Covenant Groups during mission trips

A few years ago, I took a class on John Wesley.  During the class, we talked about covenant groups, the beginning of Methodism.  That same year, we did our local mission week.  I decided to call it Methodistswag week.  And, in addition to mission, we also focused on being Methodist, the 3 simple rules, and divided into covenant groups.  The week changed our group dramatically in many ways.  But, one of the biggest was having covenant groups.  So, from then on, we have had covenant groups during mission week.
The group is divided into smaller groups of 3 or 4 people plus a leader.  I divide based on personality, spiritual gifts, and life experiences.  On the first day, they meet and look at a list of questions similar to the questions of the original groups.  They pick 3 or 4 of the 25 questions and I encourage them to pick at least 1 hard question.
In order to help you understand how it works, I will share about this year's group that I led.  I had a leader who can't stay up late so I figured I would be leading their night meetings.  But, in case I wasn't, I wanted to give him the group who was easiest to lead because they had done it several times before.  So, I put 3 of my youth who have the gift of leadership together.  My 4th member of this group was an experiment and I'm not sure if I just got lucky or if it would always work.  I had 1 youth who had never been on a trip before.  I put him in there even though he was the youngest and most immature.  He also shows signs of being a leader.  My goal was to get the other 3 to use their leadership skills to pull him into his leadership role.
The 1st night they picked questions.  They couldn't decide and picked more than they needed to.  Am I self- conscious, self-pitying, or self- justifying?  Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?  Is Christ real to me? Do I grumble and complain constantly?  What known sins or temptations have you met with since we last met?  Not easy questions, right?  So, I was pretty proud of them for taking this on.  The next morning, we met briefly for a devotion and then a quick question discussion.  We asked about ways to focus on the questions.  Basically, it's a reminder of what to focus on and what to help our group focus on during the day.
That night, my suspicions we fulfilled when my group talked forever.  After covenant group, we had our big group worship time and I had 2 other groups patiently waiting for us.  So, I switched the schedule to covenant groups after worship time.  That worked much better.  By the 2nd or 3rd night, the group was really close and sharing deep conversations.  The youngest was still acting squirrely, as most 12 year old boys do.  Then something awesome happened!  The 3 older ones started holding him accountable in a loving way.  He admitted that getting people mad was amusing to him and they explained to him that there were better ways.  By the next morning, I saw a dramatic change in him.  Later in the week, one of the group members was upset during group time.  She stated that we should just move on rather than talking to her about the issues.  The youngest member held her accountable by saying "The other day, I just wanted to go to bed and you all kept talking to me about my issues.  What makes you think we are going to just move on now?"  It was so awesome to see how he had grown and was learning from his older friends, and how he felt comfortable enough to then hold them accountable.  By the end of the week, the youngest member of the group was well on his way to becoming a group leader.
That's what the covenant groups do, hold each other accountable, help them learn to trust and grow with each other, and learn how to work on their own issues with people there to support them.  Covenant groups help develop a spiritual growth and awareness that lasts beyond the mission week and a bond between the group members that continues.
For more information or a list of the question options I use, please comment here and I will send them to you.

Pahokee Mission Trip Article

10 middle school and high school students from the LaPorte area, along with 4 adults, spent their spring break serving others.  They traveled to Pahokee, Florida on a mission trip with First United Methodist Church, LaPorte.  The group stayed at Pahokee United Methodist Church, who hosted the mission experience.  They participated in activities at the church including Bible study, several evening meals, and worship.  They also helped at the church while there. 

During the week, the group volunteered at a food pantry, painted houses for several people in need, worked at a soup kitchen, spent time with elderly at an adult day care center, and did afterschool activities with neighborhood children.  They also volunteered at a mango grove, where they learned about how our produce grows and some of the culture of the area while touring the farm. When asked what their favorite mission projects were, they agreed each one was a great experience.  Because of the varied projects, they were all able to find ways to serve using their special talents.  Several have decided to look for projects around LaPorte to get involved with after experiencing serving in Pahokee. 

At The Gap, the food pantry in Pahokee, they sorted food, organized the storage room, put food bags together, and distributed them.  Because there was a shortage of several foods, one participant decided to buy some food to donate to them.  Experiences like this trip teach our young people how to be concerned citizens actively involved in serving others. 

The soup kitchen, Lighthouse Café, was not just a place for people to come eat.  They have helped people get into rehab, have taken people to appointments, and genuinely cared about the people they were serving.  Many of the volunteers were people who ate there and then decided to volunteer.  One of those volunteers was deaf.  He could read lips and speak a little.  But, I saw many youth talking with him and learning signs so they could communicate with him. 

