How does a missionary work? And are kids allowed to go? Do we have to pay to get there? What do we do to help?

Those are awesome questions! Let me answer them in the order that you asked, okay? First of all, depending on where the Mission Team is going determines what they will be doing. The main thing that a mission team does is to spread the love of Christ and the Word of God to non-Christian people. We do that in many different ways.

For example, for many years, we went to an orphanage in Guatemala to spend time with the kids and teaching them about God. At the same time, we also did repairs to their orphanage and brought them stuff they could use like socks, toothbrushes, clothing items, school supplies, etc. We also took a doctor with us, who would do check-ups or other do other simple medical care. Our hope and prayers were that they would see the love of Jesus through us.

Things have changed in Guatemala so we no longer go to the orphanage. But, we still go and now we build houses for some poor villagers. Again, we show them the love of Jesus by being servants just like Jesus was! Now, we’re starting to go to South Africa to basically do the same thing.

To answer your second question, kids are allowed to go but there are restrictions. In order to go to Guatemala, you have to be fourteen (14) and in order to go the South Africa you have to be sixteen (16). In both cases, a parent must also be going on the trip.

Unfortunately, these trips are not free. But, the church does a lot to help and there are people in the church that also contribute money to missions. Part of the fun of going on a mission is raising the money to go. The church holds a dinner auction every year to help raise money but, what’s even more fun, is raising the money yourself. I sent out twenty letters to non-churched family and friends and asked for a donation one year and I almost got the entire amount of what I needed just from them! But, here’s the deal: Don’t ever let the lack of money be an obstacle to deciding whether or not you’ll ever go on a mission trip. If you feel you are being called to go and God wants you to go, He will find a way to provide for you. But, you must be prayerful and take some steps to get the money.

Finally, you asked what kids can do to help. If you actually go on a mission, there are a lot of things you can do! But, the most important thing is to show people who Jesus is by your actions and words. Sometimes it just takes being kind to someone your age that doesn’t have the things you do. Sometimes it means showing them how to play a game or sing a song. Other times, it may be helping an adult with a certain chore. Remember, it’s all about serving and showing people the love of Jesus by your actions.

Even if you can’t actually go on a mission, there are still things you can do to help! You can pray for the Mission Team, you can be a “prayer partner” for one of the Mission Team members (which is really fun because you send them down with cards, one for each day, with a prayer or words of encouragement in them), or you can help raise money for the team. Pretty cool, huh?

I pray that someday God will put it on your heart to go on a Mission. It is one of God’s purposes for us; in fact, He commands that we:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
(Matthew 28:19-20)

This is often called the Great Commission. Basically, Jesus is telling us to go out into the world and to spread the good news about Him. While we go to Guatemala and South Africa yearly, you can start doing missionary work right here in Puyallup! Remember, being a missionary is basically about serving others. My kids have fed the homeless in Tacoma. My small group fed the homeless at the Armory in Puyallup. There are different ways to serve people and to show Christ’s love to them. Sound like fun? It is.