Our former Office Manager often walked around the office with one or more elastic bands on her wrist which she used as reminders of things she needed to do. May I suggest that among the things you plan to take with you on a short-term missions trip is an elastic band as a reminder to be flexible and that you will be stretched when going to another country.

Following are some practical suggestions to avoid being stretched to the limits. Instead, you can be flexible and stretch yourself in becoming a better person.

Perhaps you planned to teach a sewing class but instead end up making a dress for someone who doesn?t have one. Things change. Planning is necessary but things may not go exactly as planned. Instead of asking, "Why can't I accomplish what I set out to do?" ask "What is God trying to do here?"

The locals may not understand your language but they can read your actions and attitudes. Never laugh at or belittle something new or strange or recoil from poverty conditions. Be careful of gestures which may mean one thing in Canada but something quite different in another culture. When you experience an inconvenience or discomfort, maintain a Christ-like attitude.

You may need to adjust your style of dress, behaviour, and activity. You may have food hang-ups, but refrain from making faces, graciously accepting their hospitality. Try to imagine how you would feel if your guests turned up their noses at your delicacies. You are there representing Christ who said to "eat what is set before you" (Luke 10:8).

You may have to adjust to your sleeping quarters, and there may be a team member who snores very loudly. You may need to ask God to help you love other members of the team and to adjust to their little idiosyncrasies just as they adjust to yours. You can stretch yourself by taking the Golden Rule to the extreme.

Going on a short-term missions trip will help you learn about God's incredible world and the people he has created.

Take the time to find out as much as you can about your target mission. Write what you learn in a journal to take with you. Check out maps, talk to people who have been there, and understand how the currency system works. Find out about good videos or books that will help you learn about their culture and what is important to them. Especially find out what role religion plays in their everyday lives.

Try to look at things from their perspective and participate in their lives. Understanding their way of life will help you to learn better ways of ministering to them.

Don?t be deceived into believing you are powerful and can do things better than the locals or even the International Workers in your host country. Consider how you would feel if someone showed up in your neighbourhood and offered to 'solve' all your problems - then left town after a week.

God is moving in places we have never seen or heard about. He is touching the nations and speaking to them in ways we may never comprehend. You're not taking God to these people; he has been there all along. Ask him to prepare you for what you are about to experience and expect him to use you.

Stretch yourself spiritually by making time to pray and keeping a prayer journal. Write out your testimony so you can be prepared if you have an open door to tell someone why you are a Christian.

Build relationships with the locals by worshipping with them. Notice and enjoy the differences in the way they glorify God and join them in it. Be a good example, making sure you are not just preaching the gospel, but showing God's love.

By being flexible and open to learning new things about God and his people, you will find this trip to be worth every penny, every prayer, and every step you take in growing physically, mentally and spiritually.