If you’re searching the Internet for short term mission trips, Jewish Voice outreaches are a great way to make a powerful difference in the world. They are an adventure of new destinations, cultures, people, and experiences. They are also a spiritual adventure.
If you’ve never gone on any Jewish Voice outreaches or short term mission trips with other organizations, you probably have a few questions about how to prepare. Here are a few ways to help get you ready spiritually and practically for an outreach.
Spiritual Preparation
· Prepare your heart through intentional prayer in the weeks and months ahead of your trip.
o Pray for God to use you as He chooses.
o Pray to draw closer to Him through all that you experience.
o Pray for love and grace to serve each person who comes to you.
o Pray for wisdom, insight, and a humble heart for working in your particular role.
· Short term mission trips and Jewish Voice outreaches are wonderful experiences for those who minister. As you focus on giving, loving, and serving others, God will meet you with blessings of your own.
· Any short term mission trip involves living and working together with a variety of people. The same is true for Jewish Voice outreaches. As you prepare your heart with the Lord, ask Him to give you grace and love for your fellow workers as well as those you’re serving together.
· Consider selecting a few key Scriptures to focus on as part of your spiritual preparation before the outreach. Choose verses that will strengthen and encourage you and remind you of how much God loves the people you’re serving. You can print your verses on cards, review them daily as you prepare, and take them with you on your trip. This way you will be equipped with scriptural encouragement for yourself, co-workers, and the people you are serving.
· Commit to depending on God’s strength for living out this exciting ministry adventure. He is there to help you do the work He has called you to.
· Relinquish any specific expectations you may have for the trip, but still maintain a spirit of expectation to see what God will do in you, for you, and through you!
Practical Preparation
· Make sure you know the list of immunizations and medications you need for travel to the location where you will be serving.
· Give yourself plenty of time before your trip to get your shots and any boosters within the recommended timeframe before travel.
· Make sure your passport is current. Some countries require that your passport not expire within six months after the end of your trip. If you do not have a passport, allow yourself enough time to acquire one, typically about six to eight weeks or so.
· Check with your outreach coordinator about how to acquire a visa for entry into the country, and allow enough time for this as well.
· Your Outreach Packet will advise you of common safety precautions to take while you are abroad, including such things as drinking only bottled water, avoiding contact with animals, and considering leaving some valuables at home.
· Your Outreach Packet will also provide you with emergency contact information that you can leave with family members back home.
· Study the “what to pack” list provided for your trip. Pack appropriate clothing for the weather and modesty standards of your destination.
· Plan ahead for prescription refills you might need during your trip; bring spare eyeglasses, etc.
· Consider bringing a few non-perishable snacks in case the food in-country doesn’t set well with you. Double check the “what to pack” information provided to you and make sure this is not restricted.
· Like short term mission trips, Jewish Voice outreaches allow the opportunity for a little free time that could include souvenir shopping. Consider ahead of time what kind of items you might like to bring back, and plan ahead for space in your carry-on luggage.
Jewish Voice Ministries International conducts medical outreaches throughout the year to impoverished people of the scattered Tribes of Israel. We provide free medical and dental care to desperately needy people in Ethiopia, Zimbabwe, and elsewhere – care that these people simply do not have access to otherwise. Our outreaches provide opportunities for medical professionals as well as non-medical people to experience the adventure of making a profound difference in the lives of thousands of very needy people. Visit the Medical Outreaches page of the Jewish Voice website to find out more.
To learn more about Jewish Voice Ministries, visit our website where you can: discover the Jewish roots of Christianity; learn about our humanitarian outreaches, festivals, and special events; register for outreaches; read more about Yeshua, Messianic Judaism, and real Jewish People who came to faith in Yeshua; become a prayer partner; send us a prayer request; or place an order from our secure online store. The Jewish Voice Blog has outreach stories, photos, prayer points, events, and Middle East news updates. Visit our website at www.JewishVoice.org and our blog at www.JewishVoiceBlog.org. You can also join us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube.
