Examination of a Mission Trip Letter Model

Listed below is a reprint of a mission trip letter model that I not too long ago acquired originating from a would-be temporary missionary. I should confess, there are a variety of portions to this letter that I really love, but I desired to take a peek at it as a fundraiser letter example so you will be more ready to produce yours. (The names along with facts have been replaced to guard the innocent.)

Most fundraising letters designed for contributions include their negative and positive areas (including mine) and may utilize betterment, and so i do not wish to be excessively critical. The main thing to not forget is you don't have to be perfect at writing fundraising letters for your mission trips. The most important thing is that you undertake it!

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Therefore here's the (slightly) modified mission trip fundraising letter:

Dear loved ones,

Good day, how are you? I'm hoping you are doing very well, and that also God is working in your life as much as he is with my own.

God has seriously been recently working in my life, and he has really been unveiling His will to me progressively more. I'm writing you this letter to share together with you an important challenging ministry prospect he has revealed to me.

From July 6 through July 13, God has proposed me personally an opportunity to visit India along with a missions team from my own church, First Lutheran of the Holy Trinity. During this mission trip, we are spreading the gospel towards the individuals that inhabit Mumbai and touring a large number of orphan's homes to help promote Jesus with them employing songs and children's programs.

Though There's no doubt that God is going to watch over me, I'd really like to especially request that you pray for me personally as well as other folks that will be going with me. Of all the steps you can take to help me during this, prayer will be biggest. In addition, remember to pray that our fiscal requirements will be attained.

To be able to embark upon this mission trip, all of us each will need to raise , 800, which is a vital issue for each of us. Will you pray concerning supporting me with a modest gift? If you do, merely include a check payable to First Lutheran inside the envelope furnished in this letter.

Irrespective of whether you really feel led to invest fiscally or simply commit to prayer (or both), I really appreciate your help. I can barely procrastinate to engaging in God's work in India, and Most definitely i'll offer comprehensive report once i return.

God bless you,
Howard Parsons

Fundraising Letters for Donations May Often be Improved Upon

It is easy to instantly identify that this mission trip letter example is definitely impersonal, mass-mailed, form letter. It can be acceptable for bulk mailings, but it surely is usually better to send a handful of tailored letters (like, perhaps 25-30) rather than 300 letters to absolutely everyone you ever in your life met. But, in this mission trip letter, the author does indeed try and establish a connection with the target audience with the initial statements.

The writer is in addition a little precise about his destination and anticipations, as well as his trust that it's God's will for him to visit. In addition, he is specific in his financial needs. There are still differences I might choose to have observed.

In this mission trip letter example, I think the potential missionary really should have informed me just how much of his personal funds that he was adding in the mission trip. It is important that the particular person (you) is actually using his own money, and then requesting for help with the remaining. An improved sample letter for any mission trip might be to write that the missions trip is going to cost 00, he'd put in all of his 00 savings, and desired help for the remainder.

These are typically the more noticeable points that I detect regarding many standard fundraising letters. Utilize this mission trip letter example to guide you in writing your own.

Examination of a Mission Trip Letter Model

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My Odyssey to Go on a Medical Mission Trip

The summer of 2002, I met a young lady while square dancing at a festival in Missouri. For the next 4 months we talked on the phone and once a month I would drive to Colorado to visit her. In November of 2002, she told me that for the last two weeks of January and the beginning of February she would be on a medical mission trip to India. We talked about the trip and the fact that she had gone on two other mission trips, one of which was to India and that she was looking forward to going back to India. A couple of days later she asked, "Why don't you go with us?" I laughed because I have no medical experience except 1st aid. We talked about the prospect of my going and finally she said she would ask if there was room for a non medical person on the trip. To my surprise she called back and told me I was welcome to go along with the group, as they could always use help with set-up/take down and crowd control. Then she stated I would have to do a few things first.

The beginning of my odyssey: A passport. Vaccines-shots (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B) and pills (Malaria and Typhoid). Getting time off work. What to pack to take on the trip and financial arrangements.

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I started my quest about the second week of November and was told I had until the 1st week of December to confirm whether I was able to go or not. Everyone I talked to informed me that it took 6 to 8 weeks for a passport to be issued. I went to the Post Office and completed the application for the passport. I received my passport in 3 weeks. I then went to the County health department to ask about what precautions, shots or pills, I would need for the trip to India. I was given information on all the shots and oral treatments I would need. Yes, some of that info was scary. I found out that the Hepatitis A & B shots could be given to me at the health department. The H-A was one shot and the H-B was two shots. For the prevention of Malaria and Typhoid, I would have to get a prescription from a doctor, then go to a pharmacy to fill the prescriptions. Mefloquine (ME-floe-kwin) pills were to be taken 1 week before the trip and 4 weeks after, to prevent malaria. There were 4 Typhoid (VIVOTIF TYPHOID CP VAC) pills, to be taken over 8 days: pill #1 then skip a day, #2 then skip a day, etc... These pills were to be kept in the refrigerator, taken with cold water and not to linger in the mouth very long. Why, I asked myself and then I asked the pharmacist. He told me the pills were a live culture and if I let the pill get hot, I could get Typhoid. This was the 1st time I obeyed the direction on medication to the T. Meanwhile, I was learning what the temperature in India (seasons) would be and what to pack. Winter and freezing temperatures here in Missouri and summer in India.

As I was taking care of the medical needs and packing for the trip, there were also travel arrangements to be made from Missouri to India. While this part was by and large the responsibility of P.R.O. Missions, getting us from Denver, CO to India, I still had to get from Missouri to Denver. After talking with numerous people, it was decided that to drive to Denver by pickup was cheaper than flying from Joplin to Denver. So my long journey, halfway around the world, had begun.

My Odyssey to Go on a Medical Mission Trip

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Nonprofit Mission Statements - 8 Best Practices

When asked about your organization's mission statement, do your volunteers, staff, and board members tell you "Well, it's written down somewhere - I think in the strategic plan - but I'm not sure I could tell you what it is exactly"?

If this is you - you're not alone. Most organizations don't get the most out of theirs.

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As a consultant to nonprofit boards and organization, I can tell you that having a clear, concise, and memorable statements (vision, mission, and values) is one of the hallmarks of a well-managed nonprofit organization. It's the thread that binds the varying passions, opinions, and attitudes together into a cohesive direction and strategy.

Take a moment to read through these eight Best Practices:

1. The Mission Statement should be short and sweet - a compelling statement about what is being delivered by the organization. This statement should summarize the who, what, where, and why of your organization's purpose. It should be written in a way that inspires your employees, board, and donors.

2. The board, staff and volunteers should revisit your mission annually. A good statement will last for many years. An annual visit allows your entire organization to take a closer look at your statement to ensure that everyone is on track with the mission and can recommit to it.

3. Discussion of your vision, mission, and values should be a prominent part of all orientations. While every new employee, volunteer, and board member should be familiar with these before they begin working for the organization, all orientation sessions should include a discussion of these statements and their importance to your organization.

4. Your statement should be on all literature, on the web site, and posted in the workplace. This is the reason your donors invest in you and your partners want to continue being your partner. It is the beginning of every "elevator speech."

