We have had the privilege of being on several short-term mission teams. We have also supported several people who have gone on such trips. So, it almost goes without saying, but we are strong proponents of such trips.
We are aware that short-term mission teams have as much potential for harm as good on the mission field. However, with determined preparation, STMT's can:
- Multiply the hands, hearts, and feet in practical ministry in the field.
- Bring encouragement to "full-term" workers.
- Mobilize concentrated and sustained prayer for the mission field(s).
- Produce additional full-term workers.
- Produce partners in the ministry of the gospel.
- Open the eyes and hearts of others to the needs, blessings, and opportunities in the world.
Have you gone on a successful short-term mission trip? Are you an overseas worker who has been blessed by a short-term mission team? What kind of preparation do you find the most effective to produce the results mentioned above?
2 comments:
Preparation is so important!! I am seeing the other side now as a long term worker here in Thailand. Thanks to Alison for being our guinea-pig short term worker when she came last year!
It takes preparation on both sides - the short termers before they come and the long termers getting ready for them. We have learned a few things since she came, and are in fact working with our team now to create some better orientation materials that should be more helpful (than our first somewhat bumbling attempts ;-P).
There are a few 'most important' aspects to orientation, in my opinion.
For the STMT: Do your best to know what you're getting into - learn as much as possible before hand about the culture you're headed to so that you're a little more mentally prepared and aware of some of the main do's and don't's. Be ready to have a teachable spirit and be adaptable - remember the phrase, "It's not wrong, it's just different." There might be a lot of unique things about the culture that you don't understand - but criticism or a wrinkled nose are probably not the best first response if you can help it.
For the LTMT: Know the goals and objectives of your STers. Learn about why they want to come and what they want to accomplish. When they arrive, take time to talk about what their expectations are for their time; find out where their hearts are in the whole process of involvement with missions. Knowing where they are is the key to help them move along to the next step of involvement, whatever that may be. Also for the LTer, it helps to try and remember back to what it was like when you first arrived! Things that surprised or shocked you will probably do the same for them. Understand when the STer wrinkles his/her nose or has a wide-eyed look of fear. (Example: My first time in Thailand, I probably would have tossed out or not eaten much if I saw ants or a bug crawling in my plate of food. Now, I just pick them out. hee-hee...)
Hope this helps. We miss all of you guys! Give each other some big hugs from me!
Blessings,
Rachel :o)
Hi Rachel!
Thanks so much for your input on STMT's. We miss you guys! We hope that some day we can get over to your part of the world and work with you.
God bless you guys!
Kevin & Keri
Post a Comment