WMU Forums - Share Your Tips for Missions Trips

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Mary

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Joined: 13 Jun 2008
Location: Birmingham, AL
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Topic: Share Your Tips for Missions Trips
Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 1:54pm

We'd love to compile a list of tips for people taking missions trips. What is your advice for planning the trip and what are things to do/remember while you're on the trip?

Edited by Mary - 23 Jul 2008 at 1:54pm

liz.lockwood View Drop Down

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Joined: 02 Jul 2008
Location: Charleston, SC
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Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 2:30pm

1.Definitely pack light. Remember that you can hand-wash clothes overseas and you will be happy not too have to carry around a lot of extra stuff.

2. Journal your experience. Carry a thin journal and a pen with you wherever you go. Write about why you like/dislike what you are doing; write about the people you meet; write about the food you eat; write about the lessons that God teaches you and write out your prayers. These pages will become invaluable to you when you return to the states. They can also provide a great background for framed pictures or excellent scrapbooking tools.

3. Print your pictures! In a digital age, I know that it is so easy leave pictures hanging out in your camera where no body sees them! Print them out, have coffee with a friend and share your expereice. You can use your pictures as a tool for evanglism in explaining the work you did (if you are able to talk about it, of course), the people you met and why you went. Most people like to travel and you can use this as an opportunity to share your faith.

Janet Erwin View Drop Down

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Joined: 23 Jul 2008
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Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 3:43pm

Remember that "bigger" is not always better as far as the size of your team is concerned. Don't be discouraged if your team is as small as 3 people. The logistics are much easier to handle with a smaller group and there is usually more interaction with the people with whom you are going to minister. The larger the group, the more you tend to just mingle among yourselves.
Go to work the missionary or national's strategy. Do not have your own predetermined plan of what you want to do. If your trip doesn't fit their strategy then you're just providing an activity that may or may not be helpful in the long run.
Missionaries love it when you think ahead and ask them if there is a special treat you can bring to them. It really does mean a lot--believe you me!
If your misson trip takes you overseas, lower your voice. Do not be one of those loud Americans.

Misti

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Joined: 24 Jul 2008
Location: Columbia, SC
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Posts: 1

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Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 3:36pm

-Almost nothing will go the way it was planned to. But that's ok! Just keep goin'.

-Look up info on the place you're going beforehand. It helps to give you a feel for the area and the people.

-Bug spray, hand sanitizer, and duct tape will come in handy at some point during your trip.

-Especially if you're going overseas, pack clothes that you can leave behind. This way you're leaving the people with something tangible and helpful, and also your suitcase will have plenty of extra room for souveneirs.

-(Overseas) Embrace the culture. Things are going to be different, but don't get offended and think 'Whats wrong with them?' This is simply their way of life.

-Journal.

-Leave copies of your flight schedule, passport, visas, etc with your family.

-Be in prayer for the trip long before you ever embark.

-If you can, speak with and look at the pictures of people who have been there before. That way you can get a feel for the area and people before you get there.

-The best advice I've ever recieved is: Don't have expectations.

Andrea Knight View Drop Down

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Joined: 06 Aug 2008
Location: Tennessee
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Posts: 1

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Posted: 06 Aug 2008 at 9:37am

Have a great time! But to have a good time while on a mission trip, it's important to be flexible in planning and especially once you arrive at your destination.

And don't forget to support the missionary or ministry leader with whom you work.

The most important thing you, your group and your church can do is pray. Pray before the trip. Pray during the the trip. Pray after the trip. Lead church members to pray for you, your team and the people with whom you'll be working. Give them prayer reminders to wear while you are away and when you get home, place a picture or something from your trip in a prominent place so you'll remember to pray daily for the people you served.

godssusan

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Joined: 05 Aug 2008
Location: Georgia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 76

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Posted: 06 Aug 2008 at 3:30pm

Just a thought for those of you in small churches such as ours.
Our girls cannot go on actual 'trips' so we go on 'virtual trips'.
We pretend we are preparing to travel and decide what we need to take, and then pretend we are on the trip.
We also do pretend situations where we share Gods love and the story of Salvation with others. A favorite is 'new girl in school' where one of the girls is the new girl and one is the 'old girl' who starts a conversation with the new girl, then moves into inviting her to G.A.'s and to church.
It is very educational and fun!

