There are many opportunities to serve on Indonesia mission trips! Whether you are engaging in English language practice, participating in farming and agriculture activities in mountain villages, or simply experiencing the vibrant local life, this mission trip will be a meaningful and eye-opening service experience for your group.
Connect directly with EM Support Staff to learn more about 2025 Indonesia mission trips — submit an interest form today!
Mission trips to Sentani, Indonesia may include a variety of opportunities for your group, depending on the season and current needs within the community when you come. Listed below are some of the activities you may engage in as a team.
Your team will stay in the guest quarters of Noni Graves' properties in Sentani. There is room for up to 14 people, sleeping in bedrooms that may or may not have beds, depending on the team size. All volunteers who come are encouraged to bring a sleeping mat and blanket with them.
Bathrooms, toilets, toilet paper, showers, and running water are available at lodging spaces. Bathrooms in the community are low porcelain bowls, squatting style. Fresh water is used for "wiping" and flushing. Toilet paper is not widely used on the island!
Filtered drinking water is available in the lodging space. Team members must bring a self-filtering water bottle so they can safely drink tap water.
There is electricity (220V) available at the host facilities. Wifi is also available and local cell phone data coverage is decent.
All homes in the neighborhood are walled and gated for security, and all doors stay locked.
Meals during your trip will be provided by our hosts, and are an incredible opportunity to try and experience local food. There will be opportunities for groups to jump in and help cook and clean.
Destination Airport: Dortheys Hiyo Eluay International Airport in Sentani (DJJ)
Team members are responsible to cover the cost of their round-trip airfare to the Sentani airport. Our staff will meet you at the airport when you arrive.
Passports - Each team member must carry a valid passport. If you have further questions regarding required travel documents we advise you to contact the US State Department - www.travel.state.gov
If you do not have a valid passport, it is of the utmost importance that you apply as soon as possible. The processing time for a Passport can take several weeks once your application has been submitted. An expired Passport is not considered valid.
Other Required Travel Documents - All team members under the age of 18 must carry a written, notarized letter from their parents giving them parental permission to leave the country. They must carry the original notarized copy of this letter. It cannot be a photocopy of the letter.
1) If the minor is traveling without parents, both parents must sign the letter.
2) If they are traveling with one parent, the parent that is not traveling with them must sign this letter.
3) If their parents are separated or divorced and both parents do not want to sign the same letter, they must have a notarized letter from each parent giving them permission to go.
Experience Mission can provide a sample copy of a permission letter or you can create your own letter that must include the following:
1) The full name of both parents and their formal signatures
2) The full name of the child
3) The full name of the Adult Chaperone serving as the Team Leader
4) The specific traveling dates for each country
5) The destination country
6) The reason for travel to the destination country (example - "youth group function")
7) The Airline itinerary (if applicable)
Upon arrival to Sentani, Indonesia, all ground transportation IS included and provided by EM's local partners.
Below is a basic schedule for the week, but we approach this with flexibility because our ultimate focus is on relationships.
Check out EM's current Covid Guidance
Experience Mission has specific policies regarding team registration and withdrawal. Please refer to the document below for specifics.
INDIVIDUALS
All volunteers on a week-long EM mission trip to Costa Rica must be part of a team of at least 10 people, with at least one team member age 21 or older to serve as the Team Leader. Not part of a group? All young adults ages 18-30 are eligible to apply for EM's IMMERSION program.
How much do Indonesia mission trips cost?
See "Upcoming Trip Dates" section below for available dates and per-person cost for each trip. This fee includes all ground transportation, lodging, meals, in-country trip-related expenses, and funds to support local staff and partners who will be leading your trip.
What will we be doing on our mission trip?
Mission trips in Indonesia typically consist of a mixture of physical work projects, hands-on service opportunities, and learning experiences. (See "Activities & Opportunities" for more details.)
What seasons does EM offer Indonesia mission trips?
Trips are currently available in Indonesia during the summer and fall months. Find the "Upcoming Trip Dates" section for future trips with availability for your group. (NOTE: EM does not offer spring break mission trips to Indonesia at this time.)
Will we work with children in Indonesia?
Most likely! Service opportunities in Sentani include working at the local orphanage and connecting with the high school. There may also be opportunities to participate in VBS-style programs for local children. If this is an important part of the trip for your group, please ask about it on your interest form to learn more!
What paperwork is required for this mission trip?
Each team member will need to fill out a team member registration form and liability waiver and all adults are required to pass a background check. Additionally, each team member will need to have a valid passport that expires at least six months after traveling to Indonesia.
