by Quinn Musch

I'd like to tell you what I did with my summer. This summer I went on a short term missions trip to Chihuahua, Mexico. I went down for five weeks through a missions group called New Tribes Missions-Destination Summit. New tribes missions seeks to try to reach the most unreached people and tribes in the world, hence the name Destination Summit! New tribes takes groups of volunteers ages 15 and up on short term missions trips all over the world.

These missions trips are meant to give people a taste of missionary work. Along with that, team members give a helping hand to missionaries so they can work on spreading the Gospel without worrying about other projects that they should get done. That's one reason these short term mission trips are a great experience, especially if you're looking into missions as a life work. If you are, I think this is a great way to make up your mind.

Generally, there are different main projects that the missionaries have you help them with. When I was down in Mexico our group worked on remodeling the whole inside of a school, and completely refurbished an old house that would be used to house guests such as visiting pastors or missionaries. We did a lot of work ranging from installing track ceilings and vents to painting and shoveling. Even though you're working hard it's lots of fun to talk and have fellowship with the missionaries.
However, it does cost to go on a short term mission trip. The one to Mexico where I went cost $1325 to go. At first my family didn't think I would be able to go because we only had four-and-a-half weeks to raise $1325, but the Lord really blessed us. Within those four weeks I had more than enough just from the generosity of family, friends, and church family.

Even though none of our team members knew Spanish (except our leaders) we got along with the Mexicans in town pretty well with only knowing a couple of words! Most evenings we went to a park in town and played soccer with the local Mexicans. Occasionally we had chances to witness. I was present when a middle aged lady and a teenage boy accepted the Lord.

All together it was a great experience for me, and I'd love to go on another missions trip. So if you're looking into missions, or even just wanted to help the missionaries out some, this is a great way to do it!

by Amy Beth Roe

This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to go on a mission trip with Teen Mania Ministries. Every summer, this organization takes thousands of young people on "Global Expeditions" around the world. Their main ministry tools are drama and personal evangelism, but some trips include tribal ministry, church planting, or teaching English. Their summer adventures range anywhere from two weeks to two months; they also offer a short trip over Christmas break. Although Global Expeditions are designed for ages thirteen and up, I don't recommend Teen Mania trips for anyone under sixteen. (Until that point, you are required to have an airport chaperone.)

My adventure began on July 13, when I left for Dallas, Texas. After three days of training at Teen Mania's base in Garden Valley, my team boarded a plane for Lima, Peru. We spent about three and a half weeks on foreign soil, bringing the gospel to parks, streets, and plasuelas.

One of my "Kodak Moments" in Peru was on our village trip to Pisco. We presented our drama in a market, gave the salvation message, and went out in ministry groups to talk to people.
As my MIG (ministry group) headed into the crowd, one of our translators came up to me. "There ees a lady up in da store who raise her hand [to accept Christ] but deed not come down for prayer."

"Let's go!" I exclaimed. My MIG followed the transla
tor up some steps to the market stall. The lady was the owner, and she came, smiling and nodding, to meet us. Chris started explaining the drama.

Rob and I were standing in the back, unable to really contribute to what was going on. Suddenly, our MIG leader turned around. "Hey, guys, pray really hard that no one comes to buy anything while we're talking with her. Afterward, pray that her business is doubled -- but not now!"

As Chris started leading into the salvation prayer, an elderly man approached the market stall. One hand grasped the fingers of a little girl; the other held a few coins. He came closer and started pointing at one of the bins of rice. "Lord," I prayed, "let this man leave right now in the Name of Jesus!" At that moment, the man turned and walked briskly away, tugging the little girl along with him.

The lady in the store accepted Christ that day. And I got to witness the awesome power of prayer.