Meet Emily Snow coming to ISM September 2013 – internship The Well, Bangkok

Hi I am Emily Snow.

 

I am 20 years old, and am currently finishing my junior year of classes at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying Human Development and Family Studies.

I have a great family made up of a loving mother and father, two sisters, one brother, and four dogs. I grew up attending church, Sunday school and confirmation classes. Upon coming to college, I became immediately plugged into a campus ministry that has encouraged and emphasized a personal relationship with Jesus. My walk has been transformed since then, and I am incredibly thankful for the community of believers that He led me to on campus.

Over a year ago I attended Passion 2012, a Christian conference in Atlanta, Georgia. “Rooted in the confession of Isaiah 26:8, Passion exists to glorify God by uniting students in worship, prayer andjustice for spiritual awakening in this generation.” Their mission succeeded in my heart over those four days as my eyes were opened to the reality and extremity of modern day slavery. My heart aches at the thought of these women who are often desperate for work, who are enticed by the promise of a better future from a seemingly generous businessman or woman. At this interaction, they unknowingly enter into an industry of degradation and abuse-the sex trade.  These women are either being trafficked under the hand of a pimp, or have willingly entered the industry out of financial need and do not see a way out. Through this continual exploitation they begin to believe that they are worth nothing more than sex. This is the reality that I cannot bare to leave alone.

After my four days in Atlanta, I knew that I would eventually serve in a ministry for these women. God laid it on my heart to wait for a while, and so I did-until this past winter when I came across an opportunity to do ministry for 9 days in Bangkok. However, God had a different plan for me. After many conversations with my parents, it was clear to me that if I were to go, I needed to spend a significant amount of time there. I began researching other opportunities, and stumbled upon Impact School of Missions and their many internship opportunities. I read the curriculum, the blog, looked up all of the recommended books’ descriptions and all of the different ministries. I was hooked. About two weeks later, I excitedly (and a bit fearfully) applied.

Around this time, I had just been accepted to my major. I had an advising session the same week, and was ecstatic to find out that I have a required internship, and that any of the internships I ranked in my ISM application would be accepted! I am happy to announce that following my 4 weeks at ISM this fall, I have the opportunity to join my formal education, missions training, and God-given passion into a 2.5 month internship with The Well-Bangkok! My prayer is that God will work through me to show these women the joy of following Jesus Christ, and the worth we have in Him. I look forward to having my life changed by this incredible opportunity, whether it is slight or radical. “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”

Romans 8:28 NIV

Look what Jesus is doing in the lives of ISM students!

This terms internships are almost at an end…. But God’s work is just beginning!

The month of April sees all of our ISM interns returning home to their families, jobs, and dreams, but they are returning home changed. Here are some of their final reflections…

Maria Gambone de Jesus

The last seven months were beyond description challenging. But looking back, I am so thankful for the time ISM took to prepare me before my internship began. The things I learned there and the mentorship I received were absolutely key to my success in my position at NightLight. ISM multiplied my growth in maturity of faith and character during that time. The growth in knowledge, character and faith I gained from my time at ISM has impacted my actions and thoughts in daily life, and the way I look at my life and purpose. I find myself applying the one month of ISM classes into my daily life more than I do even my four years of classes at university.

Tim Wharton

Attending Impact School of Missions was a great experience where I learned more than I ever expected to. I went in with the mindset that it would prepare me for my up coming internship which it did but in a more impact full way it opened me up to the world of missions as a whole. I learned a lot about what missions means, what opportunities and type of missions work are out there and what some of the needs are. I was challenged to think about if the missions life was for me and how missions fit into God’s plan for my life. This is definitely a great place if you think missions is for you or might be for you. I was also challenged to look closer at what my faith meant to me and saw growth in myself as the month progressed. For two and a half months I interned at Abundant Love in Ban Mai Sawan, Thailand. Working at the children’s home was a great opportunity, spending time with the children was great, along with building great relationships with the staff. The language barrier has been an interesting challenge but has also made for great fun. Even with the language barrier you can still be a great help and blessing to those around you; it just might not be how you expect it. My experiences at ISM and Ban Mai Sawan are something I will never forget and have changed my life forever.