Will we need a visa for a Indonesia mission trip?
You do not need to apply for a visa ahead of time. You will need to go through customs upon arrival and provide information about the nature of the trip. We will provide you with all the resources you need for this prior to your departure.
Where will our group stay in Indonesia?
Teams will be staying in guest rooms on the property of Noni Graves and her family, EM's local partner in Sentani. Sleeping quarters may include beds, but some may sleep on mats on the floor. Electricity and Wifi will be available to teams at the housing location.
Are meals provided for Indonesia mission trips?
Yes! All meals will be cooked by local EM partners and friends, with opportunities for team members to jump in and help cook and clean. It's a great opportunity to experience more of Indonesian culture!
Is airfare included in EM trip fees?
Airfare is a separate expense for each group, and it is your responsibility to book and manage your own air travel to Indonesia. (Please note: Travel to Indonesia from the U.S. may take more than a full day. Please look at flights early and plan accordingly!)
What local culture will we experience on our Indonesia mission trip?
Teams will experience a slice of authentic Indonesian and indigenous Papuan culture and while serving in Sentani. You will have the opportunity to meet and build relationships with a variety of people in the community, experience local cuisine, and see the natural beauty of this region every day.
How does this trip impact the local community?
All work projects and community outreach and service opportunities are selected and chosen by EM's local staff, long-term missionaries and local ministry operators, who have their pulse on the needs of the community and how best to integrate outside volunteers. This is so important! We ask all teams who come to defer to the knowledge and understanding our local partners have of the area, and trust that your little bit of service is what will make the most impact while you are there. Your team also has the opportunity to connect relationally in this cross-cultural setting as a picture of God's love to all people you meet.
How does EM ensure the safety of team members traveling to Indonesia?
Sentani is a safe rural community, but we also recognize there are always risks when traveling abroad. In working closely with our local partners, we make certain our housing facilities are safe and looked after and do our best to place volunteers into situations where they will not be in danger.
Will there be clean water to drink?
Yes! Purified bottled drinking water will be provided for all team members at the lodging location. Team members are asked to bring a self-filtering water bottle to make it possible to drink tap water elsewhere without getting sick.
What shots and immunizations do we need to get before our mission trip?
In addition to being up-to-date on all childhood vaccinations and boosters, we strongly recommend all participants check with the Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) as well as their local physician and closely follow their directions for recommended shots and immunizations. Click here for the CDC travel page for Indonesia.
Will we need to purchase additional travel insurance on my mission trip?
EM strongly recommends that every team member has personal medical insurance. All volunteers should check with their personal medical insurance provider regarding international coverage. If your personal insurance will not cover you, we strongly recommend purchasing additional travel insurance. Short-term travel insurance can be purchased separately through a local insurance company.
If you cannot obtain travel insurance through a local provider, upon team registration, we will direct you to a link for "Travel Insurance" on our website. This link will connect you and your team members to "Group International Travel Solutions," a trusted travel insurance company.
Does EM have any Covid requirements for teams?
We ask that teams bring 1-2 masks/person and 2-4 rapid tests in the event that someone on your team becomes sick during the trip. Outside of that, we simply recommend that teams follow current CDC recommendations regarding travel, testing, and what to do if you're exposed or get sick. View EM's Current Covid Guidance
Have more questions about Experience Mission trips? Check out our general FAQs, or call our support team at 888-475-6414.
Dont hit a snag in your mission trip planning! Fill out an interest form or call (888) 475-6414 (Mon-Thu, 9am-5pm ET) to ask questions and learn more about upcoming EM mission trips.
1
Fill out a Group Interest Form
Only takes a minute! Simply choose the community and trip dates you’re most interested in—no commitment necessary.
2
We’ll personally follow up with you this week
Answering your questions and walking you through the process of finding the best trip, registering your group, and preparing to serve together.
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You and your team serve on a cross-cultural mission trip!
Organized and led by EM field staff or local partners, your trip will bring encouragement and light to people in difficult circumstances, as you learn what it means to care for all people, whoever and wherever you are.
Read our Mission Trip FAQ and Registration Policy. If you have additional questions or don't see the dates you're looking for, fill out an interest form for the trip closest to what you're hoping for and let us know the needs of your group.
Download the free EM Fundraising Guide for all our best tips and ideas for making fundraising for your next trip fun and easy.
Download our free Fundraising Guide for all our best tips and ideas for making fundraising for your next trip fun and easy.
You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.
For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.