- Show respect for the property of others
- Respect others' quiet times
- Respect roommates by keeping your personal area
neat
Jenita McKay: "Don't be so assertive about how you think
something should be going. This is their plan and we are the workers. Be
flexible. Be open to learning new ways of doing an ordinary task. A smile speaks
in any language. Don't be afraid to test out your poor Spanish skills. The
Mexican people are great teachers. And one I learned from Dr. Culbertson: When
something strikes you as different say, in a positive tone, 'OH, that's
different.'"
Shannon Guillot: "Prepare yourself spiritually before you go. Be
covered in prayer and cover others in prayer. PRAY! PRAY! PRAY!
"Be open to be used by the Lord even if that means doing something that you
really don't want to do. Have a good attitude, smile when you want to and when
you don't want to. Laugh at yourself. Don't be afraid to try to speak Spanish
(if you have ever heard me speak Spanish it was probably the best laugh you had
in a long time, so if I can try, you can try). Be prepared to have an incredible
time serving others.
"Also, don't look at this as a chance to help 'those poor people in Mexico.'
In many aspects, they are richer than we will ever be! "The rain falls on the
righteous and the unrighteous." Just because we have more 'stuff' does not mean
we are better Christians. We are going to Mexico to partner with our Mexican
friends in building God's kingdom. Keep a servant attitude and your life will be
changed!"
Denise Bundenthal: "We brought along a small cassette tape recorder so
each night when we returned to our room, we could record a family journal of the
day's events, feelings, tastes, etc. We were too tired to write in a journal
each day, but we could "converse" about the day quite easily. It's a cool
keepsake for our family.
"Take lots of pictures! Talk to your pastor, youth group, or local Christian
School about a chance to share your experiences when you get home. Never keep a
positive missions experience to yourself! God can use your excitement and
passion to ignite other hearts for missions. At the very least, take your photo
album of pictures to school or work. As others look through them, share the
story of God's direction and blessings along the way.
"Last year, we assumed that Mexico would be MUCH warmer than Michigan but it
was still quite cold. We should have packed warmer clothes. We ended up wearing
many layers of clothes each day and feeling cold most of the time.
"Bring as many items for ministry as you can. Even if you don't use them,
another team might need exactly what you brought. We asked our church and
friends to help us bring many items and then shared them with others. We brought
tools, clown costumes, balloons and pumps, Bible School craft materials,
prizes/toys for the children, and a bag full of medical supplies. People love to
give those types of items as it is an inexpensive way for them to be involved
and supportive of your trip. Just ask. -- We packed these items in zippered
luggage 'bags' versus suitcases so on the way back home we could just fold them
up and pack them into our other suitcases."
Jim and Pat Armstrong: "Some advice we learned from watching some of
the 'veterans': Carry a few pop-top cans of fruit or jello, but be sure you eat
it in secret. It might cause a riot among your fellow workers! (smile)
"Take clothes that you can leave behind and include some children's clothing
and small toys. A huge bag of Tootsie Rolls goes a long way for sharing. Take
extra toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, zippers, buttons, needles and thread.
Many of these can be stuffed into your spare shoes to take up less room in the
ONE suitcase you're allowed to take. (smile)"
Jamie Baldwin: "Be prepared to be changed for life. Also don't forget
your socks and warm clothes for church on Sunday morning."
J.R. Pearson: "Don't nit-pick the faults of your room mates. Everyone
has faults and little irritating habits. Criticizing your room mates over petty
things makes things miserable for everyone. Try to be tolerant and remember the
purpose for being there."
Katie Steel: "Don't go expecting God to change your whole outlook on
life in one week. Instead, go expecting God to begin and continue a great work
in you in ways that will lead to many other opportunities to join God in His
work around the world."
Tammy Thompson: "Take lots of candy and simple VBS supplies. We worked
with so many children we needed to keep the crafts simple, but fun. Take paper
plates, glue, glitter, markers, glitter paints and pens, small paper sacks for
goody bags and lots of small items for treat bags and lots & lots of candy!"
Jeannette Singleton: "One thing I did on a mission trip was to take a
Polaroid camera and film. As I took pictures for myself, I would also take
pictures of the local people and gave the pictures to them. Even the adults were
mesmerized, watching the pictures develop. It was a camera that I had purchased
at a garage sale.
"Also, being a teacher, I carried a small smiley face stamp. On Saturday
afternoon, I took it to the job site and stamped the hands of the kids who came
around. After I left, others came looking for the lady with the "smiley face".
This was a wonderful opportunity for the workers to tell them that I would be at
church the next morning, and for them to come to church. By the way, at church
next morning, even the adults lined up to get a smiley face stamped on their
hand. I was so surprised that such a little thing was such a big hit to
them."
Mike Davis: "Always keep three words in mind:
- Flexibility
- Participation
- Anticipation (Anticipate what God can do through you!)"
"You've got mail!" -- Informational e-mails
To see the text of all informational e-mails sent to Commission Unto Mexico
participants, click
here.
Final instruction sheet to be given out in El Paso [ click here ]
Are you a site/team leader? [ click here ]
Need more information?
E-mail us:
Call us: 405-491-6693
Write us: Commission Unto Mexico,
Southern Nazarene University, 6729 NW 39th, Bethany, OK 73008