One significant method of cross-cultural interaction for North Americans has become short-term mission trips. Individuals from churches or groups of churches visit another geographical or cultural area, either within the U.S. or internationally. Their trips can last for a few days or as long as several weeks, sometimes a small group can stay for a couple of months. People go to serve and positively impact the lives of others who are very different from them. However, they return as individuals who are much more aware of how God is at work throughout the world, and of His purposes being worked out in their lives. "Some estimate that as many as four million Americans take short-term mission trips out of the country annually; and American churches now spend as much on short-term mission trips as on long-term missionaries." Peterson, Aeschliman and Sneed, 2003 quoted in Livermore, "Serving With Eyes Wide Open" . The activities of a short-term team can range from hands-on projects such as installing water filters to ensure safe drinking water, to prayer walks, evangelistic outreaches, and even focused time and attention spent on building relationships. When trips are well-planned and the team well-prepared, they can play a significant role in the Vineyard’s long-term mission strategy of planting other church planting movements. To be effective, short-term trips require prayerful and practical preparation, training and equipping and responsible oversight. Join our team this Spring Break as we minister to the poor in Mexico. The cost of the trip is $250. We will depart Sunday March 14th after church, and return Thursday March 18th. Contact Scott Hatch scott@slvineyard.org to join http://www.slvineyard.org/missionschurch-planting