Overcoming Barriers to Mission Trips: Insights from a Former Skeptic

It’s 90% willingness and 10% doing. You have to get out of your own head and get into the heart of Jesus. Yes, you can be a missionary!

“Jamaica is a great place to start as a missionary. Not saying you won’t sweat working, but the accommodations are comfortable, showers are available, and the food is great!” I learned that I can indeed live without my comforts!

The poorest American is better off than most residents of a third world country where there is no (or limited) access to internet service, transportation, media, or many other modern American luxuries and conveniences. Remember in Matthew 28:19, Jesus himself commissions believers to go and make disciples of all the nations. If that means going to your neighbor first for practice and you haven’t, what a great opportunity for you to prepare yourself for foreign missions!

If you love the Lord and want to connect people to Jesus through love, work, and play, then you are equipped. If you know that Christ first loved you, then you can share that love with others. All you need is love…the rest will come. You will go through some training prior to the trip, as well. Don’t worry, be happy!

Some people plan and save for a mission trip, just as you would a vacation. Some people apply for financial assistance through the mission trip organization. Some people sacrifice other luxuries to pay for the trip. It is extremely unlikely to ever say, “Man, I wish I hadn’t gone on the mission trip - it wasn’t worth the money." In the end, you will be more blessed than those you served...forgetting you were ever worried about the cost.

Just like any other travel, you never know what you are going to go through. It’s not any worse than getting from Savannah to Richmond Hill any day of the week at 5 o’clock. Plan for the worst, hope for the best. “Our experience was not bad at all. We got right through.”

“It was a big concern with IBS, worrying about finding a bathroom in a hurry in the boonies. There are ‘facilities’ available. However, I did not have one single flare up the whole time. If you need to take breaks during the work periods to rest, then you do that. There are always kids and others around to love on while you are resting. If you need to stay back because of your ailment, then you do that.”

God always has a plan and will use you how, when, and where He needs you at any given time.  The best advice is: “Go with no expectations.”  It’s an adventure full of surprises!