 

Chris Lowe

I came to ISM in hope of getting a better understanding of what missions will look like in my future. I came knowing fully that I am going to be entering long term missions work at some point in my future. I came to ISM as part of education at Vanguard College. That hope that I had to better identify my role in missions was met with an answer. The teaching and relationship model that I worked with at The Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand, matches with my missionolgy in every way. Also I have learned a lot about my self and my passion for this lost world has grown a great amount. I will leave Thailand with my questions answered and a better understanding of myself, mission, and of God.

 

Kelly Braun

I never could’ve imagined that God would do so much in my life through one step of faith. ISM has turned my world upside down. I am so grateful for everything this program is. Every challenge, every new experience, every adventure, has caused me to grow into a very different person than I was when I first stepped on that plane. I am thankful to have had an a experience that is more authentic to missionary life, and I praise God for every difficult and stretching situation He put me into. His kindness is HUGE- He is shown me how He loves the unlovable, wants to give us the smallest desires of our hearts, and more than ever, how HE is the answer to every hurt in this world. ISM provided me with such valuable training for the missions world and for entering a different culture. My internship placement was so perfect for me, and is now a place I can call a second home. Praise God for all that He has done in me, and through me. He is amazing. “I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things He does for me.” Psalm 103:1-2

 

Bethany Nickel

My experience at ISM has been nothing short of phenomenal. It’s brought me a whole new perspective on missions; long and short term. The classes provided me with so much great information that has not only been so helpful throughout my internship, but is also something that I can take home with me and apply to my every day life. These few months have stretched me in the craziest ways and has forced me to grow immensely in my relationship with our creator. Go ISM! Whoo-hoo

 

Tanya Land

I wish the English language had words to describe the greatness of Impact School of Missions. It is so obvious that Sandra McIntosh and the ISM staff are continuously listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The staff at ISM are empowering, inspirational, and full of wisdom. Everything I learnt in class at ISM helped me excel in my internship and thereby equipping me for a life of ministry and faithfulness to Christ. The 4-weeks went by so fast, during which I made lasting Christ-centred friendships. Impact School of Missions is life-changing and I STRONGLY encourage students to ‘GO’!

What our hosts are saying about ISM’s interns!

“It is a delight to see the interns from ISM grow through their experiences here. The interns really get a chance to see what true servant-hood is like in the everyday running of things, but also a chance to be a part of the extra-ordinary moments of this unique ministry. ISM did an amazing job training the interns, providing constant support for them, and readying them for their time with us. We feel very positive about receiving more interns from ISM!” – NightLight

“Our recent intern from ISM really opened us up to receiving more interns. He was so willing, servant-hearted and adaptable. Thank you so much for preparing and sending such a great young man…we know that there is a calling in his life and are excited to see it unfold.” - Christo and Sarah Emmanuel – Church of the Living God – India

The two ISM interns that were sent to us were wonderful. They were well trained and a joy to work with. They were such a blessing and help to me personally and they have made a very positive impact on the lives of the children. They will not be forgotten as I am sure they will never forget their experiences here and how God has changed them.

Thanks ISM you are doing an awesome ministry to these young people!

Linda Veldhuizen – Director – Noah’s Ark, Philippines

Say WHAT about ISM?

Maria Gambone de Jesus

The last seven months were beyond description challenging. But looking back, I am so thankful for the time ISM took to prepare me before my internship began. The things I learned there and the mentorship I received were absolutely key to my success in my position at NightLight. ISM multiplied my growth in maturity of faith and character during that time. The growth in knowledge, character and faith I gained from my time at ISM has impacted my actions and thoughts in daily life, and the way I look at my life and purpose. I find myself applying the one month of ISM classes into my daily life more than I do even my four years of classes at university.

