Family Mission Trip

[Anonymous]

Are any of you familiar with a Christian mission trip that we can commit to over the summer? We are seeking to serve abroad, yet we also have elementary school age children. Thank you in advance for any recommendations that would allow us all to serve as a family.

[Anonymous]

Yuck, don’t do this. Donate money to local organizations doing the work instead and find a way to volunteer in your local community.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are any of you familiar with a Christian mission trip that we can commit to over the summer? We are seeking to serve abroad, yet we also have elementary school age children. Thank you in advance for any recommendations that would allow us all to serve as a family.

What skills do you think your elementary school children have to offer that whatever "abroad" country you would visit might need?

[Anonymous]

Insert popcorn GIF.

[Anonymous]

That young age might be rough. Churches tend to wait until middle school age or high school age.

[Anonymous]

Poverty tourism at it’s finest. Do some actual goods and donate that money instead of exploiting poor people in the name of Jesus.

[Anonymous]

Why not perform service in your own neighborhood?

[Anonymous]

Thank you for the comments that elementary age is too young. We live in Upper NWDC so not much in our local area beyond volunteering with the elderly or local shelter, however those volunteer opportunities have age restrictions for liability reasons that do not allow our children to volunteer with us. For those recommending that we volunteer as a daily locally, please share recommendations for charities and service opportunities that allow elementary age children to volunteer.

Thank you.

[Anonymous]

https://tinybeans.com/dc/places-where-you-can-volunteer-with-your-kids-dc/

We Are Family is one organization listed there and I know the guy who runs it. His kids are frequently there helping and I know they always welcome help.

[Anonymous]

If you’re really interested in serving something Christian based your church should have opportunities. It could also be a great chance for your family to coordinate and lead something kid/family focused.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poverty tourism at it’s finest. Do some actual goods and donate that money instead of exploiting poor people in the name of Jesus.

Are atheists serving the poor in the name of naturalism?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thank you for the comments that elementary age is too young. We live in Upper NWDC so not much in our local area beyond volunteering with the elderly or local shelter, however those volunteer opportunities have age restrictions for liability reasons that do not allow our children to volunteer with us. For those recommending that we volunteer as a daily locally, please share recommendations for charities and service opportunities that allow elementary age children to volunteer.

Thank you.

https://greaterdcdiaperbank.org/volunteer/

https://www.friendsofsligocreek.org/home/how-we-work/volunteer/

Participate in any number of food and clothing drives. Sponsor a refugee family by agreeing to furnish an apartment with necessities and by helping them navigate their new neighborhoods. Kids can connect with other kids and help them practice their English.

You are lazy and don’t care that much if you think the reason you need to do a Mission trip is bc there aren’t opportunities for your kids to serve locally.

[Anonymous]

Closer to home, can you host play dates with a child who is struggling socially?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Poverty tourism at it’s finest. Do some actual goods and donate that money instead of exploiting poor people in the name of Jesus.

+1

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you for those who provided links to opportunities. For those who continue to discourage our desire to volunteer and serve with our children, please keep your comments to yourself. They do not provide the information I requested and are not helpful at all.