Short Term Missions - Part 3

Last week‘s post talked about the value of relationships that are built through short-term mission trips. As I’m wrapping up my journey, the value of relationships has been reinforced in my current experience, and I would like to expand on it by highlighting several relationships that are affected by such an experience. 

Relationship with God: as you observe the world around you in a different country there are questions that come to mind. Tensions that we observe between the reality people are living and some of the things the Bible says. This is an opportunity to talk with God about those questions. In doing so, your relationship with God grows deeper if you’re willing to listen and ponder as you wrestle with your questions. 

 Relationship with missionaries: it’s important to know who you’re working with. Time spent with missionaries, the people on the ground in that country, allow you to know more about who they are, how they think, and how they are serving. There may be a chance to meet with some of their team members and learn more about how they work together. Hopefully you will see what God is doing through that ministry because that will reinforce your commitment to partner with them. 

Relationship with the local church: it’s a privilege to worship with brothers and sisters in different parts of the world. The varied styles of music, prayer and preaching shape people in different ways. It gives us a chance to bear witness to where God is at work in their lives, to hear their stories and ongoing needs. It may spur, generosity, love, creativity, or God may move your heart to support them on a project in a specific way. I’m so glad I’m a part of the diverse family of God.

 Relationship with the team that travels: there’s a bond formed from shared experience and service. It is particularly significant and unique for those who go on a short term mission trip together. We lend support and encouragement (and maybe even medication when your stomach is not right) as we experience the highs and lows of travelling together. There are often intentional times of sharing throughout the trip to help the team process what they are experiencing, where God is at work, and what they are learning. This lays the groundwork for the processing that continues upon returning home to a different reality and trying to understand how what you just experienced on the trip should inform how you live in your regular daily life.

God is at work in and through all of these relationships, building, trust and partnerships that lead to kingdom work with Jesus that will echo in eternity.

 I hope that in the future, you will give some consideration to engaging with a short term mission trip when the opportunity arises.