Ministry Travel wants to remind you that the U.S. Department of State’s refund program for expedited passport service is still available.

Applicants who paid an extra $60 fee for an expedited passport application that took more than 14 days to receive may be eligible for a refund, according to the State Department.

Many applicants who paid the fee for speedy service on top of the regular $97 application fee had to wait weeks longer because of a backlog caused by new rules implemented in early 2007 by the Department of Homeland Security.

Travelers who paid the $60 fee for expedited service, and have reason to believe that they did not receive expedited service should contact the Department of State to request that the Department consider a refund of the expedite fee. Customers should submit a written request with their passport number, if available, name, date and place of birth, and approximate date(s) they applied for their passport and received their passport (if applicable). Mailing address and phone number should also be included. Send your request for a refund to:

Service Refund
Department of State 2999
Passport PL Washington, DC 20522-2999

Or e-mail the request to: refundsatpassportservices@state.gov.

The Department considers requests for refunds on a case-by-case basis. They will not refund passport application and execution fees or compensate applicants for missed travel.

If you are like many team leaders, mobilizing enough people for your trips is sometimes a struggle. It is tough getting people to volunteer halfway around the world. Utilizing your current team as a recruiting force for future trips can help overcome some of this hurdle.

Keep the Fires Burning

Even after the trip is over, do as much as you can to keep the experience in front of your team, their supporters and anyone else who is interested. Send e-mails or newsletters with updates on the progress made in the field since your trip. Also, host a picture party after you get home. Give your team the opportunity to share photos and swap digital memory sticks, but be sure to invite other people to this as well. In addition, you may want to consider monthly or quarterly prayer meetings to keep the mission flames burning until that next trip.

This is the fifth of five strategies for easier and more successful mission team recruiting. Read Frank Banfill’s entire article.