more than Short Term Missions

Scenario - Cherokee, North Carolina - summer Missions opportunity:

You are the project leader on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. One of your teams has been placed in a day program for Indian children to do a Backyard Bible Club. The relationship with this particular program has in the past been strained. The group seems to be getting along very well with the children and the staff seem to be especially open.

In order to show appreciation to the group, the day program staff invites a local legend teller to come in and share some of the Cherokee legends. One of the legends, which is the children's favorite, is especially scary. After the legend teller leaves, one of the adult leaders of the church group comments to one of the day program staff that it was a shame that the legend teller couldn't have told stories that were true and not so scary.

The scenario above was a real one that had occurred in the past. Howard and I were challenged as part of our training last weekend to think about how we would respond in that situation and encourage both the adult leader and the staff at the Cherokee program in a loving, Christ-like manner.

On Palm Sunday weekend Howard and I joined fellow volunteers at Goose Creek Campground in Cherokee, North Carolina for a time of learning how to serve others better as they experience a short-term mission trip. Mission to the World needs Associate Staff to make these weeks happen, and in January we signed up for this program as we weren't sure what our summer plans would be - we didn't know that we are only 17% away from having our total funds for our work in Lethbridge raised.

As part of our work in Lethbridge, Alberta, we will be welcoming teams of volunteers from the U.S. and elsewhere to join us as we reach out to the Blackfoot people in and around the city. To prepare ourselves we signed up to serve this summer as Associate Staff in Cherokee, N.C. where there is an established volunteer program in place. This training program was excellent and taught us so many things we will need to know here in the U.S. and in Canada.

The purpose of MTW's Short-term, One & Two Week Missions Program is to provide one-to-week missions experiences for individuals and church groups in order to strengthen the church of Jesus Christ, expand the kingdom of God, and cultivate the next generation of missionaries.

100% of long-term missionaries

have experienced a Short-Term trip!

Mission to the World sends over 5000 people annually all over the world to experience 1 week to 1 year long short-term mission trips - you can find out more about how you could be involved by checking out the MTW site: Get Involved

Next year Lethbridge will be one of the places you can come and experience!

The take-away from our weekend of training was:

PFTL*

(people first - task last)

All mission trips are about relationships not about the bricks and mortar project being done.

Relationships between fellow workers, relationships with the people, and personal relationships with our Savior will all be grown - the accomplishing of a project is a side benefit.

Howard and I are looking forward to working for a week in June in Cherokee with those who will be coming to Show Jesus to the people in Cherokee, and then taking what we have learned with us first to Belgium during the month of July for our Cross Cultural and Relationship training, and then on to our new home in Lethbridge later this summer.

Philippians 2:13 - Trust in the Lord - he will give me what SHOULD BE in my heart - He will give us THE WILL and the ability to do what is needed.

Show People how much

God Loves Them!