Many short term ministry teams working abroad utilize local language translators to help in their work. Some groups seek to have one translator for each team member, while others may only need one for several team members. Here are some thoughts on how to find translators for your team and how to ensure a quality experience with them.

Local universities are excellent places to look for translators. Your national contact can connect with English professors and let them know that your team is coming. Many professors welcome the opportunity for their students to interact with native English speakers and even give extra credit to those who do. For the student, working as a translator, even if it is only for a few days, is an invaluable learning experience.

Also consider using mature high school students as translators. In many countries, children start learning English in the school systems at an early age. By the time they get to high school they actually are quite fluent, and even know a lot of slang as a result of watching American movies and using the Internet.

Foreign exchange students who spent time in the U.S. or another English speaking country also make great translators.

Always determine in advance if these translators need to be paid or if they are volunteering. Even if they volunteer, you may want to consider giving them some kind of an appreciation gift. You also want to make sure that you cover any expenses they incur as they work for you. Things like bus fare, meals, cell phone calls, etc. are typical expenses that they might have as they support your team.

As possible translators are discovered, it is ideal if they can be screened by someone you trust who both understands what your team will be doing and is fluent in English. If your team will be doing talks or presentations of a religious nature, make sure that your translators are familiar with religious terms. Many will not be unless they have a church background. If you find that you can only recruit translators like this, then have someone create and translate a vocabulary list of common terms that your group might use. The translators should be briefed on the list and have the terms explained to them.

Once you pair up a translator with a team member or group of team members, try to keep them together during the duration of your time there. Continuity of translators is best for everyone. Don’t have a translator work with different people each day unless there is a personality or other conflict. Let the translator and team member(s) develop a relationship so that they can learn how to best work together.

Following these few ideas could make a real difference in the quality of your communications as you minister abroad. Do you have tips, suggestions or thoughts on using translators for international missions or humanitarian projects? We invite you to share them on the discussion tab of our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/MinistryTravelor at the Ministry Travel Group on LinkedIn.com.

You have your passport in hand, your bags are all packed but there’s one thing left to do as a leader of a short-term mission team: grab your field notebook.

The leader’s field notebook is an integral resource that he or she will want to keep with them throughout the entire trip. The field notebook allows the leader to access critical information quickly. While a lot of the materials could be kept on a laptop computer or smart phone, it is best to have printed copies as well.

So what goes into a field notebook? Here are some ideas:

1. Contact information for all team members (including emergency contacts) as well as national leaders with whom you will work.
2. Travel information, including team member flight itineraries, airline contact numbers (including local numbers within the countries you will visit), ground travel arrangements, U.S. consular or embassy, and travel insurance.
3. Team information, including room assignments, work assignments, passport copies, visa copies, minor travel release forms, medical release forms, and health information forms.
4. Financial forms, including forms to track cash as it’s spent and a copy of the trip’s budget.
5. Reporting forms as required by your organization.
6. Cultural information, key phrases, etc.

You may want to have a folder that can be pulled out of your notebook. The field notebook could be kept in your room, but the folder you would keep with you at all times. It should contain medical release and health information forms on all your team members, as well as emergency contact numbers and your travel insurance information. All of these are critical if someone gets injured or sick. Your travel insurance information should include your policy number and the phone number to reach the insurance company’s on-call medical professionals. Not all travel insurance policies include this service, so be sure to check before leaving home.

The field notebook is the place to keep all of your important documents organized, and you will find yourself referring to it continuously throughout your trip. It also is an invaluable tool in case there is an emergency.

If there’s one thing that modern travelers can’t live without, what would it be? Not their clothes, their maps, their guidebooks or their backpacks. No, it would be the gadgets and gizmos that they bring with them, anything from iPods to digital cameras and GPS trackers. Not all gadgets are necessarily expensive and easy-to-lose; some are cheap and useful on your travels.

Consider using these for your next international trip:

 The hardworking multi-tool

Essential on any outdoorsy trip and even in indoor situations, a multi-tool is handy in a multitude of situations. The Swiss Army knife has blades, scissors, bottle and can openers, screwdrivers, tweezers, toothpick, nail file and hook, among other accessories. The Leatherman multi-tool also packs pliers in the mix, which you may find quite useful.

The illuminating flashlight

A flashlight is indispensable to your travels. Cree LED flashlights are the best choice – small, light, powerful and battery efficient.

The secure money clip

Leave the wallet at home. Bulky, flashy and a magnet for pickpockets, chunky wallets and fat purses are no help to the gadget traveler. Instead, use a money clip which is slimmer and more secure. You can keep your cash in the front instead of the back pocket, reducing the risk of falling prey to thieves. The Smart Money Clip can also hold your credit cards, and the Memorex Money Clip multitasks as a 1GB USB drive.

The handy adaptor and power strip

When you’re jumping continents and collecting border stamps like well, stamps, keeping track of which adaptor to use in which country can be a nightmare. Pack a universal international adaptor which will let you access power points all over the world, and a power strip with at least three outlets. Belkin makes a surge protector that also has two USB jacks that can be used to charge iPods or mobile phones.

The healing first aid kit

First aid kits are a must for travelers. Even though every traveler hopes for the best, it’s best to prepare for the worst. Travel first aid kits don’t just provide bandages, painkillers and anti-bacterial creams; they also supply you with useful-in-a-pinch items like safety pins, rubber gloves, sterilized wipes and tape.

The space-saving bags

The best way to save on space in suitcases and carry-ons is to pack your clothes in vacuum bags. Travel Space Bags sell a variety of sizes which can be used to reduce the volume of packed items and increase storage. Ziploc bags are also handy to keep things airtight and dry. It is advisable to put all liquids in a Ziploc to keep from spilling in your luggage or backpack.

The old-school pad and pen

A traveler’s best friend is usually his or her own thoughts while journeying around the world. To capture the moment, jot your epiphanies down in a classic Moleskine pad. These come with a band to hold the pages together so they don’t get creased while being carted around in your suitcase.

So along with the iPod, make sure you include these great gadgets on your next trip. You will be glad you did!