We painted a house for a Pahokee resident, both inside and out.  She was very  grateful for the fresh, new look.  She had a list of things she wanted done and probably would have kept the group there a month if they had the time because she was so pleased with their work!  We also painted a duplex for a housing complex.  We met some of the residents there and had a great time getting to know a few of the staff.  We got almost as much paint on the walls as we got on ourselves!

When we went to the day care center for Alzheimer patients, we didn’t know what to expect.  But, we have visited several places in LaPorte and knew that painting nails was always a hit here.  So, we brought nail polish and some craft supplies.  When we got there, we found out that they were having a prom the next day!  They all excitedly sat down to get their nails painted to get ready for their big day.  The male residents were not interested in getting their nails done.  So, our youngest mission team member decided to organize a game of bingo.  It was great to see all of our youth enjoying spending time with the older generation, and the looks of joy on the faces of the patients was priceless.  Afterwards, we sang some songs we hoped they would know, such as “Jesus Loves Me” and “This Little Light of Mine” and everyone joined in for a short sing-a-long. 

Armed with play-doh, bubbles, hula hoops, balls, and popsicles, we headed to a local trailer park.  Just after we arrived, kids started coming to check out the activities.  We played games, sang songs, did a few skits with them, and did a craft project.  Everyone had a great time!  One youth shared how sad she was when a little boy asked her if she was coming back and she had to tell him no.  One of the children told me that we were his new best friends.  Our theme for the afternoon was “Love Your Neighbor”.  And, that afternoon, love was shown by everyone there.

At the mango grove, the group was eager to learn about the produce and how it grows.  They were excited to bring home coconuts, sugar canes, and various other produce.  They learned a lot while helping out with some farm chores. 

One week of mission has forever impacted the lives of the group that went, and the people they served.  If you would like to hear more about their week, the group will be speaking at LaPorte First United Methodist Church on May 3rd, 1225 Michigan Ave.  Service times are 8:00, 9:00, and 10:30.

Raising money for a trip

I have always struggled with fundraising.  It's not because we don't get what we need.  It's because I don't like constantly asking for money!  But, because we are a very active group in an area with people close to poverty, I don't have a choice.  I never want money to keep someone from being involved.  So, fundraising is a necessary part of our trips.  This year has probably worked out best so I will share my mistakes and successes and what I have finally figured out.
I decide on our trip way ahead of time.  This year, I had all of the details ready at our fall kick- off, complete with where we were going, what the deposit and total cost would be, and what the mandatory fundraisers would be.  I gave them 6 months before the deposit deadline, which was $60 (giving them a chance to find a way to earn $10 a month rather than getting the money from their parents who don't have extra to spend).
They are always responsible for the trip cost and they fund raise for the travel expenses.    This year, we did our annual silent auction and chili cook- off.  But, we also did several bake sales at local stores.  This meant we were able to get money without asking the church for more.  And, each participant had to bake something and work at one of the bake sales.  Besides raising money, these fundraisers gave the group a chance to get to know each other, work together, and gave me a chance to see what their gifts were and who worked well together and who didn't.  All around, it was a success.
In the past, we did random service projects where they could earn money.  But, there were several problems with this plan.  The whole group didn't participate and I spent a ridiculous amount of extra time creating service projects so they could get their hours in.  Some got more hours than they needed and others never got enough hours for the trip.  And, since they weren't all working together I could see them relating to each other.  The money came from a fund that the church donates to.  A mission trip depleted it very quickly without having any income to put into it whereas the bake sale directly earned money related to their work.
A spring break trip rarely provides meals.  I like this aspect of the trip for several reasons.  Cooking a meal together creates a bonding experience.  Having the groups cook and do the clean-up is a good way to have the groups connect.  Also, it's a way the congregation can support the mission trip.  If you have enough room while traveling, bring food with you.  I created my menu and then put all of the food items we needed on separate index cards.  People could take the card and bring it back with the food item.  They were excited for an easy way to help support the group.  And, it doesn't cost a lot of money to pick up an extra box of spaghetti or a jar of peanut butter.
I usually have meals planned but have the group bring money for 1 or 2 meals during the trip and meals during the drive there and back.  This year, that meant at least 6 meals out that were additional costs.  I decided to provide sandwich stuff and fruit for on the road meals.  We were supplied with snacks by people from the church.  Each youth was assigned an item to bring for the on the road meals.  (This works well with meals during the week, too).  Adding a loaf of bread to a packing list is much more appealing than money for 6 meals!  The parents and youth knew that eating sandwiches was an option.  They sometimes still chose to get fast food, but it was a choice rather than an obligation.  When on a trip with spending money, there will always be youth with money burning a hole in their pocket.
So, what I have learned is this.  1) My fundraising needs to be mandatory activities that actually earn money I can put directly towards our trip.  I know, that sounds obvious, but it has taken me awhile to figure that out!  Basically handing them money to go on the trip doesn't work because they don't seem to be as accountable or take the trip as seriously as they do when they are actually earning their way.  2) Making the trip less expensive doesn't make the trip less of a mission trip but can make it more of an opportunity.  Giving the congregation a way to help, giving youth a way to work together by cooking, and being able to help them find ways to earn the money as a group are all ways that build them as a group and individually.

