Anyone ever been on a Mission Trip?

[PTL]

My family is going to on a Mission Trip this summer (our first). Part of fundraising is sending out letters to family, friends, neighbors and church members asking for prayers and donations for trip. The letters ask for prayers and/or donations of any amount. Is this tacky? We are also holding other fundraisers : selling Easter Hams, Yard sales, and dinners after church. I am okay with sending letters to my family and close friends, just not sure if it will look like we are begging. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I would like to add that if I received a letter, I would send a donation of $10 bucks in a heartbeat. Help me out, I trust your opinions. Thanks for any comments.

 

[horseshowmom]

My family is going to on a Mission Trip this summer (our first). Part of fundraising is sending out letters to family, friends, neighbors and church members asking for prayers and donations for trip. The letters ask for prayers and/or donations of any amount. Is this tacky? We are also holding other fundraisers : selling Easter Hams, Yard sales, and dinners after church. I am okay with sending letters to my family and close friends, just not sure if it will look like we are begging. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I would like to add that if I received a letter, I would send a donation of $10 bucks in a heartbeat. Help me out, I trust your opinions. Thanks for any comments.

That's a difficult one. Like you, I would be happy to donate $10 to a family member who was heading out on a mission trip. Part of the problem is that I don't think people realize that a small gift is fine (kind of feel obligated to give more which could be difficult sometimes).

Truthfully, it is going to look like you're begging (not saying that's a terrible thing necessarily, but it is what it is ). Of course, you ARE begging for a good cause. I would be very careful about how the letter was worded. I also would not hit the same people up to buy hams, etc.

I hope things go well for you. I know many people who have gotten a great deal out of their mission trips (often finding they get much more out of it than the people they go to help!).

 

[travelbug]

In recent years, I've received a number of letters from relatives and church members (people I know pretty well) seeking prayers and donations for mission trips. It doesn't offend me to get those letters, and I'm always happy to give a donation. I've usually given $25, but I agree with others that any donation is welcome and appreciated by those raising the funds.

 

[Lucky'sMom]

I went on a Mission trip to a Russian orphanage a few years ago. I did send the letter out, figuring once was okay. If I had decided to go again, though, I would not have sent letters again. This "Mission Trip" proved to be very costly to us, however, because we ended up adopting 2 of the teenaged boys from there!

 

[Chaoster]

I feel it is okay to ask for pray and financial support. Our church supports missions and feel it is important to support our full time missionaries also. There are many ways to help in missions. Just because you don't got on short term mission trips doesn't mean one cannot help in pray an financially. Sometimes if the trip calls for supplies we donate that also. A missions trip is a whole church event.

 

[TigMaya]

My husband and I went on a misson trip last summer. Before our trip we were also asked to send letters to friends and family members asking for support. At the time I felt a little guilty sending letters and asking for money. However, the missions coordinator at our church gave me the following advice...

"Do not deny your friends and family the opportunity to bless you and be blessed by supporting the mission. Some people cannot go on mission trips because they don't have the time. Some people are not called to travel on mission trips. Many of these people would love to have the opportunity to support a mission trip with a donation."

I took his advice and it worked out well for everyone. We got donations, but we also got responses saying that they would love to simply pray for us (which was wonderful as well!) I was sure to send updates of our preparation and of what we did on the trip to those who supported us financially and with prayer.

 

[BLLB]

I would send them. We have received from friends and feel called to help them. We consider it a blessing to be able to help. I agree with the previous poster's pastor who explained it better than I am.

 

[Pigeon]

I've gotten these letter, and yes, I think it's tacky. If your church wants to have fundraisers or if you want to pay for it, that's different. But the letters are just plain icky.

 

[disneydreamer21]

I, too, have been on a mission trip and gave out these letters. I personally don't believe they are tacky for several reasons. First, in the letter, you are asking them for financial help to do work you've been called to do. This is not a vacation by any means, it is a calling from the Lord. It is hard work, both emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Second, you are not only asking for help financially, but also in prayer. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for that! Last, you can look at these letters as a way to reach out to close friends and family who may need to be ministered to in a "non-confrontational" way. They may seek answers about your trip, why you are going, etc. Who knows? It may be a way to reach out and put it on their heart to start attending a church, or even go on their own mission trip. I only sent about 20 out to my closest friends and family members that I knew wouldn't be offended if I sent them one. Go for it! I'll be praying for blessings for you!

 

[Anne34]

I've gotten these letter, and yes, I think it's tacky. If your church wants to have fundraisers or if you want to pay for it, that's different. But the letters are just plain icky.

I think they are tacky also, BUT if this is something your religion does and most of your family members are of the same religion, they might be ok with it. Just go with common sense and don't send to friends who might not share the same ideas as you do about funding a mission trip.

 

[taylorcpa]

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.

 

[luvmarypoppins]

I don't think they are tacky at all. Our former babysitter sent us one. She was doing a trip to South Africa through her college. We were more than happoy to give.

