Monday, April 30, 2012

Mission Trip Safety


In preparation for short-term mission teams, there is always one question that a team leader can expect—whether during team meeting or from a concerned mom at a parent information meeting: "Is it safe?"

The question pertains to our on-site serving locations, but it also includes the to-and-from travel. Is the international airline we use reliable? How will we get around as a team? Is public transportation dangerous? Are team leaders qualified to drive 15-seater vans?

Obviously any journey involves risk, but some of the risks can be diminished by pre-trip preparation: Do some research; to get advice on everything from inoculations to what is appropriate dress, check out resource books like the Lonely Planet guides or websites like the U.S. State Department's country-by-country summaries or the Centers for Disease Control. And always purchase travel insurance.

Listen to the hosts. They will know the about the public transportation, cultural concerns, and the sections of the city to stay out of. Present plans pro-actively. Let team members (and their parents if taking a youth team) know that research has been done and there are safety measures in place.

Assuring people that we know where the nearest reliable hospital is, or how to contact our country's embassy can alleviate fears before they arise. Taking teams out is risky business, and we need to know how to manage these risks. 


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"What I am anxious to see in Christian believers is a beautiful paradox. I want to see in them the joy of finding God while at the same time they are blessedly pursuing Him. I want to see in them the great joy of having God yet always wanting Him." --A. W. Tozer


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Prayer Requests
Pray for our short-term program: that more people would be led to come, and to become future (longer term) co-workers through praying, giving or going.
Pray for the effective discipling of young believers who have made a commitment to follow Christ.
Pray for the strengthening of local partnerships and identification of new Indian Partners with whom to minister.

Pray for the Unreached Bairagi, Hindu of India
Population: 3,040,000
World Popl: 3,521,000
Main Language: Bengali
Main Religion: Hinduism
Bible: Complete
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%






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