Discuss Assignments from Last Meeting

Briefly, are there any questions or concerns about the articles? Any new or interesting points you learned about world religions from the podcasts?

Why is the Buddy System important when traveling and working overseas?

Safety and Buddy System

Tips for Traveling Overseas

What is an STS and why is it necessary?

The Power of an STS

Security & STS

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

Matthew 10:16

This summer you will be an ambassador for Christ. However, in many of the places that we serve, “missionaries” and “evangelists” are not welcome. In other places, they may be allowed but the terms carry a lot of negative baggage associated with them. While you are there to share the good news boldly, you need to do so in a way that doesn’t unnecessarily put your team and other Christians living there at risk. You will need to be wise about what information to give, when to give it, and to whom.

STS:

An STS is an acronym for Simple Truthful Statement. It is an introductory statement about your “identity” to immigration officers, local friends, and strangers you meet on the street. It will briefly, but clearly, answer their questions about who you are and what you are doing in the country. 

Here are some examples:

• “I am a college student spending my summer break touring this area.”
• “I’m on a cultural exchange program this summer.”
• “I am here teaching English at the local University.”

Thankfully, you don’t need to come up with an STS on your own. Your host will provide the team’s STS for this summer. In this way you have an immediate and accurate response that makes sense, protects others, and allows you time to get to know the person’s motive and interest for asking.

“Staying in the Box”

This phrase means that you limit the information you share from those who might want to misuse that information. This is to protect yourself, your host, and local people who become friends. The amount of information you give depends on the person asking the question and how familiar you are with them. As trust develops, you can broaden the amount of information over time, but you can’t get information back once it is let “out of the box.” 

How you use your STS this summer will depend on the person asking. Let’s look at a few examples:

Immigration and Other Government Officials

An immigration officer is responsible for the security of their country and will likely ask you, “What is the purpose of your visit to our country?” Your answer should be very simple and appropriate to the type of visa you have. If you are entering on a tourist visa, but talk about studying, teaching, or sharing the good news, this will be a red flag. In most cases, a simple answer such as “I’m a tourist” is enough for them. Occasionally, you may need to tell them where you are staying and what sites you plan to visit. If you have a different visa (rare) you should answer in line with your host’s recommendation. However, it is always best to start simple, stick to your STS and “stay in the box.”

An example of how to “Stay in the Box” at immigration.

Meeting New People

Many of the locals you meet will also be interested in why you are visiting their country. In most cases, this is simple curiosity and there is no need to be paranoid or defensive. However, even with non-government people you will need to remember your STS and not provide unnecessary information until you understand more of their motivation for asking. You should be ready to answer questions such as:

• “What are you doing in my country?”
• “How do you all (your team) know each other?”
• “Who do you know here?” (Your host, local friends, etc.)
• “What organization are you with?”

It is safe to say, “We are friends from school traveling together.” But under no circumstances should you say “We are with OneLink International!”

On a rare occasion, you might be asked a more complicated question such as:

• “Where did you get the money to travel here?”
• “Are you a missionary?”

In most contexts, it would not be appropriate to talk about raising funds through a church or Christian campus ministry. Admitting that you are a “missionary” will be equally problematic, unless this is your official reason for being in that country. (We haven’t had a team go with missionary visas for several years.)

In these cases, you will need to limit the amount of information you share with people. On the question of where your money came from, you might emphasize that your family and/or friends helped you. This would certainly be true! Also, it is best not to identify yourself as a missionary to someone you don’t know. But it is perfectly acceptable to say “I am a Christian” or “I am a believer in Jesus” and follow with a question about what they believe!

Honesty and Safety

You may be wondering, “Is it a violation of my integrity to say that I am not a missionary?” 

We have to choose our terms carefully when we serve in other cultural contexts. The term “missionary” can have negative connotations in many places, particularly as it relates to issues such as colonialism, the fear of religious violence, and the fear of devaluing the local culture. It may also be illegal to be a missionary and many countries have “anti-conversion” laws to discourage proselytizing. Instead, you should use other truthful statements to identify yourself: I am a student; a tourist; a believer in Jesus, etc. 

Keep in mind that limiting information is not lying. We limit information all the time when getting to know people. If a complete stranger on the street asks you the question “How are you?” you don’t tell them every intimate detail of what is happening in your life. Instead, you share generally what you feel is relevant or appropriate until you get to know them more personally. This is both honest and safe.

