Ten Ways To Ruin a Short-term Mission Trip

Believe it or not, it's possible to have a bad short-term missions experience. Usually, this is not the fault of the situation or organization. More often, the root cause is the short-termer's own attitudes and expectations.

To maximize your short-term experience, AVOID doing the things on this Top Ten checklist:

Keep narrowly focused on "spiritual" activities. Since you want to win people to Christ, focus on only the loftiest of things. Avoid menial work like data entry, loading trucks, or working on buildings. Such things will distract you from your primary task.

To tighten up your schedule, eliminate personal prayer and Bible study. You will be so rushed anyway that you probably won't have time. Besides, can't you get all the spiritual food you need from group devotions and from church services?

Stay organized and on schedule. Set detailed goals before you go. Establish schedules and refuse to deviate from them. Do not accept delays, last-minute changes, and impromptu visits and invitations. Those things will just keep you from getting things done for God.

Help the missionaries by pointing out their mistakes. Bring them up to date on what you've heard are the latest trends in missions. Some missionaries are stubborn. So, you may need to enlist some support among the nationals for your views about how things should be run.

Get involved romantically with someone. Being away from family and friends makes this the perfect time to get involved romantically. While it may distract you slightly from the work, you will be able to expose national Christians to America's progressive dating customs.

Don't embarrass yourself by trying to pick up the local language. People are always saying that English is spoken all over the world. So, insist that those people use it with you.

Immediately begin pointing out your team members' faults. Time is short. It will be difficult for people to make the needed changes if you don't help them right from the start. Focus your helpful criticisms on team leaders.

As you go all out in warring against dangerous germs, don't eat any of the local food. To be sure, you may miss some friendly opportunities with "the natives," but you'll keep those awful germs at bay!

Keep your distance from team members who couldn't raise their full support. They may try to mooch off you. Don't give in. Sweating over finances builds faith!

When you return home, scold your home church and friends for their lack of commitment, for their weak prayers, and for their inadequate giving to missions. This may be one of the few times you will have their deferential respect. Make the most of it.

If you'll do all of these Top Ten things (or even some of them), I can promise you a bad short-term mission trip.

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If you would like to join us on a great adventure for God to India go to the AIM Website and apply. Our next scheduled trip is May 17-26, 2012. We will be doing a Children's Bible School and need at least 7 people for the team. Since spots are limited don't wait too long to apply. 

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

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Prayer Requests

Pray that God will continue to work mightily in the land of India.  

Pray for our future mission trips. We will be holding Bible Schools and seeking where God would have us expand the ministry. 

Continue to pray for a harvest of new believers in India.

Pray for the Unreached Arain, Muslim of India

Population: 118,000
World Popl: 10,781,000
Main Language: Urdu
Main Religion: Islam
Status: Least-Reached
Christ-Followers: Few, less than 2%

Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry. 

All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are used as designated

The Business of Children

The every day business of life can cause us to lose sight of the real issues. As I walked through downtown Tenali, I was reminded that sometimes we need a refresher on the basics of life. The lack of food and the desperate nature of life itself were evident in the eyes of the children. The hugs and hand holding reminded me that it is about the relationship; not the actual things we do.

Children all over the world are starving for you! They are starving for your arms to wrap them up in a warm embrace and allow them to feel the love flow through your hug. The children are starving for the conversation, however limited due to language barriers, you have with them as you communicate the love of the Heavenly Father. The children are starving for that small token of friendship you offer as you make a paper cross and share that Jesus died for them.

We all know the reality of what matters in this life. We know the right thing to do. According to James 4:17, we have only one option in this issue of doing what is right. Obedience is the only choice for those who are Christ followers. Doing the right thing is the only path for us that matters in this life.

Today all over the globe, children are in need of the church to step up and love like Jesus commanded. Many have done this once or twice, but what about lately? I challenge you to seek out the opportunity in front of you to be His hands and His feet in reaching the nations with the truth of His Word. Right now...not tomorrow, not next week...right now search that website, look for that trip, pack your bags, fall on your knees and pray, seek first His kingdom.

Today, you can make your plans to walk in that village with the children and be Jesus' hands and feet. You can prepare to love and care for those who need to see the love of the Body in order to find the love of the Savior. Come on, don't wait! Don't find something else to do. Go to the Father and ask the Spirit of God to direct your path as you search for the place He wants you to serve. Come on...let's reach this world with His Word and teach His ways so that salvation will be made known among every nation!

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Do you feel like the Lord may be calling you to go, pray, or give? Follow this Link to find out how!

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Prayer Requests
Pray for new partnerships to be formed throughout India.
Pray for the funding of projects and continued favor from the Lord in the days to come.
Pray for the ministries: Orphanages, Pastors, Churches, Lepers, and reaching the lost in India.

Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry. 

All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are used as designated

Why Go

 "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." (Acts 1:8)

 

The burning question introduced by Acts 1:8 is this: By what criteria should any person, anywhere, be denied the right to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ? The Bible indicates that Jesus intends for a church to witness concerning Him in its local area, in the state, in the country, and in the entire world at the same time. It seems impossible, but through your partnership with AIM we can accomplish so much more for God than any one person.

If you would like to join us and experience what God is doing in India here are some: 

Expectations and Qualifications

A sense of call to go on the mission trip.

Ability to contribute to objectives of the trip.

Attitude of servanthood, flexibility, and spirit of cooperation.

Willingness to maintain unity in the team.

Good health.

Spiritually healthy with disciplines of prayer, Bible study and obedience.

Absence of any immoral habit which includes use of tobacco or alcohol. 
Sixteen years of age or older unless accompanied by a parent. 

Mission Tasks

Minister under the direction of the team leader.

Adapt to the culture of the people whom you serve.

Overcome culture shock with prayer and consultation with friends.

Witness to people concerning Jesus no matter what your task is.

Show love to the people by being friendly, kind and humble.

People interested in a mission trip may contact: Asia International Mission

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Prayer Requests

Pray that young people will respond to the challenge of missions.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will speak clearly to the people and that many will turn to the Lord.

Pray that you will be enabled to share the Good News with those in your area of influence today.

Asia International Mission is an IRS approved 501(c)(3) non-profit ministry. 

All gifts are tax-deductible and 100% of donations are used as designated