As you may have gathered if you read many of our posts, we often work with volunteer groups from the U.S. It is usually beneficial to the work, encouraging to the national believers, inspirational to the members of the groups...and...always interesting. After a few groups one learns that every group is different...and alike. Each group has its own group personality. But, also, each group nearly always has some common individual personalities.
Virtually every group has at least one person that has a servant's heart. It may be a man or a woman, but this person loves to help. They routinely are asking what they can do or what equipment they can set up. They volunteer to fill everyone's water bottle or keep the materials supplied each day. They pick up the trash left in the bus or offer to carry luggage or boxes.
Then generally there is someone who is the technician. They can help with sound and video equipment. They may not have the most outgoing personality, but they are the resource if you need technical advice or expertise.
Nearly every group has at least one person who has been on mission trips before. These types can vary. Sometimes they have been around enough to know that with each trip, each country, the situation is a little different. Others are sure that their trip to Slombodoviastan was done just the way mission trips should be done, and every trip should follow that pattern.
Most group members are very adaptable and accept whatever the circumstances are for the time they are here. They will put up with cold water showers (and sometimes no water), strange food and customs, hot days, and heavy rain. For them it's an adventure. Then there is the one that can't understand why every village doesn't have a MacDonald's, you can't get waffles for breakfast, every meal comes with rice and black beans and no one speaks English.
Fortunately, most groups have a leader...someone who makes decisions for the group, although sometimes it is just too democratic. What do you do when there are 12 people in a group and 4 want to eat chicken for supper,3 want to go to a typical restaurant, 3 want to just eat some bread from the local panaderia, and 2 want to go to the grocery store and get snacks.
Oh, I almost forgot. There is often a designated photographer in the group. For this I'm thankful. (Although it hasn't helped me get photos of the project. I nearly always ask the group to send me 6-12 of their best pictures by email after they get home. Guess how many have actually done it...two...out of about a dozen groups. Out of sight, out of mind.) Having a group picture taker keeps everyone else from having to constantly stop working to take pictures.
And, oh the benefits of technology...except on the mission trip. There's really nothing we can do about it these days, I guess. Groups hardly hit the ground until they are looking for phone cards and internet cafes to communicate with the folks back home. I'm thinking about making it part of their orientation before they come to plan on not communicating with home until they get back, unless it's an emergency. I have no doubt that there would still be some clandestine trips to the closest public computer.
For the most part groups are a blessing. They bring with them a great desire to serve the Lord and take the gospel to those who need to hear it. They are sometimes inspirational, sometimes fun, sometimes trying, usually encouraging, and always an interesting experience. I am glad we live in an age when people can see first hand the world and the need for the gospel. I am glad they can go home having experienced the mission field for themselves and missions has become more than something they read in a book or only during times of special offerings.
