Spain & Morocco

Our goal is to establish relationships, break down cultural and religious barriers, and represent Christ in a way the North Africans have never encountered before. You’ll travel in a small group, making friends and striking up conversations with people on the street, shop owners, and even the occasional tourist. You’ll use these opportunities to discuss life, customs, and faith. They won’t always be easy, and will require practice, but you can expect to get plenty of that. 

You’ll have the privilege of volunteering at a local government-run orphanage, physically caring for babies, toddlers, and children with special needs and supporting the efforts of the local staff. You’ll be supporting the missionaries we are partnering with, finding ways to encourage, bless, and support their efforts, and learning from their wealth of experience in the process. You’ll be engaging in extended times of prayer on matters both general and specific, calling on God for strength in a challenging environment and asking Him to move in big ways in this country. 

During our time in Spain, we will continue to use some of the same outreach approaches we learned in Morocco to reach North African immigrants, partnering with a team of missionaries on the ground who are working to spread the gospel among the immigrant populations in Spain, and establish new churches. 

Royal Servants takes the safety and health of each participant seriously. We go to great lengths to ensure that participants remain healthy and safe throughout the trip. Therefore, no participant is allowed to be alone in any city; Royal Servants always travel in groups of three or more, and when possible, with either a male or Summer Staff in each group. The Trip Leaders also continually monitor conditions within the host country both before and during the trip. If a situation arises that threatens the security of the team, either politically or from environmental conditions, the team will be moved to a stable location.

Trains, buses, taxis, ferries, and camels offer some unique options for transportation. You’ll explore open-air markets, meander the ancient narrow streets, and eat unique North African food, thoughtfully soaking in every experience. No need to fly to Spain, we’ll hop on a ferry to cross the Straits of Gibraltar and then make our way up the coast to our host city.

Plan for lots of walking and desert heat with no air conditioning. And if you allow God to direct your steps, it means that anything can happen, but it’s rarely comfortable or easy. When is true adventure ever comfortable or easy?

First time experiences will be your new normal as you explore this transient region frequented by tourists, heavily influenced by Western culture, yet still rooted in ancient traditions. Morocco has an incredibly rich heritage of art, music, and cuisine. You’ll have time to witness the beauty found in everyday life and be around long enough for it to start feeling like home.

Then step out of the Arab world and into the Spanish world as we make our way to Spain which offers unrivaled food, music, scenery, and beauty all its own. You’ll hardly believe these two countries are only a few miles apart, both offering their own incredible set of traditions and experiences.

Seeing the results of the team’s efforts won’t be immediate and are often invisible, but that’s the reality in ministry to Muslims. You will learn to lean on the understanding that God is at work in unseen ways and is using your efforts to build His kingdom. This trip is going to present some new and unexpected challenges on a daily basis, and you can expect to develop compassion and empathy for others whose lives are vastly different from yours. Each day will challenge you to trust God more and allow Him to take you well outside of your own comfort zone.

Spain/Morocco will be a good fit if you have a heart for Muslim people and enjoy learning about worldviews and lifestyles that are vastly different from yours. If you are someone who is comfortable striking up conversations with strangers, are eager to learn about others’ perspectives, are adaptable and like to learn by experience, you might have just found your trip for this summer.

We’ll cook many of our meals as a team, keeping it relatively simple and basic, but good for giving you the energy you need to keep you going. But expect to get out and experience the glory of local Mediterranean dishes like couscous and bastila. It’s almost certain that you’ll develop an addiction to Shawarma; top it off with some mint tea, and you’ll be hooked for life. The team will be sleeping in small, safe hotels located in the heart of the city. There’s always lots of shopping, food, and activity around. Lodging will be complete with the bedding and towels you need, but air conditioning? Not so much. But hey, it’s a dry heat.

The final week of our trip will be set aside for the important process of debriefing. There’s going to be a lot to think about by the time this trip comes to a close. Your perspective of the world may have readjusted many times over, and your trust in God will have gone to new depths. The prospect of returning home may leave you feeling anxious, uncertain, and maybe excited about what lies ahead. We’ll take time to process our many conversations, experiences, adventures, and misadventures. We’ll seek God’s perspective and guidance on how we can take this unique experience and go home with a better understanding of how He is redeeming this world and what you can be doing to help.

We’re partnering with long-term missionaries who know the scene and are deeply invested in the North African people. Our goal is to be a resource to those faithful workers: to go where they say to go and do what they say to do. They will keep a low profile and put some distance between themselves and us to minimize the risk of compromising their security. Even still, you’ll enjoy the opportunity to worship alongside them, help in their work, and hear their stories of life on the field.