Question 8: How do I prepare a student or team to participate in international missions?

Answer:

There is not one right answer to this question. On the Team Checklist are some suggestions for preparing a team of students to be on mission internationally.

Other excellent resources are Let the Nations Be Glad by John Piper, God’s Renown by Mike Stroope, Unveiled at Last by Bob Sjogren and “Becoming a World Christian” learning modules on The Traveling Team’s Web site.

• Remind your students that personal spiritual preparation cannot be ignored. The resources listed above provide an excellent personal study for students preparing for international service.
• Encourage your students to research and pray for the people group they will serve and the country and region. Click here for recommended people group and atlas references.
• Help the students prepare culturally and physically by using the Prepare to Go manual designed by the Student Mobilization Team. This brief manual is an in-a-nutshell cultural preparation guide for students.
• Broaden your students’ understanding of how to be a courteous and considerate guest both in a host culture and a host home.
  1. Encourage your team members to take individual gifts or a team gift to your missionary hosts and children.
  2. Ask your missionary hosts about the house rules when your team first arrives. For example, some rooms in the house may be off limits to food and drink. Help your team keep one another accountable to following the house rules and thereby respecting your hosts.
  3. Be aware that American food items are often not available in other countries or, if available, they are very expensive import items. Raiding the refrigerator and eating the missionaries’ “stash” of American candy or other Western-type food items (like cheese, Dr. Pepper and American chocolate) can really disappoint a missionary family who has rationed those items to last throughout their term on the field.
  4. Ask your missionary hosts what American items you can bring to them that are not available in their country or city. Food items such as seasoning packets, Kool-Aid and muffin mixes are usually popular among missionaries.
  5. Be aware, if your team lives with your missionary hosts, that guests require a lot of extra work. Encourage your team members to help with K.P. duty, including meal preparation, to lighten the workload for your hosts and any house help they might have.
  6. Be considerate of the house rules and bedtimes of your hosts, especially those who have children. Keep the noise level low after the family’s bedtime.