5. Start every meeting with a "Mission Minute" - someone telling a story about a client or the organization's contribution. This grounds the meeting in the purpose of the organization - and reminds people why they have decide to contribute to your organization.

6. The Mission should be written on all board and staff agendas. This reminder of the purpose of your organization is essential to motivating your board and staff.

7. It should be on all board minutes. Again, this reminds board members why they have chosen to carve out time for your organization.

8. All staff, board and volunteers should KNOW the mission (by heart). When I work with an organization whose key players know the mission statement, I know I have a winner on my hands. It tells me that this entire group is able to work in concert with one another because they know their primary purpose and are inspired by the mission statement.

Nonprofit Mission Statements - 8 Best Practices

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Teaching Financial Intelligence to Youngsters - Mission 1 - Celebrate Saving!

It's never too early for youngsters to begin developing their financial intelligence. The most important thing parents can do is to set a good example, but there are also plenty of other ways to plant the seeds of fiscal responsibility in children. One great way is to let kids hear Mission 1: Celebrate Saving!, a music CD by Sammy, a cartoon rabbit that serves as the spokesperson for The "It's A Habit!" Company, Inc.

The lyrics send strong messages about earning, saving, sharing, and investing. Simple rhymes are set to catchy melodies that children and adults will enjoy listening to and discussing. The clear, repetitive phrases are easy to understand and remember so as kids learn the words they also learn the lessons.

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"Get in the Game" teaches about saving, with lyrics such as "From every dollar, save a dime" and "Don't ignore this call and go to the mall and spend it all, you'll hit a wall."

"Anyone Can Be Rich" sends this empowering message: "It doesn't matter how much you have to start ... The sooner you start, the less it takes ... anyone can be rich."

A message of setting goals and putting together a plan to reach them is the focus of "Plan." In "Lemonade Stand," the fun of working and earning money is stressed. Then there's the wise "Don't Spend More Than You Make" and the lively "Debt Stinks." The words to all 15 songs on the CD are printed on the insert for parental review.

Music and songs have long been accepted as effective education tools, a fact that has spawned much controversy about the lyrical content of many popular songs. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics: "Awareness of, and sensitivity to, the potential impact of music lyrics by consumers, the media, and the music industry is crucial. It is in children's best interest to listen to lyrics that are not violent, sexist, drug-oriented, or antisocial."

If you want your kids to hear songs with positive messages that will provide a lifelong benefit, Mission 1: Celebrate Saving! will be a great addition to their music library. The CD can be purchased for at www.itsahabit.com. The site also includes books, lesson plans, and other resources for teaching kids financial literacy.

Teaching Financial Intelligence to Youngsters - Mission 1 - Celebrate Saving!

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How to Plan and Organize a Mission Trip

1. Promote, Promote, Promote - Start Spreading the Word As Soon As possible!
Talk With Your Pastor - Ask his blessing and help in promoting your mission trip. Ask him if he would promote and talk about the trip from the pulpit.
Put Announcements in Your Church Bulletin - Announce it up front, promote it from the pulpit, call people, talk to people; ask for stories of people who have already gone on a short-term mission trip, do a skit, do whatever you can to get the word out.
Put a Sign Up Sheet In The Lobby of Your Church - Put out a nice, attractive, sign-up sheet in a well-known spot and encourage people to sign up if they're interested in going. Your first step is to throw wide the net and gather all who have any interest.
Put Together an Information Trip Packet - Along with the sign-up sheet, if you have the capability, put together a mission trip packet that answers as many questions as you can think of. This will provide information prior to your information meeting to better inform those interested.
Set a Date For an Information Meeting - About one month after you have started promoting the trip, have an information meeting to inform those interested and to answer everyone's questions. Some issues to cover would be; finances, food prep, Vacation Bible School prep, trip schedule, meeting schedule for trip planning, and etc.
Announce the Procedure for Group Registration - As part of your meeting, let those at the information meeting know how to get on board. It works well to set a .00 or more non-refundable registration fee for group registration. For some reason, money firms up decisions.
Establish the Total Cost - Take into consideration travel, insurance, food, and other costs. Take into account the three following factors in planning your trip that need to be decided that will affect your trip cost:
Food Costs - Try to calculate what food cost will be. Think about things like food while traveling and food on your mission trip.
Building Materials for Work Projects - Some mission organizations provide building materials as part of their fees, others do not. Be sure to check this out as it could be a huge factor affecting your total costs. For many teams, helping out with building is a major part of their trip and experience. It also helps those you go to serve as well.
Ministry Costs & Plans - Will you do ministry outreaches? Take into consideration costs for Bibles, Tracts and Vacation Bible School supplies.

2. Establish Your Group!
Set Up Your Meeting Schedule for Group Preparation & Training - You will normally need a minimum of about 6-8 meetings to allow adequate time for Vacation Bible School and ministry prep. Don't forget your spiritual prep which is the most important of all.
Set Up Money Due Dates - Set up a schedule for Team Members that lets them know when their funds are due for your mission trip.

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3. Establish Your Mission Trip Prep. Meetings & Schedule!

Here are some items you might want to consider in your mission trip prep meetings:
Fund Raising Help and Ideas for Team Members - An important part of making your mission trip happen is fund-raising.
Vacation Bible School Prep - Most mission teams do Vacation Bible Schools on their mission trips.
Community Outreach Prep - Also, mission teams do Community Outreaches. You might want to come prepared for that as well.
Testimony Prep - A great way to help others is by sharing your testimonies.
Meal Prep - If your trip includes your own food prep, an option to consider if you don't have a cook, is to designate a kitchen and meal coordinator to oversee the meals and kitchen. Divide the group into food teams and allow them to plan the meals (with the oversight of the kitchen and meal coordinator). Some meals can be pre-cooked then prepared on site if your mission trip is not too far away. Make sure you have healthy meals as you will be exerting extra energy while on your trip.
Lodging - Be certain to know what your lodging accommodations will be like. You obviously want a safe, somewhat healthy environment for your team. It's okay to suffer some, but if you can transfer the energy you would expend on suffering into effective ministry then that's ideal. If we're called to suffer then we should, but if we don't have to do so unnecessarily then that's better.
Spiritual Prep - Don't neglect this important area. Without right hearts we have nothing to offer. One of the great benefits of a mission trip is that you have a wonderful platform for discipleship training. The trip can serve a much larger purpose than the time you're serving. Try to get as much mileage out of your discipleship training time as possible and think of ways to disciple and use the group or individuals upon returning home.
Paperwork Prep - It's good to start early if some don't have Passports. It can take up to a couple months to get them so let your team know up from so they can get started on them. Passports are now required (with some exceptions) for re-entry into the U.S.
Training Prep - Don't forget you're going to be ministering cross-culturally and you need to prepare your team for this. There are many tools for doing this on the Internet. Please look at the resources links below for help in this area as well.
Safety Concerns - It's common for folks to be concerned with safety on a mission trip. While sharing the Gospel is never risk free and we should have the faith to trust God will protect us, we shouldn't be foolish as well and put ourselves into harm's way if we don't have to.

