"From Mission Tourists to Global Citizens"

Twelve Insights (for short-term missions teams) 

1.     It is not the church of God that has a mission in the world, but the God of mission who has a church in the world.

2.     That which is yet to be done in the world is far less than that which has already been done!

3.     People are more alike than their cultures.

4.     Love is the universal language.

5.     Short-term mission is a treasure hunt.

6.     In cross-cultural encounters we are meeting long-lost, distant relatives.

7.     God goes before you – you are catching up on a conversation that God has already begun.

8.     God does not send us to be critics.

9.     In the treasure hunt of grace, our encouragement and affirmation of people may be our most significant ministry.

10. Our privilege is to lift Jesus up in deed and word.

11. The quality of our love as a team and our incorporation of new team members may be our greatest witness.

12. God will not call us to do something without also giving us the resources to do it.

Taken from Short-Term Missions Workbook: From Mission Tourists to Global Citizens, by Tim Dearborn ©2003, Intervarsity Press.

The team that came down last month had a sheet printed out with these twelve insights.  During the week it became evident that they had internalized these truths as they approached difficulties as a treasure hunt, watching to see what God would do. It was a privilege for me to watch them lifting up Jesus in word and deed, as it says in number ten.  

Another thing I really appreciate is how they incorporated the new team members, not just Jim and me, but the local believers.  Normally teams try to discretely get Jim and me to take their photo so the folks back home can see "The Team."  This group made a point of including us and the local church folks in their "family photo."  I love that.

Truthfully I haven't read the book these insights came from, but it sounds like a good one to recommend to future short-term teams. I love the subtitle:  From Mission Tourists to Global Citizens.  Right on!