tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post17389769008595823..comments2024-03-26T17:40:35.508-07:00Comments on notes from dave: Did You Hear Their Answer?Dave Millerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16777087329254991970noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-60859190880521474582009-08-06T11:52:45.856-07:002009-08-06T11:52:45.856-07:00I did come down originally as an immature teen, tr...I did come down originally as an immature teen, trying to get away for a week and do something fun with my youth group. But we were a smaller, more structured group than many others I have seen go down, even with AIL. Our leaders made sure we were seeking God in it, going through many meetings, group & individually, to see if we were ready. And during the trip we had times for devotions by ourselves, and our leaders made sure we were on task and actually serving instead of goofing off. <br /><br />I think that is where much of the difference comes in. Because of those things, I was able to be in a better mindset, more receptive to the call I received at the end of that week.<br /><br />But the next summer, serving with you for those few months, I remember many other groups that just didn't have it together, and didn't seem to have any prep time, nor did it seem like they had much in the way of discretion in who they took with them..."bottom line" so to speak. Some groups were far too large to even keep everyone involved in some way, and many fell by the wayside to goof off.James' Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15575769532441311670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-52299470426750230062009-08-06T10:57:15.694-07:002009-08-06T10:57:15.694-07:00Well James, that should be the logical progression...Well James, that should be the logical progression.<br /><br />However you pointed out yourself that you came originally for the chance to get away. And God did some good things with you during those times.<br /><br />The questions becomes, should we take people who are where you were? Generally the people who become bored on this type of mission are those who are not really all the way there yet spiritually.<br /><br />Just asking the questions. Also another point to consider is the number of mission organizations who take people of dubious spirituality because it helps the bottom line.Dave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16777087329254991970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-86114124649613203372009-08-04T18:36:01.001-07:002009-08-04T18:36:01.001-07:00Maybe for those that are younger and more easily b...Maybe for those that are younger and more easily bored there could be a different kind of trip, such as serving locally, or within the US somewhere. Then, once they have shown maturity and the desire to truly serve, and not just get a "jesus high" they could go on a foreign mission trip.James' Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15575769532441311670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-25843258814269476712009-08-04T13:04:23.617-07:002009-08-04T13:04:23.617-07:00Peter, that is always one of the biggest problems ...Peter, that is always one of the biggest problems faced when we have young people on mission.<br /><br />A significant amount of our time ends up getting devoted to trying to find ways to occupy their time.<br /><br />That is one of our big tension points. We want to give young people the opportunity to go, and hopefully become sensitized to the call and need for missionaries, but, it is very difficult.<br /><br />i think this may one problem with mixed focus STM trips. Let's face it, very few students are prepared for, or are able to be part of a STM that is wholly focused on praying for and encouraging the local body.<br /><br />So perhaps we need to think a little differently when they are involved.<br /><br />In the past for us, that has included stuff like a day at the zoo for the entire congregation [30 people] or a camp type of experience where both cultures of young people can experience Christ.<br /><br />Just some ideas as I am preparing to get on a plane in Southern Mexico. <br /><br />Stay committed to the battle brother!<br /><br />daveDave Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16777087329254991970noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19080182.post-26007440006360141602009-08-03T05:36:22.253-07:002009-08-03T05:36:22.253-07:00Amazing how this post touches on exactly the issue...Amazing how this post touches on exactly the issues I am now going through with my church. Your 4 points are exactly what I and my pastors have decided to do in order to mitigate some of the problems I had in Bolivia a couple weeks ago.<br /><br />On this most recent trip, we didn't do a single work project. The entire trip was focused on evangelism and encouragement of the local congregation. I felt that it was one of the most productive trips I've led in terms of ministry. The problems I had were in keeping the team focused on that, especially the younger ones. Any suggestions on how to keep people focused on the ministry when they have a tendency to get bored due to the language barrier?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08072539132889569548noreply@blogger.com