Thoughts on choosing a spring break mission trip

I just came back from our spring break mission trip.  I could write a book about all of the God sightings throughout the week!  But, instead, I am going to try and share my thoughts and ideas on the mission experience and how you and your group can have God sightings of your own!  I will start by saying that I'm no expert.  I have been leading spring break trips for the past 6 years, as well as bringing my group to a summer trip the past 2 years.  What I am sharing is what I have learned, usually the hard way, and what works and doesn't work for me and for my group.
Why spring break?  It started out of necessity due to my other job when I started.  But, it has become known and all of my youth plan their spring break knowing we will be going on a mission trip.  It works for our area since most wouldn't be going anywhere otherwise.  For areas that are wealthier, this may not be the case.  But, with so many things happening in the summer, camp, vacations, summer school, etc, the spring break trip has the most likelihood of youth being available.  And, after our long winters, we are all ready for a trip somewhere a little warmer, which adds to the excitement about the trip!
Before I went on my first mission trip, I decided to do a 4 year cycle.  I think it's important to know that ahead of planning.  I know groups who go to the same place every year and have built very strong relationships with the people they see yearly.  I think that's a great idea.  For my group, I decided they needed to experience different aspects of culture and poverty and ways to serve.  So, we do a 4 year rotation of a rural community, a unique culture (Appalatian, Native American, etc), an urban community, and local.  The 2nd year is very vague and can go in many directions, I suppose, since they could probably fit in either rural or urban communities.   I think knowing ahead of time that this is the plan helps me figure out what needs to happen on the current trip and build excitement for the next one.
The good and bad part of a spring break trip is that there are very few places that offer a packaged experience.  I say this is both because if you are unsure and want that planning done for you, it may not happen.  But, there are so many places that still offer mission opportunities and they are often much cheaper because they don't have as many extras.  But, it's not hard to create those yourself!  It may give some of your leaders a chance to shine when they wouldn't if it was being run by someone else.
I lucked out on my 1st year with googling mission trip ideas.  I don't recommend this even though it has worked out.  I have chosen Methodist mission opportunities for all of mine, so I felt like I had a lead on where to go.  But, I think the best plan is to talk to people who have gone on trips and get their opinions on places they have gone.The first year, I offered 2 places to my youth.  They voted on the one I really didn't think was right for our group.  When I contacted them, I realized it definitely wasn't right and then had to back track and explain to the group that their vote didn't work out.  They luckily understood, but it could have been a very negative thing.  Since then, I've decided where we would be going and made a big announcement.  No matter where, they've always been excited!  I chat in general about places with the group and get their feedback that way.  And, then, I pray and trust God will lead us where He needs us.  That is the key!  Twice out of our 6 years, our plans didn't work out.  Once way ahead of time and once a few days before we were supposed to leave.  There is one key to that working out.  Trust God!  He will put you where He wants you!  And, it's all in how you present it to your youth and their parents.  When our plans changed a few days before leaving, I explained to my group that God was in charge and it would all work the way He wanted it to.  And, it did.  And, I had no complaints about the last minute changes.  But, if I had canceled or taken a "this is terrible and it will never work out" attitude, they would have taken on the same attitude.  Don't get me wrong, I stressed some and probably vented to some, but not anyone who was directly involved in the trip.
Think about your group and their gifts.  Most trips are physical or service.  If your group loves hands on building projects, make sure you choose something they can use their gifts for.  If they are into serving at a soup kitchen, visiting elderly, or working with kids, then choose something that uses those gifts.  My group is varied and we have done all kinds of projects.  The trip we just came back from involved both.  For us, I think I have found the key to success for them.  But, every group is different.  I have a group that is very adhd and loves doing lots of different things.  But, they have enjoyed working with people the entire week and getting to know the people they help and building a relationship with them.  So, my goal for next year is to combine those 2 philosophies.  I will be looking for a building project we can work on as a group every morning.  After lunch, we will do service projects like serving a soup kitchen, visiting a nursing home, and doing activities with children.  This is where spring break trips that we do on our own help that because I can customize it to my groups personality.
So, in choosing to do a spring break mission trip, consider these things.  1) Do you want to go to the same place yearly or to a different place every year? 2) Do you want to search for a packaged trip or customize a trip?  3) What are your groups gifts and how do you see them using them?  And, above all, trust in God's plan for your trip.