mission+trip+manual short-term mission trips by christ for the city international

Transcription

1 mission+trip+manual short-term mission trips by christ for the city international

2 CONTENTS Missions Manual 4 SECTION ONE Leader Prep Highlights 4 What Makes a Leader? Download Section One Resources 12 Understanding Latin Culture 6 SECTION TWO- Recruiting & Team Prep 14 Living with a Host Family 8 SECTION THREE Fundraising 101 Download Section Three Resources 17 Additional Resources 10 SECTION FOUR Travel Planning Provisionary permission granted to reproduce and use material for short-term mission trip training and preparation. May not be reproduced for profit. Credit Christ For the City International.

3 About Us CHRIST FOR THE CITY INTERNATIONAL is a multi-cultural fellowship of God s people who share common values, theology and ministry philosophy and are committed to the multiplication of churches that impact cities in strategic population centers, beginning in the Latin world. OUR HISTORY Christ For the City began in 1983 as the urban outreach program of Latin America Mission (LAM). Initiatives to work across denominations and reach the least evangelized barrios and neighborhoods began. In Medellin, Colombia, pastors came together to pray for the peace of their city. As these believers prayed with one heart and mind, this notoriously violent city saw the power of God revealed as the violence decreased exponentially. The program continued to grow and in 1995, with the blessing of LAM, became Christ For the City International (CFCI), an autonomous non-profit. FOCUS ON CITIES Today, CFCI continues to focus the majority of its work in over 30 cities. Unprecedented urban migration has produced increased poverty and urban dislocation worldwide. It was predicted that by 2000, 80% of the world's population would live in mega cities with 46% of them living in abject poverty. This has become a reality. The widening gap between rich and poor has provided momentum for increasing low level conflict and increasing illegal immigration. As discouraging as the consequences of this growing gap may be, it has resulted in an increasing demand for organizations like Christ For the City International, whose mission it is to help people transform cities by transforming lives. OUR SERVICE Before entering a country, CFCI is invited into a specific city by the pastoral association, which enables us to work across denominational lines. Each ministry base is then led by nationals and has its own Board of Directors. This means that CFCI works in a very grassroots, organic way. We do not have one ministry strategy that we use in every country. Our ministries in San Jose, Costa Rica operate much differently than our ministries in San Salvador, El Salvador because each location is experiencing different problems and has different needs. COUNTRIES Christ For the City International now conducts ministry in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mali, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Spain and the USA. We are currently expanding into Southeast Asia. MISSIONARIES We have over 300 missionaries and staff who help us fulfill our mission and spread God s Word. Over 75% of our missionaries are nationals ministering in their own countries and communities. OUR FUTURE In a world hungry for spiritual answers our Christian identity and what we do as a result of that identity, is our single most important distinctive. The Good News that people and communities can be rightly related to God and to each other and thereby impact their cities for Christ is key to accomplishing our vision that there be no place without a witness, no Church without a vision and no person without hope. We welcome you to join us in the work the Lord has called us to.

4 Preparing the Leader What Makes a Leader? Section One

5 Heart Check: Three Reasons You Should Not Lead A Mission Team [1] [2] [3] BECAUSE YOU LIKE BEING IN CHARGE For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 BECAUSE YOU RE THE SMARTEST But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty... 1 Corinthians 1:27 BECAUSE YOU HAVE CHARISMA When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God s power. 1 Corinthians 2:2 Heart Check: Five Reasons You Should Lead A Mission Team [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] BECAUSE YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:1-3 BECAUSE YOU KNOW HOW TO SUBMIT TO AUTHORITY For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. Romans 12:3 BECAUSE YOU PERSIST IN PRAYER See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thess 5:15-18 BECAUSE YOU WALK IN LOVE You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. If you love Me, keep My commandments. But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. Matthew 22:37-38, John 14:15, Matthew 5:44-45 BECAUSE YOU ARE A SERVANT TO ALL And He sat down and called the Twelve [apostles], and He said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he must be last of all, and servant of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 9:35, Mark 10:45

6 Section TWO Preparing the team Three Rules no complaining Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you can become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation in which you shine like stars in the universe. (Philippians 2:14-15)...for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13) We are God s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10) 2. Do all you re asked Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy and not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you. Hebrews 13:17 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Mark 10:45 But Jesus answered them, My Father has worked [even] until now, [He has never ceased working; He is still working] and I, too, must be at [divine] work. John 5:17 3. Live out loud (leave every place cleaner than you found it) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. Colossians 3:23-24

