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It’s A Wrap!
A guide of suggestions for when you return home from your
short term mission trip.
Adjusting
Upon arriving home,
missioners may have a hard time adjusting from the time difference, schedule, or excitement o
f a short term mission trip. If at all possible, it is a good idea to rest for two days
(if you are taking antimalarial medicines, continue to take them for two days.
If you experience flu-like fever or illness while travelling or up to one year
after check with a doctor.)
New Friends
You may develop friendships and relationships with those you meet in other
countries, however, do not make any promises you cannot or will not keep,
especially concerning future correspondence, special gifts, a trip to the
U.S. or a return trip for you, help in getting them a U.S. visa, etc…
Re-Entry
Many people returning from even a short term mission trip
experience reverse culture shock. Give yourself time to re-adjust.
Debrief with fellow team members about your trip. Evaluate your trip in written
and oral form. Make a presentation to your church,
family, friends, etc...All of these help in the “re-entry” process.
Don’t compare your trip with someone else’s trip or experience.
Pray
Continue to pray for those you met or encountered while on your
trip. Also, ask others to pray for you because many times when one returns from the mission field, discouragement and
cynicism set in. In addition to
fatigue, these things can bring us down spiritually and physically.
One More Time...
Mission trips do not and should not be “one-time wonders”.
Serving God is something that can be rewarding every day of the week. Check
with the missions area of your church and see how you can get involved in local
missions or how you can participate in another mission experience. Although volunteer mission trips may only last two weeks, the effect of the relationships and experience can last for a long time to come for everyone involved.
Missions change lives. Pick up the torch and continue to serve your community, your state, your church, your world, and your God.
Thank you for your service!
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