Anyone ever been on a Mission Trip?

[MACfamily4]

There is important work to be done everywhere; the "calling" is to be a blessing to others. One needn't go on a trip one can't pay for oneself in order to be a blessing to others. If you're uncomfortable asking others to fund your trip then you probably already know the answer to your question.

 

[ekmom]

My husband's cousin and his family do a lot of these trips and they send us letters and emails asking for donations periodically. We aren't close with these cousins, don't share their religious beliefs, and other than a yearly Christmas card these solicitations are the only time we hear from them. I find them annoying and tacky.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I don't see that the OP said she was asking for donations for her personal expenses...

When we went on our mission trip last summer it was with a church group. We paid 1/3 of the cost ourselves, the church paid for 1/3 through fundraisers, and we were asked to find sponsors for the last 1/3. Any money given by sponsors over that 1/3 was used to help others in the group. This was only for our travel/lodging/supplies for misson work. We all paid for our own food and any shopping we did...

I would like to say that I did not send letters to family members who were not close and/or did not share my religious beliefs. I only sent about 20 letters, and they were mostly to my church friends/family. However, I did receive donations from family that heard about the trip through other sources and wanted to help our cause. And, our cause, while based on religion, was feeding the homeless and spreading hope and love, not pushing our beliefs onto others...

Now, sending 100 letters to friends/family you never talk to... Maybe a bit tacky.

If I am reading it incorrectly, I apologize, but I went back and re-read it and I still get the feeling that she is to ask for donations for her "portion" of the trip and not for the group. If donations were needed for the group, why wouldn't the religious organization not go directly to their members who would not physically be attending and ask as a congregation to pay for those members?

 

[carj]

I would not send out any letters to friends and family. I would find a way to raise the portion for my family. You are asking them to support a choice that you have made and you should find a way to fund that decision.

I am not saying that it is not a worthy cause. I have recieved several of these letters and I do think that they are very tacky. It makes me feel bad for not donating to the cause and resentful at being hit up for donations. If you can't afford to fund the mission trip, I would consider doing missions locally while you save up for the mission trip.

We have a local grocery store that allows groups to fundraise outside their doors. A few weeks ago, my son's soccer team had a bake sale and made $371. I would suggest doing something like that.

I am not a fan of fundraising in general. I hate to ask people for money, even for worthy causes. The causes that I find especially dear to my heart, may not be causes that you would support. It isn't that people don't find your cause worthy, but there is a limited amount of money to go around.

I might consider sending letters requesting the prayers of friends and family members.

Best wishes and blessings with whatever you decide.

 

[Keke]

If I am reading it incorrectly, I apologize, but I went back and re-read it and I still get the feeling that she is to ask for donations for her "portion" of the trip and not for the group. If donations were needed for the group, why wouldn't the religious organization not go directly to their members who would not physically be attending and ask as a congregation to pay for those members?

That is probably what the church has already done. For instance at my church, we have a huge missions budget. This is funded through tithes and offerings of the members. The majority of these church members will not attend a mission trip during the year. The budget goes to support missionaries working full-time around the world as well as our mission teams through the year. We send out about 2 teams a month, so you can imagine the cost is a lot for flights and lodging. The mission budget of the church can not cover 100% of the costs for this. Therefore each person going on the trip is asked to pay for a percentage of their cost, which would be her "portion". At my church this only pays for flights, lodging, transportation once in the country and sometimes food. Does that explain it better?

 

[akcire]

My cousin sent out one of these letters a couple of years ago--the mission trip was someplace in Hawaii--I don't think she got a good response. That said, if you do accept donations ask people to write a check to your church and send it to you. That way the church could put the money in a mission account for you and it would let the person making the donation take a tax deduction--in addition to adding some credibility to your efforts. I am not a fan of the letters in general (I pretty much feel if you want to share your beliefs you can pay your own way) however I would be more inclined to send a check to you church a registered 501 than to your person.

Keep in mind when doing these mission trips that the world is not like your neighborhood. Make certain if the destination demands it that you purchase a good K&R policy (Kidnap and Ransom).

 

[JoyG]

I see nothing wrong with the letters.

When I was a teenager I went on two missions trips with my church and I sent out letters.

As an adult, I occasionally get letters from people I know. I never feel obligated to donate because usually the letters ask for either prayer support or monetary support and if I can't give money, I can certainly pray.

 

[billwendy]

This reminds me of a family member of ours. Anytime we send them anything in the mail (Chrismas card, etc.) it never fails that within a week we receive a letter from them saying they are doing such and such (worthy causes don't get me wrong), could we please send them some money to help with the cost. I generally don't send money to them.

I have also received letters from other family members and friends reqesting money for a mission trip. One was from a young fellow who was going on a mission trip with his youth group. One was a couple going to Romania requesting money to purchase Bibles to give out. I gave to both of these.

