Preparing for Your Short-Term Missions Trip

A short term missions trip requires rigorous preparation. Whether you're going to a neighborhood nearby to witness, or you're going ten time zones away, you need to be prepared. You will be challenged spiritually, mentally, and physically. You will have to conform to differing cultural standards. A short term missions trip will grow and stretch your faith.

Spiritual Preparations

Obviously, if you are going to witness to someone, you must be prepared spiritually. If you're going to do so far from the comforts of home, in another culture, you must be doubly prepared!

You need to be ready spiritually to engage with another culture. How will you react to marijuana being smoked on the streets in Jamaica? What will your response be to rules that separate men and women? Can you handle seeing armed guards... perhaps even following you around to make sure you follow the governments rules? You also need to be prepared for the realities of spiritual warfare. satan* does not take it too kindly when we advance on what he thinks belongs to him. You should be prepared to deal with everything from discouragement and fear to an outright attack. Always remember, you are a child of the King, and Jesus won the victory over satan on the cross!! he* can take no more ground than you give him.

You will also endure demanding days, and live totally outside your comfort zone. On a short term missions trip you need to be fluid, willing to go with the opportunities God places before you. You must be submitted to God and to your group's leader. Don't try to be a lone wolf on a missions trip. If you have an idea you should voice it - but let the leader make the decision.

Evangelism is hard work! Know your part in the grand scheme of things, and what is expected of you. Will you be preaching? Working with children? Feeding people? Building? Even if your role isn't anticipated to be directly witnessing to a group of people, have a short message prepared anyway. Write down a few key Scriptures that you can speak about without notes. Know what the Word says about difficult issues, because people are likely to ask you!

In order to do these things, you must know Jesus to the best of your ability. Take time to grow your relationship with Him - to grow in faith, in trust, and in obedience. Confess any sins - including any fears you have about going. Spend ample time in prayer and in meditation on the Word of God. Read the Word and memorize Scripture. Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.

Intellectual Preparations

On a short term missions trip, you will be engaging a different culture than the one you're used to. Even if you'll be working in your home country - even in your own city - you'll encounter people with radically different beliefs than you have. They will have different methods of doing things, different cultural standards, different language, different food.

Take time to fully investigate the location you're going to. Learn about the history, the geography, and important places to visit (even if you don't plan on going to them). Read about dominant religious beliefs in the area and pray about ways to witness effectively. Research applicable Scripture so that you will be prepared.

Most cultures are quite different from ours... whereas here in America a woman wearing jeans or shorts out on the street is not a big deal, in others women are expected to wear dresses or skirts below the knee at all times. In some locations a handshake is considered impolite. In some countries, like Russia, it is a bad thing to tell someone that you like something. saying "Oh, that's a beautiful knicknack!" obligates your host to give it to you!! Culture shock is common among missionaries, but if you're prepared for what you're likely to see, it won't be so shocking!

Read up on the food that locals eat, because this is what you should eat while you're there. If possible try some before you go in an ethnic restaurant. In many countries, people will watch missionaries to see if they're acting like they're above" them or better than them. Whenever possible, eat the local food, sleep in modest accommodations, and put your money back into the local economy.

Learn at least a few phrases in the language of the region. Learn how to say hello, goodbye, and thank you. "Where is the bathroom?" is perhaps the most important question you can learn to say correctly! Also learn things like "God bless you!" and "Praise the Lord!" "May I pray for you?" is also helpful. It doesn't matter that you're going to pray in your native tongue (or even in tongues)...you're praying to God, not to the person. There are websites to help you learn many languages online, or you can find someone who speaks that language and ask them to teach you a few words. Be sure to bring a phrase book with you. Even if you'll have an interpreter there WILL be a moment when that person is not by your side and you'll need to communicate!

Most people are delighted when missionaries and visitors take time to learn their culture and language, even if you don't get it quite right! They'll have a great time teaching you more words and phrases and introducing you to local foods and customs.

Physical Preparations

Missions trips are almost always strenuous. Even if you're not building a church or doing some other physically active thing, you'll still be running across an airport with all your bags at top speed so that you don't miss your flight! Often you'll have to adjust for time differences, which can mess up your body clock. You'll be up early and up late, on your feet much of the time, and doing things you're just not used to. You'll be eating foods your stomach has never tried (and maybe never wanted to). You'll be exposed to germs your body has never developed immunity to.

Get your body in good shape before you go. Eat healthy foods, get lots of exercise (especially walking, since you'll be doing a lot of it!) and get good sleep!

Depending on where you are going, there may be diseases, parasites, and other health concerns. Yellow Fever, malaria, and Hepatitis are rampant in many parts of the world. In many parts of the world you can contract dangerous parasites just by walking barefoot! Well in advance of your trip, check your government's travel web sites for information about required or suggested vaccines and medications. Check with your doctor, as well. They might want to start you on antimalarial drugs or antibiotics for the trip, or adjust your regular medications.

If you'll be on a long flight or bus ride, take the time to read up on DVT - blood clots that can form in your legs when seated for a long period of time. Be sure to get enough to drink while in the air, and get up from time to time to move around.

Know before you go.

Travel Preparations

Travel is difficult these days, especially with added security restrictions and tight limits on the weight of baggage. There's a good chance you're about to leave home for 7-10 days with only 40 pounds of luggage! That's not a lot of clothes!

If you don't have a passport, apply for one immediately and if necessary, pay to have it expedited. Your congressman's office may be able to assist you in getting one even faster. Be sure you know the travel requirements for the country you'll be travelling to. There are frequently visas, port taxes, proof of vaccinations, and other documents/fees involved. Many countries also have import restrictions. For example, you can't bring coffee to Jamaica. You won't be able to bring cases of Bibles or tracts into most Muslim countries. Be sure to check all of this out thoroughly. If your team uses a travel agent, they will be able to help you.

Buy a good sturdy suitcase with handle and wheels and a carry-on bag that can strap to it and equip it with inexpensive, TSA-compliant locks. If you're going into a place where you're likely to get dirty or tear your clothes, it might be best to purchase gently worn thrift store or yard sale items to wear. Plan on wearing each item at least twice, and where possible bring items you can wash in a sink and hang to air-dry. You'll need COMFORTABLE shoes that will fit you even if your feet swell up, for walking and also for church.

There are more helpful tips for packing in my articles, "Packing for the Short Term Missions Trip" and Items To Place In Your Checked Baggage.

I hope you have a wonderful time on your missions trip! May God bless you and your team wherever you go!

* I choose not to capitalize nouns and pronouns related to satan, even to the point of violating grammatical rules, because capitalization implies worthiness and respect for a person, place, thing, or entity.