the EVANGELISM MISSION
quick tips: Overcoming Initial Challenges
Short-term Mission work is readily available in Belize for those who wish to serve the Lord in that capacity. Many people cannot take years off work and live in a foreign country. This is one reason why short-term missions have become so popular, as annual work vacations can be used to serve the Lord abroad. However, be aware, evangelizing in a foreign country is no matter to take lightly. It is true, some use short-term missions as a real vacation. They are there without an understanding of their own purpose, and without an understanding of God's purpose. Just as some go on short-term mission projects and have no impact, there are many, many more who travel with intent to assist those who are in need and without the Gospel.
Evangelism in short-term missions is quick and hard-hitting, so to speak, presenting a number of instant challenges: First, you are out of your element, so you act a bit differently, and sometimes have to shake off "nerves". Second, there has been no time, or only little time, to establish a relationship of trust. Third, you are going home to your air-conditioning and microwave dinners, while those you evangelized will remain in their poverty.
To overcome these three (and there are other challenges also) and have a successful short-term mission, there are few things you must know.
(1) Culture Shock Preparedness - Learn everything you can about the country to which you are travelling, everything you can about their culture and history, everything about their particular society, including government, social programs, current events. This knowledge will help you establish a limited, but important rapport.
(A) Ask a lot of Questions before you go.
(B) Ask a lot of Questions while you are there.
(C) Just talk with the people, answer their questions, ask them
questions. Most Belizeans are very friendly, and very laid back.
(2) Bible Study Preparedness - Most likely you will be going with an experienced short-term missionary. Rely on this person, talk often with this person, trust and listen to this person. You are not going to have time on a short-term mission to establish a lot of trust, so be prepared to meet this challenge and lean heavily on those who have gone before you.
(A) Use a specific Study Pamphlet - there are probably a million Ivan
Stewart study pamphlets in Belize, or more.
(B) Practice, Practice, Practice - Here you would rely on the
information you've gathered about Belize and all the information
obtained from your Team Leader. How does your approach sound?
Will you be understood? How comfortable are you with your study
approach? What verses are you going to use? Why are you using
those verses? What do those verses mean and mean to you?
(C) Relax - If you get a question you cannot handle, grab one of the
more experienced team members to assist.
(3) Returning Home Preparedness - Always keep in mind that you are going to return home - This is important for a number of reasons, two of which are:
(A) Do not promise anything that you cannot deliver. If you say you
are going write, then be prepared to do so. There will also be
some whom you evangelize that just want you to give them
money. Offer to pray with them, remember you are not there to
give financially to everyone; if you have extra cash and want
to give, do so, but discretely and with caution.
(B) If they ask, tell them whatever they want to know about the
States, but remember they cannot return with you. They will
remain in their current situation. So do not complain too much
about the lack of AC or that lack of cheeseburgers or that you so
wish you had brought more money to buy souvenirs. Just use
good judgment and be sensitive to the real conditions of those whom you interact.
(C) Since you are returning home in a week, work hard. Rest when
needed, but make the most of all your time. Do not waste any
opportunities to spread the Good News of Christ Jesus.
There is much more to learn, and you will, to be sure, return a different person. Above all, remember why you are there. Though you may have a day off at the end of the week to relax and take in the sites, you are there to do the Lord's work, to give souls the opportunity to respond to the Gospel. If that is your priority, then everything else will fall into its proper place.
