Missions Launch

One of the biggest challenges a missionary may face is funding, and a huge part of the expense is the airfare. If your organization isn’t purchasing the tickets for you, then finding the best airfare will be up to you. However, it takes more than just searching on popular airline booking sites. There are certain strategies for finding the most affordable price.

1. Shop Around
The price of your flight will mainly be determined by factors like the number of stops, seat quality, destination, date of departure and return, and flight duration. Think of that song with the lyrics, “My mamma told me, ‘you gotta shop around.’” Indeed you do.

2. Try Destination Specialists
These are brokers that specialize in providing tickets to specific locations. Examples are Travelspears.com, destinationcebu.com, cheapflights.com, and travelsense.org – this one provides a directory of travel specialists. These destination specialists often have more buying power for specific locations over traditional booking agencies.

3. Check Airlines Directly
Traditional online booking sites like cheaptickets.com or expedia.com may, at times, have the cheapest price.  However, these sites often tag on a booking charge for just buying it from the carrier that will be sending you on your mission. These sites can still be used to your advantage by using them as a search engine. When you input your departure and return flight information you’ll notice they have multiple carriers with multiple prices. You can simply note the cheapest airfare, go directly to that site and find it cheaper there. 

4. Be Flexible with Dates
If you can be flexible with your dates of travel, your savings will be heavy. Cutting your trip a day shorter or even longer can save hundreds of dollars. Prices also differ for the time of day the flights depart. The flights that leave during the week are cheaper compared to weekend flights.

5. Buy in Advance
Buying in advance is another way to save money. Ideally the best time is 2-3 weeks in advance. I find that buying too far in advance is actually more expensive as ticket prices fluctuate like the stock market when departure time comes near.  I’ve seen tickets drop suddenly the day before the flight when they want to fill the plane. However, when purchasing an international ticket, you don’t want to risk not getting a seat. Therefore, it might be better for peace of mind to go ahead and get it much earlier.

6. Try Neighboring Airports
Don’t stick to only one international airport. You may find neighboring airports, even a city or two away, are incredibly cheaper. Sure, your trip might take a little longer, but think of it as quality time to have a nice talk with someone or to chat with God about your upcoming journey.

7. Use Multiple Airlines
Airline prices are really tricky. Roundtrips are sometimes cheaper than one-ways. Don’t automatically stick with roundtrips with one airline. You may find a cheap one way ticket with one agency or airline on a specific day while finding a cheap flight with a totally different agency and airline for the return trip. You would think the agency would find the cheapest price both ways, but sometimes they can’t outprice their competition.

8. Pick up the Phone
With some effort, you may be surprised at the amount of money you can save on international airfare. Good research does take time, however. Also be aware that prices can change from one minute to the next. If you find your internet searching is making your bubble burst, calling the agencies and airlines may be the way to a cheaper airfare. You may even find that customer service reps become more helpful when you mention the purpose of your flight.

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Regardless of how you feel Christians should approach it, the truth is debt is becoming more and more common. Many Christians who feel called to long-term missions are also feeling trapped by credit card bills, car payments, and mortgages. So what should you do if you feel God is calling you, but you have debt? Should you go or should you wait until you pay it all off? Let’s look at both sides of the coin.

To Go…

On one hand, if you feel the call to live as a full-time missionary, you are going to be living a life very obviously dependent on the provision of God. To say, “I can’t go God, because I owe too much,” is the equivalent of saying, “I know what you’re telling me,  but I’m not sure I trust you to provide.” I hope that doesn’t sound overly harsh, but as Christians we are called to be obedient to the direction of God. For a missionary, every day is an exercise in faith. The good news is that, with practice, faith grows. If you know that you are supposed to be a missionary full-time, budget your debt into your expenses and be candid about it with your supporters. If they decide not to support someone with debt, trust that your funds will come from elsewhere.