7 Preparing the team working together GET THEM OUT of their comfort zone. Turn off the air conditioner or crank up the heat in your meeting room- see how your team responds to environmental stressors. Debrief with the team about reactions and discuss how they could better respond while on the field. GIVE AN ASSIGNMENT that requires the team members to work together. Try to assign responsibilities that require each team member to ask for help from others. For instance you could ask the administrative types to build something, ask the hands-on types to plan a devotional, ask the helpers to lead the goal is to create an environment where team members have to rely on each other s abilities to get the job done. They should have to submit themselves, one to another. PUSH THEM to try something new. Have the entire team try a new food or have the team learn a traditional European or Latin group dance together. MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE to meet deadlines. You could set up a rewards system where the team members earn credits or points for being on time- points are added when they are on time... and taken away when they re late. The team with the most points earns a prize. UNREALISTIC EXPECTATIONS need to be dealt with BEFORE you get to the mission field. Change the meeting time/place 2 hours before the meeting and see how the team responds to the inconvenience of a last-minute change in plans. Discuss each team member s feelings and reactions about the change and discuss how they can choose to respond while on the mission field. Play the game Mau. See how team members respond when they don t know all of the rules ahead of time. Debrief about how they can respond better to these stressors when on the field. OVERCOMING OBSTACLES TO UNITY 1. Build Trust & Cooperation Do the Trust Walk Exercise 2. Build Communication- Play the Mau game 3. Encourage Spontaneity Do the Twenty Minute Gospel Exercise Note: All exercises and game instructions can be found in the Leader Resources PDF. Click here to download.

8 Section THREE FUNDRAISING 101 WRITING A SUPPORT LETTER One of the best ways to raise support is to write a support letter. A support letter advertises your trip and invites people to support you either through prayer or finances. Be aware that supporters must make their check out to the church or CFCI in order to receive a tax deduction. Step 1. Spend some time gathering about 50 names of people who may be interested in contributing toward the mission trip. After you have put together your list of names, collect addresses and phone numbers and put all your contacts in Excel. This will make your contacts easy to keep track of, allow you to make labels for mailing your letters, and help you keep track of who has sent you a donation. SUPPORTERS CAN BE: Family Coworkers Small Group Members Bible Study Leaders Former Teachers or Youth Leaders Church Mission Committee Members Friends of your Parents or Grandparents Old friends from College or High School Step 2. Have a strategy. Plan to send your letters out by a specific date and to have your thank you notes sent out promptly upon receiving donations. In your letters, include a response card where people can commit financially or prayerfully to your trip. Be sure to include a self addressed envelope so your supporters can easily make their donation. It is also a good idea to include a prayer card, bookmark, or magnet in your letter. Include a picture of you or your team and any prayer requests you have for your trip.

9 Consider the deadline when your money needs to be sent in to CFCI and leave enough time to get your letters finished and for people to pray about supporting you. Step 3. Start Writing. Be sure to include the following elements in your letter: Some news about you and what s happening in your life The dates and location of your trip The name of the organization you are working with A description of the needs of the people and the place where you will be serving The purpose of the trip Why you feel called to go The specific amount you need to raise Directions on how to make a donation FUNDRAISING 101 A request for prayer If you like, you may choose to break down your need into specific numbers of dollar amounts. For example, if you need to raise $1000, you can describe your need as follows: 1 donation of $250 2 donations of $100 3 donations of $75 4 donations of $50 5 donations of $25

10 - Checklist FOR planning a safe trip Read through the U.S. State Department s website: Look for specific travel advisories about the country you plan to visit. Read the safety and security information regarding what to do in the event of an emergency overseas. If you are the leader, register your trip with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program through the U.S. State Department website. STEP In order to travel abroad you will need a current Passport, and in some cases a Visa. It is wise to start this process at least 6 months prior to departing. Visit the Center for Disease Control website ( to see what vaccinations are recommended or required for your destination country and what diseases or illnesses you may come into contact with while in-country. Review and be familiar with your travel insurance information. Be sure to check the dates on your insurance cards to ensure that your coverage extends over the entire trip. If your church or organization does not provide coverage CFCI will purchase insurance for the team. Leave your phone at the ministry base once you arrive in your destination country. In Latin America, cell phones are magnets for thieves. If you must have a cell phone with you at all times, consider purchasing a throw-away phone in-country. Minors should carry on their person at all times the Minor Release Form signed and notarized by both parents. Getting through immigration & Customs a. With your passport and ticket in hand, board your international flight. b. Fill out the customs & immigration forms on the plane. You can use one immigration form per family or individual, however, each individual will need to fill out a customs form. You are traveling as a TOURIST. Be honest just not too detailed Section FOUR - - c. Once you land, proceed to immigration (MIGRACION). Have passport, customs & immigration forms in hand. Your passport will be STAMPED.