emilyrocks View Drop Down

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Joined: 22 Aug 2008
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Posted: 22 Aug 2008 at 10:23am

Check out if the Web site for the region you're going to serve has a "Prepare" Web page. West Africa, for instance, has a great one. www.gowestafrica.org/go/prepare.

shepep2

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Joined: 23 Sep 2008
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1

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Posted: 23 Sep 2008 at 8:37pm

Having been on two foreign missions trips this year.

-Think outside the box. Pray about the place the God wants you and take the plunge. God took me to South Africa when I was praying about another trip. It was the most incredible trip of my life, because I was out of my comfort zone - I was dependent on God and His leadership. I became just a vessel that God could pour His love through and it changed me.

-Try to email the missionary you are going to work with and find out what they need and how you can join in the work God is already doing there. Let them know if you have any ideas about the work they want you to do for them. Don't plan what you want to do-work with the people on the front line who know the people you are going to work with.

-Pack with layers in mind. Weather changes, so be prepared. Go to a local thrift store if possible (supporting mission project here) and purchase clothes you can leave behind.

-Take a camera (lots of photos - not just to show others where you have been - but the wonderful people you will meet and who will change you life).

-Keep a journal - Believe it or not, you won't recall names for long without it. Remember to write your impressions and situations God leads you to - learn from them and embrace the experience.

-Forget expectations - It is rare that things will run smoothly, so don't sweat the small stuff. Think of it as an adventure that God wants to take you through and remember to face each unexpected problem with a smile - especially when you are tired and trying to adjust to a different time zone.

- Keep copies of your passport and itinerary with you, in your luggage and leave a copy at home with family.

-Get a prayer partner or several. You will need all the prayer you can get and others will feel they are supporting you and your ministry. We usually have prayer partners write cards or notes for each day of the trip and give them out. Encourage them to be creative.

Author	Message Topic Search Topic Options Post Reply Create New Topic Printable Version
Mary Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adult Administrator Joined: 13 Jun 2008 Location: Birmingham, AL Online Status: Offline Posts: 10	Quote Reply Topic: Share Your Tips for Missions Trips Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 1:54pm
	We'd love to compile a list of tips for people taking missions trips. What is your advice for planning the trip and what are things to do/remember while you're on the trip? Edited by Mary - 23 Jul 2008 at 1:54pm

liz.lockwood Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Location: Charleston, SC Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 2:30pm
	1.Definitely pack light. Remember that you can hand-wash clothes overseas and you will be happy not too have to carry around a lot of extra stuff. 2. Journal your experience. Carry a thin journal and a pen with you wherever you go. Write about why you like/dislike what you are doing; write about the people you meet; write about the food you eat; write about the lessons that God teaches you and write out your prayers. These pages will become invaluable to you when you return to the states. They can also provide a great background for framed pictures or excellent scrapbooking tools. 3. Print your pictures! In a digital age, I know that it is so easy leave pictures hanging out in your camera where no body sees them! Print them out, have coffee with a friend and share your expereice. You can use your pictures as a tool for evanglism in explaining the work you did (if you are able to talk about it, of course), the people you met and why you went. Most people like to travel and you can use this as an opportunity to share your faith.

Janet Erwin Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Adult Administrator Joined: 23 Jul 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 9	Quote Reply Posted: 23 Jul 2008 at 3:43pm
	Remember that "bigger" is not always better as far as the size of your team is concerned. Don't be discouraged if your team is as small as 3 people. The logistics are much easier to handle with a smaller group and there is usually more interaction with the people with whom you are going to minister. The larger the group, the more you tend to just mingle among yourselves. Go to work the missionary or national's strategy. Do not have your own predetermined plan of what you want to do. If your trip doesn't fit their strategy then you're just providing an activity that may or may not be helpful in the long run. Missionaries love it when you think ahead and ask them if there is a special treat you can bring to them. It really does mean a lot--believe you me! If your misson trip takes you overseas, lower your voice. Do not be one of those loud Americans.

