Previous articles have mentioned your choices to participate in a planned VBS mission overseas or to organize and plan your own VBS mission overseas. This article assumes you chose the former opportunity.

This is no time to be hasty.  This is an important decision.  Make it work for you in both time and money.

Many people just don’t get started because the task seems too daunting.  So much information, so many choices.

How can I decide?

So, to begin with, let’s narrow the selection process using the decision filters below.

• How much time can you spend?2 weeks, 3 weeks, a month?

• When can you be available?Anytime, two weeks in the middle of July, anytime in October, etc.

• Will you be going alone or with your family?

• Will you be taking the children?

• What age group do you want to be with?

• Do you have a religious denomination preference?

• What kind of short term mission do you want; humanitarian, medical, evangelical, construction, etc.?

• How much can you spend?Pray about this. Be generous. Consider money you won’t be spending because you are on the mission (other vacation funds).

• Specify any other personal preferences you may have.

“Approach this task with the spirit of serving God.  Trust that He will  guide you in your choices.” Warren Jaycox 

Now, let’s get started.  Approach this task with the spirit of serving God.  Trust that He will  guide you in your choices.

1. Do an internet search “short term overseas missions.” My search came up with short term overseas mission opportunities, short term overseas mission trips, short term overseas mission fellowship; over 1,000000 results.

2.  A  search Overseas Vacation Bible School Opportunities gave me 516,000 results.  Select ones that look interesting and continue your search into individual sites.

3. Search Amazon.com for books  and other materials related to  vacation bible schools. I found 100 pages of books titles. Let’s narrow that more to vacation bible schools overseas. Ah Ha, now we have two.

4. Talk with others who may have had a VBS overseas experience.  Inquire of  your pastor, or pastoral organization. Ask questions on Facebook or other social media.

5.  Gather others in your church who may have a similar interest and hold a discussion, share information, desires and expectations. Perhaps you can come up with a group of 5 – 6 people with a common desire and goal, to participate in a VBS.

6.  Now act on it!  Select a mission that is VBS oriented and encourage as many as possible to sign up. Get some actual experience.

I can say without hesitation that my first VBS mission was a life changing experience.  I felt then, and continue now, to feel closer to Christ.

I strive to encourage people to participate in, or initiate, a VBS overseas program at their church.  Warren Jaycox

Next week:  Gathering a team.