Keeping safety first.
One of the most intense experiences I had on a mission trip was when we served a meal to a very large group of people out of the back of a van. I was the leader of a group of middle school students and was very aware that they looked to me to make sure they were safe during this mission trip.
As a youth minister I learned to always be watching — making sure a student wasn’t being left out, constantly counting students to make sure we didn’t leave anyone behind (I am happy to report I never accidentally left a student, praise the Lord!), and checking my surroundings to make sure the students were safe. It was all part of my job. Serving safely has taken on a whole new meaning in 2020!
So, how do we serve safely in 2020? I am so thankful for the organizations we partner with because they are all doing a great job at keeping people safe! Hand washing stations, hand sanitizer, masks, distancing us from each other are all prevalent here in Orlando. We’ve been doing this for a while now and our partners have put a lot of thought into how they care for the people they serve, their staff and volunteers.
But, serving safely has more to do than washing your hands and wearing a mask. It’s more than physical safety - watching your students, the surroundings and counting them 50 times a day. Think about the type of environment you have set for your students — for their hearts.
Can they be themselves? What worries are they bringing with them on their mission trip? They will most likely be out of their comfort zone on their mission trip at some point and will look to their leaders to be reassured that you are with them, you are for them and you are doing your best to provide an environment that keeps them physically and emotionally safe.
“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge.”
Ultimately, safety and refuge can be found in God - this promise is to leaders as well! Serve safely friends, watch for moments to talk to your group about being physically and emotionally safe and then make sure you foster that environment among your group.
We can’t wait to serve you soon!
