10-2 Church Visits to Mission Partners - Checklist

A Good Practice Guide looking at some of the issues involved in visiting mission partners is available as GPG 10-1

Health

• Check what immunization you need and ensure you have them in time to be valid
• Buy/prepare a health kit – especially diarrhoea and anti-malariaprophylactic, insect repellent
• Check AIDS/HIV situation

Travel

• Use reputable airlines wherever possible
• Reduce ‘connection stress’ by building in extra times between flights
• Check visa regulations
• Carry ID at all times
• Make copies of all travel documents – laminate a set
• Take all essentials in carry-on plus a change of underwear

Clothing

• Take layers
• Take half of what you think you need
• Think basic – think crease-resistant
• Women – consider modesty issues in the country you are visiting

Non-clothing

• Small camera
• Hospitality gifts
• Photos of your family
• Thank-you cards
• If you bring a computer, clean it upif you are going to a closed country
• Travel adaptor
• Extension lead

Immigration and customs

• Smile and be polite – they may be gruff but don’t take it personally
• Never lose the slip you fill out on entry
• Tell the truth
• Don’t answer questions you haven’t been asked
• Carry immunization records
• Is there a ‘red light’ system as in Latin America?
• Play dumb if asked for a bribe. Have some small knickknacks in the top that can be ‘confiscated’ or given for the ‘fine job’ they are doing
• If you are carrying mail, make sure you know what is in it
• If you are asked to take a gift, unpack it
• Keep hold of your case

Language

• Learn a few basic phrases (find out if there are important greetings you need to know) – always appreciated and frequently useful
• Have a phone number in the city you can contact
• Asking a local may not elicit accurate information – they feel obliged to give you an answer
• Carry a phrase book
• Know where your embassy/consulate is in case you get mugged (have contact details on you)
• If really stuck, a major international hotel is a good place to start

Security – money, personal

• Use a money belt
• Find out which currencies are best to take
• Don’t keep allyour money in one place
• Don’t wear ostentatious jewellery
• Wear a backpack on your front
• Use a cheap wristwatch for travelling
• Take the minimum to a market
• Be streetwise
• Know in advance which taxis are safe
• Know what to do in the event of a kidnapping or hostage-taking

Documents

• Ensure you have made a will and left it in safe-keeping
• Prepare documents for use in the event of a kidnap
• Supply travel details to your host and to someone at home

Emergency contact details

• Next of kin
• Someone other than your host at the destination

• Prayer support – have a prayer team backing you while you are away
• Prepare relevant materials – considering the personal situation, ministry needs, living conditions, sources of stress and pressure
• Develop listening skills – active listening without advice
• Prepare to offer appropriate feedback
• Do some debriefing training so that you can respond to issues raised
• Spiritual Warfare – study the word, read some relevant books, prepare spiritually for the battle
• Sabbath time – plan in some time off to rest and to recharge your batteries spiritually – model a good balance

• Cross-cultural workers are very busy – pitch in and help
• Give advance notice of your visit and check its convenience
• Understand how local officialdom works
• Try to fit into their schedule – give them a copy of yours
• Take a gift that spoils them and a thank-you note (ask them if there is anything specific they would like you to bring out? People weren’t allowed over our doorstep until they handed over the bars of Galaxy!!!)
• Offer hospitality – take them out for a meal (depends where they live if this is possible…)
• Make yourself ‘at home’ - don’t live out of your suitcase
• Cause as little disruption as possible – don’t clutter the place
• Use local transport – there is nothing better to understand what life is like for them but maybe ask advice on this one!
• Give yourself and them some personal space
• Take some entertainment
• Time is the greatest gift you can give – to listen not to talk

Have a good trip!

Displayed: January 2011