A running joke (that is not so funny) is that pastors only work one day each week (Sundays). So perhaps people think the only time I work is when I’m on my monthly training trips to Africa for 8-14 days each month. Anyone who knows me at all knows that my work ethic, internal drive, overachiever complex, and energy level keep me burning at high octane whether overseas or at home. But people may not be aware of some of the specific details that have to be dealt with “behind the scenes” to make a Pathways trip work.
I’ll attach some files to this blog to give you a taste of some of the elements an international traveler must consider for a successful mission trip. In addition are all the extra challenges these days due to COVID, with extra COVID tests required prior to travel, upon arrival in target country, prior to departure to return home, extra documentation, flight changes and cancellations, country lockdowns (such as is the case in Zambia right now which may affect our trip in a couple weeks), etc. Click on the following:
Top 10 Key Reminders for US Trainers
Guidelines for international travelers
Holly wrote the following list of organizational essentials and details that includes some of what she sees me doing prior to departure:
Organizational essentials: Frequent international travel requires a lot of organization. One missed detail can cause a mountain of headache. Eric and I have estimated that for the amount of time that each trip takes to complete it takes almost as much preparation time.
- Arranging airline tickets alone can mean hours or days to find the best routing and prices and set everything up.
- Coordinating travel arrangements to and from the airport stateside and internationally.
- Communicating with national leaders in countries where Eric will be working can be a stretching experience filled with cross-cultural and communication challenges.
- Making sure connections allow for enough time to actually get from one plane to the next. Delays mean missed connections which may create a domino effect.
- Flying into different countries requires multiple international check points and various security standards and visa protocols. Different countries require different visas which oftentimes require submitting extensive and expensive applications months in advance.
- Caring for any pastors who might be going along with Eric (sometimes who have no traveling experience!) to make sure all their needs are met, and they are as prepared as possible for all they will experience.
- Then there are all the multiple time zones. Trying to read the departure and arrival times and convert them into the local time zones is like translating another language.
- We have plenty of stories (some funny and some lead to nightmares!)
On top of all this is the preparation Eric must do for the sermons he will preach, the trainings he will offer, and all that will be expected of him. This requires many days of prep work before each trip.
The days before each trip each month: Eric has a very detailed list he goes through, some of which includes:
- backing up files
- alerting credit/banking card companies that he will be using his card internationally
- checking in with all airlines companies regarding updates
- checking necessary shot records
- communicating with international coordinators and ReachGlobal leaders
- mobilizing prayer teams for ministry during the trip
- making sure he has all his teaching material for the specific training he will be doing and are updated, translated, prepared, and in the coordinators hands
- preparing for any messages he will be preaching.
In addition to these areas, I am asked to preach regularly in America (I’m preaching seven of the next eight Sundays), which requires sermon prep time. I’m also asked to lead stateside trainings for pastors, serve in my local church body, communicate with dear supporters and ministry partners (emails, calls, newsletters, blogs, videos, etc.), check in and periodically visit supporting churches, take care of any family developments that need attention while I’ve been away, and the list goes on. I’m so thankful that I’ve completed my doctorate and dissertation which consumed dozens of hours each week, stretching me very thin.
I’m thankful because I love what I do, and know God has shaped me to do it, so there is a joy through it all. At the same time, I always need to guard against getting too “task driven” and just grinding away in my office instead of prioritizing my family members, ministry partners, and people God has put in my life. Please pray that God would grant me wisdom, discipline, and courage to choose well each moment.