Things You'll Need:
- Money
- Passport
- Appropriate Clothing
- First Aid Supplies
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Step 1
As soon as you make the decision to go on an international mission trip, apply for a passport if you don't already have one. It can take two months or longer to receive a new passport.
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Step 2
Go to the U.S. Department of State website and look up the country that you will be visiting. If there are any travel warnings, special requirements for entry such as vaccines or visas, or anything else that you need to be aware of, this is where you will find this information.
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Step 3
Raise the money that you will need for the mission trip. Usually this is done by writing a compelling fundraising letter and sending it to family and friends. You can also raise the money through working a part-time job or holding a yard sale.
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Step 4
Read everything you can find about the country that you will be visiting so that you can learn about the culture. You can do this by reading magazine and newspaper articles online, reading blogs and forums, or by checking books out of your local library. Your team leader may also be able to suggest some good books for you to read during your time of preparation for the mission trip.
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Step 5
Expect culture shock. When you travel to another part of the world, you will see that there may be huge cultural differences between living in the United States and living in the country that you will be visiting. They may have vastly different ideas about hygiene, personal space and privacy, punctuality, and table manners, just to name a few. Be flexible at all times and remember that you are a guest in their country. If the shoe was on the other foot and they were visiting the United States, they would probably think that some of our customs are strange as well.
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Step 6
Pack appropriate clothing for your mission trip. Be sure to consider the weather that you will be experiencing, and also the culture of the area. This is especially important for women who are traveling to Muslim countries where ladies are expected to dress very modestly. You should aim to blend in with the local people, not make a fashion statement. If you're not sure if an outfit is appropriate for your mission trip, then you should leave it at home.
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Step 7
At least one person on your team should pack some basic first aid supplies. Depending on the location where you will be staying and working, there may or may not be a store nearby. At the very least, you should take headache medication, band-aids, antibiotic cream, sunscreen, bug repellent, and something to calm an upset stomach.
Comments
cdocsue said
on 7/8/2009 Great information. Thanks for the article.