11 PURCHASING AIRFARE TIPS FOR TRAVELING ABROAD Online travel sites are a great way to compare airline carriers and get the best deals. However, once you know which airline you want fly, book your flights directly with the airline. Often they will offer a group discount rate. Travel agents still work magic. If you have a large group, consider using a travel agent to alleviate the hassle of purchasing airfare. LUGGAGE Depending on the airline, travelers may or may not be required to pay a fee for checked luggage. Check the airline s website for extra fees. Make sure that your luggage meets the airline s size requirements. HELPFUL INFORMATION TO BRING TO THE FIELD WITH YOU Carry your missionary s contact information with you. This will be provided on the Emergency Contact sheet you receive from CFCI prior to your trip. The leader should collect the following items from each team member: -Copy of passport -Copy of medical release forms -Original notarized minor release forms -Insurance cards (each team member should have a copy of their card). Medical Teams should have a permission letter for medicines on hand. d. Now go to the luggage claim and collect all your bags. If you are missing any luggage make sure to declare that on a form BEFORE leaving e. Next, proceed to customs (ADUNA) with your passport, customs form & luggage in hand. Once your luggage is inspected, you are free to go! Bienvenidos! WELCOME f. Find a welcoming face and a sign for your team. Now your adventure begins!

12 Understanding LatinAmerican Culture by CFCI President, Dr. Chip Anderson

13 Culture affects everything; from how we view life to the way we relate to one another. The differences between our North American culture and the Latin American culture are vast and unique. Let us strive to understand and value each other s culture. TheNorthAmericanPointofView The culture of North America, as it is today, began with people seeking freedom from religious persecution and oppression in Europe. The first European settlers of North America viewed their conquest and settlement of the New World as their destiny. This perspective of oppressed settlers finding their God-given destiny in a new land resulted in the optimism of today's North American culture. To North Americans, life is what they decide it will be, and they believe that the power to create a good life for themselves is within their reach. In general, North Americans tend to have a sense of control over their lives. North Americans often feel they can depend on themselves and their resources, believing that if they work hard they will achieve success. TheLatinAmericanPointofView The culture of today's Latin America is the result of a very different history. The first European visitors to Latin America were Spanish. They came to conquer and pillage the already advanced indigenous societies that existed at that time. Latin Americans were not just conquered, they were forced to assimilate the blood and beliefs of their conquerors into their cultures. Ancient indigenous cultures were supplanted and Spanish culture imposed. Latins consider themselves the sons of the raped ones. They were enslaved and the resources of their countries carried away to Europe or given to their conquerors. This history led to a culture that is a blend of both Spanish and indigenous cultures, which is often a source of confusion and ambivalence for Latin Americans. They both love and hate Spanish culture, while having equally mixed feelings toward their indigenous heritage. Being conquered and oppressed lends a sense of fatalism and distrust of outsiders to Latin American culture, but has also contributed to a more spiritual view of the world than many North Americans possess. KeystoCulture View of truth: Latin cultures view law as relative to who is in power. North Americans coming to establish a new land, having suffered religious persecution, see law and truth as having absolute qualities. Spirituality: Latin American cultures are very sensitive to the spiritual dimensions of how the world operates. North Americans, due to their cause-and-effect world view, are less sensitive to the spiritual aspects of the world around them. Time: In Latin American culture, time is not as important because they are focused on what is happening in the moment. In North American culture, time is more important because they are focused on future goals. ContrastingviewsbetweennorthAmericansandLatinAmericans NorthAMERICANS Optimistic Goal oriented Time is spent on earning money Democratic leadership Value success above people & relationships Materialistic Independent Communicate directly Heterarchical LatinAMERICANS Fatalistic People oriented Time is spent on building relationships Authoritarian leadership Focused on family Spiritual Interdependent Communicate indirectly Hierarchical

14 Q&A:Living When team members return home, most often the aspect of their mission trip that had the greatest impact was the time spent with their host family. With Christ For the City International (CFCI), your days will begin and end with your host family*. It is an amazing experience that allows you to see on a firsthand basis how the local people live in the country where you serve. How does CFCI select host families? CFCI host families are screened and chosen from partnering churches/ministries and then trained on receiving North Americans into their homes. These families are very excited for your stay with them and often rearrange their home just to make space for you. Will I stay with another team member? Yes, team members stay with host families in pairs and often with a Host Family share a room. Will my family have food and water that is safe to eat/drink? Your host family will prepare meals that you can safely eat and will have safe drinking water available. What can I expect? The areas where you will work and stay will be quite different than what you are used to in the U.S. Here are some things you might encounter: Bars on windows and doors Throwing your toilet paper away in a trash can beside the toilet Cockroaches and other bugs in the house Homes may not be as clean due to open house construction. Bathing with a bucket or taking cold showers *Due to the political climate or extenuating circumstances in a select few countries, hotels will be provided in lieu of host homes.

