Mission trip 101 art of the perfect introduction. This might be one of the most missed opportunities on mission trips that many teams get wrong.
One of my favorite places in the United States is the Navajo Reservation.
I’ve lived on the Reservation.
Been on mission trips, led teams and conferences there; it’s a stunning gift from God to America.
The sunsets and canyons are the most beautiful in the world. Look at this.
The women are the most resilient I’ve ever met in the world.
But there is also something so wonderful about the Navajo people.
The way they introduce themselves and each other.
As I went to the Reservation, I learned so much about the importance of a good introduction.
The clan.
In “Dine” the language of the Navajo People. You will tell where you come from who your Father and Mother are and how they came to be.
Family, land, and origins are essential to the Navajo People.
This is their culture.
Just knowing this helps when going on a mission trip or a service project on the Navajo Nation.
This also shows the importance of the introductions in missions.
There are countless examples of introductions all over the world.
But depending on where you are from, the introductions and greetings change.
Another example would be France and Japan.
Kissing on the cheek in some places is four kisses in France. Four.
In Japan, getting that close to someone you just met or barely know would be seen as incredibly rude.
All these differences are part of the good introduction.
It’s Missions Trip 101, the basics.
So here are some tips on learning the best mission trip introductions for you and your team.
In this article, I’ll give you some tips for starting your mission trip off right with a good introduction.
The first thing in the art of an introduction is the body.
Use the correct body language.
Here is my best advice on doing this.
Watch a show from that country, ask someone you know who’s from that country, or take to the internet or YouTube and see how they act when they make introductions.
Here is a great Youtube video for an introduction in Japan.
It’s literally that easy.
This will probably only take five minutes. And it will go a long way in helping you make a good first impression.
Find out before you go how they greet each other. And do a little research on rude gestures.
In some places, pointing at all is incredibly rude.
Bowing would be needed in some cultures and seen as ridiculous in others.
Know before you go.
Be an observer
Watch how the people are interacting with each other when they introduce themselves. You can do this at the airport when you arrive.
Follow their lead.
Watch before you speak or gesture.
Learn basic greetings
Before you go on your mission trip, learn the basic greetings.
Hello, thank you, please, and goodbye are all the best places to start.
Then, you can add good morning, good afternoon, and good night to the list.
Basic etiquette
No chewing gum.
Put your phone away when introductions of any kind are being made.
No photos unless you have asked permission.
Another way to make a good introduction is simple.
Say something nice
Saying something you have noticed about the country, people, or place that is nice is a great way to make a good first impression.
Don’t compare but genuinely find something that is interesting about that place.
If you don’t know how to do this, just pray for a moment and think of something you could say that is nice.
Don’t complain
No doubt, if you hit the ground running when you first get there after 24 hours of traveling, it’s difficult.
But nothing makes a bad impression faster than complaining.
If you are a complainer, then practice not complaining before you go.
Well if your not sure if you’re a complainer, ask someone close to you if you are a complainer. If they say “Yes” work on it before you go.
Embrace the adventure.
I know you have not showered in days, feel jet-lagged, and can’t wait to get cleaned up.
But embrace every moment there, and make the most of your time.
It’s going to go by so fast. And when you want to make a good introduction, make sure you are staying positive.
Know the Tone
Your tone or volume can be a challenge. Some places it doesn’t matter and other places it’s extremely important.
Know where you are going.
Here is an example, being loud in Japan is seen as rude. Loud in Italy is normal.
I love both cultures. I adore both of these countries and their people, but they are opposite in gestures, tone, and volume.
Knowing that before you go and how they introduce each other and their mannerisms, you will be on your way to making a good impression.
Be a listener.
Really listen to what is happening and going on around as introductions happen.
Don’t think of how you will respond. Stay in the moment.
Don’t interrupt
Even if you must rush to the bathroom, call home and tell them you have arrived.
Wait until afterwards.
Be prepared before you meet at the pickup location.
Go to the bathroom before, text before or after. But don’t interrupt when introductions are being made unless you are sick.
That would be the exception.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself”
Mark 12:30-31
Love Jesus and love them.
If you love Jesus and love those you meet, I’m sure your introduction and Trip will be amazing.
To recap: Use good open body language, do some prep and find out how they introduce themselves in the country, learn basic greetings, use common sense etiquette, don’t complain, embrace the adventure no matter how you feel, know your tone-volume of your voice, listen to what is going on around you, don’t interrupt and love like Jesus.
Here are some related articles.
How to Prepare Spiritually For Your First Mission Trip
How to guide on breaking through language barriers on Missions
Am I called to missions? How to know guide.
I would love to hear from you about your upcoming mission trip. Please leave a comment.
If this article has helped you, please share it with others.