CULtural sensitivity
Our desire on the mission field is to make less of us and more of Christ. In order to serve God
to our fullest, it is important for us to go into the local community with open hands and open
hearts. That means being willing to listen, learn, and adapt. Here are a few expectations for you
to consider as you dive in.
FOOD
The cooks on our trips go
above and beyond to keep
our teams healthy and fed.
Food may be different, served
at a different time, or come
in portions you may not
expect. Please keep in mind
the work and love that goes
into creating the meals, and
express gratitude to your
cooks. Remember, those
serving you are often the
same people you’re there
to serve.
DONATIONS
While on your trip, please do
not hand things out directly
to the public (including
candy, small items, sports
equipment, etc.). It is
important that ALL donations
go through the local Church.
Here’s why: your
partner church and the pastor
are typically the center of
the community, and as such,
have a deeper understanding
of the true needs of the area.
Donations given through your
partner church enable the
church and pastor to engage
in outreach opportunities.
These donations provide
chances to impact the
community not only on your
trip, but also after you leave!
CLOTHING
Appropriate dress can vary
from culture to culture, and
inappropriate clothing can
range from a distraction
to offensive to the people
you’ll be serving. Don’t allow
your clothing to be a barrier
between you and God’s
mission. With that in mind,
shoulders should be covered
and shorts should be well
past fingertip length for all
participants. Please look your
best for church, bring onepiece
swimsuits to swim, and
wear closed-toed shoes for
safety at all work sites.
LANGUAGE
We certainly encourage you
to learn some key words
and phrases in the local
language before your trip. But
remember, words are only
part of how we communicate.
Playing sports, playing games,
dancing, or even a simple
smile are all ways in which
you can communicate on a
trip. Actions can speak louder
than words, especially when
the words are in another
language. While on your
trip, look for new ways to
communicate with those
around you. You will be
amazed by how God can use
even small gestures to make a
big impact.
CAMERA & PHOTOS
When you embark on a
mission trip with PPM,
remember, you are entering
a mission field that is rooted
in the everyday lives of those
you’re there to serve. To keep
our new friends from feeling
like you’re only there to
observe them, it’s a good idea
to limit photo ops. Take the
time to develop relationships
with those around you, and
take photos with new friends
towards the end of the week.
TIP: It’s a good idea
to designate a group
photographer to take pictures
throughout the week. That
way, everyone can focus on
relationships and there will
still be pictures of the
entire week.
*Remember: it is imperative
that you have the permission
of the person being
photographed before taking
his or her picture and before
sharing it with others.
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