4. One Month Prior to Trip Departure!
Double check your Master Checklist - Make sure you've covered all your bases and nothing is forgotten. Order Bibles and Tracts - If not already done yet, make sure to order Bibles and Tracts for your ministries. Vehicle Insurance - Take into account you might need vehicle insurance for your mission trip if you are traveling by land. Daily Devotionals - During the week of your mission trip, it's great to have group devotions each morning. Group Tee-Shirts - If you would like, you can design your own tee-shirts for your mission trip. This can be very valuable and act as a great keepsake and reminder of God's work in each person's life.

5. Final Departure Plans!
Paperwork Checklist - Make sure you have all of your paperwork and passports in order. Important note: We recommend that all paperwork be kept in a briefcase or etc. in the possession of the leader at all times as folks can easily lose their paperwork.
Review the Master Checklist - To be sure you've remembered everything.

Helpful Links

GoMissionsToMexico.com - Ministry Offering Safe Affordable Mission Trips to Mexico!

How to Plan and Organize a Mission Trip

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Customs and Culture of Mexico for Mission Teams

Mexico is actually called the "United States of Mexico." There are 32 states in all. It is a beautiful country, rich with traditions and many diverse subcultures. Most of the Mexican people are "Mestizo," a mix between Europeans (the Spaniards) and the Native Indian tribes of Mexico. This complicated history is deeply ingrained in the Mexican people's view of reality and is detected in many areas, from their family structures to religion.

Family Ties

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Family ties are strong. The father is usually the dominant person, and the eldest member is usually the most respected, thereby controlling the family actions. The mother, however, is a major unifying force and advocate for her children. It is very common for the man to be irresponsible and the wife left to manage the finances, children, and household. The children respect and obey their parents very much. In some ways, the parent-child relationship is the most important relationship, often placed above the husband-wife relationship.

Religion

The Roman Catholic Church has been the dominant church for four centuries. This does not mean the people have an understanding of the Roman Catholic Church or' its teachings. It does mean they have a sense of unseen forces in their midst. They thank God for everything, they speak of doing things "God willing" and incorporate this idea in other ways in their language and culture. This does not mean they are Christians, although they consider themselves so, nor that they really understand Jesus or God. They turn to the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico, as their guide and help. This maternal figure intercedes on their behalf and is often there to care and defend them against the Father, who is angry with them. Meanwhile, Christ, their brother, came to teach them how to suffer and die. These are general concepts that the common people share. Avoid condemning saints, the Virgin Mary, or the Catholic Church, unless you want to greatly offend non-Christians and lose opportunity for ministry.

Time

In the United States, people are dictated by the clock and the chronology of events. People are constantly rushing from one appointment to the next, trying to be "on time." Sometimes cutting off people who have real needs is done to make it on time to the next appointment or activity. In Mexico, people are dictated by relationships and are more seasonal in following up on events and appointments. Building relationship is much more important than keeping a schedule. Rather than moving on to the next appointment, and cut short a conversation, they will prefer to arrive late. From this emphasis on people, tasks are easily put off until tomorrow. For them, this is right and good. Time efficiency, therefore, is not a high value. However, do not allow this as a "justified" scapegoat for yourself. Focus your attention on building relationships with the people you meet. Make it a point to remember peoples' names. Allow time for people to arrive late to your church services or other scheduled ministry events. You may say the service starts @ 7:00p.m., however many people may arrive @ 7:15 or 7:30. Do not be frustrated at this! "Go with the flow!"

Hospitality

No matter how little they have, the people are very generous and will easily give you their last meal or an item they own. Don't refuse them out of fear of getting sick - you won't (They drink bottled water also, as their bodies cannot handle the municipal water either). Being in a Mexican home is a wonderful opportunity to learn about them and provides a friendly trusting atmosphere in which to share the gospel.

Upward Mobility
When you come to Mexico, you will see many satellite dishes on many poor shacks. In Mexico, the first thing you buy when you're moving upward is a refrigerator, and then a radio or TV. The government, recognizing the illiteracy of many of its people, established a 24 hour satellite TV new network called "S.I.N." This is the main mode of communication.

Roles

Males and females have very defined roles in the Mexican culture. The woman's ideal role is mothering the child in the home. Often times she also works; women in the business world and leadership roles are quite respected. Men are to work and provide for their families, however, they spend much of their time drinking and socializing with other men. (This of course does not include the men from the churches.) They are "macho" in the sense of being proud, valiant, in control, and unemotional. Often when men attend church, they sit or stand in the back. Children are idealized a lot and many people sacrifice very much for their children. Small children are not strongly disciplined or inhibited. The common view seems to be that they are too young to understand what should be done, but parents are very strict with older youth. Don't be surprised, therefore, to see young kids wandering around during church services- this is normal. Parents are strict with older youth, especially the girls. They are heavily chaperoned when in mixed company. The girls are expected to maintain reserve in public.

Education

Most adult girls in the villages have a maximum of three years of formal schooling, many are illiterate. The youth have had the opportunity of five years of schooling, but are not stupid. They are intelligent and possess real wisdom and a keen understanding of human nature. Remember, these adults, though lacking in education, are truly adult in their actions, outlook and ambitions. They have successfully reared families and are operating in an adult society with all the problems and concerns thereof. They have excellent memories.

Relationships

Mexican people are very reserved. Team women should not spend much time alone with the Mexican
men and team men likewise, should not pay more than polite attention to the Mexican girls. Couples, even married couples, should be reserved in their displays of affection. Holding hands and kissing in public are very much avoided in the Mexican culture and should be avoided by all team members. Team men towards Mexican men: Be sincerely forward. Greet men with a warm handshake and a friendly smile, even if you don't speak a word of Spanish. It is appropriate upon meeting a male to express thanks for his hospitality and the hospitality of his country toward you as a visitor. It is strongly encouraged to remember names! Older men should be addressed as "Senor" (Sir) or. When appropriate, "Hermano" (meaning Brother). Boys should be addressed by their first name. Reserve "amigo" (friend) for boys with whom you develop a friendship. Please keep in mind that these are not strict "cultural guidelines" that must be followed. Don't be afraid of making a mistake. They will prefer that you be sincere with them, rather than acting like a mechanical robot.

Customs and Culture of Mexico for Mission Teams

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How to Create Your Sample Mission Statement

We are all familiar with corporate mission statements and a large percentage of companies, including many Fortune 500 companies, have published them for all to see. Corporate mission statements are designed to provide a common direction for all those employed within the company and to enlighten their customers and clients, they explain the reason for the company's existence and why they are in the business they are in.

Personal mission statements are different. Their purpose is to help you get where you want to go in life. In some way a personal mission statement is like a mantra, but wholly owned by you, committed to memory and recalled on a daily basis providing passion and enthusiasm.

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They are often a brief description of the most important areas of your focus and outline what you want to accomplish in a particular area of your life within a defined period of time. Mission statements are extremely important in keeping you focused on your objectives and in helping you come to decisions both small and large.

Creating Your Personal Mission Statement

Personal missions statements, almost by definition, defy a unique format or formula but the following tips may help.
o Keep it short, simple and memorable, sometimes even one sentence will do but usually they are between three and five sentences.
o It should be a beacon for what you want to become as a person and should guide your specific actions, habits, decisions and behavior as your reach for the new you.
o It is vital that your mission statement is formed in the positive i.e. what your want to be. Maybe you want to get out of debt but don't mention the word debt, instead say something like "I am going to become financially free". The mere mention of the negative has an uncanny way of drawing you back to it and reinforcing it in your mind.
o It must become a part of your everyday life and be a positive guide in your day-to-day thoughts and actions.
o Ensure your mission statement is a good fit with other areas of your life and that it is balanced and fair both to you and others.
o Your mission statement must rekindle the passion you felt when creating it. Why are you making a mission statement? Because something is changing within your life

Your mission statement is not fixed for life, do not be afraid to change it if you find a better way of expressing your goal.

