Many of us already have a mission when we travel: relaxation, visiting family, experiencing new cultures. But there are also travel opportunities in which the mission of the trip isn’t to please ourselves but to help others in need. While many mission trips are based on Christian biblical teachings, they don’t have to be. There are numerous opportunities, both religious and secular, available for people interested in giving back while traveling.
Rev. Dr. Michael Gatton (77) has been a minister for 54 years. He has ample experience taking young people on mission trips to places like Jamaica after devastating hurricanes or to Chicago to work on Habitat for Humanity building projects. While teens and young adults often get a lot from the experience, he says the impact on older people of participating in mission trips is even more profound.
Rev. Michael recalls a mission trip that was open to anyone in the church congregation and remembers one of the attendees specifically. She was a widow who was nearing 80 years of age. “She could do no more than sweep up the area, but she did with such passion,” he says. “It gave her a sense of purpose.” That purpose lasted not only during the trip, but afterward when this woman played a vital role in helping her congregation fundraise for a $7 million building and relocation project.
Another memorable experience for Rev. Michael was the opportunity at one point to work with former President Jimmy Carter on a Habitat for Humanity project. He says the first couple days, he used Carter’s presidential title, but by day four, he was “Jimmy.” “There were no titles on that roof,” Rev. Michael says. Even at age 95, Carter was still helping in whatever way he could on building projects. His volunteer work gave his life purpose, and his presence gave other people an example to which they could aspire.
Richard Provost (53) had never traveled to South America despite decades spent traveling all over the world for business and pleasure, nor had he worked with college-age adults. So, he felt more than a little apprehensive about traveling to Chile in May 2023 for a weeklong mission trip. While he knew the overall purpose of the trip, which was to travel to support the local El Oasis Ministry, Rich didn’t know what that looked like on the ground or in his hands. “This type of commitment fell outside of my comfort zone,” he says. “Prior to the trip, I felt hesitant and anxious about not knowing exactly how I would be able to serve and contribute once there.” The only thing he felt sure of was that he wanted to stretch himself spiritually and grow in his faith.
The week was busy with various activities, including an event called Cafe a lo Gringo, which involved meeting with students at a park to help them practice their conversational English skills. “We shared many laughs while talking, rating the students’ speaking and explaining a lot of English slang,” Richard says.
Another day was spent touring a university campus, which is where Rich says the students could teach him and his mission colleagues about their city. “This is where I made some of my best connections with several students in conversations about church, faith, and professional career choices,” Rich says. The group also participated in worship and Bible reading on the beach. No matter what activity they did together, many of them blended food and culture into the mix.
Despite his initial concerns about how he could help others on this trip, upon reflection, Rich is able to see how his contributions were meaningful. First, he offered a listening ear to the young people he spoke with. “Some students just needed help understanding the next steps given their academic major,” he says. “We had conversations about what it looks like to move from the university experience into the working-world mindset.” Rich also played a role as a cheerleader of sorts. “Some students needed validation to know they had chosen the right career path to open up doors,” he says.
While people often think of mission trips as being mostly about physical labor, on Rich’s trip, what the students needed was adult leadership and relationship-building. Rich says just being present, listening, and engaging in meaningful conversations to make others feel loved was critical to the mission’s work.
“My experience on this mission trip changed my perspective about how God can use your talents if you are simply willing to show up, say yes, and dive in,” Rich says. He encourages others to put their anxieties aside if the opportunity for service travel is before them. “If you’re thinking about a mission trip like this one, ‘Don’t think, just act!’” he says. “Stepping out of your comfort zone is an amazing personal growth experience that you will never regret.”
While Rich and Rev. Michael traveled as part of church groups (Rich as part of Northeast Christian Church in Louisville and Rev. Michael at various Disciples of Christ churches), service-based travel does not have to be a religiously-affiliated endeavour. There are companies that specialize in this type of travel for those who do not have or want a church affiliation. International Volunteer HQ, for example, has a mission trip to Botswana where travelers engage in wildlife conservation work, which might include conducting surveys of mammals or working on soil erosion projects. Another travel opportunity in Colombia has travelers providing companionship to groups of children.
Before selecting a travel company for a mission-based experience, especially if you don’t know anyone who can offer a referral, due diligence is important. Be sure to check Trust Pilot or other similar sites that provide reviews of various companies.
By Carrie Vittitoe | Photos by Chalo Gallardo, Richard Tao, and Caspar Rae
P.S. Here is another great themed travel idea: Travel With A Purpose
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