DO'S AND DON'TS

THE DO’S

• Do be spiritually prepared before you come.  Have a daily quiet time and a group devotional.  The group leader should prepare devotionals leading up to your trip.  You also need to prepare your personal testimony.

• Do learn a few phases in Spanish like:  Hello, How are you?  What is your name?  My name is ………

• Do learn what you can about some of the customs of the people you are coming to serve. 

• Do purchase the insurance that the International Mission Board has for your trip.

• Do be Flexible when things do not go as planned.

• Do be prepared.  You have been asked to do certain things prior to your coming. Please prepare for those projects.

• Do ask questions. If you have them, ask them.

• Do be positive.

• Do all you can to help the ministry where you are serving.  You are on a mission trip to help spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and strengthen the work where you are serving at the time.

• Do be careful of how you phrase things while giving a testimony in public.  Don’t say things like, “Well, looking round I can see that you folks don’t have much but you’re proud of it.”  Or, “Just being here and seeing the way you live makes me so grateful that God let me be born in the States”   (These are actual statement that we have experienced!)

• Do be prepared to live out of your comfort zone.   Be able to live without AC, some familiar foods, and a big personal space.  Be able to live with public transportation, strange smells and a different time schedule.

• Do be ready for a wonderful experience with Christian brothers and be ready for God to work in your life and the lives of others as a result of you following His leadership.

THE DON’TS

• Do not be negative.  Negativism is like a disease - it will do a lot of damage and make for a bad trip

• Do not complain.  Everything will not go as you think it should, but in the long run it will be a very rewarding time.

• Do not refuse the hospitality of your hosts.  Many times our Mexican brothers want to prepare a meal or refreshment for you.  It is very rude to refuse that offer.

• Do not make fun of other people. Many understand what you are saying and this can be hurtful to them.

• Do not be afraid of trying new things. Just do not be afraid - period. God is not the author of fear.

• Don't clap in churches until you check with your local supervisor.  Be aware of the different, more conservative styles of worship in some places.

• Do not listen to rumors about Mexico. What you read and hear is not always the whole truth.

• Do not be in a hurry to leave.  This gives your hosts the impression that you don’t to want to be there.  Many times the Mexicans ask us why we are leaving so soon.

• Don’t ask people if they are Christians when witnessing.  Everyone in Mexico considers themselves a Christian.  It is better to ask if they are “believers”, which gets into a deeper level of conversation.

• Don’t be judgmental.  Different is not wrong or bad, it is just different.

• Don’t under-dress for church.  On Sunday in particular it is better if women wear dresses, skirts or nice pants.  Those that are asked to preach, speak etc. should wear a tie and jacket.

• Do not pair off!!!!  Pairing off with a team member or a local Mexican can be detrimental to your time in Mexico.  It hinders your relationship building with other team members and other local people.  If you're already in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship before you come, agree to curb your "together time" while on your trip.