About Mission Direct

 

Mission Direct’s Strategy has a clear vision, mission and values.  It is principally delivering 2 key outcomes:

  • Improved lives for thousands of people who live in material and spiritual poverty; and
  • Life challenge and change to the volunteers who make this happen

We engage the developing market of those wanting to use their holiday time for good, with the Christian principles of love and practical help.  We offer a direct means by which individuals and groups can build sustainable relationships in a distant culture and leave peoples circumstances forever improved.

Mission Direct will go deeper in the communities it serves and focus on only those places where sufficient volunteers and resource can sustainably be delivered.

Vision :

to demonstrate Christian faith through service to the poorest and most needy around the world.
 

Mission :

to take volunteers across the world, working in partnership with local communities, bringing practical help, hope and change to the poor.
 

Values :

All that Mission Direct does is underpinned by our values. They shape our culture and ethos and impact every activity. At Mission Direct we value : 

Practical Christianity - Passionate to serve based on biblical principles.

Our People Matter - We put the highest priority on recruiting, developing, valuing and retaining outstanding staff, donors, volunteers and in-country partners.

Enduring - We join local people in what they already do well, bringing the resources, hope and encouragement that yields a significant legacy.

Accountable - We do what we say we’ll do – we strive to deliver tangible, high quality outcomes and provide outstanding value for money.

 

Partner Goals :

At Mission Direct we do not run or operate schools, clinics or any projects. We simply seek out great partners, joining and supporting them in what they do well. In so doing we aim to:

  • Help them deliver a practical project, constructing a home, accommodation for orphans or the elderly, water and sanitation systems, refurbishing a school, a clinic, etc. in a cost effective and appropriate manner;
  • Provide training through Christian and health education films in partnership with the local church, schools, clinics and community groups;
  • Contribute to the lives of the communities with whom we have previously worked e.g. bringing aid supplies, teaching, doing craft with the elderly, and sorting medical supplies;
  • Provide a funding channel to connect donors with people and projects where we have certain funds donated for a purpose and ensuring they are delivered to that cause.

Volunteer Goals :

We are all on a journey through life. Many, though by no means all, that come with Mission Direct have accepted the Christian faith as their own. Others have no faith commitment but are accepting of Mission Directs Christian ethos and come with a simple desire to help.

Wherever you are, coming on a Mission Direct trip will challenge you to think about what is really important in life, how others live in such different circumstances and what truth really is.

During this time away from your normal surroundings, it may be possible to gain a life changing spiritual focus. The following goals express what we hope will be accomplished for each of you who accept the challenge to join us:

  • Τo engage personally and directly with overseas individuals and their communities such that their lives will be tangibly improved;
  • By providing an opportunity to learn from local people, you will gain insight to the local culture, community, church issues and needs, such that you can be advocates for the poor and their host nation on your return;
  • Provide an opportunity to practically and spiritually extend your comfort zones;
  • To build lasting relationships with local people and other team members;
  • Take time to reflect on your life as in this pause, surrounded by poverty, heat and people who care, life’s priorities are often challenged;
  • Have fun and experience the local culture by dining out, visiting local markets and places of historical and geographical interest;
  • Embed the learning back in your local church, community and workplace;
  • To establish a regular devotional/thinking time in your day;
  • An opportunity to share about your own faith, challenges and doubts in a friendly non-judgmental environment.



Mission Direct's ethos is best summed up as the "Starfish Principle" - illustrated by the story of the little boy who saw thousands of dying starfish on the beach. He started to pick them up and throw them back in the sea. His mother told him that he couldn't hope to make any difference. He told her "I made a difference to that one, and that one, and that one."

"Like this little boy, every Mission Direct volunteer has the opportunity to improve individual lives. During 2 life-changing weeks, whether it is building a home for a poor family, a classroom for children hungry to learn, or a shelter for a disabled person, one by one, different acts of kindness make a powerful impact to every individual in need."



All information given above comes from the Mission Direct website 07.10.16. http://www.missiondirect.org/