Tim Wharton

Attending Impact School of Missions was a great experience where I learned more than I ever expected to. I went in with the mindset that it would prepare me for my up coming internship which it did but in a more impact full way it opened me up to the world of missions as a whole. I learned a lot about what missions means, what opportunities and type of missions work are out there and what some of the needs are. I was challenged to think about if the missions life was for me and how missions fit into God’s plan for my life. This is definitely a great place if you think missions is for you or might be for you. I was also challenged to look closer at what my faith meant to me and saw growth in myself as the month progressed. For two and a half months I interned at Abundant Love in Ban Mai Sawan, Thailand. Working at the children’s home was a great opportunity, spending time with the children was great, along with building great relationships with the staff. The language barrier has been an interesting challenge but has also made for great fun. Even with the language barrier you can still be a great help and blessing to those around you; it just might not be how you expect it. My experiences at ISM and Ban Mai Sawan are something I will never forget and have changed my life forever.

Chris Lowe

I came to ISM in hope of getting a better understanding of what missions will look like in my future. I came knowing fully that I am going to be entering long term missions work at some point in my future. I came to ISM as part of education at Vanguard College. That hope that I had to better identify my role in missions was met with an answer. The teaching and relationship model that I worked with at The Centre in Chiang Mai, Thailand, matches with my missionolgy in every way. Also I have learned a lot about my self and my passion for this lost world has grown a great amount. I will leave Thailand with my questions answered and a better understanding of myself, mission, and of God.

Kelly Braun

I never could’ve imagined that God would do so much in my life through one step of faith. ISM has turned my world upside down. I am so grateful for everything this program is. Every challenge, every new experience, every adventure, has caused me to grow into a very different person than I was when I first stepped on that plane. I am thankful to have had an a experience that is more authentic to missionary life, and I praise God for every difficult and stretching situation He put me into. His kindness is HUGE- He is shown me how He loves the unlovable, wants to give us the smallest desires of our hearts, and more than ever, how HE is the answer to every hurt in this world. ISM provided me with such valuable training for the missions world and for entering a different culture. My internship placement was so perfect for me, and is now a place I can call a second home. Praise God for all that He has done in me, and through me. He is amazing. “I bless the holy name of God with all my heart. Yes, I will bless the Lord and not forget the glorious things He does for me.” Psalm 103:1-2

Bethany Nickel

My experience at ISM has been nothing short of phenomenal. It’s brought me a whole new perspective on missions; long and short term. The classes provided me with so much great information that has not only been so helpful throughout my internship, but is also something that I can take home with me and apply to my every day life. These few months have stretched me in the craziest ways and has forced me to grow immensely in my relationship with our creator. Go ISM! Whoo-hoo

Tanya Land

I wish the English language had words to describe the greatness of Impact School of Missions. It is so obvious that Sandra McIntosh and the ISM staff are continuously listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The staff at ISM are empowering, inspirational, and full of wisdom. Everything I learnt in class at ISM helped me excel in my internship and thereby equipping me for a life of ministry and faithfulness to Christ. The 4-weeks went by so fast, during which I made lasting Christ-centred friendships. Impact School of Missions is life-changing and I STRONGLY encourage students to ‘GO’!

Laura Fess

Words cannot express what ISM means to me! I came to ISM in a time of transition, lacking sense of direction, who I was, what my call in life was. So I guess in a sense I came searching, but knowing the Lord had something special for me. I came to ISM wanting the Lord to totally transform my world. He did just that and more! God did a lot of healing and restoration in my life. He realigned my focus, and re confirmed my call to ministry. He also continued to nurture maturity in me. There was a maturity that needed to grow and develop, so that He can use me in the plans that He has for my life. This entire journey was totally ordained by God, to Him be the glory!

 

Emmy Daugherty

Impact School of Missions has been a life-changing experience for me. I have learned so much about myself and about God throughout my time in Southeast Asia. God has shown me some pretty incredible things and done some great works in my life. I received great teaching and support from the staff at ISM along with many ministry opportunities during the month in Bangkok. After the training I had the opportunity to intern at Noah’s Ark children’s home in the Philippines. I completely fell in love with the place and the kids there. My time in the ISM program is something that I will never forget and I hope to carry everything that I have learned and experienced back to Canada and continue to live my life for Christ.

