Dominican Republic Short-term Mission Team Debrief

 We will be having our short-term mission trip debrief and potluck on Sunday, March 5 following the worship service at Grace Bible Church.  Please take the time to review the questions below and either record your answers in your Mission Team Manual to share with us at the debrief meeting or if you are unable to attend the meeting please reply to this email. There are no wrong answers these are meant to help each of us process what we saw, heard, learned, and how it impacted us and others. It also helps us to know what went well, and what did not, and get insight on how we could do/prepare better.

• Did the mission meet your expectations? If so, in what concrete ways? If not, how?
  
• Was your preparation (individual and team) helpful? Any suggestions for improvement?
  
• Were the team meetings prior to going and did this manual help to prepare? Did you attend each one? 
  
• Would you recommend a short-term mission to someone else? Why or why not?
  
• How could the mission be improved?
  
• What was your favorite part of the experience? Your least favorite?
  
• Have you changed, and if so how? How might you integrate these changes into your daily life?
  
• Were there experiences that gave you a new lens to view life through?
  
• Did you learn from the nationals? (Seek first to understand then to be understood)
  
• Were you given opportunities to minister to your team, hosts, and/or nationals?
  
• How did others bless you?
  
• Rate efforts to learn the local language. How did it affect your experience?
  
• Would you consider another short-term mission? Why or why not?

We pray that you are doing well as you transition back into your schedule and have been able to take time to reflect on our mission trip, what God has taught you through it, what you have learned about yourself while serving others (or others' blessing you), and how you can apply it your life and grow from it.  We also ask that you continue to pray for each other, those we served, and served with - for someone to come alongside and follow up with seeds planted and nurture growth and unity in Christ.  We also ask for prayer for protection from Satan as he strives to tarnish the work accomplished with almost truths and conflicts.  May we be growing closer together and encouraging one another in our walk and growth.  Scott and I have been blessed by your love, encouragement, and support. You are shining examples of what it means to love one another and unity in the body of Christ thank you!

Colossians 3:12-17 “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”

Blessings, 

Deb