VISITING OUR EUROPEAN MISSIONARIES AND VENDORS
Recently our European Coordinator, Jon Dooley, and our former European Coordinator now Senior Class Trips Specialist, Mario Mammina, headed across the Atlantic to begin preparations and networking for the upcoming travel season. An important part of what Joshua Expeditions offers is our extensive network of vendors, ministries, and local guides, and even though Jon and Mario are in contact with our European friends all year long, it’s nice to be able to talk in person a few times a year.

Our Media Director, Chad Hugghins, sat down with Jon and Mario after they returned from their trip to hear directly from them about who they were talking to, what kinds of things they are looking forward to this season, and where their personal favorite destinations are – in short, all the things that, to them, make traveling to Europe so great.

SO, WHAT’S SO GREAT ABOUT TRAVELING TO EUROPE?
CHAD: What countries did you visit on this recent trip, and what was the main purpose of the trip?

JON: We went to Italy, France, Spain, and England.  Our main purpose was to connect with our beloved local ministry partners (refugee centers, churches, and missionaries), guides, and vendors.  We talk to them all year long, but it’s really refreshing to get to see them in person a few times a year.

CHAD: How does it benefit our clients for JE to have good working relationships with European vendors?

A smooth trip cultivates the fertile soil for the Holy Spirit to impact and move in the hearts of our travelers.

MARIO: Healthy relationships and contacts benefit us all! Our vendors are top-notch and eager to serve our clients. This is so important because when the needs of our clients are met then the ministry we’ve prepared can take place. In other words, a smooth trip cultivates the fertile soil for the Holy Spirit to impact and move in the hearts of our travelers–and this is what JE is all about. Igniting hearts to change the world with the gospel. Trust is also of massive importance to us in regards to the people we work with in ministry, as well as our vendors. We handle each partnership with care and love. We will always support local ministries as best we can, which means we let go of our own agenda, hear the need, learn from them, and support where we can.

CHAD: Speaking of that, what types of ministry opportunities are there in Europe in general?

JON: JE is on the leading edge of the global discipleship movement, especially in Europe. We’re taking the “doing” out of the mission and putting emphasis on the “learning” in cross-cultural missions. We have so much to learn from our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in a very post-Christian culture. We think that this is super important, especially since all signs point to America becoming increasingly secular or post-Christian. Our travelers will get to spend time with local church planters in Europe whose emphasis is on the gospel and discipleship. They pray with them, learn from them, and we hope to bring back a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Christian in the global community.

CHAD: When a student goes to Europe for the first time with Joshua Expeditions what type of effect do you hope that it will have on their life?

We hope that regardless of the destination, every traveler will hear the gospel, be disciplined, and gain a deeper love for their Savior, Jesus Christ

MARIO: We hope that regardless of the destination, every traveler will hear the gospel, be disciplined, and gain a deeper love for their Savior, Jesus Christ so that they can return home transformed and eager to share their experience with the world. Learning from cultures around the world through immersion is an incredibly transformative experience, and we hope that students take the time to learn from the people, ministries, and sites that they visit on their trip.

THE BEST THING ABOUT TRAVELING
CHAD: Tell us about the first time you ever traveled overseas? How old were you? What types of memories and experiences do you have from that first international trip?

MARIO: The first time I traveled overseas  I was twenty-two, on a one-way ticket to Florence, Italy with no return to the States in sight. I took a huge step of faith in following God’s direction and ever since, my relationship with Christ has deepened, and He’s taken me on adventures I’d never dreamed. He’s looking for those whose heart is completely devoted to Him so that He may strongly support them (2 Chronicles 16:9). From experience, I promise that following Jesus wholeheartedly will be the best ride of your life. He’s searching for people to impact the world….will He find you?

JON: The first time I traveled overseas I was eighteen, and I traveled to Maracaibo, Venezuela. I went with a group of people from my church to partner with a local Venezuelan church. We did skits, games, shared our testimonies, and shared the gospel with locals. It was on that trip that I began to gain an appreciation for other cultures, and better yet, a love for the worldwide Church. It was the first time I personally saw that God was working all over the world. I will never forget that trip because it was the first of many international experiences where God reminded me that He is sovereign and faithful.

CHAD: As travel professional, do you still get the “travel bug”? If so, what place would you want to visit?

MARIO: Absolutely. The desire to travel never leaves you because travel is more than seeing cool things. It’s meeting new people, eating new food, and creating memories. But more importantly, travel is a place when the window to your soul is opened a little bit more than usual and the Holy Spirit takes that opportunity to teach you something new. One soapbox moment if I may? SLOW DOWN when you travel. I know it’s hard to do, but it’s so worth it because that’s when transformation happens. That’s when the “bug” musters all its strength and gets you already planning your next trip even before you return home. Where I plan to visit the next time I’m in Europe? Malta.

JON: I totally agree with Mario. I don’t just want to see new places, I want to experience them. I want to meet the people, hear their stories, enjoy a local meal, and get a glimpse of life in that culture. As a Christian, I think the draw to travel is strong also because, as Mario said, those are very impactful moments when the Holy Spirit will teach you. Something about being out of our comfort-zone helps us listen better when the Lord is speaking to us. I would encourage you to think of travel as a time to be reflective without distractions. Think about your life at home, consider lessons you can learn from the locals, and ask the Lord how He wants to grow you. And, oh yeah, I really want to visit Egypt.