Payment Policies for All Trips

Please carefully review the following payment requirements and policies for your mission trip:

• Group Registration Fee 
  • A $499 nonrefundable group registration fee is required in addition to the per-person trip cost. 
• Participant Deposit 
  • A $50 nonrefundable deposit per participant is due at the time of registration. This deposit will be applied toward the overall trip cost. 
• Trip Length 
  • Both arrival and departure days are included in the total trip day count. 
• Adjustments to Group Size 
  • Participant numbers may be adjusted up until 2 months prior to the trip start date. Changes must be submitted through the “Update/Change” form in your Managed Missions Portal. 
  • At 2 months prior to the trip start date, final group numbers are locked. No refunds or credits will be issued after this date. However, substitutions may be made up until 2 weeks prior to departure. 
• Payment Schedule 
  • If registering during Early Bird, Summer, Fall, or Holiday pricing periods, groups must follow the designated payment schedule. 
  • If deadlines are missed, pricing will automatically revert to the current standard rate for the chosen location. 
  • For teams registering less than 5 months prior to the trip start date, the payment schedule will be condensed and adjusted on a case-by-case basis. 
• Refunds and Late Fees 
  • All payments are nonrefundable. 
  • Payments not received by the due date are subject to a 5% late fee, added to the current invoice. 
• Lodging (Guesthouse/Hotel Option) 
  • Standard lodging is based on 4 participants per room, typically with shared double beds. 
  • Groups requesting separate beds for all participants, or fewer than 4 people per room, must reserve additional rooms at an added cost (subject to availability). 
• Construction Ministry Option 
  • If your group chooses construction projects as a ministry option, the donation amount for materials will be added to the final payment. 
  • Any upgraded recreation options selected will also be included in the final payment. 
  • Construction donations and recreation selections must be finalized prior to the final payment date. 
• Medical Mission Option 
  • A $600 processing fee applies to all medical mission trips. 
  • All medical licenses must be submitted at least 4 months prior to the trip start date. 
• Payment Methods 
  • Credit card payments are subject to a 3% processing fee.
    

ACH payments are available with no additional fee.

Credit Toward a Future Trip

• If a group cancels more than 2 months prior to their trip start date, payments (excluding the nonrefundable amounts listed below) may be credited toward a future mission trip. 
• The future trip must be re-registered and take place within 12 months of the original trip date. 
• The $499 Group Registration Fee, the $50 per person deposit, and the first one-third payment are nonrefundable and remain with Thirst Missions. 

Cancellations Within 2 Months

• If a group cancels less than 2 months prior to the trip start date, no credits or refunds will be issued. 
• If all Individual Registration Forms are not submitted by the 2-month deadline, Thirst Missions reserves the right to cancel the trip. 
• If final payments are not received by the final due date (2 months prior to departure), Thirst Missions reserves the right to cancel the trip. 

Explanation of Policy

At Thirst Missions, all payments are nonrefundable. This policy allows us to keep trip prices affordable while maintaining the high level of quality we are committed to providing.

Mission trips require significant expenses long before a team arrives, including:

• Recruiting and training staff 
• Producing and distributing manuals and materials 
• Creating customized trip itineraries 
• Coordinating ministries with local pastors and leaders 
• Securing lodging, meals, and recreation options 
• Arranging safe and reliable transportation 
• Conducting site visits and follow-up with partner churches 
• Ongoing administrative and operational costs 

Because these expenses are incurred in advance, late cancellations not only create financial strain but also deeply impact the pastors, churches, schools, and communities who were depending on the trip. In many cases, late notice makes it impossible to schedule another group in time, resulting in lost ministry opportunities.

Unforeseen Circumstances

Thirst Missions assumes no liability if a trip must be relocated, rescheduled, postponed, or canceled due to circumstances beyond our control. These may include, but are not limited to:

• Natural disasters or extreme weather 
• Fires or other local emergencies 
• Government restrictions or regulations 
• War or acts of terrorism 
• Transportation or utility disruptions 
• Epidemics or other health emergencies 

If it becomes necessary for Thirst Missions to close a mission trip location, groups will be offered the option to:

1. Transfer to another trip or location (if space is available), or 
2. Receive a full refund, if transfer is not possible. 

Thank you!

Thank you for your understanding and your commitment to ministry. While cancellations are sometimes unavoidable, it is our prayer that every mission trip brings glory to God and that each participant experiences the joy of serving alongside the global body of Christ.