I thought my heart would leap right out of my chest as the plane raced down the runway, gathering speed for takeoff. The joy I felt was definitely comparable to that of my wedding day as I praised and thanked God in my heart while the plane ascended. In the seat beside me, I could hear my husband whispering his own praises to God.
Mission work has always been an event that has brought me joy. When I had the opportunity to visit the country of Latvia (in the old Soviet block) in July of 2002 and 2003, it was one of the most positive experiences of my life. And when my first opportunity presented itself, it was very sudden - but very welcome. I had all of four months to prepare before I left. Now that might sound like plenty of time, but when you're going overseas, it makes for a very rushed preparation. The ideal situation is to have the opportunity to prepare over the course of about six months or even a year. The following points are some things that I have learned (some of which came the hard way) and that I have found beneficial and worth passing along because of other wonderful mission experiences that the Lord has arranged for me to have.
And so it Begins...
My thought is to highlight a few of the basic things in preparing for a short-term mission trip. You see, things like obtaining a passport can take several months. For whatever reason, the folks who issue them don’t like to be rushed. It’s advisable to allow at least six months for them to do their thing. Passport photos can be taken in several different locations. Stores that advertise portrait packages often also do passport photos.
After getting passport photos, the post office is the next stop. This is where the exhilarating, action packed process of filling out the paperwork begins.(grin!) The clerk at the post office will most likely request a driver’s license and social security card, or a birth certificate for proof of identification. Once the paperwork is completed and the passport pictures are given to the clerk, the post office will do the rest of the work... concerning the passport.
Another thing that must be done many months in advance is getting proper immunizations. It can take several months for the human body to build up the necessary antibodies from immunizations to make them effective. Check with your health care provider to determine what immunizations are necessary and how much time it will take to make them effective.
Airline tickets are another thing that should be taken care of months in advance. The general rule of thumb is that the more time one allows between purchasing the tickets and the actual departure date, the less expensive the tickets will be. And while tickets can be purchased on-line, I find that a good travel agent is a God-send! If your luggage gets lost - as often occurs, or it gets damaged, a good travel agent is a real blessing. You tell them what happened, they can guide you through the lost / damaged claim process.
Survival Techniques
There are many items that I can recommend in order to effectively "survive" an overseas trip, but I think the most useful tools are good old fashioned courtesy and politeness. Especially if one doesn’t get the opportunity to learn the language before arriving. As I stated earlier, I had all of four months to prepare for my first mission trip to Latvia. One can’t just walk into one’s local university and take three credit hours in Latvian 101. It’s not a common language. So the first two words I made a point of learning in Latvian when I arrived were "ludza" and "paldiez" (please and thank you), and I followed them up with the most warm-hearted smile I could muster. I’ve never forgotten those two words. This effort took me a long way with the people. In time, I gained the confidence to attempt some other words and a few phrases. Though we did have an interpreter, the people really appreciated my attempts and efforts to connect with them in their own language.
When traveling abroad, it isn’t uncommon to become sleepy at the very worst possible time - otherwise known as jet-lag. Multivitamins, a healthy and physically fit body, and a hot shower all help to combat jet-lag.
Most people I have contact with don’t realize how beneficial it is to be physically fit before going on a mission trip. There is typically a lot of walking involved. If you can make the time to get involved in an exercise program about six months before leaving, it’s very helpful.
Often times a washing machine or a dryer are difficult to find when on the mission field. Therefore, it’s a good idea to take clothes that can be hand washed, dry quickly, and don’t wrinkle easily.
Anything requiring electricity (such as hair dryers, curling irons, or musical equipment) will need a device called a converter if you have the blessing of electricity available to you. This makes items designed for an American electrical current usable in foreign countries. Converters can be purchased in many electronics stores.
Another very useful item is mosquito netting. Many places in Latvia didn’t have screens in the windows; nor did they have air conditioning. So the only way to stay cool is to open the windows. Mosquito repellent is also very helpful.
European bathrooms are not always quite the same as American ones. Therefore, I would highly recommend bringing a roll or two of toilet paper, bath towels, bath robe and bath slippers. I would say that the most important preparation you can make is through prayer, and having your church and loved ones keep you in prayer. There are a whole multitude of things to keep in prayer such as not missing connecting flights, not losing luggage, protection, the people being able to understand the message that the mission team is bringing, and don't forget about praying for good weather. Especially while traveling. Believe it or not, I have seen the Lord respond to those types of prayers with some gorgeous days.
By now, you might be asking, "Why on earth would anyone in their right mind want to do this?"
Besides the fact that It’s an opportunity to share what I believe is true and positively affects someone’s eternity - it’ an adventure. It’s a challenge that few will embark on and many fear. A God-given opportunity that some dare to dream of but only a handful would ever seriously consider. A great exploit for expressing God’s unconditional, undying love to people who are often feeling hopeless and confused. But most importantly, it’s one of many ways to honor Jesus and it's mentioned in the Gospel of Matthew 28:19, "Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the son and of the Holy Spirit".