 

Taylor Collado

I can’t begin to explain how incredible the experience was that Impact School of Missions gave me over the past 3 months. The one month of in-class sessions at the school provided me with training that I applied daily while interning. The staff were so helpful in preparing us for our intern positions and they really believed in us. I’m sure I speak for all of the students when I say the staff were a huge blessing to us.

I’ve grown so much in my spiritual life and relationship with God over the past 3 months. Attending ISM was a life-changing experience for me, and I’m so glad I had this opportunity. Thanks, ISM, for an awesome 3 months! You made a huge impact on my life and will have the same in so many others.

 

Bethany Somerville

Over the past three months, I have learned a lot about myself, ministry, missions, the power of the Holy Spirit, God’s unfailing love, human trafficking and exploitation and God’s amazing grace, among many other things! Starting with my first month at ISM, I can’t even begin to explain fully just how much the classes and the ISM leaders especially have impacted me. It was through ISM that my relationship with the Lord grew drastically and my call to ministry with pre-teen and teen girls was confirmed. My last two months have been spent interning at NightLight, which is a jewelry business, also working as a non-profit organization, that offers holistic employment and intervention to exploited women and children. Between ISM and my time at NightLight, I have learned and experienced just how extravagant Christ’s love really is for His children, no matter what any of us do, His love covers all! Though I have always known this, I didn’t fully understand the extravagance of His love until I was introduced to the harsh realities of this world, for instance the sex industry. Secondly, I have learned what it means to literally just be God’s hands and feet, especially with the language barrier and going on outreach each week with NightLight. Though I may not have always had the chance to talk with someone, I was able to be a light for Him in a dark place by praying for transformation of the bars and claiming salvation over the many men and women in Jesus name that I saw there! These last few months in Thailand will be something that I will carry with me for the rest of my life as I have learned, grown and experienced much and have met many incredible people, my life has been drastically impacted!

Psalm 36:5-7

“Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your justice like the ocean depths. You care for people and animals alike, O Lord. How precious is your unfailing love, O God! All humanity finds shelter in the almighty

 

Heidi Garrell

Coming to ISM has been one of the most stretching experiences of my life. A few of the challenges are being in an unfamiliar environment with people that you don’t necessarily know and trying to get acclimated as quickly as possible. However, the culture classes at ISM helped with that and I learned to be open to God and whatever way He wanted to work in me, even if it is not what I had been used to in the past. The mission field is like a steam cooker. The best and the worst come out when you are under pressure.  I would recommend ISM to anyone who is willing and open to have God grow them exponentially in their relationship with Him and with others. If you are willing, He will open your eyes a bit further into what He sees. ISM ROCKS!

 

Advice from interns who have been there, done that.

We asked our interns if they had any advice for the next group of students coming to ISM and interning in SEA – this is what they said:

from Taylor – interned at the Church of the Living God – India

1.Ask your hosts what their vision is  for their ministry,  buy in,  get up to speed as soon as possible and support it with all you’ve got.

2.  Don’t let what you see cripple you.

3.  Be compassionate.

4.  Be ready for a busy schedule.

5. Be ready for anything at any time. (speaking, preaching, praying, travelling)

from Emmy – Interned at Noah’s Ark – Philippines

1.  Be ready to be stretched.

2.  Be flexible and open minded.

3.  It may take a while to get up to speed in your internship – be patient.

4.  Don’t expect things to work like they do in North America – sometimes the internet, shower and electricity may be out.

from Laura – interned at Noah’s Ark – Philippines

1.  Jump in immediately – don’t be apprehensive.

2.  Be a self starter.

3.  Go the extra mile to build relationships.  - do a movie night in,  have juice and cookies, pop corn.  It will cause the barriers to disappear quickly.

from Maria – interning at NightLight – Thailand (6 months)

1. Don’t be prideful – everyone has their own stuff to deal with.

2. Your assumptions about trafficking and tackling problems are probably  incorrect.  The  issues are complex and multi layered.

