{"id":5564,"date":"2014-04-23T19:04:40","date_gmt":"2014-04-24T00:04:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ywupdate\/?p=5564"},"modified":"2014-04-23T19:10:48","modified_gmt":"2014-04-24T00:10:48","slug":"four-thoughts-before-you-plan-your-next-mission-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/blogs.covchurch.org\/ywupdate\/2014\/04\/23\/four-thoughts-before-you-plan-your-next-mission-trip\/","title":{"rendered":"Four Thoughts Before You Plan Your Next Mission Trip"},"content":{"rendered":"

Easter has come and gone, so for many of you, it’s time to start planning those Summer mission trips.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

I wanted to take a second to pass along some thoughts as you prepare for your Summer mission trips.<\/p>\n

1. Leave Your Technology Behind\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

As much as possible, encourage your students (and leaders) to leave their gadgets behind. In many of the places you\u2019ll visit, Internet access is a luxury. Flashing your gadgets (or bemoaning the lack of connectivity) can seem callous to the very people you may be trying to minister to.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Another thought is that you probably don\u2019t want your students\u2019 \u201cthings\u201d to be the reason people want to come meet them. Not only can it be a safety hazard, it can be distracting to whoever is trying to coordinate your group\u2019s itinerary.<\/p>\n

Challenge your students to unplug for the duration of their time \u201con the ground.\u201d Encourage them to connect with the people right in front of them. Instead of attracting people because of their tech-toys, challenge them to let God\u2019s love in and through them be the attraction.<\/p>\n

2. Don\u2019t Overdo It With The Photos\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be aware of how you approach taking photos. The Instagram world your students live in often doesn\u2019t translate well to other cultures. When students take photos every 30 seconds it can make people feel like an exhibit at a zoo! (Which you definitely don\u2019t want.)<\/p>\n

Now, taking photos as a way of remembering your trip is an awesome thing to do. I\u2019m not saying NOT to capture memories of the places you visit. I\u2019m just encouraging you to be aware of how your students approach taking photos.<\/p>\n

Instead of being quick to click a button on their phone, ipod, or cameras, challenge your students to be quick to relationally interact. Encourage students to treat the people they encounter as people, not cultural artifacts. Look at the community you\u2019ll serve not as a destination to remember, but as a community where Jesus wants His name and His love spread. If you do this, you\u2019ll go a long way toward a healthy attitude regarding picture taking.<\/p>\n

3. You Can\u2019t Over-Prepare Your Group\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Have pre-trip meetings that cover information about the history of your destination, missions-theory\/technique, giving your testimony, pointing all conversations to Christ, and the purpose of your trip. Have students practice sharing their faith, eating foods they’re not used to, and fasting from technology all while on American soil. These tests will prepare them for their journey ahead and hopefully allow them to practice depending on the Spirit! Educate your entire group and set expectations of selflessness!<\/p>\n

4. Be Aware Of The Sacrifices The \u201cMinistry On The Ground\u201d Will Make For Your Sake<\/strong><\/p>\n

Keep in mind that the person coordinating your trip \u201cin country\u201d has done a lot of work for you and your team prior to your arrival. He or she may have had to arrange accommodation, travel, and meals, not to mention potentially advertising and setting up ministry for your team’s visit. The coordinating ministry has most likely incurred additional expenses preparing for your group that may not be in their budget: petrol, meals with the team, special ministry supplies, internet fees, etc. Remember that in many cases, everyone sacrifices time and money to make a mission trip happen: you, your group, and many of the people \u201con the ground\u201d where you\u2019ll be serving. Keep this perspective in mind and let it guide your interactions with the coordinating ministry. You never want to leave a ministry or an individual feeling like his or her efforts weren\u2019t appreciated.<\/p>\n

The goal for any mission trip is to leave having shared the Gospel to those in need, while doing nothing to take away from the community or the ministry you\u2019re serving alongside.<\/p>\n

What tips would you pass along?<\/p>\n

By\u00a0Melanie Dill<\/em><\/p>\n

Melanie Dill does church-planting, Youth Ministry, and Leadership Development in Cape Town, South Africa<\/em><\/div>\n

Report This Post<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Easter has come and gone, so for many of you, it’s time to start planning those Summer mission trips.\u00a0 I wanted to take a second to pass along some thoughts as you prepare for your Summer mission trips. 1. 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