Here's what I would do. If you want to send a letter, tell people where you are going and what you are doing. Tell them the needs of the location you are going to. Also tell them the other activities you are doing to raise money - be specific. Let them know that you are working to try to raise $$ so it does not sound like you are asking for a handout. Tell them the dates of the activities that they can participate in. Also ask for them to pray for you. At this point, hopefully people with "get" that you need money and if they cannot support your other fundraising efforts then they will send money.

I agree this is a very good way to do it. Be very clear of what you are going to do. We have gone the past 6 years to a camp for Children and adults with special needs in MT. Both my coworkers and my friends here on the DIS have actually asked me if there was anything they could do to help or give a little money towards. They knew it was for the kids and I think when people have a picture in their mind they are more likely to connect with your project!!!

 

[disykat]

My boys go on trips with their youth group. I do not let them send letters. Their grandparents and close relatives know they are going, if they wanted to they could send money.

I got a kick out of getting a letter from a friend's son (they live far away) for his Mexico mission trip the same summer I was funding my boys to go on one. I didn't send money. I was tempted to send money and then follow it with a letter from my boys requesting donations.

Honestly? The only person I have ever given money for a short term mission trip is my Goddaughter. I see those more like a vacation and feel they should be funded by the individual. (Our kids do fundraisers where they do yardwork etc. and receive generous donations at church though.) I have sent monthly support checks to people in long term missions though.

 

[PTL]

I appreciate each person taking the time to respond to my post. I thought I would add a little information that may clarify some misconceptions.
1. We are able to pay for the trip without the letters (by no means are we wealthy, but we have money saved).

2. Any money donated is made payable to the church and is tax deductable.

3. Any money received that is over what my family (of 4) needs will go to other people going on the trip.

4. I am Catholic and we are going with a Methodist Church Group (I am a teacher and the leader's wife teaches with me- that is how I found out about the trip).

5. This is our first mission trip.

6. Any extra money over cost of trip goes to bringing items to the people of the country we are serving.

Again, thank you all for taking the time to respond, I am deeply touched and will carefully consider all viewpoints.

We are doing several fundraisers: selling Easter Hams, Huge yard sale, several preparing and selling dinners after church. At school friday one of my co-workers said he didn't need a ham but wanted to contribute to the cause.

I also want to mention I have 2 daughters (11 & 13) and my husband and I feel this is a great opportunity to see what poverty is and gain a perspective of life in a place of poverty. The women and children will be working in an orphanage and the men will do construction.

The cost of the trip is about 1000.00 per person (airfare is what costs so much). We joke that for 4000.00 we could go on a disney cruise, but feel at this time we will serve others.

Thanks again, your comments have been helpful.

 

[sk!mom]

1. We are able to pay for the trip without the letters (by no means are we wealthy, but we have money saved).

The cost of the trip is about 1000.00 per person (airfare is what costs so much). We joke that for 4000.00 we could go on a disney cruise, but feel at this time we will serve others.

Thanks again, your comments have been helpful.

First of all, I think that giving your DD's a chance to help others is a wonderful gift.

Having said that, if you can affored the trip then I don't understand why you would even consider the letters.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I appreciate each person taking the time to respond to my post. I thought I would add a little information that may clarify some misconceptions.
1. We are able to pay for the trip without the letters (by no means are we wealthy, but we have money saved).

3. Any money received that is over what my family (of 4) needs will go to other people going on the trip.

6. Any extra money over cost of trip goes to bringing items to the people of the country we are serving.

I also want to mention I have 2 daughters (11 & 13) and my husband and I feel this is a great opportunity to see what poverty is and gain a perspective of life in a place of poverty. The women and children will be working in an orphanage and the men will do construction.

Thanks again, your comments have been helpful.

Edited so I could respond to the area's I have been speaking of in the post earlier.

If you want to show your children what poverty is and gain the perspective, why would you even consider using any money you collected for your own expenses since you can afford it. This is exactly why I would not help. (Please note this is my opinion). It definetely goes along with my opinion throughout this thread.

 

[pearlieq]

Of course it's tacky. And yes, it will seem like you're begging.

I have one side of the family that does this. Their daughter is into missions and we get at least a couple of "newsletters" per year with invitations to donate. I have no problem with her doing what she wants to do with her own time and money, but I don't support her cause and therefore don't contribute.

I don't think it's appropriate to send the letters. I don't send her letters asking her to donate to causes that are important to me. Why should she be doing it?

And don't even get me started on the kids trips. If you want to send your kid on an overpriced People-to-People event or science trip to Florida that's your business, but it's certainly not my obligation to pay for it.

 

[PTL]

Thanks again for taking the time to post your perspectives on this matter. At this time I believe I will be very selective if/whom I send letters to. The good news is the people I know and would send letters to, would not be offended. Along with that I would not be offended if someone returned a slip that said they would be willing to pray for my family as we prepare for this mission. That being said, I realize there are people in the world who would not be willing to help anyone in need (those who are down on their luck, single parents who get no child support and can barely afford food). This is my thing, I believe in helping others, "What so ever you do for the least of my people, that you do unto me" Jesus Christ. God Bless