Without a good debriefing, you've missed the point of a mission project. Debriefing connects the dots for participants, helping them to see what God is doing. Debriefing takes a mission trip out of the realm of spectator sport and makes life-change possible. It can take a young person who has been self-absorbed and distracted and click on spiritual lights, helping them focus on God's agenda for their life.

So often you hear the comment, "I didn't realize how much I had and how much I take for granted. The people we came to help had so little, but they were so content." A debrief takes that observation and translates it to action, frequently resulting in this kind of life-change resolution: "Actually, I realize that I'm kind of spoiled. I've decided I'm going to stop complaining and be more grateful. I'm going to tell my parents what I've decided so that they have permission to remind me."

The participant who develops a relationship with an orphan who is happy in spite of her poverty needs help in re-examining their priorities. They need to move from amazement to an understanding that their own life is too complicated and self-focused. They need to move from the posture of a consumer to that of a giver, and maybe to a minister of reconciliation. They are generally not going to make difficult resolutions without some help.

And a good debriefer realizes that this help does not usually come in the form of teaching. Experience has already done the teaching. Rather, the primary tools of a debriefer are questions, silence, and a journal.

Next blog: How debriefs sharpen spiritual insight