I must also say it was nice to get a thank you note later and it also gave a brief summary of what she did on the trip.

 

[sk!mom]

My family is going to on a Mission Trip this summer (our first). Part of fundraising is sending out letters to family, friends, neighbors and church members asking for prayers and donations for trip. The letters ask for prayers and/or donations of any amount. Is this tacky? We are also holding other fundraisers : selling Easter Hams, Yard sales, and dinners after church. I am okay with sending letters to my family and close friends, just not sure if it will look like we are begging. Any thoughts would be appreciated. I would like to add that if I received a letter, I would send a donation of $10 bucks in a heartbeat. Help me out, I trust your opinions. Thanks for any comments.

These types of letters seem to be more and more common. I've gotten them for everything from Missions Trips to study trips to various locations including WDW.

I find them very tacky. It will look like you are begging because you are. If you want to do something to raise money then fine. I'm sure all of your family and friends will have a chance to purchase from the fundraisers.

Honestly I just hate people putting the responsibility of paying for something they've chosen to do on friends and family. Many of whom will feel compelled to give rather than risk damaging the relationship.

I guess I'm just a big believer in, "if you can't afford it then you don't go- whatever the purpose of the trip."

I would make sacrifices myself, get a part time job, whatever, but I wouldn't ask friends to pay.

 

[sk!mom]

First, in the letter, you are asking them for financial help to do work you've been called to do. This is not a vacation by any means, it is a calling from the Lord. It is hard work, both emotionally, spiritually, and physically. Second, you are not only asking for help financially, but also in prayer. There is absolutely nothing wrong with asking for that! Last, you can look at these letters as a way to reach out to close friends and family who may need to be ministered to in a "non-confrontational" way. They may seek answers about your trip, why you are going, etc. Who knows? It may be a way to reach out and put it on their heart to start attending a church, or even go on their own mission trip. I only sent about 20 out to my closest friends and family members that I knew wouldn't be offended if I sent them one. Go for it! I'll be praying for blessings for you!

See to me this is part of the problem. You are assuming that others believe as you do about "callings."

I'm also not a fan of people pushing their religion on me with letters, religious emails, tracts, etc.

I am very familiar with these beliefs as I was raised in a fundamental Christian religion which I have since left for something that suits my adult beliefs better- still a member of a Christian church though.

 

[gr8leg8]

don't send to friends who might not share the same ideas as you do about funding a mission trip.

To share another oppinion,

Someone I love is embarking on a great adventure
and I want to hear about it.

our beliefs differ, but the need for help remains.

Grandma C went to the Ukraine a few years ago with her church.
I donated money and wanted to hear all about it, see all the pictures upon her safe return.

Golden rule of fundraising:
if you don't ask, you won't receive

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I am all for Mission Trips and our church is extremely involved in many causes like this including Mission Trips through our CYO. They would never ask for us to send out such a letter, and I would be put off if I ever received one from a friend or family member. If I couldn't afford to pay for it on my own or if the church wasn't having a "fundraiser for all members involved", I would not allow my family to do the trip. Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear.

 

[GoofItUp]

I have to agree with those who are not fans of these letters. I would take the responsibility to earn money for the trip by doing extra jobs, cutting expenses, etc. You could let friends and family members know that you (or your kids) are looking for extra jobs to help with the trip. I did this once to go on a church camp trip when I was in high school. I cleaned windows for a lady in our church who had a HUGE sunroom in her house that was windows all the way around. I'll NEVER forget that! With spring coming up, I'm betting you could find lots of people who would love some help with spring cleaning, yard work, or the like. It's a neat thing to do as a family, too.

Hope it works for you and that you have a very productive and rewarding mission trip!

 

[Chaoster]

I think some of you are missing the point. You are not asked to ask strangers to support your missions trip. Our denomination is missions based. Like I said earlier we support our full time missionaries and people who go on short term missions trips. Some are called to go others are not. A way to support missions is through prayer and financially. Our church has two or three trips a year to the DR. We help build schools, churches, VBS and have a medical mission. Part of being involved is pray, give and go.

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I think some of you are missing the point. You are not asked to ask strangers to support your missions trip. Our denomination is missions based. Like I said earlier we support our full time missionaries and people who go on short term missions trips. Some are called to go others are not. A way to support missions is through prayer and financially. Our church has two or three trips a year to the DR. We help build schools, churches, VBS and have a medical mission. Part of being involved is pray, give and go.

The OP is asking family and friends to help pay for her "personal" expenses on a mission trip. If our church asks for a monetary contribution or prayer to help defer the cost of the "group" I would gladly help. But to help a "single" family fund their mission trip, absolutely NOT.

 

[TigMaya]

The OP is asking family and friends to help pay for her "personal" expenses on a mission trip. If our church asks for a monetary contribution or prayer to help defer the cost of the "group" I would gladly help. But to help a "single" family fund their mission trip, absolutely NOT.

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.