Taking your Group on a Spring Break Mission
In the spring of 1992, the InterVarsity chapter at the University of Wyoming sent a group of students on an adventure. We committed a week to work at the Navajo Bible College in Flagstaff, AZ. We drove, talked, drove, played cards, drove, and sang and drove some more. After arriving in Flagstaff in the middle of a snowstorm, we got down to the task of cleaning, sanding, painting and making general repairs to the main classrooms at the college. This wasn't of course without a little singing, some paint fights, intense discussions, short naps and sometimes even arguments! In the evenings we put our feet up, ate dinner, worshipped together and enjoyed the gift of serving God. One night we learned about witness to the Navajo people and the barriers to the gospel. We also worshipped with Navajos in a reservation church and enjoyed their hospitality. After four full days of work we were anxious to get home, but thankful for the opportunity to serve and learn.
You, too, can plan a Spring Break Mission Trip. Spring break is enough time to really do something significant for an organization without costing them or you a lot of money. All it takes is a little planning and creativity:
1. Pray for guidance. Ask God to lead you to a place where you can serve Him and also get a small taste of missions.
2. Begin talking to people about going somewhere together over Spring break. Get their ideas of where to go and what to do.
3. Talk to others in your community. Very likely your friends and local pastors will know of some groups that could use help. Some ideas: inner-city projects (often these missions don't have time to paint, do minor repairs, sort donated clothing, and other odd jobs), Native American reservation (could be a church or a small school or mission), Christian or Bible schools, disaster relief areas, churches (especially in rural areas), or consider cross-cultural opportunities across your country's borders.
4. Investigate the places you find. Make some basic inquiries, letting them know who you are and for what you are looking. Hint: Ask what kind of supervision they provide. Do not get in above your heads. Don't volunteer to build a house if no one in your group has carpentry skills. Also make sure they have enough work for your group and enough supplies. You could offer to bring supplies with you or bring money to purchase them when you arrive.
5. Make arrangements for travel and accommodations. We found it worked well to sleep in empty classrooms and share cooking and cleaning. Do what you can to keep the cost at a minimum. Ask your chapter, fellowship group or church to be a part of your prayer and financial support team.
6. Invite speakers to come several evenings while you're there. Have them speak about their particular mission and the unique challenges of their ministry. Spend time with the people you are serving. Share the love of God with them, giving not only of your hands but of your hearts. It is an added bonus if you can worship with them on a Sunday. They may also offer to cook a meal for you.7. Have daily devotions, sharing and prayer time as a group. You will probably find that you are very tired during this week because of the intensity of work and relationships. But you will find God teaching you about serving Him and each other in ways your group may never have experienced.
8. Most important, enjoy serving as unto the Lord.
Beth Krysl, InterVarsity staff, University of Wyoming
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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