Questions NOT to Ask After a Mission Trip

Recently I read about Paul’s first mission trip. You can read about Paul's first journey in Acts 13 and 14. Paul encountered strong, violent opposition, and also saw God do amazing things! I wondered what the people back at home base would have asked when he returned. I compared it with mission trips today. I began to reflect on questions I have both asked and been asked. That gave rise to this (and next week's) post:

Questions NOT to ask after a mission trip:
1. How was your trip? Usually this elicits a one or two-word answer that tells basically nothing. The traveler did not get to share anything important, and you really learn nothing.

2. How was the travel? Most of the time people are thinking of the long hours jammed in a tourist class seat, and that can be tedious, but it is in-country travel that can be great, wonderful, scenic, or it can be uncomfortable, rough, and scary.

3. How was the food? Possible answers may include “Good,” “Different,” “Hot,” “Bad,” etc.
Truth is, there is usually something that is good (enough) to eat, and some things that are really good!

4. Did you stay healthy? Hopefully, you’ll get a simple, “Yes.” You should be prepared, however, for a negative answer accompanied by a detailed description of the gastric disturbances that are common to overseas travel, be it mission or tourist. Unless you are interested (really) in each movement (pun intended) of the colonic symphony entitled  “Traveler’s Diarrhea,” do you really want to know this?

What are some good questions to ask after a mission trip. I’ll share a few of my ideas next week.