Important Notice For GO Teams Regarding COVID-19
Global Travel Advisory
The US Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued a Global Travel Advisory of Level 4 which means they are asking all Americans to avoid travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. The CDC reports that, “Many areas throughout the world are now experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and taking action that may limit traveler mobility, including quarantines and border restrictions. Even countries, jurisdictions, or areas where cases have not been reported may restrict travel without notice.” In addition, the US is increasing its limitations for travelers re-entering its borders from other countries and quarantine restrictions.
2020 GO Teams Suspended Until Further Notice
For this reason, some of our 2020 GO Teams have been cancelled and travel for all domestic and international Teams is suspended until further notice. It is simply not wise or practical at this point for our teams to travel. We do not want to put our teams or our ministry partners at unnecessary risk. It is also reasonable to presume at this point that our teams would be too limited in their activities to be effective in carrying out ministry in the field.
Practically, what does this mean for you and your team?
1. If your team has been cancelled we hope that you will join us next year! The mission is not over – our Partners need our support now more than ever. You should have received an email through Managed Missions notifying you of the cancellation and with information regarding next steps for this year and options for your funds.
2. No steps will be taken to finalize travel plans for ANY GO Team until the restrictions on travel and/or re-entry are lifted for the location of your trip. In the meantime, some teams departing later in the year may resume meeting virtually so that if they are able to travel they will be prepared to serve well!
3. All support raising and financial deadlines for all GO Teams remain suspended. It’s very important that you communicate this information to everyone on your support team. Any donations made to your trip will be held for you to use should your current team end up traveling this year. If your team is cancelled any donations to your trip will be available for you to use on another team in 2021 or 2022.
Next Steps
As soon as any changes are made to the status of your team and it is possible for us to move forward with your team’s travel plans or reschedule we will contact you directly and work through next steps for funding and preparation.
We encourage you to shift your focus to caring for your families and neighbors. Compassion is proactively putting systems in place to care for our communities by serving the most vulnerable among us. To find out more about how to get involved in our local response as needs arise in our communities, please go HERE.
Thank you for loving our partners and their communities. Please continue to pray with us that God would be made known throughout the world in this situation and that those looking for hope would find it in Him. May His church bring Him glory!