It is well known that the highest achievers in any walk of life are self-motivated and think and act as if they are running their own business. They are on a "mission" and take a proactive approach to achieving the results they want. Their mission is defined by their mission statement.

If you want to be part of the 3% of achievers and not mired in the 97% of followers you need a mission statement. Achievers take full responsibility for completing their mission, regardless of the obstacles that put the less enlightened off course. Achievers don't wait until "things" get better they know they themselves have to get better until they achieve their goals.

Personal Mission Statement Samples

Your personal mission statement must have goals and a deadline for achievement.

My purpose is to help [define who you are going to help] this year. I plan to reach this goal by [define how you are going to do it]. By applying this consistently and on a daily basis, in one year from now I will have achieved [put your goals here].

My goal is to [define what you are setting out to achieve] before [set a date or some other deadline]. I will achieve this by [define how you are going to do it].

To [define what you are setting out to achieve], so that [reasons why it is important]. I will do this by [set a date or some other deadline].

Write out your mission statement, add and change it until you are truly comfortable with how it sounds to you and then commit it to memory.

If you stick with your mission statement you will be amazed by what you can achieve.

How to Create Your Sample Mission Statement

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Personalized Mission Trip Letters

With all the different mission trip letters I've gotten in recent times, the ones that have had the greatest impact on me would be the versions that happen to be personal, tell a tale, and also were mailed by individuals that I'm sure have been faithfully serving God and His people for many years. The bottom line is that personal fundraising letters for the purpose of mission trips have a larger impact as opposed to photocopied mass letters.

For many of your mission trip fundraising actions, attempt your very best to help make the actual receiver feel as if they are really important to you and that also you value their particular relationship together with their possible gift... Just in case you don't, cancel the missions trip; you are not prepared to serve the Lord within a larger capacity at this moment.

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Starting with the outside envelope on its own, be sure you write the street address properly using the proper spelling, and include the return address at the same time. Nothing suggests "cheap mass mailing" like a poor outer envelope without a return address. It may possibly even get chucked in the garbage by a person who perceives it's really a chain letter or maybe junk mail of some sort.

The thing is not so much to look professional, but to signify that this individual that published the mission trip letters (you) cares about what he's engaging in as well as the goal to which he has recently been called. In addition, you want to greet the person by name in the fundraising letter, and here's a critical word of advice:

You should not run the letter with a computer inkjet printer and handwrite in the potential supporter's name. Tacky! Personally, i always like to handwrite all of the letters, and I do not like it (writer's cramp! ), but it really lets the person to be aware of that I cherish all of them and God's mission more than enough for taking time to accomplish it. And I truly do care!

Tell a Story in Fundraising Letters for Contributions

Provided you can, and particularly if you have recently been on Christian missions in the past, tell a story in your fundraising letters for donations in relation to a little something you have noticed or have discovered in the destination to which you are likely to minister. Many people bond with reports mainly because stories relate to every day life. Just a report on information regarding where you are really going and everything you are doing will never enable people to be aware of the realistic need of people you're going to serve.

One particular statement of warning about stories though. You do not need your storyline to only be about gloomy ideas and scarcity and problems. Our God is a Lord of positive outlook, wealth, and favor; there is certainly enough gloominess resulting from sin on this planet, and we as Christians don't need to pass on even more about that!

Let's become a people of happiness and trust in our Lord, who's competent to accomplish all things. Certainly, there is trouble, but He has overcome all things! Let us talk about these things in our mission trip letters, and express joy in them!

Personalized Mission Trip Letters

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How to Get a Head Start on Raising Funds For Short Term Mission Trips.

If you are planning on going on a short term mission trip or know that you would like to someday, you realize that raising your financial support is a major element. Most individuals that participate in the short term mission experience raise funds through a financial appeal to friends, family and their local church. One program that we have implemented at Mission Solutions is what we call a 'Mission Savings Plan.' It allows you to contribute toward your own support goal over an extended period of time.

First, let's go over the primary way this program works. You will contribute any amount you desire, each month, until the deadline for funds to be in for your trip. This can really add up, especially if the trip is a year or more in the future. For example, if you sent a month then after a year you would have 0 toward your goal, and all before starting any fundraising! Our trips to the Dominican Republic typically cost 00 to 00. If you have saved as in the example above, you would already have 20% of your support goal. You can also participate in a Mission Savings Plan before you have decided which location or trip dates you will go with.

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A good guideline to implement would be to set a specific amount for each month. You wouldn't have to contribute all or any one month if money was tight, but having a specific amount helps you plan your personal budget and meet your goal. You would also be able to send in extra as you are able, providing even more funds for your trip. Another guideline to follow would be to find a non-profit organization, like your church or the ministry you plan on taking the trip with, and send your monthly contribution directly to them. At Mission Solutions, we allow individuals to give in this way and we set the money aside, only to be used for the participant's future trip. This will benefit the ministry through any interest gained from your money as well as prevent you from accessing the saved funds for anything besides your mission trip. Another benefit of sending your funds directly to a non-profit is that many times the ministry will send you a monthly reminder, keeping you on track. If you are not able to contribute directly to a non-profit or church, then set up a separate savings account just for your mission trip and consider the higher yield online savings accounts.

It is also important to set up a few other rules, especially if you are a non-profit that is considering this program. Make it clear that once the funds are donated, that they can only be used for a mission trip. This will encourage participants to not give up on their desire to serve through missions. Also, if someone decides that they cannot go or are no longer able to go, give them the option to have the funds attributed to another team member's fundraising goal for his/her mission trip. You may also consider asking if these funds could be used for a team member that is furthest behind in fundraising progress or for team expenses.

This program is a very simple way to help you reach your support raising goal. It also allows you to personally contribute, showing others that you truly believe in what you are doing and that you are not solely depending on their financial support. Even a very small amount will add up fast and make a huge impact.

How to Get a Head Start on Raising Funds For Short Term Mission Trips.

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Evaluating Your Program - Begin at the Beginning With Your Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives

This is the second in a series of articles on program evaluation. The first article discusses why we evaluate programs and gives a brief overview of the process. This article gives details on the initial steps of that process.

The best place to begin is at the beginning. By that I mean, revisit the idea or plan the led to the establishment of your program. Does your program or organization have a mission statement? Goals? If these documents are already in place, they can help provide the structure for your evaluation. You might first want to touch base with the relevant stakeholders, to be sure that these documents still reflect how you view yourselves and what you do. If not, consider updating them. If these documents are not in place, it is best to begin your evaluation by creating them, with input from all of the relevant stakeholders.

