How to Volunteer for a Border Mission
Border missions are usually taken through a church and are aimed to perform some sort of volunteer work, such as at the border between Mexico and the United States where poverty and crime can be serious issues. Before you volunteer for a border mission, you need to be aware of the possible dangers and risks, as well as living conditions, which can vary greatly from one mission to another.
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Instructions
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Locate a border mission that fits your preferences. If it is the mission itself that you are interested in and not the affiliated church, find missions through a generic database, such as the one run by www.church.org. Sites like these list upcoming missions throughout the world. You can also find missions through the head organizational element of a specific church. For example, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has their own mission network that lists missions according to the region where they will be conducted. You should also ask your local church about their own upcoming missions, which may be limited, based on the size of the church.
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Ask questions of your pastors or other leaders of your church. Even if your church isn't conducting a border mission, these individuals will often have connection to leaders of other churches where there are opportunities. You can also seek out specific groups within your church, such as a youth organization, since not all missions are run by the church as a whole.
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Ask questions to get to know the purpose of the border mission to ensure it's something you're passionate about and wish to participate in. For example, you could ask whether it's a conversion mission. Some trips are to spread the word of your faith. Others have more concrete goals, such as cleaning up after a natural disaster or teaching English classes to local children. Cover all of your concerns, such as asking what the language barrier will be, what the crime statistics are in the area, or whether or not you will have direct contact with people or if you will just be performing another service.
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Find out more details of the upcoming border trip. You need to make sure you're well aware of all dangers, conditions and requirements for the trip to make sure you're eligible and still want to participate. Ask questions that have specific answers, such as asking how much it will cost you, what foods and liquids you will be able to consume, if you'll be rooming with other people, and what mode of travel are you taking to the location.
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Fulfill the requirements for the border mission. For example, you may be required to get certain vaccinations before you go.
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References
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