This week, Ministry Travel President Beth Banfill is on a short-term missions trip to Colombia. In our last blog, we shared part of an interview that we did with Beth just before leaving where she focused on her upcoming trip. We continue that interview today with Beth addressing some broader issues related to volunteer missions.
Ministry Travel Blog (MTB): Having been on a number of trips to countries besides Colombia, what is your advice to those who are just starting to do mission trips? Do you think they should find one country and continue to go there, or should they explore different places?
Beth: You know, everyone is different. I actually would love to go more places on mission trips. So the last couple years, I thought I would not be returning to Colombia but Lord kept showing me that I needed to go back. I would say definitely that if you have a mission trip experience that isn’t you’re cup of tea, don’t give up. Keep trying to find the best combination that fits you.
MTB: The world in general and our nation in particular is in a deep recession. Travel has been down significantly and is just now starting to show signs of rebounding. Ministry Travel, however, continues to see an increase in short term missions travelers. Why do you think that is?
Beth: I think there has been an increase in missionary travel because if God calls you to go, and you are an obedient Christian, then you find a way to go. You find the resources, and God provides for you to go. In our niche market, if God calls you to go, you go regardless of what is happening around you. After 9-11 hit many travel agencies were going out of business left and right, but we continued to grow. That is because those doing missions work kept going. Now we do a lot of non-profits, not just missionaries, but since the bulk of our business is missionaries we continue to see an increase.
MTB: You have been on both sides of these trips—you have led them and you also have been a participant on many of them. If you could give one word of advice to someone who is a team leader and then one word to someone who is a trip participant, what would they be?
Beth: For a trip participant it would be to remember unity. When there isn’t unity on the team, it can ruin your whole trip. I’ve seen that happen in some of the teams that I have been on. I would definitely say unity. For the team leader, I would encourage them to really interact with their team members. This speaks volumes. If the team leader is so busy keeping track of all the paperwork, budget, and just doing their thing but not getting to know their team members, I think they miss a great opportunity. Seeing that their team’s needs are met is what will give them a successful and encouraging trip.
MTB: Thanks Beth for sharing your thoughts with us. We hope you have a great trip.
Beth: Thank you. It is a privilege to get to make a trip like this ever year. It is also a privilege through Ministry Travel to every day serve those who are giving their time and lives to make a difference in the world.