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Once the mission statement and goals are in place, you can move on to writing specific objectives (also called outcomes or outcome statements). Objectives are more specific than goals. Goals tend to be broader in scope, and are likely to remain relevant from year to year, as long as the focus of your organization or program does not change. A goal might be "help homeless families reestablish themselves." The objectives should be the specific strategies that you intend to implement to bring about the desired changes. For example, if your goal is to help homeless families, one of your objectives could be, "provide job placement counseling and assistance." Another objective could be, "provide assistance in locating affordable housing." If your program helps homeless families, it would not be hard to believe that you are doing both of these things. Each unique aspect of what you do needs its own objective. Further, if your program specializes exclusively in job placement assistance, for example, you'll likely need to write a number of objectives in relation to this that are much more specific than my example above.

The best advice I can give regarding writing your objectives is the make them measurable and use active verbs. If it is not something that you can see, hear, count, weigh or otherwise hold in your hand it will be hard to come up with a credible way to measure it. Here's a bad example: "Students will appreciate the differences between baroque and renaissance musical forms." I'm not sure how I can tell by looking at someone whether or not they appreciate something. However, "Students will be able to differentiate various compositions based upon their knowledge of baroque and renaissance musical forms," or "Clients will be able to identify and effectively implement three effective job-seeking strategies," are statements we can work with.

Use active verbs that clearly communicate the expected outcome. There are a number of online sources for lists of active verbs which you will likely find helpful. I also recommend chapter 2 of Mary J. Allen's (2004) Assessing Academic Programs in Higher Education (Anker Publishing Company). Though this book was intended for college and university faculty and administrators, it has very broad application.

Finally, don't be at all frustrated if you or some of your stakeholders are not completely satisfied with your first efforts. It often takes the most experienced of us more than one round to come up with a mission statement and goals that capture the focus of your program, and objectives that are truly representative of what you do on an daily basis. Keep in mind that this article and the others in this series are not intended the replace the need for professional consultation, but to enable you to be more aware of the process as you work with your consultant.

Happy Evaluating!

Evaluating Your Program - Begin at the Beginning With Your Mission Statement, Goals and Objectives

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Fund-Raising Ideas for Mission Trips

Building financial support through a letter to family and friends

On the average, 0 can be raised through well-written letters sent to about 75 people who know you: family members and friends. Some groups prepare a fund-raising letter in a downloadable form so participants can easily personalize it. Spread the word widely; don't limit the letters to Christian friends and family. Send thank-you letters for every financial gift. Sometimes, "thank you" notes will even bring follow-up gifts.

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How local churches can help come up with the needed money

Give official blessing or sanction Provide letters of endorsement on church stationery [ more info ] Let people share with the congregation in services Allow pleas for donations during services Host informational meetings about the trip Publicize the trip Information in the congregation's monthly newsletter Inserts in the weekly church bulletin Call attention to those that get involved in local ministry when they return or decide to go long-term as a result of going short-term. Provide direct financial support Provide partial funding from the church budget. Help in getting out a support raising letter. Organizing prayer support. Organize fund-raising events within the church. Auction off 6 hours of the trip participant's time. Hold dinner/auction of baked goods. Auction of baked goods with pie-in-the-face.

Ideas for Fund Raiser Events

Mexican Dinner- Turn a hall into a Mexican restaurant and have the group dress in traditional Mexican as they serve a basic combination plate dinner to those who have purchased tickets. Suggested menu: tacos, rice and re-fried beans. Have volunteer cooks help with the preparation of the meal. Another suggestion would be to have the families of the group cook so they can have a chance to work together.

Bible Reading Marathon-Have members get pledges per hour to read the Bible continuously. Make it a party! Have group members take turns to reading in one room while in another have videos or team-building games that will to encourage them as they invest in their project.

Servant Auction - Auction off group members to become "servants" working for a set amount per hour paid to the organization.

Individual Sponsorship- Group members can obtain individual sponsors by personal request.

Shareholders- Supporters and friends can buy a "share" in the trip. Provide 'stock' certificates of their importance to the trip and be sure to share the experience with them after the group returns home.

Bake Sales- Be creative and add a new angle by having a "sugarless bake sale", or a "chocolate-lovers' bake sale".

Talent Show- Encourage all the members/families in your group to participate in a talent show. Charge admission and enjoy the fun!

Aluminum Can Collection- Set aside a central location or a private garage to collect aluminum cans for redemption at the local recycling center.

Hold Giant Garage/Yard Sale- Collect items from others such as clothing, furniture, car parts, electrical appliances, etc. for a profitable yard sale. Be sure to promote the cause while doing so for additional exposure.

Sunday School Class Challenge- Challenge Sunday School classes to compete with each other to raise money for the trip. Encourage them to keep track of what they collect and report on it each week. Celebrate with a class party after the trip with photos and testimonials.

Car Wash- For a car wash fund-raiser add a twist like a "car wash and wax" while people pay to hit leaders of the group with water balloons or whipped cream. The most successful car washes are FREE with the group participants getting a per-car-washed pledge from supporters. You can also sell car wash coupons ahead of time as well.

B-B-Q Cookout- Hold an old fashion BBQ after church or at some special time and location. You can even have items donated for the BBQ from individuals or local businesses.

Other ideas

Car Wash: Sell car wash coupons

Organize dinners or dinner theaters and sell tickets

Hold giant garage/rummage sale

Sell barbecue

Organize and teach an Internet beginners' course

Sell tubs of frozen cookie dough

Find a restaurant that will donate part of the cost of a meal or provide meal

Helpful Links

GoMissionsToMexico.com - Ministry Offering Safe Affordable Mission Trips to Mexico

Fund-Raising Ideas for Mission Trips

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Powerful Mission Statements - What? Why? How? - Part II

In Part I, (reference) we discussed the What, Why, How of powerful mission statements. In this second part, we are going to focus on how to construct a succinct, yet powerful mission statement.

I have personally tried lots of different ways of structuring a mission statement, and here is the most useful and easiest format - it actually requires 3 statements:

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- What?
- Why?
- How?

What do you stand for? Why is that important? How do you deliver upon it?

Good Examples

Examples are always useful, so lets take an example hotel - Hotel A

What? Ours, is the friendliest place to stay in the world

Why? Because too many hotels simply don't care enough

How? We treat every single customer, as a friend, come to stay for the night - we will go out of our way to make you welcome as well as comfortable.

Or in another hotel - Hotel B

What? A hassle-free stopover for those in a hurry

Why? Because you don't want a long check-in and you certainly don't want a slow check-out when it's time to leave

How? You won't have to queue when you arrive and we guarantee no queuing to checkout in the morning - whatever time you need to leave. We even offer our unique breakfast-to-go package.

I don't want to repeat the underpinning principles of What? or Why? from Part I, but let's just pause to compare these examples before trying to write our own. The point of these examples is that they are both good examples but both very different. As a customer, you would know which hotel suits you (or your current trip) and which one doesn't. Equally importantly, if you worked for either hotel, you would know how to act - whether to chit-chat at the check-in desk or to be quick and efficient. And ultimately, that's the main point - if you ran Hotel B - you wouldn't hire a receptionist who could talk the hind leg off a donkey!

