Ask a Missionary - Catch The Fire

• Justice. Fifteen million children are sold into sexual
slavery each year, primarily in Asia.
• Access to the gospel. There are more Bibles, Christian
books, and Christian radio stations in North America than
we know what to do with. In any city in the United States,
you are never more than a mile from a church.
Answer from Jack Voelkel.
Q:
Should I go on a short-term
mission trip just to try it out?
A: Yes, but go for several months.
I know that some people say that a short-term trip is not
necessary to confirm God’s direction for you into missions. I would
say, however, it can be helpful to go for several months—even six
months to a year if possible.
Although I had guidance to go into missions since my midteens,
short-term trips changed my ideas concerning what tasks or role I
should be doing in missions. I actually changed my career direction
completely: I have medical training but am now doing surveys for
future Bible translations.
Answer from Mike, who served ten years in West Africa and North Africa on a
Bible translation team with WEC International.
34 | Ask a Missionary