1 1. Things are going to change. A lot.
2. Forget what you planned, but always have a plan to make the most of the moment.
3. Take initiative. Tell us what you need. No one can tell what is inside your head.
4. Make sure to take care of you. Make your needs known, but don’t complain—this isn’t about you.
5. What do you do in another country? Basically the same things you do in your own country. But it is just different enough to throw everything off.
6. You, your personality, your likes and dislikes will not magically change now that you are in a different country. That is ok.
7. It is ok to be tired and to say no.
8. Come to serve and be served. Let yourself receive as well.
9. You won’t understand most of what is going on, or the deep layers of culture around you. That is ok.
10. You won’t understand half the things you learned until after you go back home and have time and space to sort out your brain. That is ok.
11. You can’t control your health or the weather. It is what it is, so let it be.
12. You are not going to change the world.
13. You are going to make lasting impressions on the people around you (mostly when you think they are not looking) about who Christians are, who Americans are, and if Jesus is worth it.
14. You do not know more than the people you are working with.
15. You do not know more than the missionaries who have been living there for years.
16. You can mess up the local ministries permanently by your misbehavior. Those who live there have to pick up your mess.
17. Don’t make promises to the people you meet that you cannot personally keep.
18. Dream big and let go.
19. Read this honestly: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/06/18/why-you-should-consider-cancelling-your-short-term-mission-trips/ and then pray about your motives and reasons.
20. Read this honestly: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/06/27/toward-better-short-term-missions/ and pray about what you can change.
21. Realize that this trip is much more about you and what God wants to do in your life more than anything you could do for others. Be humbled and open.
22. Understand that you are worth the investment. Yes, you could send the money you spent to go to another country for many “better” things—but this is permanent construction in your own life and being open for whatever God decides to do with that.
23. Food really is a big deal. It will be different than you expect. You will need to be flexible, and at times, hold your breath and swallow.
24. DO study the language before you go—audio, with as close of an accent to your area as possible. It will never be “enough,” but you will be grateful for the small bit you know—and the people appreciate when you try.
25. Always carry around a water bottle, sunscreen, and sunglasses. You are seven degrees from the equator.
26. Have clothes ready for 90 degree plus weather. Or rain. Or normal. You never know.
27. Wear a name tag. Sorta goofy, but a really great way to get to know people.
28. The bigger your prayer/support circle is back home, the easier the trip/transitions will be. Invest in those people, and asking them to be a part of your team. To properly go, you need to be sent.
29. Study culture shock and reverse culture shock: it hits you both directions. Be prepared.
30. Go through these questions below with God. Have time alone with Him and be honest.
2. Forget what you planned, but always have a plan to make the most of the moment.
3. Take initiative. Tell us what you need. No one can tell what is inside your head.
4. Make sure to take care of you. Make your needs known, but don’t complain—this isn’t about you.
5. What do you do in another country? Basically the same things you do in your own country. But it is just different enough to throw everything off.
6. You, your personality, your likes and dislikes will not magically change now that you are in a different country. That is ok.
7. It is ok to be tired and to say no.
8. Come to serve and be served. Let yourself receive as well.
9. You won’t understand most of what is going on, or the deep layers of culture around you. That is ok.
10. You won’t understand half the things you learned until after you go back home and have time and space to sort out your brain. That is ok.
11. You can’t control your health or the weather. It is what it is, so let it be.
12. You are not going to change the world.
13. You are going to make lasting impressions on the people around you (mostly when you think they are not looking) about who Christians are, who Americans are, and if Jesus is worth it.
14. You do not know more than the people you are working with.
15. You do not know more than the missionaries who have been living there for years.
16. You can mess up the local ministries permanently by your misbehavior. Those who live there have to pick up your mess.
17. Don’t make promises to the people you meet that you cannot personally keep.
18. Dream big and let go.
19. Read this honestly: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/06/18/why-you-should-consider-cancelling-your-short-term-mission-trips/ and then pray about your motives and reasons.
20. Read this honestly: http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tgc/2012/06/27/toward-better-short-term-missions/ and pray about what you can change.
21. Realize that this trip is much more about you and what God wants to do in your life more than anything you could do for others. Be humbled and open.
22. Understand that you are worth the investment. Yes, you could send the money you spent to go to another country for many “better” things—but this is permanent construction in your own life and being open for whatever God decides to do with that.
23. Food really is a big deal. It will be different than you expect. You will need to be flexible, and at times, hold your breath and swallow.
24. DO study the language before you go—audio, with as close of an accent to your area as possible. It will never be “enough,” but you will be grateful for the small bit you know—and the people appreciate when you try.
25. Always carry around a water bottle, sunscreen, and sunglasses. You are seven degrees from the equator.
26. Have clothes ready for 90 degree plus weather. Or rain. Or normal. You never know.
27. Wear a name tag. Sorta goofy, but a really great way to get to know people.
28. The bigger your prayer/support circle is back home, the easier the trip/transitions will be. Invest in those people, and asking them to be a part of your team. To properly go, you need to be sent.
29. Study culture shock and reverse culture shock: it hits you both directions. Be prepared.
30. Go through these questions below with God. Have time alone with Him and be honest.
·
Name the top three reasons for this trip:
·
What do you want to accomplish on/because of
this trip?
·
What has God done in your life that is worth
telling the world (Your testimony)?
·
What will this trip cost you (don’t just think
about money)?
·
What are your concerns/worries about this trip?
(During the trip)
·
Are you giving every moment your all? Why/why
not?
·
What are you doing with your free time/when no
one is watching?
·
What are three ways you can show love today?
·
How does God “recharge” you when you are
tired/at your limit? (Find a way to do that today)
·
When people ask, what will you tell them that
you learned from this time?
(After the trip)
·
How are you living out what you learned on the
trip?
·
What was/happened that was better/worse/harder
than you thought it would be?
·
What do you wish you could have done
differently/changed?
·
What are 5 things you are glad/proud of that
were accomplished during this trip?
·
How do you want to be different because of this
trip (now, in a year, in 5 years…)?
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