Mission Trips
 

I'm wanting to get everyone's opinion and input on funding for mission trips. It seems that it's common for those wanting to attend a mission trip to seek donations and funding from their local churches to allow them to travel to whatever country they're going to and provide food and shelter for themselves and the trip leader.

My problem is this....you may have 40 people each raising $6,000 to go on a mission trip and visit a country for a week and do missions work...then get on a plane and come back to America. So $42,000 has been spent on traveling, hotels, and food? That $42,000 could be raised to build a church in that country, or provide food and shelter for hundred's.

I personally have been on a mission trip, but I paid for the trip out of my own pocket and asked for donations from my church which I collected to give to the missionaries stationed in that country (South Africa). What are your thoughts on mission trips and funding?

Re: Mission Trips
 

If a person can pay for it, they should. For example my church recently had about 10-14 men go to Guatemala to help build and plan a place for young men to be trained in a profession. The men who went paid their own way for the entire trip and next they are going to I think it's Belize to do something else. The church gave money so the materials for the building could be provided.

That's the way our church decided to do it. Those men that went are pretty well off financially. They can afford it.

I don't think there is anything wrong with a church getting donations and/or funding a missions trip for those that cannot afford to go on a missions trip, however. It should be mission-oriented not a vacation by any stretch if that makes sense.

Re: Mission Trips
 

I always paid my own way on mission trips. I once went on a trip I did not pay for as a substitute for someone who could not go.

$6,000 US dollars seem a little high per person to visit a third world country. But I have not been on a trip for a while.

A team of 40 is questionable. Did each person fill a critical role in the trip ? A group that large would create unique, expensive logistical issues.

I was in a group that large to visit the Russian Oneness church in Leningrad. Only 3 of us had any language skills. Smaller groups are preferred.

Re: Mission Trips
 

I have never heard of a one week missions trip costing $6,000!!! The ones I have known of are generally around $2,000 per person and the folks going do a lot of work for the local church while wherever they are going.

As to your point about just sending the money to the mission field plenty of people do just that but it is usually a life changing experience for people to experience a mission field, particularly a third world country, for themselves. That is something you can't have happen by just sending money.

Re: Mission Trips
 

I will say without any reservation that if someone tells you a missions trip is $6000 someone (probably the organizers) are pocketing a bit of money/someone is going free/or they are using the extra to pay for the mission logistics (such as venue rental, supplies, etc)

I am getting ready to do a 14 day missions trip to the Philippines, China, and Singapore and EVERYTHING (flights/hotels/transfer fees, etc) is only $2300 per person. Additionally we will spend some money for venues and other trip expenses, but imo that should not be paid for by the team unless that is explained as the method of paying for the ministry work to be done.

Re: Mission Trips
 

I've been on one overseas mission trip and it was paid for by a combination of the local church and an anonymous donor. I am grateful for the memories created, the friendship made, and the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than me.

It was an eye-opening experience for me as well.

Re: Mission Trips
 

Hello there! Sorry for replying so late, I am also planning to go on a mission trip soon on my friend's suggestion. He has usually been two mission trips before 4-5 times so he is having a quiet good experience of going to voyage humanitaire trip at abroad. I will ask him and let you know about it soon.

Re: Mission Trips
 

I lead mission trips all across the world every year. The MOST expensive trip we have is two weeks to Africa, and it's $4,000. That's only because about $600 of that is for a two day safari and also we stay in the nicest places available that are reasonable. I don't believe in roughing it just for the sake of roughing it, if you can avoid it.
Most of our people pay their own way, but the younger ones send out letters or have yard sales, etc.
As far as whether the money could be just sent to the country, yes it could, but it probably wouldn't happen. I think mission trips are for three fold purposes:
1 - To bless and encourage the local missionaries or workers
2 - To connect with other Christians from other cultures and just love them. All across the world, people have the opinion that white Americans are superior and we would never stoop to their level. Just going in and working alongside them and getting to know them as brothers and sisters is invaluable to them.
3 - To help our people have a bigger world view and to realize that they have "family" all across the globe. This thing is a lot bigger than just the USA!! Also, it helps people to have a better appreciation for the things in the US that we take for granted. I think every young person should go on at least one mission trip.

Re: Mission Trips
 

I think everyone should take at least one mission trip to the country of their choice. It is enlightening to visit different cultures, ways of worship, get to know people from lands and see how things are done under different circumstances.

As a missionary I recommend that the visitor understand that some things are just different! A few missionaries try to Americanize their people but it never works after the missionary is gone ...let the people serve God in their culture. Enjoy their rhythm and their songs.

If you don't like their food you do not have to let them know...Smile...hug when appropriate, don't tell them how much better off you are than them...they already KNOW that...

Get with the program! Help the missionary...Remember the missionary is there 24/7....
In 49 years of mission work most of our visitors have been great blessings...of course there were some that came "to check us out..." lol...

Pay your way...don't let the missionary pay for everything! Don't promise the people anything without talking it over to the missionary. The missionary KNOWS his people...

We live in a very out of the way area of Brazil so our visits are few and far in between!

Re: Mission Trips
 

But it's the greatest place to visit!!