Questions to ask the field supervisor (missionary)

Below are four categories of information that your student will want to research before leaving for the field. Before contacting the field supervisor with questions, please read thoroughly the project request that your student received in the approval packet from the IMB's Collegiate Mobilization Team (CMT).

Please keep in mind that some field personnel work in countries that are not friendly to missionaries or to the Gospel. We consider these areas "high security" areas. The security code for the country in which your student will serve is listed on the project request in the "General Information" section. If the security code is 2 or 3, please refrain from using vocabulary which indicates the religious nature of this trip such as "missions," "evangelism," "God or Jesus," "church," etc. when communicating with the field supervisor. If questions arise about the security level or the appropriate language to use in communication with the field, please ask your student to contact the CMT at studentteam@imb.org or 1-800-789-4693.

Climate/Housing

1. What clothes should I bring? Jeans? Skirts? Shorts? Long-sleeved, short-sleeved, or sleeveless shirts/blouses?
2. What types of shoes are best for the terrain, culture, and project requirements?
3. Where will I stay (housing)?
4. Do we need to bring a towel and washcloth?
5. Will I be staying with a host family from the country?
If so . . .
a. Does the family speak English
b. Is the family (or any family member) Christian?

Food

1. What are some typical foods?
2. Is the food spicy (hot) or mild?
3. How do I graciously decline a particular food dish if I cannot eat it because of allergies or a strong aversion?
NOTE: If you have any allergies or medical needs related to food, please make your field supervisor aware of the situation.
4. Can I drink the water? If not, where do I find drinking water?
5. Is the food sold by street vendors safe to eat?
6. How should I react if the family tries to serve me alcohol?

Project Requirements

1. What witnessing training, if any, would be helpful to have before coming to the field?
2. Do I need to have ESL training/a certification in ESL? (This question is helpful if your project is related to English as a Second Language/English Conversation classes.)
3. Will you (the supervisor) provide orientation to the culture and ministry within the culture when we arrive?
4. To what extent can I share my faith in security sensitive countries?

Communication

1. Will you (the supervisor) be with us doing ministry every day? A few times a week? Once a week? A couple of times a month?
2. Will I be able to communicate regularly with my family and friends in the USA? If so, how (email, postal mail, phone, fax)?
3. At what address (email or postal) or phone number can my family can contact me on the field?
4. What are some security issues my family/friends need to know before they contact me on the field?
5. How can I communicate with the people of the country - especially in communicating the gospel -- if I don't speak the language?

Travel

1. If security is an issue, what resources can I bring in country? My Bible? Discipleship books? Tracts? Christian music CDs or cassettes? Can I carry these items openly?
2. How many clothes/shoes should I pack? Will there be laundry facilities?
3. How should I fill out the immigration card that I receive on the plane?
4. If no one is at the airport to meet me, what should I do?
NOTE: This situation is VERY unusual. Arrangements are made that a missionary or national will be at the airport to meet all student missionaries.
5. Are taxis available in town? If so, how do I find one and how do I know the fare is correct?
6. What form of money should I bring (cash, traveler's checks, ATM card, etc.)?

Cultural Do's and Don't's

1. What religion or philosophy should I study to help me understand the people with whom you work?
2. What cultural norms do I need to know in order to avoid making cultural mistakes?
3. What are some resources for researching your people group and their culture?
4. How should I as a male/female young adult treat the different ages groups listed below in the host culture?
a. Grandparent-age adults?
b. Parent-age adults?
c. Young adults my age?
d. Youth?
e. Children?
5. How should I interact with the opposite gender in the host culture?

Witnessing appropriately in the culture

1. What are some keys to the culture that you have found effective in building bridges to witness?
2. What are some common Christian phrases that hinder the presentation of the gospel in the field culture?
(Ex: Muslims respond poorly to Jesus as the "Son of God." This phrase used
early in a witnessing relationship will create division and often squelch spiritual
conversation with a Muslim.)

Gifts to bring to the field

1. What can I bring to you and your family?
(Common examples: Snickers, Kool-Aid, muffin mixes, scented lotions and bath
gels, newly published Christian books, contemporary Christian music, magazines
(Good Housekeeping, Car and Driver, Golf Digest, Readers' Digest, etc.))
2. Do you have children? What types of gifts would they like?
3. Are gifts common to give at a host's home when we arrive for a meal or if we stay in the home? If so, what types of gifts are well received and how many gifts do I need to bring?

If your student contacts the missionary supervisor with questions, please ask your student to send the missionary's answers to all the students on the mission team (if your student is part of a team). Sharing this information will ensure that the missionary does not answer the same questions multiple times for each team member. To find the email addresses of other team members, please contact the Collegiate Mobilization Team at studentteam@imb.org or 1-800-789-4693.