…Or Not to Go

On the other hand, as Christians we have not only a financial, but also a moral obligation to our debts. The honest truth is that some potential supporters may only see their money paying your credit card rather than your necessities. Depending on your situation, you may be better off temporarily delaying your missions work while you pay off as much as you can afford until you are in a more financially stable position.

Balance

The crux of this issue is finding a balance between moral responsibility and faith in God’s provision. These ideas are not exclusive of each other, but work hand-in-hand. And the answer will not look the same for everyone. The most important thing is that you prayerfully address this issue with an open heart.

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We all go on missions for different reasons. Sometimes the draw to the mission field is the desire for adventure or the need for a deeper walk with God. Before we step on the field we need to understand our motives and then compare it to the ideal inspirations that should be compelling us to share the Gospel cross-culturally.

A friend of mine, Billy, has been a missionary in Japan for about one and a half years. He sees two motives that people have for going on missions that are actually reasons to stay home. First of all, do not go on missions if you are avoiding your present situation.  “Your problems always go with you…you are the common denominator to your problems,” Billy explained. The other signal that we need to stay home is when we are motivated to the missions field out of a decision to finally commit our lives to God. According to Billy, being a missionary will undoubtedly strengthen our relationship with God, but going to the field should be accompanied by God’s calling. In these situations, we need to confront our problems at home and allow God to strength our character before serving overseas. 

Our motives for ministering cross-culturally should reflect the heart of God. Reading the Scriptures helps us discover His love for the world and His desire to seek and save the lost. Selfish motives can be transformed by spending time in prayer. When we do go to the missions field, we should be spurred on by a love for God and for people.

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If you have ever dreamed of taking your whole family to an exotic location for a trip, then the idea of a mission trip might have crossed your mind. You must remember, however, that taking a mission trip is certainly more than traveling around the world. It is a lot of hard work, and it can be emotionally taxing as well. In addition, if you want to bring the whole family on a mission trip, you need to take careful consideration and plan carefully.

One of the first things you will want to do when you plan on bringing the family on a mission is to talk the idea out with each and every family member. You and your spouse need to be on board with the idea with no reservations. Sit down with your children. Show them the maps of where you plan to travel and talk about your mission there. Help them understand why you want to go and then get their thoughts and feelings. You may find your children very excited and ready to leave right away. However, you may find that your children are upset about the idea of leaving their home, friends, and family. At this point it is important to communicate with them about their feelings, especially if you still plan to go in spite of their decision to not want to go.

Once your family has agreed that the mission is a great idea and everyone is excited to go, now is the time to prepare in other ways. Tying up loose ends at home will help your children make the transition from your home life to the new mission life. Consider throwing a party for your friends and family and exchanging addresses and emails so that you and your children can stay in contact. Take plenty of pictures and take them along with you so your children can think about what is waiting for them when they arrive back home.

Another idea you will have to prepare your children for is the idea of hard work. Your children will be a very important part of your mission and each family member can help in one way or another. Prepare your children for the task that lies ahead, so they know what is expected of them. Remind your children that there will be times when you need them to be flexible, as plans often change on missions trips and focuses and goals may change as well.

Most parents that take their children on a mission trip will homeschool. If your child has never been homeschooled, then you will both need to learn how this is done. Gather the materials you will need before you leave, such as textbooks, workbooks, and know if you will have Internet connection where you will be going, so you can bring along a laptop, if necessary.

Of course, you will also need to consider the paperwork involved. It is hard enough for one person to prepare for a mission trip, but multiply that times three or four or even five times. You will need to get all the necessary documents in order for each member of your family and get your medical records in order. Each member of your family needs a trip to the doctor to get necessary immunizations depending on where you are going. If you or any of members of your family take medicine on a regular basis make sure you have an adequate supply to take with you. This is very important, since you may not have access to regular medical care on your trip.

As you can see, there are many considerations to make as you plan a mission trip for your whole family. Careful planning will help make this trip a success for everyone.

