Be Humble. • Be Teachable. • Be Prepared.
As you prepare to serve, the hope is that this trip will be impactful for both the city and for yourself. What does it look like to do the most good you possibly can in your short amount of time?
There are three important things you need to know: be humble, be teachable, and be prepared. Each of these elements will play a vital role in the success of your trip and each one has to do with the condition of your heart as you go.
Foundations for a meaningful trip
A mission trip has to start with humility. It’s important to know that you are not coming to save the city. You are partnering alongside people who have been working there for years. These are people, ministries, and organizations that are rooted in the city. They have planted their flags there and aren’t going anywhere.
The second thing you must have is a teachable spirit. This is a part of humility but it warrants its own section. You will likely come in with your own way of doing things and seeing the world. It’s important to know that your way is not the only way and having a teachable spirit will enable you to learn so much more from the people you encounter on your trip. The information you will learn from them will inform who you are going forward in life.
The best way to effectively serve a place is to know it. Ask hard questions of the city: Who are the people working on the city’s problems? What has caused the problems? It’s also important to do the hard internal work and confront your own biases. Are there attitudes, feelings, and values you hold that may be a problem for the people you serve? That doesn’t mean there is something wrong with you or that you need to change but they are important to be aware of.
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