World Orphans, so Journey trips are scheduled in places where World Orphans partnerships have been established.

WHAT TRAINING IS PROVIDED FOR TEAM MEMBERS?

Each Journey team is led through discipleship material approximately 2-3 months prior to their departure. This is done using correspondence methods. Team members are expected to read and study the material thoroughly to prepare them for the Journey.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO LEAD A JOURNEY 117 TRIP?

A list of qualifications for team leadership can be requested from the Journey 117 office. A thorough background check, references, and team leader application are submitted and reviewed to ensure that each team leader chosen is qualified based on specific criteria and will be able to effectively follow Journey 117 guidelines.

WHAT TRAINING IS PROVIDED FOR TEAM LEADERS?

The Director of Journey 117 works with each team leader to equip and train them in areas of crisis management, trip logistics, team building and problem solving. Team leaders that are chosen have past leadership experience in cross-cultural settings and have exhibited quality leadership skills and abilities.

HOW WILL THE EFFECTIVENESS OF A JOURNEY 117 TRIP BE MEASURED?

Journey 117 trips exist to educate and equip believers who have a heart for the orphan to move into a role of orphan advocate in some shape or form as a result of their cross-cultural experience. An effective Journey trip results in compassionate, proactive orphan advocates. Additionally, all Journey 117 trips will be measured according to Seven Standards as developed by U.S. Standards of Excellence in Short-Term Mission (SOE). These standards describe what will be essential and required for all Journey 117 trips.

CAN I TAKE MY CHILDREN WITH ME?

This is definitely an option for families wishing to serve together; however, parents traveling with small children should be aware that traveling into certain areas of the world is difficult for children and can possibly hinder the ministry and overall effectiveness of the team. If you wish to travel with your child on a Journey 117 trip, please contact the office to discuss this further prior to applying for an upcoming trip.

HOW DO I APPLY FOR A TRIP?

Interested applicants can apply online by clicking the “Apply Now” icon next to their desired trip.

DO I GET TO CHOOSE MY TRIP OR WILL I BE ASSIGNED?

You get to choose your trip under most circumstances as long as the team has available spots. Occasionally there will be an urgent need somewhere else, and a Journey 117 staff member may ask you to pray about a different opportunity. Ultimately you will be able to choose your trip as long as your application and background check are approved.

CAN I EXTEND MY TRIP BY GOING OVER EARLY OR STAYING LONGER AFTER THE TEAM LEAVES?

Yes. This is a possibility but must be discussed further with the Journey 117 staff. Each team is different, so it will have to be on a case-by-case basis.

WHAT DOES THE COST OF THE TRIP COVER?

The trip costs include training materials, t-shirt, airfare, transportation, lodging, travel insurance, ministry supplies, interpreters, visa (if necessary), and food. There is also an administration fee that is built in to each trip cost to help offset the travel expenses for your team leader. The only extra money you will need on the field is for souvenirs, sightseeing or for other personal spending now mentioned in the items above.

HOW DO I RAISE FUNDS FOR THE TRIP?

The Journey 117 staff is available to assist with fundraising help and guidance. Each team member will be provided with a handbook that is made to serve as a guide on how to write a support letter, promote your mission project to those around you, and organize other fundraising events. There are also many resources online that are available to provide numerous ideas on how to get started with fundraising.

WHAT DOES JOURNEY 117 BELIEVE?

WE BELIEVE the Bible to be the Word of God verbally inspired and wholly without error in all that it declares and therefore is the supreme and final authority for faith and life.
WE BELIEVE in the one true triune God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
WE BELIEVE in the virgin birth and the deity of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, who is also the Son of Man.
WE BELIEVE that the death of Jesus Christ on the cross made atonement for the sins of the world, effective for all who repent and believe.
WE BELIEVE in the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ, which insures the resurrection of all believers who have received God's gift of eternal life.
WE BELIEVE that Jesus Christ will physically and visibly return to earth for the second time to establish His kingdom.
WE BELIEVE that man was originally created in the image of God, that he fell into sin through the first Adam, and that he is responsible for all sin that causes him to be separated from God and lost eternally.
WE BELIEVE that the Holy Spirit indwells all who receive Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.
WE BELIEVE that all Christians are called to good works and are in the world, but are separate from it.
WE BELIEVE that Christians are called to witness for Christ and to preach the gospel to all nations.