So, you’ve made the decision to participate in a missions trip for the first time, but admittedly, getting everything in order can be a daunting task - even more so if there are larger dollar signs attached to it. But fear not - raising the support you need is easier than you think.

Gather Your Information

Potential supporters are going to want information regarding your trip. Think: who, what, when, where, why, and how.

Who are you going with? If you are going with an organization or a church, be prepared to explain who they are and what they are about. It would also be good to know who else will be on your team.

What will be the primary focus of your trip? Are you ministering in growing churches or working as a construction team? Are you visiting orphanages or prisons? This is primarily what supporters are going to want to hear about.

Know when and how long the trip will be. I am not very good with dates, so I make sure to write this one down somewhere for reference. Also, make sure you know where you are going - if the location is less than well known, be prepared to give some geographical context.

Explain to potential supporters why this trip is important to you. There could be many reasons for this - do you have a heart for the certain region you are visiting? Or are you passionate about the primary focus of the trip? Take some time to sit down and write them out for yourself before you talk to others about it.

Finally, be prepared to explain the “how.” What do you need to make this trip happen. Be sure to not only include your financial needs here, but also specific prayer needs. Oftentimes you will also have opportunities to gather donations for ministries in the place you are going. For example, one orphanage I visited with a team in Mexico asked us to request donations of clothes and toys for the children.

Who to Ask

The first person you approach about your trip should be your pastor. This way you can keep him in “the know.” He could also suggest opportunities you may not have realized were available. Be sure to ask him if you can make an announcement either in a bulletin or during a service to make your congregation aware of the trip. Many churches also have money in their budget designated for missions; don’t be afraid to ask about this, too.

Second, make a list of all the friends, relatives, and neighbors you can think of who would even be mildly interested in what you are doing. Don’t exclude anyone regardless of their financial position or spiritual background. You may think Uncle Jim may not have enough money to help support you, but don’t forget that you also need all the prayer support you can get. And while your neighbors might practice Islam, they may be touched by your desire to help others and put a check in your mailbox. This could also provide you with another cool ministry opportunity when you come home and share what God did during your trip!

Take all the information you wrote down earlier (who, what where, etc.) and put it together in a letter. While e-mail is quicker and more efficient, a letter is more personal and more warmly received. Be sure to include a reply card with a self-addressed and stamped envelope where they can mark a commitment to prayer and/or include a financial contribution. Also be sure to mention that anything they donate is tax deductible. Ideally, you want to get this in the mail six to eight weeks before you leave.

Other Fundraising Ideas

Besides just asking for financial and prayer support, there are plenty of creative ideas that can not only help you get where you are going, but also involve your community.  Plan a dinner asking for donations per plate. Clean out your garages and have a weekend yard sale. Sell donuts and orange juice at church either before or after services. Some companies, like Krispy Kreme, even offer a discount program for non-profits. Check it out. Most importantly, just be creative, enthusiastic, and informative. Discuss with your team what kinds of events you could host to raise awareness of and support for your trip.

Followup

When all is said and done, be sure to compose another letter to all those who committed to prayer and donated to your trip. Let them know how much you appreciate their support and give them a briefing of all that happened.

Raising support doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task. Do everything you can do and trust that God is going to provide all that you need.

After making that decision to become a long-term missionary, the next step is to choose a location. Even if you know the country that you feel called to, there are several questions that you need to explore before deciding on a destination.

When selecting a ministry to work with overseas, rely on recommendations from people that you trust. When you start communicating with this contact, try to determine what their philosophy of ministry is. When I was researching churches in Italy, I considered working with a particular ministry until I discovered that we had incompatible evangelistic methods. This church also had little freedom for diversity in ministry approaches.

Researching as much as you can about possible missions sites is very important. A pastor in Ivory Coast stressed this idea to me. He had seen missionaries come to African villages without doing homework beforehand. There are some villages that are so dangerous that the pastors have been killed, which is the reason why there is not currently a church. Historical, social, and spiritual details such as these are critical to be aware of before making a decision.

