Expedition Information
2011 Expedition Dates
Please see the dates listed below for our medical expeditions. If none of these dates fit your schedule, and you already have a team of 2 people, tell us when you can “GO”, and we will try to accommodate your dates and work with you on destinations that are available for those dates.
Spring 2011 Expedition
March 26 - April 10, 2011
Deadline for Signup - January 1, 2011
To sign up for the expedition click here
Summer 2011 Expedition
June 25 - July 10, 2011
Deadline for Signup - April 1, 2011
To sign up for the expedition click here
Fall 2011 Expedition
September 3 - 18, 2011
Deadline for Signup - July 1, 2011
To sign up for the expedition click here
General Information
In Russia, many people in isolated villages often lack proper nutrition and adequate health care. A recent Russian news article stated that 30% of the population do not have access to needed medicines and 1 out of 3 Russian villages is not connected to the outside world by a road of any kind. This creates a serious medical situation for many villages. To meet this physical need, Agape conducts medical expeditions into the extreme remote parts of Russia each year, taking doctors, medicines, and supplies to the people who live there. After meeting the physical needs, Agape team members are often able to address the deeper spiritual needs. Agape needs medical and non-medical people who will "GO" on these medical teams to share the Love of God.
Medical Expeditions
Medical and non-medical people travel in small, individualized teams to the remote, isolated parts of Russia to places where no one else wants or cares to go. Every team works with a local church.
Teams
Each team consists of 4-6 people--2-3 foreingers and 2-3 translators. The team will travel by Russian trains, private cars, and public transportation. In some cases, you may even travel by horse sleigh, snow mobile, reindeer sleigh, 6x6 trucks, or river boat. You may also be able to experience an authentic Russian banya and roll in the snow! Don’t miss it! It is a FANTASTIC experience.
Program
Once you arrive in your designated area, you will be able to share your medical knowledge and skills. For these people, a simple aspirin often makes the difference between a day of pain or a day without it. Agape will provide Russian medicines, medical instructions (in Russian and English), translators, health kits, and eyeglasses for each team.
Non-medical people can now be a part of each team by giving out reading glasses. We can teach you to fit reading glasses in about 30-45 minutes. It is a very rewarding experience to give eyeglasses to a person who has not been able to read or see clearly for years.
During your visit, you will have a chance to encourage the church, pray and share your faith with them. You will have Russian tea in their homes, hear stories about their life in the remote areas, and understand the persecutions of being a Christian among people who know nothing or very little about God. You will feel like the Apostle Paul as you understand the challenges these people face.
The final part of the rural program is carried out by the local Russian church. Agape does not work with any church that does NOT agree to do follow up. They must agree to return and offer Bible studies, answer questions, and continue to "SHOW" God's love to people. Result: the local church grows!
Graded Expeditions
Agape has many opportunities among different ―unreached people groups living in the Arctic and Siberia. Some areas are difficult to reach and have extreme temperatures, so we have "graded" our expeditions from easy to difficult. We have ―easy‖ expeditions that are in or near Moscow, while other expeditions go literally to the ―Ends of the Earth.‖ If you have never been on a difficult expedition with us, you will not be given the opportunity to do that until we know you are capable of doing it.
Trip Cost
The cost for the two-week expedition from Moscow is $3000. The expedition officially begins on a Saturday and ends on a Saturday. A deposit of $1000 is required to reserve your place on the team, and the balance of the trip cost is due 8 weeks before departure. (Non US residents may pay upon arrival in Moscow or through our secure web page by clicking here)
What is Covered
Your trip fee includes initial arrival and final departure airport transportation, all accommodations and meals on the expedition and in Moscow during the trip dates, and all other expedition expenses. We will also provide a translator on the weekends before and after the expedition to take you to several locations such as Red Square, Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Ismaylovo market for souvenirs, Mega Mall, underground metro station tour, Arbat Street, or the Botanical Gardens, and church on Sunday.
Additional Costs
Visa / LOI (Letter of Invitation)
A visa is required for travel to Russia, and a LOI is required to apply for your visa. Once we receive your expedition application, and you have been approved, we will begin helping you through this process. Since some of our visitors already have a Russian visa, the costs of these documents are not included in your trip fee. The LOI usually costs $70-$140 depending on the length of your visa. After receiving your LOI, you may apply for your visa. The cost for your Russian visa will usually run $150, but can be as much as $350 for same day processing. To become more familiar with obtaining a visa to Russia, please see the following Websites: www.russianembassy.org or www.traveldocs.com (for applicants from the US).
Transportation to Moscow
Because our team members arrive from Europe, Canada, USA, and even the Far East, our fee is based upon arrival in Moscow and does not include air/train tickets to and from Moscow. Don’t forget to take advantage of Frequent Flyer miles as you travel – you can use them to return on another expedition with Agape to the Ends of the Earth!
Optional Extras
Selected sight-seeing destinations are included in your expedition fee, but other more expensive items such as concerts, the world renown Bolshoi ballet (about $100) , the famous Moscow Circus (about $15), and Kremlin or Armory tours (about $20 each) can be arranged at your expense. If you would like to explore Moscow on your own or visit a nice restaurant, you will need to pick up the tab for you and the translator. Extending your stay with us for a few days following the expedition is possible, providing space and staff are available to accommodate you.
Sign Up
If you are interested in joining us for an expedition, please click here. We will be happy to send you additional information and answer any further questions.