AY Honors/Foreign Mission Trips

Foreign Mission Trips
Spiritual Growth, Outreach and Heritage
Skill Level 123
Approval authority North American Division	Year of Introduction 2016

• Overview
• Requirements
• Answer Key
• Lesson Plans

AY Honors/Foreign Mission Trips/Overview

The most challenging requirement of this honor is probably this:

9. Go on a mission trip to a foreign country. This can be as a family, Pathfinder, school, church group, or through an organized mission group.

1. Read Matthew 28:19-20. As a group come up with a list of reasons to go on a mission trip.

2. What are some of the preparations required for going on a mission trip, such as different approvals, required documentation, and where to go?

3. Identify and explain what you need to pack for a mission trip that will be appropriate for your selected destination.

4. Understand and be able to identify safety issues that are specific for the country to where you will be traveling. These will include the following:

a. Health concerns

b. Drinking water

c. Bathroom issues

d. Food - avoiding contamination

e. Preventative health measures such as required immunization and prophylactic medications.

f. Political issues

g. Cultural issues

5. Spend time learning about the specific culture you will be involved with and discuss your findings at an orientation meeting.

6. If the predominant language of the country you are visiting is different than your own, memorize at least five common phrases in the language, such as: Hello, Please, Thank you, Bathroom, etc.

7. Sing a song or tell a story as a mission outreach to at least one local person while in the country.

8. Identify resources and obtain funds to go on a mission trip. This can be done through your own earnings, fundraisers, sponsors, etc.

9. Go on a mission trip to a foreign country. This can be as a family, Pathfinder, school, church group, or through an organized mission group.

10. Participate in the activities assigned by your leader which may include:

a. Church building

b. Door-to-door evangelism

c. Literature evangelism

d. Child evangelism - for example: Vacation Bible School activities

e. Evangelistic meetings

f. Health evangelism

g. Cleaning or cooking for the mission group you are traveling with

h. Working in orphanages or orphan centers

11. Upon returning home, give a public presentation about your mission trip, which may include the following:

a. Did you see a miracle or evidence of God working?

b. Have you grown spiritually closer to God because of this trip, and if so, how?

c. Will you be making changes in your life because of what you experienced on the trip? If so, describe what they will be.

d. Did you see God use you and your group to impact others for Him?

12. Upon returning home, re-read Matthew 28:19-20 and discuss whether the meaning of this verse has changed for you.

Edit Answer Key

1

Read Matthew 28:19-20. As a group come up with a list of reasons to go on a mission trip.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen.
— Matthew 28:19-20 (NKJV)

2

What are some of the preparations required for going on a mission trip, such as different approvals, required documentation, and where to go?

3

Identify and explain what you need to pack for a mission trip that will be appropriate for your selected destination.

The following is a suggested list that may be appropriate for a variety of spring/summer trips to the northern hemisphere, or fall/winter trips to the southern hemisphere. Please counsel with the location you are traveling to for modifications to make sure you have a list that works for your situation.

Clothing: light long pants, shorts, short-sleeve shirt, sweater, church clothes, underclothes, bandana, sun hat, sunglasses, work boots, flip-flops, tennis shoes, rain gear, pajamas, bandana, swimsuit

Toiletries: hairbrush, deodorant, soap, hair ties, razor, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste & brush

Other: towel, Bible, flashlight, water bottle, pillow, sleeping bag, laundry soap, mosquito spray, sunblock, camera, passport & VISA, Medications: prescriptions, imodium, charcoal, motion sickness medication, Tylenol

4

Understand and be able to identify safety issues that are specific for the country to where you will be traveling. These will include the following:

4a

Health concerns

Check the Department of Health for any health concerns for where you are traveling to.

4b

Drinking water

In many foreign countries it is recommended to only drink bottled water.

4c

Bathroom issues

Bathroom facilities vary and many times the toilet paper will need to be put in the waste basket rather than the toilet to prevent the toilet from clogging. In some places you will need to pay for toilet paper so carrying your own is advisable.

4d

Food - avoiding contamination

In many foreign countries it is recommended to only use packaged foods.

4e

Preventative health measures such as required immunization and prophylactic medications.

Charcoal can be used without worrying about side-effects. It is most commonly used in poultices for infection, rashes, burns, or to relieve pain. It can also be drank or taken in capsule form to help with GI upset.

4f

Political issues

It is important to keep your passport and valuables on you at all times and not easily visible. A money belt or something similar is recommended. Check with the your nations's embassy to find out any political issues going on at the time for the country you plan to visit.

4g

Cultural issues

Carefully observe the customs around you and be kind to the locals. Before you head on your trip, study the specific cultural practices for where you are traveling. While traveling in a foreign country it is important to stay together as a group. Usually it is not safe to be out in town during the night hours.

5

Spend time learning about the specific culture you will be involved with and discuss your findings at an orientation meeting.

6

If the predominant language of the country you are visiting is different than your own, memorize at least five common phrases in the language, such as: Hello, Please, Thank you, Bathroom, etc.

7

Sing a song or tell a story as a mission outreach to at least one local person while in the country.

8

Identify resources and obtain funds to go on a mission trip. This can be done through your own earnings, fundraisers, sponsors, etc.

9

Go on a mission trip to a foreign country. This can be as a family, Pathfinder, school, church group, or through an organized mission group.

10

Participate in the activities assigned by your leader which may include:

10a

Church building

10b

Door-to-door evangelism

10c

Literature evangelism

10d

Child evangelism - for example: Vacation Bible School activities

10e

Evangelistic meetings

10f

Health evangelism

10g

Cleaning or cooking for the mission group you are traveling with

10h

Working in orphanages or orphan centers

11

Upon returning home, give a public presentation about your mission trip, which may include the following:

11a

Did you see a miracle or evidence of God working?

11b

Have you grown spiritually closer to God because of this trip, and if so, how?

11c

Will you be making changes in your life because of what you experienced on the trip? If so, describe what they will be.

11d

Did you see God use you and your group to impact others for Him?

12

Upon returning home, re-read Matthew 28:19-20 and discuss whether the meaning of this verse has changed for you.

References

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