"It costs HOW much?!"
People often balk when they find out how much support is needed to go on a mission trip.
"I could never raise that much money" is also a common statement given (and thought).
The first time I wanted to go on a short term mission trip, I was also really intimidated by the price. I had been walking through all the steps of considering going to Malawi with a local team at the time. I had heard about the trip, I was interested, I felt a tug, but I was really afraid. For me, I had some serious reservations about going and living in another country for 2 weeks. Most of my fears of going on a mission trip centered around unknown expectations and personal circumstances.
Some examples of questions that kept me from considering applying were
"Will I be able to eat the food without upsetting my stomach?"
"Will they allow my medications through customs?"
"How will I do on a plane for that long?"
"Will I be able to bring my CPAP machine? If not, can I sleep without it for 2 weeks and still function decently? What if I lose it or break it?"
After working through the fear of travel and the unknown, and feeling like God was still calling me to this, the next fear was the finances. I can't possibly afford something like this!
Looking back, it's crazy to me how much I did (and sometimes still do) live in a scarcity mentality. Even though I live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and by global standards am considered in the 1%. But I was focused on MY power; MY ability to raise that money. I forgot who has all power.
Even with my reservations, I just kept going to all the interest meetings and taking the next little step forward. Eventually I felt like there were no more good excuses to not try to go. The only thing standing in the way was the money. So I figured that I'd just start writing letters and raising support and that if God for sure wanted me to go on this trip He would provide all the money in time, and if I wasn't able to raise the money, well then I'd have my answer.
So I applied.
Shortly after I submitted my application, the team lead on the trip approached me and set up a meeting. I was currently a part time staff member for the organization that was leading the trip, and he said he just wanted to discuss with me my thoughts and intentions for applying.
So I met with him that week, and he asked me why I wanted to go. I explained that well, at first I didn't want to go! I was too afraid! But as I brought my fears and excuses to God and kept taking small steps forward, I felt that He was really calling me to do this. I laughed and said "I don't know how I'm going to raise the money, but I figure that I'll just start, and if I'm meant to go then God will provide it all by the time I need it".
He looked at me with a little smirk on his face and said "wait- you don't know do you?"
"uh... I don't know what?"
"You've never been on a mission trip before right?" He asked.
"Yes that's right. I've never even been out of the country. I don't have a passport yet". I was beginning to get a little nervous.
"I thought you knew and that's why I wanted to have this meeting with you" He said.
I was so confused at this point.
"You thought I knew what?" I asked.
"Your trip is already funded! We'll pay for you to go".
What? Now I was really confused.
He went on to explain that there was a policy for staff going on mission trips. It stated that if any staff member had never been on a mission trip before and felt called to go, the organization would pay for them to go on their first trip. This way they would be able to have that experience and encourage others to go from first hand knowledge of what it is like.
I was floored. Stunned. I began to laugh, and then, I began to cry. Tears of joy. God had just made it 100% clear that not only did He want me to go on this trip, but that He had already worked out all the details of how.
Fast forward 5 years to 2023 and here I am, going on my 2nd short term mission trip, back to Africa!
Now, don't get me wrong. Fundraising is not always that easy. That was a miracle and a big demonstration of God's faithfulness to me- one that I often think back on in times when I need encouragement. But, I do want to make this point: our God is a mighty and POWERFUL God, and money is no obstacle for Him. So if fundraising is the part of short term missions that has you stuck and afraid to apply- please take away this encouragement.
How do you raise support for a mission trip?
The same way you eat an elephant- one bite at a time!
From what I have experienced and what I have read in the Bible, God's provision sometimes comes miraculously all at once (like parting the Red Sea or having my organization pay for my first trip). But more often than not, it seems that it comes over time, in just the right amount we need it, while we exercise our faith by taking little baby steps forward along the way (like gathering daily manna for 40 years in the wilderness, or raising funds in little bits and pieces over a 3 to 6 month time frame).
The point is that our God is good, powerful, and faithful. If he is calling you to go on a mission trip, you can also know that He will provide the funding for that trip too. You might be surprised who will agree to help fund your trip. Often people feel that they cannot physically go, but they are inclined to help provide for those who CAN go to get there!
Talk to a wide range of people, neighbors, friends, businesses, even strangers. People do not need to donate a huge amount. For this upcoming trip to Uganda, I had over 50 people give towards my support. Don't be afraid to get creative too! It was my 30th birthday this year and I told all my friend that I didn't want any physical gifts- just donations towards my trip. I know people who have hosted Bunco game nights and asked participants to pay $10 at the door, and if letter writing isn't your thing, try making a youtube video or an instagram reel to share about your trip!
If a lot of people give a little bit each, you get to the finish line just as well as someone who has a few people give a lot each.
So the next time you feel a tug at your heart to go on a mission trip but let financial fear stop you- just remember; raising support is just like eating elephants- you do it one bite at a time!
Desmond Tutu originated this quote about how to eat an elephant- but I'm pretty sure he meant it metaphorically. Don't worry! No elephants were harmed in the writing of this blog post!
In fact- here are some photos that inspired me to write this. My Aunt Mandy was a missionary in Thailand along with her best friend Mel and they had the privilege of riding on an elephant! (Not to mention the testimony of God's faithfulness to fund their mission trip and all the trips they have been on thereafter!)
