I’ve worked in Youth Ministry for a few years, and I’ve spent many years as a youth leader/sponsor/camp counselor/etc. From my (not so) vast experience, I’ve compiled an essential list for surviving a mission trip – or any youth trip. for that matter. Every one of these is inspired by an actual event. I call it…

Mission Trip Survival 101

1. Make sure your air mattress can support the combined weight of three grown men.
2. Master the art of using a super-duty black accordion-style plunger. Accept no substitute.
3. Find a Dairy Queen. Order a Mississippi Mud Pie Blizzard (if it isn’t on the menu, ask for it by name). Repeat.
4. When a chicken lays an egg on your pillow, it means breakfast tomorrow morning.
5. Adding multiple espresso shots into your coffee is not recommended. Only use in case of emergency.
6. Related to my last post – coffee trumps all those energy drinks that taste like medicine. No questions.
7. The giant stuffed iguana hanging above your bed isn’t going to attack you in your sleep.
8. When presented with local cuisine, never ask, “What is this?”. Rather, ask, “where is the bathroom?”
9. 4:30 a.m. Comes early. Go to bed.
10. The emergency room is your friend. It’s more of a love/hate relationship.
11. Gas station chimichangas are not recommended.
12. Make no mistake; too much ice cream can actually be a bad thing.
13. Embrace 80′s Christian rock. Specifically, Rage of Angels. Google them.