 from Bethany – interned at NightLight – Thailand

1. When internship doesn’t look like what you expected, be open to God teaching you something and don’t fight it.

2.  There may be a big language barrier so don’t expect to be ministering the same way you did in North America.

from Heidi – interned at NightLight – Thailand

1. Everyone likes the idea of serving until they actually have to serve.  Serving may not look like what you expected.

2.  Get ready to learn lessons that may have taken you years to learn if you hadn’t had this experience.

 

Taylor Collado’s Great India Adventure

Well, I’m in India and I’ve pretty much settled into my schedule. It’s a busy one, but I love the ministry opportunities I’ll have. I’m helping out with the Kid’s Ministry, Youth Ministry and Sports Ministry. Most of the ministries they have set up are in the evening, so I’m able to take my days to prepare everything I need.

I’m preparing a drama to go along with the Bible story, and an English worship song for Kid’s Church on Sundays; and I’m preparing some games for Kid’s Club on Saturdays. I’m also going around to some of the “Life Centres” Living God Church has set up in the slums for the kids during the week.

I’m playing football (soccer in North America) with some young teens in the schools. I’ll be giving them the few tips I can (some of them are already better than me) and then sharing a little devotional with them afterwards. This ministry is an awesome way to reach the schools.

I’m getting an awesome taste of Youth ministry here also. I’m doing a few devotionals with the teens during the week at some cell groups (on rooftops, no less!). It was incredible to hear some of the salvation stories from the teens at the cell groups. Most of their families are Hindu, but they’ve been Christians for 1-2 years and have already been baptised and are living the faith. So encouraging! God is moving in Chennai!
My biggest exposure to youth ministry, however, is that I’ll be preaching in the Youth Service every Sunday. Pastor Christo has trusted me with his youth, so please pray that I’m able to say what’s on God’s heart and that I’ll be open to teaching and correction from the leaders.

Thank you so much for your continuous prayer support! Please also pray for the church leaders here. There’s still so much work to do, but everyone has so much passion to change India for God. I’m so excited to work with these guys. They’re making history in Chennai, one soul at a time.

Taylor

Check out the church planting ministries and schools that are looking for interns! YOU could serve here.

ISM is in relationship with 16 ministries. Two of them are involved in creative church planting and two in education.  You could use your gifts and passion to intern in these incredible ministries in India or Thailand.  APPLY HERE!

1.  Church of the living God – Chennai India with Christo and Sarah Emmanuel

Kids are huge part of the work here in Chennai – in fact, it was through Children’s Ministry that the now several hundred-member Church was started. Our community is packed with children – many of them living in abject con- ditions and poverty (about 20% of Chennai’s population live in slums).

Yet despite the overwhelming circumstances children face here, the Lord is truly doing something special among them! Every Saturday Living God Church hosts ‘Kid’s Club’, an outreach program that draws Children from every religion and social standing. Started in 2005, many of the kids who began faithfully attending the fun-filled, evangelistic outreach are now plugged into the church, have received Jesus as their Savior and are being trained as leaders!

As more and more children fill up the outreach programs and con- nect with the Church, we knew that they needed solid teaching and encouragement in their new walk with Jesus. So in the past year, ‘Kid’s Church’ was planted within the church campus. More than 60 children crowd the separate meeting hall each week on Sunday mornings. Furthermore, in the past months 3 Kid’s Cell Groups have been planted in different areas of the community with as many as 20 community kids attending each group. Many of the children (especially from other religious backgrounds) who would normally be forbidden to attend any sort of program within the church, freely come and witness the love of Christ. It is our goal to see these hubs of discipleship and evangelism planted in each street of our community, making a great impact on this upcoming generation!

We are so thankful for what the Lord is doing throughout the year in children’s lives! In celebration of this, Living God Church holds an annual, 7-day VBS in May that attracts more than 300 community kids. Packed with wor-ship, dance, drama, puppet shows, craft work, Gospel-oriented teachings and many more excitingactivities, VBS is one of our greatest opportunities to reach kids within the community with the good news of Jesus.

Living God Church exists to reach every place and person with the Gospel and see believers become impacting leaders. Win the lost, raise up disciples and send out leaders!

