Missions Trip Prep
As I plan our Trinidad team meetings for the next couple of months, I'm looking for some ideas. I have some thoughts & plans, but I'm interested to know what others have done or would think of doing as part of preparation/team-building for a short-term missions experience. Your thoughts?
posted by sibbie751 @ 6:05 p.m.
7 Comments:
hey aud, you should ask your cousin jenn, she went to the same short-term missions trip prep seminar that i did at HQ in Indy. She should have a whole packet of useful tools and suggestions. borrow it:)
yeah...i have chatted with her, but I'm looking for as many perspectives and ideas as possible. What were some of the best items for YOU from that seminar or other experiences, or what are some things that your short-term preparation(s) lacked?
hmmm. well, before I went to Thailand, I did a little bit of research on the country: Not just the componants of the dominant religion, but more about sociological things. Eg. It is the 4th most popular tourist country in the world. There was an economic depression 25 years ago. Prostitution is not shameful, it is endorced by the government and touted as patriotic because it brings in tourists which help the economy. 1 in 3 persons is HIV positive. Making eye contact with men is too bold. Sa wa ti kaa...means hello. Exposing the bottom of the foot to another person is equivalent to giving them the third finger. The presidents name is such and such, and he has been in power for x amout of time. The governmental structure is ____. The baht is worth x amount of u.s. dollars. just learning about all of these things started me thinking about what it must be like to be Thai, and as I thought about being in their shoes, I became more compassionate, which made me excited to know them when i finally did get to meet them.
team building stuff: making preparations together---gifts for hosts, crafts, lesson plans, etc was a time for building trust with the members. also, sharing meals together ahead of time was very important---there is something about sitting down and eating together that takes away any sense of hierarchy or spiritual competitiveness. We all have to eat.
I didn't find group prayer to be the most beneficial, I found trust building exercises to be the most beneficial.
Now when I went to Mexico and Jamaica there was very little preparation----just a sort of lemming follow the leader and be open mentality. I did not get as much out of these trips because there was little trust build between the members ahead of time. How can we welcome people into the community of God if we are not really a community? Who wants to join a dysfunctional family? What kind of witness/testimony is that? I think it is crucial to have relationships built among the team members ahead of time in order for authentic ministry to take place.
Thanks for your thoughts! :)
have you talked with scott wood for a perspective???
I've not heard from Scott in a number of years. I'd be happy to have his thoughts, but I'd also like yours!
I think my best experience of missions team prep times have been when the leader, or CO-leader has brought snacks. Snack like muffins, cookies, basically anything with chocolate, also accompanied by juice of some sort (mango if fabulous) really seem to bond the team in all aspects. Maybe that would help in your endeavor.....Just a suggestion................
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