Building Relationships from the Box

As you get to know people, you will want to share more about your life and beliefs. It would certainly be strange if you just kept repeating over and over again, “I’m just a tourist. I’m just a tourist.” As you connect and share your heart with your local friends, keep in mind that some things will be “in the box” (safe and/or appropriate) and other things will be “outside the box” (unsafe and/or inappropriate). Over time as you get to know them better, the box expands to include more information as trust is developed.

Examples of things that are “in the box”: 

• Hobbies, sports, movies, music
• Family details, siblings, parent’s occupation
• College major, career or vocational interests
• Non controversial aspects of American culture and local culture
• Your religious beliefs generally

Here are a few things that are likely “outside the box”:

• Terms like: Missionary, OneLink International, BCM/ Christian Challenge, fundraising methods
• Speaking on behalf of others (especially local Christian friends or your host). For example, “My host lives in that house and he is living here evangelizing people and planting churches!”
• Inflammatory & divisive topics on politics, religious debates, etc.

Other things may depend on the context or public venue. You should ask your overseas hosts when and where it is appropriate to do the following:

• Talk about how you know your host and what they are doing in the country.
• Share your testimony or the Gospel publicly or in large groups.
• Talk about religious topics such as: church, prayer, the Bible.
• Read or discuss the Bible with someone in public.

In some places you can do these things most anywhere… in other places you may have to limit them to private settings. Trust your host recommendations and the Holy Spirit to guide you.

As a team, commit to learning and practicing your STS and “staying in the box.” Take some time to practice asking each other common questions and brainstorm together how you might answer these questions in different overseas contexts (immigration, with friends, etc.). Talk to your overseas host or call the OneLink office if you have any questions.

Keeping Track of your Documents

This summer may be the first time you have traveled overseas independent of your family. We can not overemphasize the importance of knowing where your documents and valuables are at all times. On top of the fact that you are in a strange environment with many bags, documents and details to keep track of; pickpockets may be present. Losing or having your documents stolen is not fatal, but will add many inconveniences and complexities to your trip as well as affecting your team’s ability to minister. 

Obtaining a new passport and visa before you go can take time, so plan accordingly. 

Check now to make sure your passport will not expire within six months of your trip’s return date.  

Helpful tips for keeping your documents secure:

• Make at least three copies of your passport information page and visa page.
  • Give one hard copy to your host when you arrive.
  • Keep a digital copy of your vital documents in “the cloud” that you can access at any time through the internet. (Cloud storage or email a copy to yourself.) 
  • Send digital copies to your host and family members at home. 
  • Normally it is recommended to keep your actual passport in the guesthouse or Airbnb. When you leave the room for daily travel and ministry in the city, carry copies of your passport and visa page at all times. Check with your host about their recommendations.
  • Keep a business card with the address and phone number for your guesthouse or Airbnb with you whenever you travel outside the room. This is helpful when using public transport or taxis.     
• When traveling to and from your host country, carry only your own documents and petty cash (not one person carrying for the team), and keep them close to your body. Consider using a money belt.
  • Don’t put your documents inside your check-in bag, carry-on / backpack, or in the airplane seat pocket. 
  • Check on them periodically. In this detail it is acceptable to be OCD.  
  • Using TSA approved travel locks on your check-in bags can be a deterrent for thieves.

In general, pay attention to what’s happening around you, stay together as a team, and watch out for each other. You will get some practice in “situational awareness” at your orientation training.

OneLink Value: Flexibility

Key Verses:

• James 4:13-14
• Proverbs 16:9
• Isaiah 55:8
• Philippians 2:14-15

When plans change and we recognize we are “not in control,” we trust that God is still in control and He will guide and protect us. We strive to be adaptable to new situations out of a confidence in God’s provision and direction.

“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (NLT)

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing…” Philippians 2: 14a (NIV)

Serving overseas often involves unexpected changes:

• A flight is cancelled…
• Your luggage doesn’t arrive…
• Your housing plans fall through…
• The power goes out in your flat and you have no internet…
• You get sick and are in bed for a few days…
• Your friend stands you up for a gospel appointment…

These issues will challenge you to have a good attitude this summer. God is calling you to surrender any entitlements as you prepare to serve this summer. You need to let go of the “right” to have things go the way you want or expect them to. This summer you should expect the unexpected! Keep in mind that what seems like an inconvenience or disappointment may be a new opportunity the Lord is giving you. Or it may show you something the Lord wants to do in your heart. When the unexpected happens, give grace to others and ask God to give you a good attitude.

Final Step