Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10
The Raining Season provides the unique opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone and visit The Covering in Freetown. Each year, we are blessed to welcome eight to ten teams. Education teams, medical teams, men’s teams, and general mission teams are only a few of the teams that travel each year.
We know firsthand that the thought of traveling to a foreign country and the unknowns can be a little intimidating. Those who have traveled before probably remember preparing for their first trip. Things have changed quite a bit since teams first began traveling. I remember my first trip back in 2013. Originally, teams stayed at the center in the guest apartment. There was no guarantee of running water onsite and no reprieve from the heat, but each morning we awoke to the children singing praises and preparing for the day. I remember traveling in early June, the start of the raining season. The biggest treat was the heavy rains that would move through in the evenings. Our team would take turns positioning ourselves beneath the downspout showering and washing our hair with the fresh rainwater. Travelers still get a true African experience, but a few changes have been made over the years to accommodate both the children and staff at the center as well as travelers.
The opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone means you will be welcomed with open arms by the children and staff. If you’ve been thinking about traveling with The Raining Season but aren’t sure what to expect, check out these FAQs about traveling to Sierra Leone.
WHO TRAVELS WITH TRS? High school students, college students, married couples, single, retired, families...ANYONE can travel with The Raining Season. You will join a team of 10-15 people. Some may have traveled to Sierra Leone multiple times, while others will be traveling for the very first time.
WHERE DO WE STAY IN COUNTRY? We stay at the Swiss Hotel in Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. Freetown has over 800,000 people and our child life center is stationed in the heart of the city. Accommodations while traveling will be at the Swiss Hotel, just a few blocks from our center where the kids are. The hotel has a full restaurant, wifi, air conditioning, and hot showers. After a busy day, you will be guaranteed a good night’s sleep.
WHAT DOES A TRIP CONSIST OF? Your trip will be 9-10 days, including travel. While in country, you will spend time at The Covering with our 90+ beautiful kids. You will also have opportunities to participate in community outreach around Freetown and other parts of Sierra Leone. We look for ways to join the good work already happening in Sierra Leone and be a part of serving the community where our kids live.
HOW MUCH DOES A TRIP COST? The total cost can vary from $2,700- $3,500. Prices can vary according to plane tickets. The cost of the trip includes airfare, hotel accommodations, money towards a community project, a beach trip, several in-country activities, and two meals. This price does NOT include the cost of your passport, visa, shots, or in-country meals and souvenirs. There is a separate $150 application fee that does NOT count toward your total amount paid in for your trip. Trip payments will be set up in four allocations that will be communicated to you once you are placed on a travel team. It is not uncommon for travelers to fundraise to support the cost of their trip.
HOW DO I APPLY? To apply to travel there is a simple travel application and a non-refundable $150 deposit. Once we have received your application, your place on the team will be reserved and we will email you a TRS Missions Travel Guideline. This will ensure you have all the information needed for your trip. You will also be added to your team's Facebook page. This will allow you to get to know your team and stay updated on any important information regarding your trip.
WHEN ARE TEAMS TRAVELING IN 2019? 2019 travel teams are filling up quickly, but it’s not too late to apply to travel this year. Here is a list of remaining trips in 2019:
February 9-18 - General Mission Team
April 6-14 - Rodan + Fields Mission Team
May 25-June 3 - Education Team
June 8-17 - General Mission Team
June 22-July 1 - General Mission Team
July 6-15 - General Mission Team
October 12-21 - Roots Mission Team
November 2-11 - General Mission Team
We look forward to welcoming each team to Sierra Leone this year. We pray for our travelers as they prepare for their trips. We pray that the Lord will be working in their hearts allowing them to see the Sierra Leone as He sees Sierra Leone. We pray for the relationships they will make and the people they will interact with.
Many blessings,
The Raining Season