What needs to be done?

To do a short term mission trip, what needs to be done? Last year I went to a training day that the Baptist General Conference and there was a seminar on this topic. It was interesting to hear about what other church groups do when they go on trips, and to hear about all the different things that groups do while at their mission trips. What is going to be done needs to be decided. Is there going to be a vacation Bible school for the children, or are houses going to be built? When we go to Nett Lake, we bring boxed and boxes of craft supplies, boxes of food and different activities for the children to do. We bring hula hoops, skit supplies, costumes and prized for the children as well. We also bring Bibles, and supplies to teach the children the lessons we have planned for them. And sports equipment is also brought. You never know what will be needed on a trip like this. It's funny because something unexpected always happens, and the groups who go on these trips need to be prepared for anything. More than anything though, time and commitment is needed as well as patience. It sounds really cliche, but love is also needed. Without that, nothing that anyone says will matter much. On trips, we need to live like Christians, and show our commmitment to Christ. Native Americans watch more than anything else, and if they don't see you acting in a way they view other church people, nothing you say will have any effect. It is so important to view what is done on these trips as important. It matters to the people who are being witnessed to, so it should matter to us as well. And we need to be thankful that we even have the opportunity to share about Jesus.