Communication
Contact with HomeContact with the ‘outside world’ while on mission is not advisable, mainly because it distracts you from what you have come here to do. Information pertaining to most events back home can wait. Serious illness or tragedy are obvious exceptions which should be communicated through our field coordinator (See
Security Advice).
We can send an
email conveying your safe arrival to a central team contact, who can forward the news to family and praying friends. It is not possible to maintain regular email communication whilst on mission.
It is becoming more frequent for team members to bring their
mobile/cell phone on the mission. You are advised to keep your communications to a minimum on the trip and explain your intentions to people back home before you leave.
Be warned that roaming costs are extremely high and both the caller and the receiver pay for the transaction. It is nothing unusual for a person who calls home regularly to find themselves with a bill for over 100 GBP / 200 USD when they return from a 10-day trip. Nevertheless, our desire is not to frustrate you, but our greatest concern is to enhance your spiritual experience through complete immersion in the culture of your ministry location.
Picture It
Photographs have different meaning. To us they offer sentiment, memory and possibly prompt future prayer.
In Africa, photographs mean much more. If you are given a photograph, it means that a person wants you to pray for them and also write to them. In the same way, your photograph of an individual will suggest similar, unspoken expectations.
Remember that wherever you are, strangers do not always want their photograph taken of them or their property. Muslims are particular sensitive, so if you see a woman or man in an Islamic-like head covering then refrain unless you have had personal interaction with them and only then after seeking consent. Some isolated African cultures feel the same such as the Masai. The reason for this is because they believe that the camera steals a portion of their soul from them.
Don’t be surprised if you are asked for payment on some occasions when attempting to photograph strangers. It is better to take photographs of people with whom you have personally interacted. Group photos are better than individual portraits to avoid misunderstood expectations.
Keep your camera completely out of sight at any roadblock or bridge structure because photographing these is considered to be a breach of national security.
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Sharing Addresses
We advise not to give your private postal or email address to anyone. If someone wants to contact you, ask for their contact details and say you will try to get in touch with them. Do this with discretion and only with people you have become acquainted. Note that if someone does give you their address they will expect a letter or email. Remember that any promises you make must be fulfilled.
Be prepared for people to request your address. If you do need to give an address, we recommend that the team leader supplies you with a central address to use like your home church.
If you are given a letter during your mission requesting financial assistance, you are free to give it to the field coordinator without reponse.