15 Lack of street signs Using an outhouse Restricted water usage due to water rationing Frequent power outages Homes with dirt floors What if I don t speak Spanish well... or at all? While staying with your host family it s perfectly normal to initially feel overwhelmed by the language barrier. Don t, however, let those feelings hold you back! Practice the Spanish that you know and ask your family in Spanish or with actions about new words and phrases. Get out your Bible and share your favorite verses in English and Spanish. Your host family will appreciate your attempts to speak their language. Keep an open heart and mind, and your time with your host family will be one of the most rewarding experiences of your mission trip! I know Spanish, what can I expect? Even though you ve taken Spanish classes, it s best to prepare for some difficulties in communication. You may find that speaking Spanish with a native speaker is much different than your classes. Be aware reading/writing is much different than listening/speaking. In addition, the Spanish we learn in school is often different than the Spanish you will hear in the country to which you will be traveling. Each country and region has a different dialect and may use some words you don t know. Even though communication can be difficult, using your hands, face and other nonverbal communications can help you communicate with your host family. Above all else, love is the language we all speak and the one way that we can communicate the best. What are some non-verbal activities I can do with my family? It s great to have a conversation in Spanish and understand every word, but sometimes that isn t possible. Here are some fun, non-verbal activities you can do with your family. (P.S. It s good to bring some of these things with you.) Paint nails Do hair Play a card game (UNO, Old Maid, Go Fish, NO POKER) Jenga, pick up sticks Create an art project Play hide-and-seek Share family pictures Learn basic Spanish words What do team members say about host families? The host family we stayed with was wonderful. They were all so warm and inviting. We felt like part of the family. The language was a stretch, but I learned a tremendous amount of the language by making myself speak it. We had a lot of laughs. I would have loved to stay longer. I saw a simple life when I lived with the host family. No clutter, no excess, no vanilla coating, what you see is what you get; it s all about peace. I came away with a sense of humility. It was absolutely wonderful to stay with the families. Going there I didn t know what to expect because I don t speak Spanish. But I ve since learned that language is only a small barrier. We had such a great time trying to understand each other. It was such a unique experience to be able to go and stay with the locals. We experienced culture in a way no one would if they just flew dawn for a holiday. I definitely will never forget it.

16 Live Out Loud Mission trips make great stories. Changed lives make even greater stories. Mission trips can change our hearts and minds; they can change the way we see people and the way we relate to God. You are the steward of your mission trip experience. The things you saw, the people you met, the encounters with God you had, all of it is yours to steward now. What will you do about it? If you love missions, get involved in fundraising, invite people to go or join another mission trip. If God has changed your heart, invest in relationships, go spend time with your friends and family. If you have a passion to share the Gospel, get some friends together and go talk to people at the mall. If you love Spanish, find a Spanish speaker who wants to learn English and be conversation partners. If you realize you have way too much stuff, give some away. If you love the food you ate, learn to make a special dish and serve it to your family. If you want to support a soccer program, gather soccer materials and send it to the ministry where you served. If a medical clinic needs a nurse for a year, go or spread the word. If you would rather serve in your community, find an organization that needs help and serve regularly. If you need to spend more time with God, put aside time to pray, read and worship. You are a steward of your mission trip experiences, so what will you do with it? What is God calling you to do? Who is He calling you to be? Whether you re in Nicaragua, El Salvador or the USA, there are needs all around you. Be thankful. Bless others. Give. Love God and others. Worship in Spirit and in Truth. And remember you can t change anyone else, however, when you change yourself you show the world another way to live. So go, live your life out loud.

17 Additional Resources Learn more about Christ For the City International: CFCI Videos CFCI Blog CFCI Facebook Page Learn more about serving nationally or internationally: National Teams- Urban Plunge International Mission Teams Where You Can Go Short-term Missionaries Where You Can Go Learn more about donating to CFCI ministries: CFCI Donations Site

18 CHRIST FOR THE CITY INTERNATIONAL 5332 S. 138th Street, Suite 200 Omaha, NE