By Phil Smethurst
Investing in the lives of folk around the globe is a special calling. Your talents and skills can stretch beyond your back garden into remote spaces by changing into a missionary and going on summer mission trips. Even two weeks abroad changes the way in which you see the worlds and the wants of individuals who might otherwise remain neglected. You'd be astonished by how just 14 days can change lives, including your own.
God has given His folks a responsibility to teach. Also, as we teach we become examples to those around us by helping with things like growing crops or teaching English as a second language. Being a missionary is truly about walking your talk, and it's not always easy; nor is it for everybody. Search your heart before considering this option.
There are some hard truths about missionary work. For one thing you regularly have to have your own funds; not all missionaries have on-going finance supportive systems. Some do offer a way to raise funds for the trip on their web site (http://www.overlandmissions.com) . They also may not offer any financial compensation for your time or health benefits. And, unless you have travelled before, you go into a region figuratively blind, having no control of your living conditions. The hours are long and the current may become difficult, even as Jesus ' life was occasionally loaded with resistance or hardships.
Balancing all that, if you like to travel and help others, taking part in summer mission trips can be rewarding. As you go from place to place, you learn new things about the world, about other individual's customs, and about how they envision God and practice their religion. This, in turn, gives you time for introspection, meditation and prayer about your own relationship with the Divine.
Being a missionary isn't your normal 9-5 job that ends neatly on Friday afternoon. There are people in need who may show up at any hour, day or night, looking for solace and support. Even as God doesn't get days off, it is your duty to supply service to the best of your capability. Since most missionaries don't travel alone, you can look to your team for support when the workload becomes overwhelming. Also remember that most summer mission trips are comparatively short, so it won't be long before you are home sharing your extraordinary experience with others.
About the Author:
Overland Misions (http://www.overlandmissions.com/expeditions/article/summer-mission-short-term-mission-trips-christian-missions-trips/) , started by Phil Smethurst, is an organisation (http://www.overlandmissions.com/amt/article/become-a-missionary/) that teaches others how to become a missionary thru Christian mission trips around the world.
Investing in the lives of folk around the globe is a special calling. Your talents and skills can stretch beyond your back garden into remote spaces by changing into a missionary and going on summer mission trips. Even two weeks abroad changes the way in which you see the worlds and the wants of individuals who might otherwise remain neglected. You'd be astonished by how just 14 days can change lives, including your own.
God has given His folks a responsibility to teach. Also, as we teach we become examples to those around us by helping with things like growing crops or teaching English as a second language. Being a missionary is truly about walking your talk, and it's not always easy; nor is it for everybody. Search your heart before considering this option.
There are some hard truths about missionary work. For one thing you regularly have to have your own funds; not all missionaries have on-going finance supportive systems. Some do offer a way to raise funds for the trip on their web site (http://www.overlandmissions.com) . They also may not offer any financial compensation for your time or health benefits. And, unless you have travelled before, you go into a region figuratively blind, having no control of your living conditions. The hours are long and the current may become difficult, even as Jesus ' life was occasionally loaded with resistance or hardships.
Balancing all that, if you like to travel and help others, taking part in summer mission trips can be rewarding. As you go from place to place, you learn new things about the world, about other individual's customs, and about how they envision God and practice their religion. This, in turn, gives you time for introspection, meditation and prayer about your own relationship with the Divine.
Being a missionary isn't your normal 9-5 job that ends neatly on Friday afternoon. There are people in need who may show up at any hour, day or night, looking for solace and support. Even as God doesn't get days off, it is your duty to supply service to the best of your capability. Since most missionaries don't travel alone, you can look to your team for support when the workload becomes overwhelming. Also remember that most summer mission trips are comparatively short, so it won't be long before you are home sharing your extraordinary experience with others.
About the Author:
Overland Misions (http://www.overlandmissions.com/expeditions/article/summer-mission-short-term-mission-trips-christian-missions-trips/) , started by Phil Smethurst, is an organisation (http://www.overlandmissions.com/amt/article/become-a-missionary/) that teaches others how to become a missionary thru Christian mission trips around the world.