Physical Giving and Donations

When serving on a mission trip, our desire is to not only build relationships with the local Church but also to take part in the improvement of the local economy. Therefore, our heart is to avoid flooding the local market with items that could be purchased in-country or within the community you’ll be serving in. Below are examples of things that you could consider giving. Many of these items can be bought in-country/community before your group arrives. Please be in contact with your trip coordinator as you specify what you would like to donate. If the items can be purchased from local vendors, your coordinator might be able to help you figure out how much money to send beforehand to purchase these donations. Items in bold are typically of high need.

Here is a list of items to consider purchasing in-country/community (that your missions organization could possibly have ready for your team when you arrive):

Items That Can Be Purchased In-Country/Community

• Local Language Bibles - $10 per Bible
• School Supplies: paper notebooks, pens, small pencil sharpeners, erasers, pencils, backpacks, child safety scissors, glue etc.
• Teacher Supplies: pocket notebooks, folders, calculators, rulers, chalk, erasers, etc

Kit Ideas

These items would ideally be purchased before your team arrives and then put together as an afternoon ministry activity while on your trip.

• Back-to-School Kit - purchase a backpack, notebook, and pencils for a child to go to school. If you want to take it further and also provide a uniform and shoes, it would be an additional cost per kit. Your partnership pastor could help identify children in the community that are in need of assistance with school supplies to receive a kit, and then work with their parents to ensure the child gets the appropriate uniform and shoes that fit.
• Bible Kit - purchase a Bible, a notebook, marker, and a Bible case. Your partnership pastor could help identify people in the community in need of a Bible kit.

Items that can be brought from North America:

• Crafts: construction paper, coloring books and crayons, string, pipe cleaners, stickers, etc. Please remember to keep crafts simple and low cost. (Higher cost items such as pre-made bracelets with pretty beads can cause distraction with the children.) Any items left over from craft time can be donated to the local school or kids ministry program at church.
• School textiles: Any premade posters, crafting supplies, lessons, binders, lesson plans, classroom decorations and the like, are a welcome gift for teachers and classrooms at local schools.
• Items for Sports & Kids Ministry: soccer balls (can also be purchased in-country/community), air pumps with extra needles, soccer nets, jump ropes, frisbees, american football, basketball, kites, bubbles, etc.
• Children`s Vitamins
• Medical Supplies: basics, bandaids, neosporin, peroxide, betadine wipes, children’s tylenol, alcohol wipes, sanitizing spray, gauze, athletic tape, pepto tablets, etc. Do not bring any prescription medications or expired medications.
• Books: Adult and children's books, English learning books or books in the local language, etc.
• Tools: The majority of the tools needed for the week will likely already be available. However, if you have tools that you would like to donate, items often needed are: hammers, levels, tape measures, trowels, reciprocating saws, drills, masonry bits, pry bars, pliers, hacksaws, sheet metal screws, tin snips. You may or may not use the tools you bring all week, but they will be very useful as the work continues at the site if you are able to leave them.

“The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

All donations should be routed through the local pastor or ministry leader. Here’s to having a great mission trip and honoring Christ with our giving!