Visiting a ministry in another country is an amazing way to see and experience what God is doing in His global Church. It can help us grow in our faith, create an awareness of the struggles of our brothers and sisters in Christ, and even open our eyes to new ministry opportunities. It can also be challenging as we enter into a foreign culture, climate, and environment.
It can be challenging to adapt to a new culture, especially when we are not prepared for what we will experience. To help adequately prepare us for an Ends Adventures Service Project, we have identified some factors to help gauge how difficult the service project may be. While it is a helpful tool, it is important to note that this is meant only to help in your initial prayer and decision-making process. When traveling overseas, there are so many things that we cannot account for, so this list should not be seen as a guarantee of difficulty level. For more detailed information, reach out to the Service Project Coordinator.
Here are some things to consider for each category:
Does the place we are staying in-country have electricity and running water? Are we sleeping on cement floors or in hotels with standard accommodations? Do we have access to electricity?
How familiar is the local food to participants? Are the foods offered similar to an American diet or readily available in the USA? Is the water drinkable from the faucet? Is it safe to brush your teeth with tap water? IMPORTANT NOTE: It may be more difficult for a person who is allergic to, say gluten, to travel and eat local foods. If you have any food allergies, intolerances, or dietary needs, please have a conversation with the Service Project Coordinator before signing up for that project.
Is the standard bathroom in that country using a Western toilet construction or more of an Eastern toilet (hole in the ground)? Is toilet paper normal or are you using water from a well to cleanse? Are there showers?
What type of ministry will be taking place? Will we be building a brick structure where hard labor is involved or are we hosting a Vacation Bible School where there is little physical labor? Are the days long or short? What is the weather like while serving? Will there be extreme heat or cold in the normal weather that time of year?
What does the length of travel look like? Is it an easy 4 hour flight and limited time change or will there be 40+ hours of travel and a 12 hour time change? Is there a chance we will experience altitude sickness (Acute Mountain Sickness – usually experienced at 10,000+ feet above sea level)? IMPORTANT NOTE: If you struggle sleeping while traveling (plane, train, car, bus, etc.), reach out to the Service Project Coordinator so you can discuss what to expect while traveling for that specific Service Project. Will we have any down-time before ministry begins once in-country? Will there be opportunities to catch up on sleep once in-country?
