As the providers of airfare to thousands of international mission trip participants each year, we here at Ministry Travel realize that we are more than a travel agency–we are story facilitators!
Whether its someone’s first mission trip to Africa or a veteran missionary returning to the field somewhere in Asia, each person our travel consultants work with has a story. Usually they have several stories of the incredible things they experienced while on mission. Regardless of what they actually do on the field, the experience of ministering cross-culturally usually changes their perspective. The things that used to bother them now take on a new light when viewed through the perspective of the world’s needs.
Rick, one of our clients, writes about his favorite mission trip and how it changed his perspective:
My favorite trip was a visit to an orphanage in Ensenada, Mexico. Those 30-40 kids brought tears to our eyes & our hearts. A group of us from Christ’s Church of the Valley in Phoenix, went down to work at Rancho El Refugio, which is a Christ-centered school being developed for the underprivileged children in the area. While dining at a local taco shop upon our arrival, one of our vans was broken into and several members of our group lost their luggage, passports and medications. Despite spending several hours that evening at the police station, local pharmacy and shopping for replacement clothes, our group arose early the next morning to serve breakfast and play with the children at the orphanage. Each of us walked away with a new perspective on life that day.
Most people would view a trip where their passport and luggage was stolen as a terrible trip, but for Rick and his team their perspective was changed thanks to seeing the world in which those orphans lived. The reality of what those kids were experiencing paled in comparison to the minor inconveniences that Rick and the team endured.
Thanks, Rick for sharing your story, and for reminding us about the importance of keeping things in perspective!
And don’t worry…we’ll keep providing great discounts on international airfare so that there can be more stories of lives changed!
Do you have a mission trip story that you would like to share? Visit the discussion board on our Facebook page at facebook.com/ministrytravel and tell us about your experience.