Planning ahead for Summer 2009

[sward84]

Hello everybody!

My name is Steven, I am 23 and will be a sophmore at Liberty University in the fall. I am starting to do some research on possible Short-Term Missions oppertunities for next summer (May-August) My main passion is youth ministry, but I also have a heart for sports, and just helping people. I don't have a particular country set in my eye, but I'm thinking about Eastern Europe or Austraila/New Zealand. I have never done overseas missions, but feel called to take this challenge, but I'm not 100% sure where to start. I know it's kinda early to start thinking about next summer, but I feel like if I can get the ball rolling now, and to make contacts and talk to people now, I feel like I will be well prepared to serve once next summer comes around.

Thanks,
Steven

[elrojopastor]

Hi Steven, When we first started looking for opportunities we were overwhelmed by the choices. We even found countries with opportunities that we hadn't heard of... "That's a country?!"

What kept coming to my mind as I read your post was what the guys from The Traveling Team say... "You've got to put your 'Yes' on the table and let God put it on the map." It sounds like you've put yours out there, and so my encouragement to you, and to others, is to look carefully at your options, but realize that you've already overcome the biggest hurdle and the most difficult part of the process: you've said, "Yes."

Don't let yourself get bogged down in your choice of destination. At some point you'll need to pull the trigger, buy the ticket and go. I think the worst thing that could happen is you put off the decision so long that you decide not to go.

So, what did we do? We searched shorttermmissions.com a lot. Contacted a lot of the great organizations here. Had several meetings, filled out lots of applications... and then trusted God.

One day, the executive director of one of the organizations we hadn't contacted, happened to be in the town where we live. He heard through a mutual friend that we were looking for an opportunity, so he showed up at my office unannounced. We talked for 3 hours, connected at a heart level about the work they were doing here in the Dominican Republic, and ultimately committed to serve with them for 5 months... So far it's been great... but honestly, it could be great anywhere... so long as we were willing to go wherever God said go.

[dschaaf]

Hey steven, my name is Dani and i am at liberty university this year a freshmen. hey contact me on facebook if you can. Dani Schaaf is my name. We could tlak and it could be great! im thinking baout missions too. Maybe i have already met you? lol but yeah hopefully talk to you soon!