Short-term trips can be a very valuable experience. There is nothing quite like being able to experience another culture first-hand. If you have never been on a trip before, consider taking the plunge and traveling with a group from your church or joining a trip with a mission agency.

The Desiring God blog posted an article back in March called “Short-Term Mission Ideas.” Here is what the article said:

“Making plans for summer? If you’re interested in being completely stretched, battling discouragement, experiencing new kinds of joy, and significantly widening your perspective of God’s heart for the nations, check out some of these short-term opportunities.”

It then lists several mission agencies that offer short-term trips. This article would be a good resource to get you started in dreaming about where God might have you go.

Another idea would be to contact missionaries that your church supports and ask them if they could use a group for a week or two. This would be a great way to be exposed to a foreign culture and to encourage missionaries who are on the field.