SHORT TERM MISSION TRIP PLANNER

With each passing year, more people are packing up for mission trips all over the world. Of note is the growing population of missionary teams coming to Africa for gospel outreach, medical camps, construction work, youth ministry and other ways of serving to the needy in the poor and third world countries.

A fourteen day mission trip is not just 14 days, there are events that precede this plus some that come after. Sometimes, depending on the level of planning, a trip to say, Kenya can take up to a year or more in terms of arranging and execution. Mission trip travel and logistical arrangements is a crucial link in ensuring a successful performance and a positive impact both for the goers and the receivers. Here are some tips that will go along way in helping you succeed in your mission.

Site selection:  Done up to twelve months before departure.
Find all the important information on several probable locations that you may wish to serve. Then select the most that is closest to your heart. When choosing you may want to consider how far the location is from your home area, how to get there, what are the needs of the local people, how effective your expertise, resources and presence will impact on them. Also you may need to consider if be serving alone or as part of a team/group and what is expected from you as part of the team. The mission team leader or facilitator should be able to furnish you with this.

Fund raising: Done continually from eleven months to deadline.

Mission trip friend and fundraising is crucial. You need both to ensure successful mission trip. You need to follow specific guidelines for the same. Follow the values of fundraising deadlines stipulated by your team. Research extensively on fundraising ideas.

Mission trip training: Done after signing up until departure.
Mission trip training and briefing is important for any mission trip enthusiast. This provides all the salient information on what to do, how to do and when to do, plus what to expect.

Air reservation and visa application: Done nine months in advance.
By now you know where you are departing and arriving, find from your missionary travel agency about the airfares and availability of group/missionary rates and discounts. Reserve the ticket and communicate the same to the team office. Check with your travel agent about visa requirements of the destination country. Let your travel agent (most importantly use one with a ground presence) find and reserve accommodation for you and or your team. Get information on immunization requirements and receive the needed jabs.

Documents submission plus insurance: Done up to six months in advance.
This usually is subject to guidelines by your organization. Around this time begin visa processing, submitting copies of your passport, photos and world health organization card to the mission team office.
Purchase insurance remembering to check on the international coverage, evacuation and hospitalization. It is important to read the terms and conditions of the policy.

Baggage plans and purchase of tickets: Done within three months.Short term mission trips sometimes entail carrying along large amounts of luggage. This maybe in the form of gifts, donations or equipment. Your mission team should be able to inform you of how much luggage you are expected to travel with. Armed with the above information, your travel agent should advice you on the airline carrier luggage policies including allowances and all that is important for you to know. About this time it is safe for you to buy the tickets and retain the lowest fare. Let your travel agent advice you also on the same.

Pre departure fortnight:

Pre-departure three days:
Confirm your flight details
Tag your luggage with your group/team logo or uniform tag.
Ensure you have the following with you;
Airline ticket:
Passport with valid visas
All relevant vaccinations with the WHO card
Travel insurance
Ready transport to the airport.
Contacts of your countrys Embassy or consulate.
Let your field office or co-coordinator know of your arrival times. Normally this is done by your team leader if traveling in a group.

D-day:

If connecting before catching your international flight, ensure that you leave as early as possible. Better Early and wait than sorry.