Probably the best thing that you can do when deciding what country to go to is take a short-term trip. These trips can expose you to various people groups and different forms of cross-culture ministry. They also give you a picture of what life would be like living there. During your stay in each location attempt to determine if you could plausibly do long-term missions there. I know a married couple who are taking six months to travel to a few different countries to see where they would like to do missions long-term.

It is very risky to whole-heartedly commit to long-term missions without substantial information. As the Bible says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Invest some time in research and short-term trips, and gain all the knowledge you can.

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When learning a new language, we often resemble children, struggling with small phrases and oblivious to common cultural expressions and jokes. Although the task seems daunting, anyone with patience, opportunities to practice, and a love for correction can learn a new language.

A huge dose of patience is essential for anyone embarking on the journey of language acquisition. Languages have several facets besides grammar. There is also slang and connotation to consider. Language is evolving with new words being born and old words taking on new meanings. Be patient with yourself and never stop studying or practicing.

Learning a language takes time, but the quickest way to learn is by staying immersed and practicing everyday. Whenever I am in a new country and learning the language, I keep a dictionary or phrasebook with me. I read it on buses and learn new phrases that may be useful in upcoming conversations. Then, when I converse with the people I always seem to find opportunities to use my new words. Reading local Newspapers and watching television are also great ways to grow your vocabulary.

When I was flying to Italy, I sat next to an Italian who had recently moved to New Jersey. In regards to language-learning, he said to me,

“Correction is your best friend. When someone corrects you, you will never forget that word again.”

It is humbling to adjust to frequent correction, but it is part of the process of effective cross-culture communication. Even though English is the second-language to many people, it is important to speak the language that people use in their homes. As missionaries, we discuss spiritual matters that relate to people’s hearts and they will best express these issues in their mother tongue. By learning the language we show our dedication to the people we are sent to.

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Many people don’t realize the wealth of easily-accessible resources that connect people into missions and often give up because they simply can’t find a starting point. Here are some places that can help you get connected.

1. Start at the Church

Many churches have missions programs they can link you to, which may include local opportunities as well as ones abroad. Even if your church doesn’t have anything currently established, they will most likely have the names of any missionaries connected with the church. That leads us to door number two…

2. Long-Term Missionaries

If you know of anyone who is ministering long-term in another country, you should try contacting them. Let them know you are wanting to get involved in some way. Missionaries can almost always use a little more help in one way or another, and even if they don’t need the extra hands at the moment, they will greatly appreciate your desire and might be able to give you another lead.

3. Missions Organizations

Missions organizations are non-profit groups, usually unconnected with a single church, whose vision is to see people go to the nations. There are nearly unlimited opportunities found within these types of organizations. Many will have trips designed to fit certain gifts that you may have. For example, I lived in Perth, Australia on the base of a missions organization called Youth With A Mission (YWAM). They offer schools of worship, media, visual art, and evangelism just to name a few, in bases around the world. Each of this schools involved a short term (2-3 month) outreach that taught students how to use their skills in ministry. There are many organizations, like YWAM, that provide amazing opportunities to go to the nations.

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The ideal carry-on will be small, lightweight, and serve two purposes: provide you with anything you need during travel and anything you will need if your luggage makes a detour through Boston while you are on your way to Amsterdam. When packing a carry-on, keep these things in mind:

Size, Weight and Number

I know you’ve probably seen people rolling huge suitcases through the airports with their laptop bags strapped to the top. Sometimes the combined size of these bags rivals that of a small child, but I do assure you that however seemingly unenforced, airlines do have size restrictions for carry-ons luggage. All airlines have their own policies, but generally maximum size is measured by a single number - the sum of the total dimensions (L x W x H). For example, a common size limit is 45″ on domestic flights, which could be any combination of dimensions (eg. 24 x 14 x 9). Most airlines also allow for a single “personal item” in addition to one piece of carry-on luggage. Personal items would include things like laptops, cameras, umbrellas, purses, etc. Bear in mind that international airlines tend to be less lenient when enforcing their policies - which are often times more strict to begin with. Airlines also reserve the right to adjust their policies as they see fit, at any point in time, so be sure to check their website prior to each trip, noting their guidelines for size, weight and number of carry-on pieces. The last thing you want is to end up frantically unpacking and repacking on the floor of the airport to meet their airline’s restrictions.

