Are there any interesting missions trip stories out there?

I did mission work in India and Nepal. My advice to you is to work with a group that does relief work and not one that is looking to try and convert as many people as possible. Conversion groups typically do more harm than good. Also, remember to live among those you serve and not stay in a nice hotel and live it up each day. Being a missionary means being humble.

I don't get the whole mission trip thing...It sounds more like a vacation because it is so short. Service really can be a vacation though. I spent two years in Thailand as a missionary. There are many different types of Muslims depending on where you go. I learned so much and had so many rich experiences because I came to know the culture and the language. Join the peace corps if you really want to help people long term. Mission trips are very superficial.

The church I attend has several missions trips each year. There is a group of about 80-100 that normally go to El Savador each year, and they end up taking more people each time. Well last trip they had wonderful experiences. Something about a bell tower. All I remember hearing about it was everyone who went into the tower felt so at peace, and when they looked down at the river or lake below it was glowing I think is what they had said. One of the Pastors even baptised people in that water. I wish I could go on a mission's trip but I think I will have to wait until my kids are a bit older.

Prepare, not just for what to teach, but how to teach it. Cultural norms must be observed, unless they are in direct confliction to the Word.

Okay, story.

One of my friends from high school and youth group became a part of a 3-family mission team to a region of Africa that has a lot of hills. When they started, it was 5 people, two married couples and a single engaged man. Their reception by the villagers was lukewarm, not hostile but not pleased, either. They began bringing people to Christ and after a year, had a gathering of about 15 people. After the one-year mark they came back to the States for a visit and celebration - the single man married. Three weeks later, the team, now numbering six, returned to the village. A lot of people, even the nonbelievers, were happy for this man. It was at this time that two of the women got pregnant, one with twins. Once again, a lot of villagers were happy for them, but after the babies came, the mission group totalled nine, and the third woman got pregnant before long. Ten in the "Christian house" now, and villagers are grumbling. Another few months, and another baby is on the way. Eleven.

Then another couple came for a visit and short-term mission -- a doctor, and his pregant wife. Thirteen in the house, with another on the way, and the villagers have had enough, and come after the missionary families, making them go on the run. They fled to the hills, and were able to be spirited out to a small airport, where all but one couple and a child return to the US to regroup. After about 6 months, they return to a different, but nearby, village, a little wiser about living arrangements.

Just like Pharoh around the time of Moses's birth, the villagers felt threatened by the growing mission group. It hadn't occurres to them that the people would feel like that over infants, but the babies made the group more visible.

The people may accept you, but if the group of foreigners grows dramatically, you're not what they agreed to.

I've never been on a mission trip to a Muslim country, but I have been to Belize in Central America through an organization called Praying Pelican Missions and I really enjoyed it! I recommend that organization highly!!

I spent half of my childhood in missions through out Sudan and Angola, with my idiot/Preacher father.

And if you aren't an MD there is really no good you can do for those people.

When we weren't trying to build Churches and Houses, ect we were waiting out raids and ethnic cleansings.

Listen to me, I know from experience, it isn't what they tell you it is.

And I hope you aren't afraid of Needles, you'll see alot of them, but atleast you'll be in a Muslim Country.

West Africa is a dirty, vile place with nothing but Child Soldiers and Rebels who are ruthless and violent.

What the kids really need is Rations and Medical Treatment.

The only good I can see coming out of it, is you'll pick up some of the local Languages and Culture.

If you honestly think you can do some good and think your ready, all religions aside, sadly you probably aren't and will never be.

And if you think they provide you with Firearms or any kind of defense like that, you wrong.

All I got was a Machete.

Chances are you'll probably be spending most of your time at a U.S. Embassy depending on were they locate you.

If you do decide to go, make sure your ready for it.

Mentally and Physically.

I'm now Atheist because of what I've witnessed.

If your a hard core Religious Fanatic pray to what ever God you pray to and see if you can find some Epinephrine shots, just incase your allergic to anything.

Trying to convert people isn't fun.

Best of luck to you, what ever you decide.

My sister-in-law is going on a mission trip in June to South Africa. I'm going on a mission trip in July, but I'm staying in the US. (I'm not leaving this country) If you go, I'd be real careful.

You should read up on the crusades, they were fairly interesting.