People often balk when they find out how much support is needed to go on a mission trip.
"I could never raise that much money" is also a common statement given (and thought).
The first time I wanted to go on a short term mission trip, I was also really intimidated by the price. I had been walking through all the steps of considering going to Malawi with a local team at the time. I had heard about the trip, I was interested, I felt a tug, but I was really afraid. For me, I had some serious reservations about going and living in another country for 2 weeks. Most of my fears of going on a mission trip centered around unknown expectations and personal circumstances.
Some examples of questions that kept me from considering applying were
"Will I be able to eat the food without upsetting my stomach?"
"Will they allow my medications through customs?"
"How will I do on a plane for that long?"
"Will I be able to bring my CPAP machine? If not, can I sleep without it for 2 weeks and still function decently? What if I lose it or break it?"
After working through the fear of travel and the unknown, and feeling like God was still calling me to this, the next fear was the finances. I can't possibly afford something like this!
Looking back, it's crazy to me how much I did (and sometimes still do) live in a scarcity mentality. Even though I live in one of the wealthiest countries in the world and by global standards am considered in the 1%. But I was focused on MY power; MY ability to raise that money. I forgot who has all power.
Even with my reservations, I just kept going to all the interest meetings and taking the next little step forward. Eventually I felt like there were no more good excuses to not try to go. The only thing standing in the way was the money. So I figured that I'd just start writing letters and raising support and that if God for sure wanted me to go on this trip He would provide all the money in time, and if I wasn't able to raise the money, well then I'd have my answer.
So I applied.
Shortly after I submitted my application, the team lead on the trip approached me and set up a meeting. I was currently a part time staff member for the organization that was leading the trip, and he said he just wanted to discuss with me my thoughts and intentions for applying.
So I met with him that week, and he asked me why I wanted to go. I explained that well, at first I didn't want to go! I was too afraid! But as I brought my fears and excuses to God and kept taking small steps forward, I felt that He was really calling me to do this. I laughed and said "I don't know how I'm going to raise the money, but I figure that I'll just start, and if I'm meant to go then God will provide it all by the time I need it".
He looked at me with a little smirk on his face and said "wait- you don't know do you?"
"uh... I don't know what?"
"You've never been on a mission trip before right?" He asked.
"Yes that's right. I've never even been out of the country. I don't have a passport yet". I was beginning to get a little nervous.
"I thought you knew and that's why I wanted to have this meeting with you" He said.
I was so confused at this point.
"You thought I knew what?" I asked.
"Your trip is already funded! We'll pay for you to go".
What? Now I was really confused.
He went on to explain that there was a policy for staff going on mission trips. It stated that if any staff member had never been on a mission trip before and felt called to go, the organization would pay for them to go on their first trip. This way they would be able to have that experience and encourage others to go from first hand knowledge of what it is like.
I was floored. Stunned. I began to laugh, and then, I began to cry. Tears of joy. God had just made it 100% clear that not only did He want me to go on this trip, but that He had already worked out all the details of how.
Fast forward 5 years to 2023 and here I am, going on my 2nd short term mission trip, back to Africa!
Now, don't get me wrong. Fundraising is not always that easy. That was a miracle and a big demonstration of God's faithfulness to me- one that I often think back on in times when I need encouragement. But, I do want to make this point: our God is a mighty and POWERFUL God, and money is no obstacle for Him. So if fundraising is the part of short term missions that has you stuck and afraid to apply- please take away this encouragement.
How do you raise support for a mission trip?
The same way you eat an elephant- one bite at a time!
From what I have experienced and what I have read in the Bible, God's provision sometimes comes miraculously all at once (like parting the Red Sea or having my organization pay for my first trip). But more often than not, it seems that it comes over time, in just the right amount we need it, while we exercise our faith by taking little baby steps forward along the way (like gathering daily manna for 40 years in the wilderness, or raising funds in little bits and pieces over a 3 to 6 month time frame).
The point is that our God is good, powerful, and faithful. If he is calling you to go on a mission trip, you can also know that He will provide the funding for that trip too. You might be surprised who will agree to help fund your trip. Often people feel that they cannot physically go, but they are inclined to help provide for those who CAN go to get there!
Talk to a wide range of people, neighbors, friends, businesses, even strangers. People do not need to donate a huge amount. For this upcoming trip to Uganda, I had over 50 people give towards my support. Don't be afraid to get creative too! It was my 30th birthday this year and I told all my friend that I didn't want any physical gifts- just donations towards my trip. I know people who have hosted Bunco game nights and asked participants to pay $10 at the door, and if letter writing isn't your thing, try making a youtube video or an instagram reel to share about your trip!
If a lot of people give a little bit each, you get to the finish line just as well as someone who has a few people give a lot each.
So the next time you feel a tug at your heart to go on a mission trip but let financial fear stop you- just remember; raising support is just like eating elephants- you do it one bite at a time!
Desmond Tutu originated this quote about how to eat an elephant- but I'm pretty sure he meant it metaphorically. Don't worry! No elephants were harmed in the writing of this blog post!
In fact- here are some photos that inspired me to write this. My Aunt Mandy was a missionary in Thailand along with her best friend Mel and they had the privilege of riding on an elephant! (Not to mention the testimony of God's faithfulness to fund their mission trip and all the trips they have been on thereafter!)