When planning short-term mission trips, the common inquiry is, "What can we go and do?" ITEC, however, was born from a different question: "What would it look like to go and train?"

While sending medical, dental, or other professionals to remote locations overseas can address immediate community needs, it's not always the most sustainable approach. Investing time in teaching local people skills offers the potential for a lasting impact, extending the benefits of a short-term trip far into the future.

Steve Saint was challenged by the Waodani in the Amazon jungles of Ecuador when they saw plenty of people willing to come and help in their communities, but the outsiders did not want to teach them. The Waodani saw an opportunity to meet needs in their communities as a way to show and share the love of Christ and wanted to learn skills that would help open doors for the Gospel.

The Waodani’s desire led to the start of ITEC, which has now trained in countries all over the world, working with trusted international partners and indigenous Christ followers to teach new skills that meet needs in their communities as a door opener to share the Gospel.

Our aim is to encourage others, perhaps your church or ministry, to consider sharing their skills on their next short-term trip. As the adage goes, "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime."

Although it might require more effort and come with its set of challenges, imagine the lasting impact we could achieve if our work continued long after our departure.