Teenager and missions trip

[VisionQuest]

Dd is 17 and wants to go on a 7-day missions trip to Jamaica with her youth group. The cost is $1800. They will be flying and staying in a hotel. They can participate in a couple of fundraisers plus write letters to members of the congregation to ask for sponsorship assistance.

My concern is with the economic downturn, I don't know how I feel about her writing to people asking to be sponsored because I'm sure people need the money they have right now. Dh doesn't really want to be responsible for paying out that kind of money. Also, it makes me kind of want to just send the $1800 to Jamaica to feed people or something.

What are your opinions? Have any of you or your children been on a missions trip?

[lilyka]

Mission trips can be be real groth experiances for young people. It works in their hearts as much as the people recieving the ministry. just be sure you are sending her with a reputable organization and their theology lines up with yours. I wouldn't worry about money at all. If God wants her to go he will provide. Don't feel guilty about sending out support letters. I rarely have money or feel led to give (although sometimes do) but I am never offended at recieving one. people will give as God leads them. Explain to your dd that you cannot afford to send her and that this is between her and God and if the money doesn't come she can't go (she is totally old enough to get that.) What does your organization do with the random money? Some will pass it on to people whose full support doesn't come in. also if she doesn't get enough and there is no extra what will they do with the money? will it go into a general fund? will they return it? what if the trip is canceled? these are good things to know. also does she have a part time job? If not she could get one and that would likely cover a consierable portion of her support.

and for what it is worth I have never known anyone who didn't get the money they needed.