Writing your own

In reality, there isn't much more to say, these examples pretty much say it all. But here is your action plan:
Write down in one short sentence what your business delivers - not the product but the benefit (note - there is no mention of hotel in either example). Test your sentence. Do you believe this? Would this attract you? Would this attract your best customers? Does it set you aside from your competitors? If the answer to any of these is no, go back to step 1. Why do you believe this first sentence sets you apart? What made you create a business like this? If you are struggling, try to define what is missing in your customer's life - why they need you to be different to everyone else. How do you intend to make this difference - typically not talking too much about the product - more about how you deliver it. Review it again and again over several days, but importantly keep each iteration. It is easy to simply start making it too long, or putting too many different things in, or just becoming too bland. Forget it for a day or two and then pick the best of the many iterations. If in doubt, pick the most extreme one! Then Love it and Live it. And make sure all your staff do too. One Last Example

For one final example, here is mine from ProspectSoft - a CRM and Web Solutions company:

What? - We will genuinely help you to grow your business

Why? - Because we know that far too many companies spend good money implementing unfocussed software projects that simply don't deliver any significant business benefit

How? - By making the effort to understand how you intend to grow your business and how our software could help implement this change, and then focussing 100% on making sure we jointly achieve that growth.

Do we live and love this mission statement? Yes we do - we aren't perfect and we could always do better, but we put real effort into focussing on how we can help customers grow their business - not in just trying to sell more software - because ultimately we know that if we help customers to grow their business (and our software is right for them) then they will buy more and more from us - it works this way round - the reverse would be doomed from the start.

Follow-up work

My final tip on mission statements - to kick start the Living and Loving - is to work it into your recruitment process (will this person help or hinder the delivery of our mission) and write your mission into the job description of each and every member of staff. For more on this, see my article on organisation charts and job descriptions.

Powerful Mission Statements - What? Why? How? - Part II

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Giving Back to the Community - A Dallas Cowboys Franchise Mission

The Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League are a fan favorite franchise. They have been a success on the field, playing at a consistently high level, since joining the league as an expansion team in 1960. In addition to their great success on the field, "America's Team" has been just as successful off the field and is considered to be one of the most valuable sports teams in North America. The great success of the Cowboys organization hasn't just been limited to the football field, it has spilled over into the community that it serves, represents, and calls home.

At the heart of any organizations success are the people. Jerry Jones has been owner of the NFL Dallas Cowboys for the past 18 years. Together, he, his wife Gene and their family manage and operate the franchise. All three of his children are part of the Cowboys organization and are actively involved with the day-to-day operation of the franchise. Thankfully for the people of Dallas and area, Jerry Jones and his family put equal emphasis on The Cowboys giving back to the community.

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The Dallas Cowboys and their Logo are one of the most recognizable sports franchises in the world and are more than happy to use their celebrity status and visibility to help others. The idea behind giving to the community is to help those who don't have the means to help themselves. In the words of Jerry Jones, "As a sports entity that has enjoyed unprecedented success and recognition for four decades, we feel a very strong obligation to transfer that championship tradition and the magic that it creates toward the bigger purpose of making a difference." To that end the resources, talents, and skills of his family, the Cowboy players and all members of the organization are utilized for community outreach.

The presence of the Jones family and the Dallas Cowboys in their community is unmistakable. Their giving way has been recognized by countless charities and organizations. The Lone Star Chapter of the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Family Gateway, a Dallas outreach organization, the Boys and Girls Club of America, and the United Way, to name just a few, have all recognized the support and generosity they have received by Gene and Jerry Jones and family.

Every year the Dallas Cowboys players along with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders make a holiday visit to local children's hospitals. For the past 18 years, with the guidance of Gene Jones, the Dallas Cowboys have visited local children's hospitals. Along with their visits each child receives Dallas Cowboys gift items and autographs from both the players and cheerleaders.
Dallas Cowboys wives are also very involved in giving to the community. One such example is the food drives they hold at a Dallas Cowboys home game for the North Texas Food Bank. At a designated game, Cowboys wives are on hand to collect non-perishable food items at all Texas Stadium gates. This is a much-appreciated gesture by the Food bank as the state of Texas leads the country with the highest number of "food insecure" families.
As with all of the 32 NFL teams, the Dallas Cowboys take part in the NFL Community Quarterback Awards program. The program identifies and acknowledges outstanding volunteers in the community who demonstrate dedication, commitment and leadership to make the Dallas and area community a better place. The non-profit organizations that are served by the award-winning volunteers receive grant donations. The NFL Community Quarterback program awards nearly million annually to the charitable organizations served by the 32 NFL teams.

At the core of the Dallas Cowboys organization is the importance and need for giving back to the community and making a difference. Dallas and area charities have all benefited from the time, effort and generosity of the Jones family and the Dallas Cowboys franchise. In the words of Jerry Jones, "the star on the helmet can move mountains" - something he, his family and the Dallas Cowboys are happy to see happen time and time again.

Giving Back to the Community - A Dallas Cowboys Franchise Mission

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How to Plan for the Perfect Mars Mission?

Going to Mars has been one of the biggest dreams of mankind. For centuries, mankind has looked upon the Red Planet with envy, while thinking that it contains a civilization of living beings much like Earth. In fact, until the Pathfinder mission, many people were convinced that Mars contained a much more advanced civilization as compared to Earth. In fact, there were many exposes and scientific papers written on the political structure of the Martian society. However, now we know for sure that no civilization lives on Mars and even the possibility of bacteria or any other non-sentient organism living on Mars is slim if not nonexistent.

Even so, this does not change the fact that sending men to Mars is a viable mission for the future of Earth and for the advancement of space exploration. Mars is the only planet in the solar system that has a viable atmosphere that is susceptible to Terraforming techniques within the reach of our technology. It is a planet that is nearby the general location of Earth and unlike Venus, its atmosphere as well as its surface temperature is more tolerable. Hence, due to this, going to Mars would be a viable and doable mission. Since the Space Exploration Initiative in 1981, Mars has continued to be an attractive mission and as a result both Americans as well as Russians have made plans to go to Mars with a manned flight. However, while this was a matter of prestige for both sides during the Cold war, it has become somewhat of a less important objective after the Cold war has ended.

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One of the biggest obstacles in front of a Mars mission is the phenomenal cost associated with it. According to the latest NASA estimates, a viable Mars mission would cost somewhere around 450 billion to 500 billion US dollars. Even though, the overall world expenditure on defense is almost twice this amount, spending 450 billion dollars for a Mars mission doesn't seem possible with the various global economic worries that seem to be plaguing our world economy.

One way to make Mars mission viable would be to create a longer mission in which the astronauts and the scientists would stay there for nearly a year. Most calculations predict that such a mission would be around 800 to 950 days with the trip times involved. On Martian surface, a standard mini nuclear reactor can be used to provide electricity to the Mars compound and a chemical reactor can be used to separate Carbon dioxide to oxygen and carbon, in which the carbon can then be used to fuse with hydrogen in order to create Methane. In addition, Methane would then be used as a source of fuel for the outpost as well as for the return leg of the mission. Moreover, the recent findings of Mars in the Martian atmosphere suggest that water can be used and electrolyzed to create oxygen and hydrogen. The oxygen would serve as a life support as well as an oxidizer, while the hydrogen can be used as a fuel as well as a source of energy for the Martian outpost. Moreover, the cost of such as mission could be shared by USA, Russia, European Union and Japan; since such a mission would be for the advancement of mankind. In addition, the small outpost created can remain on Mars for other missions in the future and this can really create an opportunity to create a stepping stone to the stars.

