My Perspective  on Begging & Gift-Giving
by Stephanie Davis, 2002

Having done several foreign mission trips, and spent two months in Chile, I have been able to observe the phenomenon of begging and giving enough to form my own opinion. As a Christian, I realize it is God’s desire that I have compassion for . . . → Read More: My Perspective on Begging & Gift-Giving

An Argument For Giving to Beggars
Scott Graham
Summarized from Handle with Care: a guide to responsible travel in developing countries by Scott Graham ($8-95, Noble Press, 1991, ISBN 1 879360 06 3)

Most travelers, myself included, choose to give to beggars selectively. Since begging is an integral part of life in many developing countries, . . . → Read More: An Argument For Giving to Beggars

Transforming Third World begging
Jeff Greenwald
Summarized from New Age Journal (March ’93)

I have witnessed case after case of well-meaning Westerners blowing into far-flung villages, attracting local children and doling out handfuls of sugar candies and coins. This kind of behavior turns kids into beggars faster than you can say “Hello, mister” as future travelers . . . → Read More: Transforming Third World begging

Ten Commandments for Mission Trip Participants

by Howard Culbertson, ShortTermMissions.com

Thou shalt not expect to find things as thou hast them at home, for thou hast left thy home to find things differently.
Thou shalt not take anything too seriously. A willingness to accept things as they are lays the foundation for a good trip to another . . . → Read More: Ten Commandments for Mission Trip Participants

I’m working on this year’s Honduras Bus Jams CD.  These are the songs we’ll sing at the tops of our voices while hurtling through the Honduran landscape in a big yellow school bus.

Last year’s list is a good combination of English & Spanish songs, some having significance from previous trips, others requested especially for the 2010 trip: Continue reading Honduras Bus Jams 2011 – In Progress

These are the things that no one seems to want to hear, and tend to be difficult for people to accept and conform to.  Remember, this trip is about dying to yourself and being a servant to God and to others.  Put yourself last, get out of your comfort zone.

During the day, long pants and tennis . . . → Read More: The Stuff you Don’t Want to Hear

Gifts and Sharing

If you can bring a photo of your family, or print out a digital one, you’ll find that lots of people like seeing them.  I sometimes take a postcard of MU, Missouri, or St. Louis.
Bubbles are a big hit . . . → Read More: Gifts and Sharing

Health and Safety

Please, please, please take and use sunscreen. I cannot emphasize this enough.  If you get sunburned the first day, you’ll find it difficult to work the rest of the week.  Even if you aren’t prone to sunburn, . . . → Read More: Health and Safety

Food and Water

Any food your host family offers you is safe. They are very health-conscious when it comes to their visitors from the U.S.  Any food we’re served by the church is safe.  If we go out to a . . . → Read More: Food and Water