Debriefing is the deliberate process of unpacking and processing your past field experiences with a facilitator for the purpose of understanding your story in a holistic and life-giving way so that you can transition well into whatever is next. Debriefing is not a substitute for counseling, clinical care, spiritual direction, or coaching, but may serve as an entry point into these avenues for growth and/or healing.

Abide debriefing is designed to serve cross-cultural workers who have lived and served abroad for at least one year. Whether your return to the U.S. is for furlough, medical leave, retirement, a planned repatriation, or unforeseen transition off the field, Abide provides time and space to process, gain perspective, and experience spiritual renewal.

We encourage those seeking debriefing to give themselves at least one month in the US prior to coming to debrief. This provides enough time to begin to get a sense of how it feels to be "back" and how transitions in relationships may impact you.

Beyond that, although we have had people come to debrief three, five, and even twenty years after their return and receive immense benefit, we do encourage participants to debrief sooner rather than later.

Registering early will help to ensure your place in the debriefing. For most debriefings, the deadline is 30 days prior to the start date. This helps us to plan and prepare for each class size of adults and children.

It is important, however, that those registering be as certain as possible of their participation. This helps avoid late cancellations, which in turn helps avoid the cancellation of childcare workers or facilitators hired based on registrations received.

If you cancel your registration more than 30 days from the start of this event, 90% of your total registration will be refunded, and the 10% deposit will be retained to cover administrative costs. If you cancel within 30 days of the event, 50% of your total registration will be refunded.

If TRAIN International cancels or changes the event in such a way that you are no longer able to attend, and you are unable to transfer to a different date, your entire registration (including your 10% deposit) will be refunded.

Yes, once registered and paid, you may transfer to a later training session. Please let our team know as soon as possible if you are changing your registration.

For the Joplin debriefings, Joplin, MO airport (JLN) is most ideal at less than ten minutes from our facility. However, it is a small airport and flights are sometimes limited. Other nearby airports include Springfield, MO (SGF) at 1 hour 10 minutes away, Bentonville, AR (XNA) at 1 hour 20 minutes away, and Tulsa, OK (TUL) at 1 hour 40 minutes away.

For our Spokane debriefing, the Spokane airport (GEG) is recommended.

For our Savannah debriefing, the Savannah airport (SAV) is recommended.

Each day begins at 9:00 am with group debriefing, activities, and intermittent breaks until lunch.

(On Monday, we ask parents to arrive at 8:30 am to meet with the TCK staff when the parents are dropping off their kids.)

After an unhurried lunch and break time, we gather for afternoon sessions and finish by 4:30 pm, providing time for families to reconnect and for all to determine their dinner plans.

We provide light snacks throughout the day, and full lunches Monday-Thursday. Participants are responsible to secure housing, and other meals. We have negotiated rates with local hotels and AirBnBs within our network. Once you register, you will receive a list of these housing options.

We are an independent and unaffiliated training organization.

We have the privilege of serving a great variety of agencies, churches, and denominations.