Misti Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 24 Jul 2008 Location: Columbia, SC Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 24 Jul 2008 at 3:36pm
	-Almost nothing will go the way it was planned to. But that's ok! Just keep goin'. -Look up info on the place you're going beforehand. It helps to give you a feel for the area and the people. -Bug spray, hand sanitizer, and duct tape will come in handy at some point during your trip. -Especially if you're going overseas, pack clothes that you can leave behind. This way you're leaving the people with something tangible and helpful, and also your suitcase will have plenty of extra room for souveneirs. -(Overseas) Embrace the culture. Things are going to be different, but don't get offended and think 'Whats wrong with them?' This is simply their way of life. -Journal. -Leave copies of your flight schedule, passport, visas, etc with your family. -Be in prayer for the trip long before you ever embark. -If you can, speak with and look at the pictures of people who have been there before. That way you can get a feel for the area and people before you get there. -The best advice I've ever recieved is: Don't have expectations.

Andrea Knight Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 06 Aug 2008 Location: Tennessee Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 2008 at 9:37am
	Have a great time! But to have a good time while on a mission trip, it's important to be flexible in planning and especially once you arrive at your destination. And don't forget to support the missionary or ministry leader with whom you work. The most important thing you, your group and your church can do is pray. Pray before the trip. Pray during the the trip. Pray after the trip. Lead church members to pray for you, your team and the people with whom you'll be working. Give them prayer reminders to wear while you are away and when you get home, place a picture or something from your trip in a prominent place so you'll remember to pray daily for the people you served.

godssusan Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 05 Aug 2008 Location: Georgia Online Status: Offline Posts: 76	Quote Reply Posted: 06 Aug 2008 at 3:30pm
	Just a thought for those of you in small churches such as ours. Our girls cannot go on actual 'trips' so we go on 'virtual trips'. We pretend we are preparing to travel and decide what we need to take, and then pretend we are on the trip. We also do pretend situations where we share Gods love and the story of Salvation with others. A favorite is 'new girl in school' where one of the girls is the new girl and one is the 'old girl' who starts a conversation with the new girl, then moves into inviting her to G.A.'s and to church. It is very educational and fun!

emilyrocks Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 22 Aug 2008 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 22 Aug 2008 at 10:23am
	Check out if the Web site for the region you're going to serve has a "Prepare" Web page. West Africa, for instance, has a great one. www.gowestafrica.org/go/prepare.

shepep2 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New Member Joined: 23 Sep 2008 Location: Alabama Online Status: Offline Posts: 1	Quote Reply Posted: 23 Sep 2008 at 8:37pm
	Having been on two foreign missions trips this year. -Think outside the box. Pray about the place the God wants you and take the plunge. God took me to South Africa when I was praying about another trip. It was the most incredible trip of my life, because I was out of my comfort zone - I was dependent on God and His leadership. I became just a vessel that God could pour His love through and it changed me. -Try to email the missionary you are going to work with and find out what they need and how you can join in the work God is already doing there. Let them know if you have any ideas about the work they want you to do for them. Don't plan what you want to do-work with the people on the front line who know the people you are going to work with. -Pack with layers in mind. Weather changes, so be prepared. Go to a local thrift store if possible (supporting mission project here) and purchase clothes you can leave behind. -Take a camera (lots of photos - not just to show others where you have been - but the wonderful people you will meet and who will change you life). -Keep a journal - Believe it or not, you won't recall names for long without it. Remember to write your impressions and situations God leads you to - learn from them and embrace the experience. -Forget expectations - It is rare that things will run smoothly, so don't sweat the small stuff. Think of it as an adventure that God wants to take you through and remember to face each unexpected problem with a smile - especially when you are tired and trying to adjust to a different time zone. - Keep copies of your passport and itinerary with you, in your luggage and leave a copy at home with family. -Get a prayer partner or several. You will need all the prayer you can get and others will feel they are supporting you and your ministry. We usually have prayer partners write cards or notes for each day of the trip and give them out. Encourage them to be creative.