luv1another
October 15th 2006, 09:59 PM
hey Faramir, I hear you have been on a missions trip before...
I actually went on several mission trips in the late '80's early '90's all to the same general area. My response will be an amalgamation of all of them
what organization was your trip organized through?
The trips were from two different churches, though both churches were members churches of the South Metro Atlanta Baptist Association. Which is why the trips were to the same area. That assocation had a "sister" association with the Greater Syracuse Association in upstate New York.
where did you go?
Syracuse, New York and outlying suburbs.
what was your role?
Taught back yard bible school in suburban neighborhood and Bible School at urban church.
Also conducted area survey for potential church prospects.
why did you decide to go on a missions trip?
Went as member of youth group, then as youth group leader.
what were some of the things you did while there?
In addition to the "mission work" listed above I was able to see Niagra Falls (on three separate occasions), New York City, and Washington D.C.
how was the culture and enviroment diffrent to your own?
Living in the Bible belt I was shocked when I found children who did NOT know the words to the song Jesus Loves Me.
Also, before doing the survey in Syracuse, we did a practice survey in the neighborhood of the church. In Georgia, everyone we surveyed said they had a church (though some admitted that they never attended, but even those aknowledged that they should). In New York, there were pleny of people who indicated that they have no interest in church. One man threated to release his dog on us if we did not leave.
On one trip we served in a predominatantly Black church. The worship style was significantly different.
how was it the same?
We all spoke English. Baptist everywhere like to eat.
how do you feel the people responded to your group?
The response was mixed. Everything from the man who threated to release his dog, to the very cordial , but steadfast Atheist, to the very appreciative pastor of a very small Baptist church.
what were some highlights?
Helping out in a very different envioronment. I had done work in my church for years. But my church was family based. Meaning that the kids there had parental support. Many of the kids I worked with, their parents sent them to the Bible School for free baby sitting and the "needyness" of the kids was obvious.
did being on a mission trip meet your expectations?
At the time, yes. I think I would have higher expectations though if I went now.
how was it diffrent to your expectations? both good and bad
It was a lot of work. I was used to "fun" youth trips. There was fun too, but there was work. IMO a mission trip should be work, but I was in my late teens early 20's at the time and more "fun" centered.
Not that serving our Lord and Savior is not fun, but that is a lesson I was slow to learn.
what was the high point of the trip for you?
Making new friends.
what was the low point?
getting stuck in trafic. it took us 4 hours to get from Baltimore to Washington DC and this was from midnight to 4 AM. We then had to sleep on the floor of a condo owned by a former member of our church who lived in DC
tell us a bit about your trip in your own words....
Not much to tell that I have not already said.
I actually went on several mission trips in the late '80's early '90's all to the same general area. My response will be an amalgamation of all of them
what organization was your trip organized through?
The trips were from two different churches, though both churches were members churches of the South Metro Atlanta Baptist Association. Which is why the trips were to the same area. That assocation had a "sister" association with the Greater Syracuse Association in upstate New York.
where did you go?
Syracuse, New York and outlying suburbs.
what was your role?
Taught back yard bible school in suburban neighborhood and Bible School at urban church.
Also conducted area survey for potential church prospects.
why did you decide to go on a missions trip?
Went as member of youth group, then as youth group leader.
what were some of the things you did while there?
In addition to the "mission work" listed above I was able to see Niagra Falls (on three separate occasions), New York City, and Washington D.C.
how was the culture and enviroment diffrent to your own?
Living in the Bible belt I was shocked when I found children who did NOT know the words to the song Jesus Loves Me.
Also, before doing the survey in Syracuse, we did a practice survey in the neighborhood of the church. In Georgia, everyone we surveyed said they had a church (though some admitted that they never attended, but even those aknowledged that they should). In New York, there were pleny of people who indicated that they have no interest in church. One man threated to release his dog on us if we did not leave.
On one trip we served in a predominatantly Black church. The worship style was significantly different.
how was it the same?
We all spoke English. Baptist everywhere like to eat.
how do you feel the people responded to your group?
The response was mixed. Everything from the man who threated to release his dog, to the very cordial , but steadfast Atheist, to the very appreciative pastor of a very small Baptist church.
what were some highlights?
Helping out in a very different envioronment. I had done work in my church for years. But my church was family based. Meaning that the kids there had parental support. Many of the kids I worked with, their parents sent them to the Bible School for free baby sitting and the "needyness" of the kids was obvious.
did being on a mission trip meet your expectations?
At the time, yes. I think I would have higher expectations though if I went now.
how was it diffrent to your expectations? both good and bad
It was a lot of work. I was used to "fun" youth trips. There was fun too, but there was work. IMO a mission trip should be work, but I was in my late teens early 20's at the time and more "fun" centered.
Not that serving our Lord and Savior is not fun, but that is a lesson I was slow to learn.
what was the high point of the trip for you?
Making new friends.
what was the low point?
getting stuck in trafic. it took us 4 hours to get from Baltimore to Washington DC and this was from midnight to 4 AM. We then had to sleep on the floor of a condo owned by a former member of our church who lived in DC
tell us a bit about your trip in your own words....
Not much to tell that I have not already said.