Baptists on Mission is partnering with Door of Hope to develop a village that will house abandoned children and infants near Johannesburg, South Africa. Since 1999, Door of Hope has rescued over 1750 abandoned infants with the goal of providing them a temporary Christian home while seeking long term foster care or permanent homes for each one. There are many older children not chosen for adoption who need a long term home.

Participants in this partnership will help build small cottages that will house an average of 6 children along with a host couple. Cottages will be made of interlocking cement blocks that will be made on site and then stacked to build the cottages. The process is quite simple and does not require skilled labor. Teams will also have the opportunity to worship with a local church. As an option, teams may extend their stay a couple of days to also do community ministry and evangelism with a church planting team in the Winterton area several hours from Johannesburg.  Trip dates are available in 2022, but flexibility is needed due to Covid-19 travel limitations.

History of Door of Hope

At least three babies are abandoned every day in Johannesburg. Wrapped in a plastic bag, discarded in garbage cans, thrown in dumpsters, left in public toilets, thrown in rivers, or left in hospitals and parks, these children face certain death without immediate intervention. Door of Hope has rescued and provided temporary Christian homes for over 1750 abandoned, aborted, abused, and orphaned babies and children since 1999. Door of Hope operates three baby houses, not institutions, where up to 80 babies enjoy the loving care of Christian caregivers and volunteers until arrangements can be made for their adoption.  

Trip Details

Length of Trip
The basic trip will include a 9 day stay in South Africa plus travel: departure from  NC on a Thursday or Friday, arrival in South Africa the next day, worship and orientation on Sunday, work at Door of Hope Village near Johannesburg on Monday through Friday, a choice of optional activities on Saturday, worship and departure on Sunday, and arrival in NC on Monday morning.  Extensions are available for a total stay in South Africa of up to 14 days that will allow teams to assist a church planter in Central Drakensburg or to spend additional time working at the Village.  The length of your trip will determine trip cost (see below).

Trip Cost
Total cost will be dependent on: 1) number of days you are in South Africa and 2) the current cost of airfare. Cost per person will be the cost of airfare + $55 per person per day for field costs.  Field costs include lodging, most meals, in-country transportation, orientation, and insurance. Some personal spending money will be needed for a few meals and souvenirs.  Day excursions to a lion park are available at a small additional cost, as are overnight excursions to a game park.  On-site coordinators for Door of Hope will communicate these possibilities to teams.  Teams also traveling to the Winterton area in Central Drakensburg to work with the church planter should plan an additional $750 - $1500 for their team cost.

Team Ministry Costs 

Each team should provide funds for construction projects. Unless otherwise stated, the cost for most construction projects will be a minimum of $6000 per team, with a goal of $10,000.  Cost of each cottage will be $35,000 - $40,000, so funding beyond the minimum is very helpful.  This amount must be received in our office 30 days prior to your departure date so that job site preparation may begin and materials can be delivered on-site prior to your arrival.

Teams
Teams should be comprised of no less than 5 members and no more than 20. On-site coordinators will arrange logistics for teams. Some teams may be asked to help with their food preparation.  Applicants under 18 years of age need to receive documented parental consent to participate as required by the South African government.   

Health
Team members must be in good physical health. Anyone with a chronic medical condition should not volunteer for these projects. Work will be quite hot and dusty. Volunteers should make sure the following shots are up to date: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Pertussis, Flu and Tetanus. Check with your healthcare provider and cdc.gov/travel for recommendations to the specific country destination.

Travel
All travel will be arranged by the Baptists on Mission (BOM) office. Dates for travel are listed below. Any requested change of dates must be approved by BOM.

Living and Working Conditions
Participants must be flexible and willing to work as a member of the team. Travel, living, and working conditions may be difficult at times. The work may be strenuous and the climate will be different.  Once applications and deposits have been received, team members will be given information, which will answer many questions about the trip. Team members should consult the orientation manual, which will be available through your team leader, for more information.

Other
Smoking, chewing tobacco, and drinking alcoholic beverages may be highly offensive to other Christians. Team members must refrain from these activities while traveling with Baptists on Mission.