How to Plan for the Perfect Mars Mission?

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Our First Manned Mars Mission

It's time to change our thinking on the first manned Mars mission. Actually I'm not sure what the thinking is but I am sure that whomever is flown there would want to return to earth.

Well, that would be too expensive.

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Whoever we send there should be willing to die there.

Let's see, you could send me. I'm 78 years old and willing to take a trip to Mars and not come back. I'm sure that NASA could find a qualified person who thinks the same way I do, willing to stay there and let the dry wind dry his bones right in view of a NASA camera.

Don't you think that would be great television?

Wouldn't those of us who where left behind be glued to the boob tube screen?

The cost of a manned Mars mission will be exorbitant just like each of the unmanned space missions. But a tremendous amount of money could be saved and much information to make the NASA scientist happy for years could be obtained by an old person wondering around picking up rocks on Mars.

The cost of the return trip would be eliminated and our deficit would not increase so much.

I'm sure f China goes first, the no-return astronaut will be a Buddhist Monk.

I've decided that the first astronaut to Mars from NASA should be a woman--since I know they will not let me go. Many women have more patience, would like to be left alone, and can stand suffering much better than man. She would have hunger pains if the food and water died out before she did. She could stand that because women are use to long diets.

A man would be happy too, because he would not have to shave or take a bath.

He could become a Mars hermit.

Oh, to be that hermit!

Fly Old Glory!

Our First Manned Mars Mission

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Mission Hills Golf Club & The World Cup of Golf in Shenzhen, China

At 216 holes, the Mission Hills Golf Club, outside the city of Shenzhen, China, is rated by the Guinness Book of Records as the world's largest golf club. By itself, that claim to fame doesn't mean very much, but a look at the list of designers of various 18 hole sections of the course will tell you that this is an exceptional club by anyone's standards. Here are a few names attached to Mission Hills various tracks: Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Annika Sorenstam, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Nick Faldo, Jose Maria Olazabal, David Daval, Jumbo Ozaki, and David Leadbetter.

Come to China to see some of history's greatest monuments, some of the finest geography there is, to enjoy great food, to soak up some ancient culture, and especially come to spend some quality time with your new Chinese girlfriend, but if you want to get a little golf in while you're here, you'd better plan on an extra 12 days, because at 18 holes a day that's how long it will take you to play this magnificent golf club.

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From November 22nd to 25th, 2007, some of the greatest golfers in the game came to Mission Hills to represent 28 different nations in the World Cup of Golf. Those players included Jose Maria Olazabal, Retief Goosen, Colin Montgomerie, Arron Oberholser, Mike Wier, Justin Rose and many more.

The game of golf in China is gaining popularity in leaps and bounds, and like anything else, when the Chinese take a liking to something they quickly make it their own, so don't be surprised to find Chinese professional golfers ranking among the best in World Cup of Golf events in years to come. And don't be surprised if soon China has as many golfers and golf courses as any country in the world, because Mission Hills Golf Club is just the beginning.

Mission Hills Golf Club & The World Cup of Golf in Shenzhen, China

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Explore Mission Beach - Vacation At A Beach House Rental

If you love a beach vacation that offers great fun and frolic, choose Mission Beach as your next destination for this vacation. With a destination that provides a plethora of activities, sports and attractions, renting a vacation rental for the holiday will make it more pleasurable and luxurious. Read on to find out more.

A beach holiday is a perfect mix of fun, frolic and rejuvenation. If you are looking for a beach destination for this vacation then San Diego might be the place for you. Mission Beach is one of the finest beaches in San Diego. On one side, it has the river San Diego estuary, there is Mission Bay Park on the east and on the north is the community of Pacific Beach.

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Mission Beach has everything you would expect for a great beach holiday, the sun, sand and frolic. If you get a beach house rental near the beach, you can enjoy the vacation even more. Not only can you enjoy the beach activities like surfing, skateboarding, Frisbee tossing or simply a relaxing sunbath, you can also experience the additional luxury and comfort available at your vacation rental. Picking the right vacation rentals will ensure you enjoy your time relaxing in the great accommodations as well as the time you spend at the beach. A vacation rental will provide you more space, privacy and amenities for a relaxed vacation. You can keep lots of snacks and drinks in your own kitchen and prepare quick meals whenever you want. It will offer you the comforts of home plus some great additional amenities and a location that gives you close access to the beach and other places you want to visit.

After relaxing in your vacation rental, you can head out to explore the city. Some interesting tourist attractions are the Sea World in Mission bay Park and Belmont Park, which is a historic amusement park. There are many other events and activities that you can enjoy. Many sports like skating, volleyball, basketball, etc. are popular and there are courts and facilities available, so you can enjoy a game or two. After a tiring day, you can relax at your vacation rental. With facilities like a Jacuzzi bath, comfortable couches and means of entertainment like TV, the Internet and a collection of books and games, you will have everything needed to relax for some time. Depending on your vacation rental, you may get several other luxurious facilities to make your vacation absolutely fantastic.

While there's a lot to do in the day, the nights can be just as exciting. There are some amazing bars and restaurants in the city, so you can set out for enjoying the beautiful views of the night while you have a great meal or a drink or two in a nice bar. Back in your vacation rental, you can watch a late night movie in your living room, enjoy a night cap on the patio, or play a late night game with friends or family. This kind of freedom is hard to get in a hotel room.

Whether you want a vacation with great luxury that makes you feel like royalty, or a good vacation that goes well with your budget, you can get all kinds of beach house rentals. All that you need to do is a little search looking for a vacation rental that provides all the amenities that you need and also fits well in your budget. With a little effort, you will be able to find a vacation rental that strikes a right balance between the two. Once you are satisfied with the location, facilities provided and other related matters, you can plan to pack your bags and head for a great vacation that will give you many reasons to cherish the experience.

Explore Mission Beach - Vacation At A Beach House Rental

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Mission San Gabriel

The Mission San Gabriel in California provides another example of a wonderful mission in California that continues to inspire enthusiasts of the Spanish revival style of architecture. People theorize that the Paleo-Indians entered America via Asia on the land bridge called Beringia. This probably took place 15,000 to 35,000 years ago. Traces of these early Indians are found on Santa Rosa Island, things like the Arlington Springs Man, shows habitation in California dating back to the Ice Age. Some people even say that the first humans made their homes on the southern valley of California. When the Europeans came to the west coast of America in the 1700's, everything was about to change.

Wasn't that a deep trip into history? Well, back to the task at hand. Mission San Gabriel was founded in September of 1771, on its planned site on the fertile plain along the Rio Hondo, today known as Montebello, California. The Mission was ruined by a flood in 1776, and was rebuilt 5 miles away in what today is known as San Gabriel. From Mission San Gabriel, the pueblo was sent and eventually founded Los Angeles.

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Damage occurred on the outer architecture of the mission during the 1812 earthquakes that shook the entire foundation of California. The three-bell campanario, located near the chapel's east façade, fully collapsed and was destroyed. The bigger 6-bell structure was then moved to compensate for the ruptured campanario. While no pictorial record exists to document what the original structure looked like, architectural historian Rexford Newcomb deduced the design and published a depiction in his 1916 work The Franciscan Mission Architecture of Alta California.

