The most important element of a mission trip is not worship, fun or service. Instead, the most important part of a mission trip is processing or debriefing your day with your team in order to help students wrestle with what they see, hear and do. More than anything else, processing is what transforms teens.
Here are 15 tips for processing your mission trip well.
1. Make processing a priority. Though you can and should process with small groups throughout the day, carve out daily time to process with your entire team. To allow your team to reflect on the entire day, process in the evening after you’ve finished the day’s activities.
2. No matter how tired you are, never skip processing. Tomorrow, you’ll have an entirely new set of experiences to discuss.
3. Process in the same space each day. Consistency in your physical space comforts teens, which helps them discuss and share difficult aspects of their day.
4. Choose a space free from interruptions. When this is not possible, arrange yourselves to minimize disruptions. For example, if you’re in a large space consistently used by others, sit in the corner furthest from the room’s foot traffic. Strategically sit so adult leaders, not students, see those who walk through the room.
5. Never promise students you’ll be done processing at a certain time. Instead, emphasize that because processing is important, you’ll take as long as necessary to allow everyone to share. At the same time, be aware of your group’s fatigue and emotional state; adjust your processing time accordingly.
6. Don’t wing it. Instead, pay attention throughout the day. Make notes about people, places or experiences that you wish to discuss further. Use your notes to formulate open-ended questions. Asking questions ensures that students will talk more than you during your processing time, something that will help them learn from their experience.
7. Begin your time together by asking students to recap their day. This is particularly important if not everyone from your team is serving in the same way. Ask people what they saw, did and heard. Ask what surprised them. Ask how their experiences made them feel. Reflect on scary or unnerving moments.
8. Occasionally ask questions you expect everyone to answer. Tell them upfront these will be everyone-answers” questions. This gives those who are quiet time to think about their answer before responding.
9. Tie your experiences to Scripture. If you’re in an environment where students are being exposed to faiths, traditions or theologies that differ from your church’s, discuss them. Challenging students to compare and contrast different theologies helps them better understand and articulate what they believe.
10. Each day, ask students where they saw God. Simply knowing you’ll ask this question increases their awareness as to how God is at work.
11. Connect your day’s experiences with life at home by asking questions such as: “A year from now, what do you hope you’ll still remember about today?” “How can you continue serving at home?” “How do you hope your faith will change as a result of this trip?”
12. Recognize that people process differently. Occasionally utilize different mechanisms for processing. Focus your group by beginning with a silent prayer of reflection or guided imagery; invite students to draw an image that captivated them, write a postcard home detailing their experience or journal before reflecting with the group.
13. Allow others to ask questions. Encourage the group to wrestle with those questions.
14. Don’t be afraid to leave questions unresolved. Challenge students to continue thinking about unresolved questions on their own or to discuss them further with you.
15. Don’t be discouraged when you have a difficult night processing. Processing is hard, but it’s also worthwhile. By asking teens questions and allowing them to reflect on their experience, you’ll help them recognize how God is at work in their lives, not just on the mission field,but at home, as well.
