A towel (humility): For remembering to graciously accept hospitality.
A broken watch (deliberateness): So I won’t be in a hurry all the time, particularly when I’m talking to people.
My Bible (transformation): To discipline myself to read daily from God’s Word, memorize passages and grow like Jesus—in wisdom, stature and favor with God and favor with humans.
Crayons (creativity): So I won’t sit around waiting to be entertained.
Gifts (generosity): To give the families I came to serve. (Note: First ask mission leader for appropriate gift suggestions.)
Journal (discernment): To keep record of the incredible things I see and hear.
Magnifying glass (healthy curiosity): For asking questions about things I’m uncomfortable with or don’t fully understand, especially how or why a missionary is doing something. So I’ll take an interest in my surroundings and enjoy the differences I observe.
A mirror (respect): As a reminder to heed my appearance and conduct [e.g., what I wear, whom I talk to and whom I can touch or hug].
My brain (sensibility): So I won’t try to “straighten out” a national but instead listen and give scriptural advice. To help me remember if I need assistance, I should ask one of the missionaries for help.
My heart (friendliness): So I can shake hands with the people I meet [or whatever the appropriate greeting is for my area].
An open mouth (consideration): For carrying on conversations with nationals, not just the people in my group.
A closed mouth (follow-through): So I won’t make promises unless I’m able to deliver [e.g., sending pictures, Bibles, money or other promises I might later find difficult to keep].
A raincoat (patience): As a reminder not to display anger or impatience when unexpected things happen, especially if it could repel people and damage the cause of Christ.
Shoes (pro-activity): For helping me think of things to do and to help.
Trowel (participation): So I’ll get involved in activities with people in my area, be they gardening, cooking or sports.
A water bottle (partnership): So I’ll work well with the missionaries, sharing frustrations and triumphs during our time together.
Work gloves (usefulness): So that I can “become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings” [1 Corinthians 9:22-23].
Excerpt from How to Get Ready for Short-term Missions by Anne-Geri’ Fann and Greg Taylor. Used with permission of Thomas Nelson, Inc. Copyright 2006.
Around the World and Back
If you’re planning to go on a short-term missions trip this summer, check out
How to Get Ready for Short-Term Missions. It includes ways to build genuine relationships
with the locals, to understand cultural differences and to deal with physical
fatigue.