Why do we discuss all this, and how does it apply to our understanding of the Spanish Revival style of architecture? Well, the history of Mission San Gabriel makes it clear that the missions of California have weathered a lot of storms, and some are only mere copies of what they once were. This makes an interesting point because it shows that in many ways the missions themselves are copies of what they once were, and the Revival style is merely a copy of a copy. Even though we know this, it doesn't dampen our fascination with this style. People still today in California and all over the nation are using the architectural vocabulary of this style to build their homes and civic establishments.

Take for example a lovely Spanish Revival building in St. Louis, by the architect T.P. Barnett, son of George I. Barnett, another famous architect in St. Louis. The T.P. Barnett building is particularly interesting because it also has Art Deco influences, making it one of the most unique buildings in the Grand Center region of St. Louis. Certainly the next time you're in St. Louis, you need to visit this Spanish Revival building on Washington Avenue.

Mission San Gabriel

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Purpose, Values, Mission and Then Goals

It may seem obvious and silly even to bring up knowing what success means to you, but think about choices you've made in the past that had you scratching your head later on, wondering why on Earth you chose that. This is the difference between acting on impulse and acting on self-knowledge and a deeper understanding of your true self and the world around you.
Imagine you've just bought a magnificent sailing boat, trained to the point of mastery, assembled a brilliant crew, and you're ready to go anywhere.

Freedom is the order of the day: you have as much time as you want, as much money as you want, and you can go anywhere and see anything. Sound like a good time is pretty much guaranteed? Sure, but there's more: there's a difference between just having a good time, and having a deeply fulfilling experience.

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The latter takes reflection (inward and outward), planning, preparation, training, and committed execution. A good time is icing on the cake. We are inundated with talk of goal-setting, achievement, getting things done, and generally doing. That's all fine and good, and if that's where we're focused, we'll accomplish a lot.

I've taken vacations where I don't remember a moment, because I was doing everything, seeing everything, and getting on to the next thing, without taking a moment to connect up all my doing to who I am, what the experience meant to me, why it was important. You know, "If this is Belgium it must be Tuesday." I've also had vacations that are as vivid as if they'd happened yesterday, because they were an expression of my deepest self. Maybe I focused the experience on artistic growth and learning (London theatre tour), or exploration and adventure (snorkeling in the Florida Keys), or professional advancement (performing in the Festival d'Avignon).
There's nothing wrong with setting and achieving goals, especially if you thrive on accomplishment and productivity. But before you focus your attention there, consider the fulfillment piece. Look at why you do what you do. What's meaningful for you? What will you remember forever?

Here are some guidelines to help you find clarity about Purpose, Values, Mission and then Goals:
Purpose - Viktor Frankl was a holocaust survivor, psychotherapist, and author of Man's Search for Meaning. He presented his patients with the most fundamental of all questions: "Why do you not commit suicide?" It may seem like a morbid question, but those who never ask it claim only existence as their purpose. Those with the courage to revisit it continually throughout their lives give themselves the opportunity for a fulfilling life.

In our sailing voyage metaphor, our purpose is pretty obvious: to sail. Now take it a step deeper: yes, to sail, but for the sake of what? To explore new places? To connect and transform people? To immerse yourself in the vast expanse of nature? To promote safe and harmless forms of energy? To connect with a higher power?

Sit with a relaxed body and a clear mind and write out as many concise purpose statements as come to you. Exhaust yourself - leave no stone of purpose unturned.
Values - Values represent what's most important; those things that bring you alive like nothing else. What gives you an overwhelming sense of love, or peace, or excitement? These are all expressions of your values: they're like light bulbs plugged into your core, waiting to be electrified. What would be most thrilling to you on your sailing voyage? Honoring your sense of Adventure? Conditioning your mind and body? The way the open sea offers expansion and complete freedom?

Make a list of your top values that reflect what brings you most alive.
Mission - This is the complete picture.

Actor and Civil Rights activist Ossie Davis said, "We can't float through life. We can't be incidental or accidental. We must fix our gaze on a guiding star as soon as one comes upon the horizon. And once we have attached ourselves to that star, we must keep our eyes on it and our hands on the plow. It is the consistency of the pursuit of the highest possible vision that gives you the constancy, the encouragement, the way to understand where you are and why it's important for you to do what you can do." Your mission is your "guiding star."

Write a mission statement for yourself that encompasses your purpose and values. Make sure it's broad enough to include everything and specific enough that it guides your every action. Let it thrill you, even scare you with its magnitude. It should be awesome in the true sense of the word.
Then post it on your wall or some prominent place, where it will continue to stir and inspire you.
Goals - Now you're ready to set some milestones that will get you where you long to go. Make them creative, fun, specific, and most importantly, exciting; an expression of your purpose, values, and mission. They should motivate you with a sense of accomplishment.

Congratulations. In just a few minutes, you've developed a great deal of clarity and insight into who you are and what makes you tick. You now have a basis for making every choice in your life and career. And you have the tools to deepen your commitment to a life of fulfillment.

Purpose, Values, Mission and Then Goals

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Follow the Mission Circuit in Northern Argentina

Home to the wonderful natural wonder of Iguazu Falls, and colorful cities such as Salta, the northern region of Argentina is one of the most interesting to visit in the country. Not far from Iguazu and its majestic waterfalls, the Misiones region is filled with fascinating remnants of Argentina's Jesuit history. The "Mission Circuit", a route to all the most interesting ruins of Jesuit missions, or reducciones, is a truly rewarding experience for all history lovers. It will also help you understand a lot of the country's history and the development of this northern region.

This route became a famous attraction after it was popularized by the movie "Mission", with Robert de Niro and Jeremy Irons. Only ruins remain from the beautiful houses, but they are truly superb, and have been declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. A trip around the circuit can easily be organized from Puerto Iguazu. This is generally done in one or two days, starting from the provincial capital of the region, Posadas.

MISSIONS TRIPS

Jesuits first arrived to South America in Brazil, in 1549, with the mission to convert, evangelize, and "civilize" the "savages". They put in place a domination system that ruthlessly exploited the natives. After violent and bloody riots in the late 16th century, a royal decree in 1609 finally abolished slavery. The ruling monarchy decided that the Indians were to be as free as the Spanish, and that conquerors needed to gain their trust through conversion and religious teaching. This is when the first Jesuit reduccion was built, in San Ignacio Iguazu.

For over 150 years, missions flourished and their communities lived autonomously in relative isolation from the rest of the world. In the face of the natives' good spirit and interest in the Christian dogma, the number of missions continuously grew between 1620 and 1630, reaching 30 villages gathering over 141 000 converted Indians.

The 18th century was actually the Jesuit missions' Golden Age, specifically between 1700 and 1750. The organization in the reducciones is truly unique, with an Indian regidor designated by the Jesuits, and other Indian notables are directly elected by natives. These incredibly open laws are a specificity of the missions. However, the change of monarch in Spain, with the Bourbons succeeding to the Habsbourgs, changed history. Most of them were sold to the Portuguese who decided to evacuate the villages, putting an end to the missions system. Most reducciones were left abandoned and in ruins.

Follow the Mission Circuit in Northern Argentina

MISSIONS TRIPS