Intern Details:

Living God Church’s greatest need is for someone who can give co-leadership to youth programs/discipleship, pioneer new outreaches and small groups to reach youth, and teach in a discipleship training school. Other areas of need you could be asked to help with include: evangelism, outreach, preaching, teaching, children’s ministry, youth ministry, slum ministry, Bible college, ESL and administrative.

Living God Church has an intensive work schedule, and is hoping for an intern that is both hard-working and self-motivated. Due to this, as well as the straining environmental factors (eg. heat), the intern should be in good physical and emotional health. Although Living God Church addresses some aspects of social projects, the main focus is on preaching, teaching and training, so interns must have a good grasp on biblical and spiritual topics and be willing to lead.

2.  Rob Heyman – church planting, teaching English – Khon Khen Thailand

Rob Heyman mentors pastors and church planters, and assists them in their ministries. His goal is to assist Thai pastors in accomplishing the will of God for their ministries.

Intern Details:

Rob Heyman has a variety of needs you may be asked to fill, including: evangelism, outreach, preaching, teaching, children’s ministry, youth ministry, and teaching ESL at a school or church to ages 10-16. His main needs are for ministry support, preaching, teaching and teaching English.

3.  Bokaro Pentecostal School – Bokaro India

The Pentecostal Assembly School is a co-educational Institution established on April 4th, 1989. The School began with 30 students and two teaching staff in 1989. Presently we have classes from Std. I to Std. XII with a strength of 1700 students and a team of 85 staff.

The Mission

The Mission of the Pentecostal Assembly School is to provide an education that will meet the changes and challenges of the 21st century. Thus to create a new learning environment for a better society, the school aims and desires to obtain the following objectives :

• To provide a high standard of education under Christian leadership of “The Christian Assembly of Bihar” for children of all communities, irrespective of caste or religion, recognizing and maintaining that the guiding principal of the government, character and the discipline of the school will be based on Christian teaching.
• To prepare academically, socially, and morally, disciplined children
• To teach study and retrieval skills.
• To develop a program to provide a balance of arts (both visual arts and performing arts like music, dance, drama) and sport/physical education with the academic program.
• To help the learners improve their achievement in scholastic areas and to develop life skills and attitudes with reference to the larger context and canvas of life.
• To integrate thinking skills and process into content instruction.
• To instill values in their lives as a basic means to personal growth, spiritual strength and self-enrichment so as to make them responsible and successful citizens of India tomorrow.

In addition there are co-curricular and extra curricular activities which facilitates a holistic learning experience for students. The students are given numerous opportunities to develop their leadership and team-building qualities through various school competitions, science exhibitions, cultural programme, etc. PAS aims at creating good citizens possessing sound health, appropriate skills and desirable qualities besides academic excellence such that our students are able to meet the challenges of life with confidence and success.

Intern Details:

The Pentecostal Assembly School’s greatest need is for short-term teachers in the Bible school, and someone to provide music and worship training for students in the Bible college. Expertise in audio-visuals would be an asset. Other areas you could be asked to help out in are: children’s ministry, youth ministry, worship, Bible college, and ESL.

The Pentecostal Assembly School is centred around ministry to children and youth. They also minister to women through a ladies’ group that meets twice a month. They are based in a small city in Eastern India where people are very conservative. It would be wise to ask or find out the best way of approaching a situation or problem before handling something on your own.

4.  Prem Sewa Boys and Girls Home and Education – Nagpur India

The Society, Prem Sewa Shikshan Sangh, was established in October 1981, by  Rev. Frank M. Juelich.  The hostel, “Kalpana Bhavan” (House of Imagination) had its beginning in the small hut pictured below which initially housed the ten students,  but now has over 630 boys.

What they provide:

Accommodation

We provide accommodation for our boys in two dormitories and other rooms. At our girls’ hostel there is one dormitory and we are currently constructing a second.

