4 Insights I've Gained on YWAM Mission Trips

For some people, transition can be a scary word. Others live off the rush of change and like having their worlds turned upside down.

Missions and mission trips almost go hand-in-hand with transitions and change. No matter where you fall on that spectrum, I learned some things during my two years as a missionary with YWAM Salem that you should know.

Here are the 4 main lessons I've taken away from my many experiences on domestic mission trips and international mission trips as a YWAMer and Discipleship Training School (DTS) leader.

1. Commit to Staying Connected During Your DTS & Mission Trip Experience

Coming to YWAM Salem for a DTS is a huge deal. You'll spend 6 months away from your friends, family, hometown, favorite coffee shop, and even your dog.

DTS is such a transformative experience that we can sometimes assume that everyone else is changing as much as we are in the time that we’re away. Odds are, they’re not in a greenhouse of growth like you are! But when you’re away for longer - if you join the YWAM staff or go overseas for longer periods - the homesickness and FOMO can get real!

Having commitments with your friends and family that you stick to can help you deal with those feelings. Maybe it’s a certain night a week that you set aside for a FaceTime or maybe you do a monthly virtual movie watch party. It could even be as simple as a group chat in which you send little daily thoughts or videos.

Honest communication is key! We’re made for intentional relationships and no one likes feeling like they’re losing anybody. However, as your life and schedule (and maybe even time zone) change, so will what you’re able to commit to.

Tell your friends how you’re feeling and ask them to be willing to adjust with you so you keep your relationships healthy. Don’t forget to ask about their lives and stay invested in the things you’re not necessarily a part of anymore!

2. Live Minimally on Mission Trips

Most of us think we need a lot more than we do. Being a missionary can introduce you to confines like limited storage, roommates, and having to be able to pack everything into one carryable bag! All these things can teach you a lot about what is essential and what isn’t. 

Material items aren't inherently bad, but sometimes our relationships with our belongings can give us funny principles or ideas that are contrary to what the Bible says about money or objects.

We’re given a commission as followers of Jesus to be generous and hospitable (2 Cor 9:10-12). Over-attachment or fixation on owning things can mean we’re slower to share or to give. 

I’ve met people through YWAM who practice living minimally and generously in a couple of really cool ways. One friend has a resolution to never own more than she can fit in her car. She wants to be able and ready to “go” if the Lord calls her somewhere and never be held back by her belongings.

Another gives away 80% of his income (which is almost completely support-based)! He prays each year the Lord will increase his income so he can raise the level that he gives. The number started at 20% and has grown to where his support covers his expenses and makes it possible to give 80% away!

Living on Support During Local and International Mission Trips

All this reminds me of the kind of Kingdom living we’re supposed to do while we’re here on Earth.

Living on support as a missionary gives you so many unique opportunities to see God move in ways you wouldn’t think were possible! The whole Earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, and He is a God who loves to give good gifts to His children (Psalm 24, Matt 7:11).

What reason do we have to worry about storing up? We can give without fear because we promise that we’ll never be without that which we truly need. Minimal living invites you to be grateful for what you do have and leads to joy when we take stock of the ways God blesses and cares for His people. 

3. Practice Rhythms to Build Structure

Missions, even short-term mission trips, can take you to new places with new people. It can all be so exciting, but also draining. Sometimes all the change can even leave you with a sense of restlessness. 

Practicing rhythms is similar to developing good habits. Take note of the things that bring you life, that make you feel at home or peaceful. Find ways to incorporate the practice of those things into your life so that when things around you change, you still have stability knowing there will always be something coming that you can rely on. 

If you’re an internal processor, make sure you carve out time every day or every other day to journal or be alone. If you get energy from exercise or adventures, find ways to incorporate movement into your day.

Structure helps you stay balanced and keeps you motivated and encouraged. Your rhythms should always include intentional time with Jesus. Bible study, prayer, meditation, reflection, or even attending a local church service are all key practices that keep us grounded and sustained (Psalm 1).

4. It's Okay When It's Hard!

Living life as a missionary is like any other life. It has amazing highs and moments of wonder and awe and beauty.

You have endless opportunities to be a part of what God is doing and even more to step out of your comfort zone. Your faith is tested, refined, and grown. It’s amazing. But it's also okay that it’s hard sometimes too.

Jesus invites us to bring our burdens and our heaviness to Him and be honest about how we’re doing (Psalm 55:22; Isaiah 41:13). Missions matter to God, so we can always trust Him to meet all our needs.

DTS - The Stepping Stone to My Life as a Volunteer Abroad

You've read how DTS experiences, such as summer mission trips and being one of our international volunteers, can set you on the path to a lifetime of missions. But do you know what DTS is? Do you know the answer to the most basic question - "What is a mission trip?" Find out more below or check out our comprehensive DTS FAQ here.

What is YWAM Salem?

YWAM Salem is a division of Youth With A Mission based in Salem, Oregon. We're a community of believers in Jesus Christ who want to hear God's voice, know God's plan for our lives, and walk humbly with him to spread his love, mercy, and story across the nations.

What is DTS?

Discipleship training school is a 6-month journey of knowing God and making Him known throughout the world for anyone 18 years old or older. Some 2.2 million people will live and die without ever hearing the word of God. DTS is YWAM Salem's effort to lower that number.

First, spend 3 months on our campus learning more about God's will, your faith, and how God wills you to take control of your future by turning your passions into powerful missions tools. Then, travel with a purpose on a 2-and-a-half-month-long mission trip to an overseas destination unfamiliar with God's word.

Do a DTS - Apply with YWAM Salem Today!

What are you waiting for? Your transformational experience with diverse cultures, new local ministries, and a future lifetime in missions is right around the corner. Apply for a YWAM DTS today to take the first step.