Resources for Short Term Vision/Mission Teams

We've been on both sides.  
We've each been a part of short-term mission teams and we've also hosted teams, both separately and together. 

We personally find huge value in properly preparing a team (or individual) for a trip to a foreign country and culture.  We've discovered that setting a focus on learning and developing relationships rather than doing projects and seeking accomplishments has been a key to a "successful" mission trip.

Below are some great resources for individuals and teams.  These are intended to supplement a church mission trip training program. We do not suggest someone use only these resources. 

Articles: Short Term Team Preparation

Click on the title to read each article
10 Steps for Doing Short Term Missions - Whole, by Sarita Hartz. If you read nothing else, read this one!! Team leaders and each member!

When Rich Westerners Don't Know They are being Rich Westerners - Djibouti Jones, by Rachel Pieh Jones. Must read for each team member.

The Reasons We Go - by Addie Zierman. Good ideas for things to focus on during a trip.

Using Your Poor Kid to Teach My Rich Kid a Lesson - by Jamie, the Very Worst Missionary. Great thoughts focusing how we're all alike.  Especially good if children and youth are on a team. 

10 Things You Need to Know Before Going on a Mission Trip - Unexpected.org, by Melanie Dale. Great things to consider and help set your focus for a trip.

Short Term Mission Trips : Maximizing the Benefits - Mission Frontiers, by Glenn Schwartz. Short article about "being" rather than "doing".

The Good Missionary - Christianity Today, by Samuel Ikua Gachagua and Claire Diaz-Ortiz. An African orphan shares on what he loves (and doesn't) about short-term mission teams.

Please Don't Say They are Poor but They're Happy - A Life Overseas, by Rachel Pieh Jones. Tough truths about experiencing poverty.

Good Intention, Good Practice - Djibouti Jones, by Rachel Pieh Jones. This will make you think before you snap a photo!!

Articles: Short Term Teams Post-Trip Processing

Reverse Culture Shock - Team Pete, by Joe and Daneen Peterson.  Our personal thoughts on ways to work through reverse culture shock.

Rocky Re-entry - various articles and resources about the challenges of reverse culture shock and re-entry.

I Am a Triangle - Thrive Connection, by Deb Smith. Talks about how your worldview changes after an impactful trip to a foreign culture. 

A Life Overseas - Good stories about missionaries living overseas.

When Missionaries Leave the Field - Christian Standard, by Carla Williams from Team Expansion.  For long-term missionaries; not applicable to short term teams.

Training Resources for Teams:

Missions Dilemma video series ($30-50), by Steve Saint – Designed for group discussion.  Great for trip preparation meetings.

Helping Without Hurting in Short-term Missions ($12) - Leadership guide with video series. A paradigm-forming contemporary classic on the subject of poverty alleviation, specifically for short term trips. Avaliable on RightNow Media (free with subscription).

Roundtrip Missions Video Series ($20) - Various topics relative to short term missions.

Online videos from Roundtrip Missions (free) Various teaching modules on great topics.

Books:

- When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett & Brian Fikkert. Free online video sessions for group discussion. *Check out the updated version specific for short-term missions.

- Africa Friends and Money Matters by David E. Maranz

- The Blue Sweater: Bridging the Gap Between Rich and Poor by Jacqueline Novogratz

- A Hole In the Gospel.  6 week study guide and DVD series for groups.
- More book suggestions on topics of missions, cross-culture, international development, Africa (by country) provided here. 

Additional Training for Individuals:

Perspectives Class - Find a class near you.

CHE Training (Community Health Evangelism) – Holistic approach to missions. Uses a model of training nationals to train other nationals. 

Training for Long term missionaries:
Mission Training International - Compass, a 4-week pre-departure training. Learn skills to survive (and thrive) long term on the mission field. ($$$) 

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  These are resources we have personally used or teams we've hosted have used.  Please comment below or email us with your favorite team preparation resources!