Vacations With a Purpose: A Planning Handbook for Your Short-Term Missions Team

This is a great resource for your team. I used this book last year and will do so again this year. I like the exercises and "fill-in-the-blanks" that encourage you to think deeper as to why you are going on this trip. It also contains good practical advice.

That's the only word to describe this book - for both leaders and team members. VWAP is always one step ahead, because they have 'been there' and 'done that'. From first-timers to experienced missions teams, this book is a MUST. It is THE way to maximize your group's mission trip experience.

"Vacations With a Purpose" is a crucial tool for anyone leading or participating in a short-term mission or service trip abroad. Whether it's your first trip or your 100th, you'll find useful and easy to follow preparation activities, team member guidelines, packing lists, and much more. My leaders gave us these books for two trips on which I participated, and it really helped me know what to expect, how to prepare, and how to apply the lessons I learned once back at home. Since then I have used "Vacations With a Purpose" when leading teams myself, and have also recommended the book to other leaders. You will not be disappointed!

Easy, we thought. Our church wanted to do a short-term mission trip. We had eager participants, all ready and willing to "go". We just didn't know what to do... or even where to go ... we'd never done this before!! Yikes!! To the rescue ... Vacations with a Purpose!!! The VWAP leaders manual provided insight from people who had lead teams before, practical training ideas and a checklist to get us started. I recommend this book for those just getting started with short-term missions, as well as to those who want to learn how to do better teams.

I've used the VWAP for years. I know of no other single resource that provides such a thorough overview of the short-term missions experience. It contains great information, exercises, and questions to stimulate thinking. Your team members will be better equipped for their experience if they have this book.