Dear Friends,
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the cancellation of our upcoming Guided Global Odyssey to the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador. We know this will come as a disappointment to many of you who were looking forward to this transformative immersion experience. In light of recent policy changes by the Trump Administration—policies that are making our world less safe, less cooperative, and more fractured—we feel we have no choice but to put all our odyssey experiences on hold until further notice.
The World Has Changed, And Not For the Better
We designed our Guided Global Odysseys as immersive, sustainable, and locally-led experiences that honor the wisdom, resilience, and sovereignty of the communities we visit. The U.S. government's increasingly hostile approach to international diplomacy has put many of the communities we care for at risk. And it’s not just our global hosts who are endangered. Recent political decisions have also increased the risk of air travel for American travelers, the risk of passport discrepancies for LGBTQIA Americans, and risk of immigration issues for temporary and even permanent residents of the USA.
The Galapagos Islands Creation Care Odyssey was intended to be far more than just a trip; it was going to be an opportunity to witness and learn about one of the most biodiverse places on the planet, to support indigenous leaders, and to explore what it means to be a responsible global citizen. But in this current political climate where international relationships are being recklessly strained and global cooperation is being undermined at nearly every turn, it has become unsafe and unethical to move forward as planned.
The U.S. Must Stop Endangering Our Global Neighbors
The reality is, this issue is far bigger than just one odyssey. Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched with growing concern as the U.S. government has taken actions that destabilize international partnerships, threaten peaceful nations, and erode hard-won agreements designed to protect people and our planet. Whether through punitive trade restrictions, reckless military posturing, unethical deportations, endangerment of the LGBTQIA community, or the gutting of environmental and human rights commitments, the current administration has signaled loud and clear that it prioritizes dominance over diplomacy.
Tumbuh Global was built on the belief that interconnectivity with the world requires humility, reciprocity, and a deep commitment to justice. As a result, we refuse to put our partners or our participants in harm’s way or compromise our values just to keep business running as usual.
Pressing Pause—But Not Giving Up
For these reasons, we are making the painful decision to pause all future immersion learning experiences until the U.S. government decides to stop endangering our global neighbors and threatening otherwise peaceful nations. We grieve this deeply, as we know how transformative these experiences have been for so many of you. But we also know that true global citizenship demands action—not just words. We cannot, in good conscience, continue to operate as if everything is fine when, in reality, our country’s policies are making the world more dangerous for all of us.
We will continue our work in other ways—through online learning, educational consulting, digital media for good, community-building, and authentic partnerships with those who share our vision for a just and interconnected world. And when the time comes that we can once again travel in ways that are safe, ethical, and aligned with our values, we will be ready.
For now, we invite you to stand with us. Speak up. Vote. Call your representative. Support organizations that are fighting for international cooperation and human dignity. And most of all, don’t lose sight of the world we’re trying to build together. True power has always been and will continue to be among those willing to prioritize the collective good over self-preservation.
With grief, with hope, and with unwavering commitment,
Rev. Dr. Lindsay Andreolli-Comstock
Rev. Mary Andreolli, MFA
Co-founders, Tumbuh Global