In Case Your Bags Don’t Keep Up With You

It happens sometimes; you’ve landed in one city and your bags in another - if they even left the ground in the first place! While you may be sure this couldn’t happen to you, it’s always better to be safe than sorry, right? So when you pack your carry-on, think about what you couldn’t possibly go without if you had to live out of only your carry-on for a few days. Pack one change of clothes, or for the sake of your team mates / family, at least pack a change of underwear! Make sure you include all medications you take; the last thing you want - on top of losing your luggage - is a health crisis. If you have any important documents or information (is someone meeting you at the airport? or do you have an address of the place you are going?) that you will need upon arrival, pack those as well. Chances are, everything goes smoothly, but you won’t regret being prepared.

During Travel

Yes, it is important that you maintain sanity during travel - especially if you have a day or more to spend between various planes and terminals. With any extra space and weight you have left, put in some things to keep you occupied - books, iPods, games - whatever you would enjoy. Unless you are particularly fond of airline food or can survive for long periods of time on peanuts, you may also want to throw in some snacks. Think: non-perishable items. Granola bars, dried fruit, and crackers are all great options. And just to be safe, make sure to travel with some cash. You never know when you’ll end up needing something you didn’t plan for, and sometimes a credit/debit card company will flag an out-of-country purchase as “suspicious” even if you let them know that you will be traveling.

DO NOT Pack These in Your Carry-on:

• Sharp Objects
• Flammables - No lighters. One book of safety matches allowed.
• Explosives
• Snow globes - No, I did not make this up. Check your snow globe or leave it at home.

If you are packing any kind of liquid, lotion, gel, etc. it must be in a bottle 3 oz. or smaller, and each bottle must be inside a single, clear, quart-sized plastic zipper bag. Only one is allowed per traveler. Traveling with a water bottle is a good idea, but leave it empty until you pass through the security checkpoint. Check out TSA’s website for updates and more detailed information.
If you keep your passport in your carry-on make sure to keep it easily accesible, yet well hidden - and never let your carry-on out of your sight.

When packing keep all of this in mind and also remember that you will be carrying this with you for the duration of your travel, so even if their is no weight limit, keep it light. You’ll thank yourself 20-30 hours into it.

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I’ve always enjoyed listening to missions stories. Some of them amuse me like when I learned that the McDonald’s in India serves chicken curry instead of hamburgers. Other antidotes about communities coming to Christ are inspirational. However, some of these tales are intimidating.  The wingspan of insects in some foreign countries or the rumors of illness can cause us to panic, not to mention the thoughts of self-doubt that may arise in our minds about our own insufficiency. Our job as missionaries is not to be perfect, but our main tasks are to trust and obey God. This post is dedicated to offering encouragement to any missionaries that may be feeling nervous about his or her impending trip and to offer some advice.

New surroundings call for new levels of trust. Keeping God first in our priorities reminds us that He is in control, instead of us, and eliminates our fear or doubt. Mother Theresa would spend several hours in prayer and Scripture reading in the mornings before she saw anyone who needed her assistance. She spent time refueling in the presence of God and then went to the streets for the rest of the day. She was able to rely on God’s strength to help people and not her own. 

Obedience to God sometimes means that we will experience discomfort, but these are great opportunities to go deeper with God. Most of us feel nervous or afraid before going on missions because we are entering into something unknown. The good news is that God knows everything about the people and the nation that you are going to and he also knows exactly how you will handle every situation before it happens. He is your greatest guide to the adventure you are going on. Take comfort in knowing that God is with you and He is in control.

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