Education

We are also running two schools, one in the Nagpur compound, at Gorewada Basti, and one at Manjri. The schools accept children from the surrounding area as well. In both schools the medium of instruction is Marathi, the state language. The Nagpur school has permission to run classes from grade 1 to grade 12. The school at Manjri, at present has permission only from grade 5 to grade 10. Both schools have a computer institute for the children. The Nagpur home/school has at present 50 computers. The number of students in the Nagpur school – both primary and secondary is 900. Our college students go to colleges in the city.

Food

Our children all receive three meals a day plus early morning tea.

Medical Care

Basic care is provided at the hostel. Really sick kids are taken to local hospitals. At our Nagpur compound we also  have an ambulance available.

In 1987 we started our primary school.

Girl’s Hostel

Our girls’ hostel was established in 1992. It now cares for around 500 girls from nearby villages. It is located 650 kilometers from the boys home in the district of Dhule. The compound contains an office, water tower, a building which is both dorm and school for the girls and a second dorm building is now under construction.

Intern Details:

Prem Sewa is looking for interns to be involved in youth ministry, children’s ministry, Evangelize outside compound, social work, English, music, computer and sports.  To intern at Prem Sewa you should be experienced in missions  and able to work well on your  own.

Short term Missions or a Missions Trip – What’s the difference?

Usually when you start preparing for 2 months or more of volunteering/serving in another country you feel exhilarated about all the new things/people/food/culture you are about to experience. And you should! Serving overseas is no small task and it’s a step that I cheer about every time someone makes the gigantic leap from wanting to serve and actually starting the process, raising funds and getting on a plane. I say WAY to GO to everyone who actually does it. Amazing and beautiful!

Some of your initial thoughts may be, “I’ve been on a missions trip so this will be a piece of cake!“ But there is a big difference between a missions trip (a visit) and serving for a few months. One gives you a taste of the mission’s world and the other gives you the full meal deal. Your first inkling that what you are embarking on isn’t just a taste test is the time factor. After 10 days on a missions trip you are heading to an airport back to your family, mom’s cooking and your own soft bed! When you are staying in a foreign country for a few months after a few weeks the excitement can start to wear off and you start longing for pancakes and maple syrup! When you come to serve, you still have a return ticket, which lets you know the trip WILL come to an end, but as days turn into months, that return date can seem like an eternity away. A missions trip includes a translator; a team and you bringing lots of wonderful gifts and programs to those you came to serve. None of those things are part of the serving experience. You are alone or maybe with one other brave soul, you can’t communicate, and you’ve got “nothing” to offer as you usually are hanging on to every penny so you can make it to the end without running out of cash. You also feel very hindered by the inability to say any more than hello and thank you. At about day 10 you will probably ask yourself. “What have I done?”

What have I done?

Why serve short term instead of just coming on a missions trip? You can compare the missions trip to going to a great concert and loving the experience because it was so amazing to hear such a talented band. The euphoria wears off as quickly as singing the tunes does and within a couple of days you are over it and on to the next new hit. It was still a great time, but the high you received was very short lived. If however, you got on the bus and travelled with the artists for 2 months, listened to them practice 24/7, went from city to city, watched them write songs, set up and tear down, fight with other band members and deal with adoring fans you’d get a real taste of what it means to be a rock star. For some people it would be the icing on the cake that YES this is what they were born to do and others would rather just go buy a CD. The difference however on a short term trip is even if you don’t fully enjoy the experience you still may be compelled make it a life long decision. Serving others really isn’t about you or what you like. That can be a bitter pill to swallow, but it really can be the most incredible thing you learn while doing it. If you don’t feel the missions life is for you, you still can return home a different person by spending less, praying more and being an advocate for the those in the missions world.

A short-term trip means you really taste and see what it means to be a missionary; a missions trip means you get an adventure with memories that last a lifetime. Short term trips also give you and the Lord a chance to have some in depth discussions about The tower of Babel, death to self, His character, the showdown with the Prophets of Baal, heaven and hell, that nagging sin you had no idea lurked in the corners of your heart, your character and that’s only the beginning of the deep digging His Holy Spirit will do in your life, if you let Him. Coming to serve in another nation is not just about good memories that last a lifetime; it’s about a changed life that can last for eternity.

Katie in Kolkata