Missions & Miles | Mission Trips, Group Travel, Missionary Stories, Travel Tips

Butler Travel
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Places & Travel

The go-to podcast for people who love to hear inspiring mission stories and travel tips for making the journey smoother. Hosted by Joy Owens— of Butler Travel, a group and humanitarian travel agency with 30 years of experience — this show pairs real stories from the mission field with the practical travel knowledge you need to actually get there. If you're preparing for a mission trip and feel like: • You don't know what to expect once you land • You've never led a group before and don't know where to start when booking tickets • Packing lists and visa requirements feel overwhelming • You want to be inspired to serve This podcast is for you! Inside this podcast, you'll hear how to: • Prepare emotionally and spiritually for the field • Lead a first-time mission team with confidence • Navigate flights, visas, and group logistics without the stress • Learn from mission leaders who've been exactly where you are • Advice from those with years of experience in the mission field This is not just inspiration. This is not just logistics either. These are relatable stories and advice — so you can: Answer the call with confidence. Lead your team well. Avoid the mistakes. You'll get honest conversations with missionaries and group leaders, practical travel breakdowns from a team that's booked mission trips for decades, and real stories of how God worked miracles. Learn → butlertravel.com Connect → butlertravel1 Plan Your Trip → info@butlertravel.com

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Mission Work for Every Career: Stuck in election violence and a 4-Day Detour to Congo | Bill Abbott

    Do you have to be a pastor or missionary to serve overseas? Bill Abbott would say no. In this episode, Joy Owens talks with Bill, president of Copper Care Wood Preservatives, who has spent his career in utility pole inspection and wood preservation, and who also makes regular teaching trips to Tanzania and the Republic of Congo. Bill shares how he got started in mission travel, what he teaches overseas, and why he lets Scripture be the teacher. With nearly two million miles flown, he also has some unforgettable travel stories: a 3 a.m. ticket rescue, getting caught in Tanzania’s election lockdown, and a four-day detour to Kisangani by way of Brussels, Kigali, and Goma. In this episode Bill’s career in wood preservation, and why mission work is for everyone, whatever their jobHow he got involved in the Republic of Congo through the Mosher family’s mission station in KisanganiTeaching about communion at the Kibidula School of Evangelism in Tanzania about every six monthsLetting Scripture be the teacherNearly two million miles flown on United, and why he still calls Butler Travel for his mission tripsA 3 a.m. call from Dar es Salaam, and getting his tickets and hotel fixed in the middle of the nightBeing in Tanzania during the 2025 election unrest, with curfews, no internet, no ATMs, and a rebooked flight homeA rerouted trip to Congo with lost luggage, a border crossing into Goma, and a stop at a used-clothes marketKey takeaway “There are no risks not worth taking.” Bill’s view is that mission work isn’t tied to your career. Anyone can serve, and having good travel support behind you makes all the difference when plans fall apart. Resources mentioned Kibidula School of Evangelism (Tanzania)Congo Frontline MissionCopper Care Wood PreservativesConnect with Bill Email: bill@coppercare.comPlanning a mission trip? Butler Travel has helped groups serve around the world for 30 years, and we’re here for you even at 3 a.m. Website: butlertravel.comFree budgeting tools: butlertravel.com/tools

  2. Nov 5

    How a death opened the doors to mission work in Malawi | Lindsay Weaver

    What do you do when a door you’ve prayed about for years finally opens? In this episode, Joy Owens talks with Lindsay Weaver, a homeschool mom and adjunct professor of international development at Southern Adventist University, about the long road that led her family to Malawi. For years, Lindsay and her husband, Jeremy, prayed to return to East Africa. A planned move fell through. Then a memorial fund started in honor of Jeremy’s late father grew into a solar project for Malamulo Hospital, and Jeremy, a general contractor, was asked to manage it. The family leaves in January for about a year. Lindsay shares how the timing came together, how her kids feel about the move, and her advice for anyone waiting on a calling. In this episode Lindsay’s life in Chattanooga, Tennessee, as a homeschool mom and international development professorThe family’s shared love of East Africa and their earlier time in TanzaniaThe first call to Malawi, and why it didn’t work out thenHow her father-in-law’s memorial fund grew to support projects in MalawiWhy solar power matters at Malamulo Hospital, where grid outages are frequent and diesel is costlyHow every detail lined up, from her teaching schedule to renters for the house and dogsWaiting 14 years, and why now is the right time for their kidsPreparing for cultural differences and packing for a year abroadAdvice for others: stay flexible, pack light, and talk to people who have lived thereTimestamps 00:34 – Lindsay’s background: Chattanooga, homeschooling, and teaching international development 01:37 – A shared love of East Africa and the family’s time in Tanzania 02:36 – The first call to Malawi, and why it didn’t work out 03:17 – Her father-in-law’s memorial fund and the Malawi projects it supported 05:12 – Why solar power matters at Malamulo Hospital 07:23 – The call asking Jeremy to manage the solar project 10:24 – How the timing lined up: teaching, builds, and renters for the house and dogs 13:38 – Waiting 14 years, and why the kids are at the right age now 15:08 – How the children feel about the move 17:14 – Preparing for cultural differences and packing 21:00 – Advice for others: stay flexible, pack light, and talk to people who’ve lived there 23:15 – Book recommendation: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind 23:42 – Rapid-fire travel questions Key takeaway “Seek out peace over the happiness of it.” The seed of this calling was planted almost 14 years ago and took that long to grow. Lindsay’s encouragement: if you have peace about a calling, go. Resources mentioned The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan MealerAdventist Health International and Malamulo Hospital in MalawiFollow the Weavers’ journey Email: lindsayweaver5@gmail.comInstagram: Lindsay plans to start an account once the family arrives in Malawi. Follow along with #WayfaringWeavers.Planning a mission trip? Butler Travel has helped groups serve around the world for 30 years. Website: butlertravel.comFree budgeting tools: butlertravel.com/tools

  3. Oct 29

    How to Lead Short-Term Mission Trips with Teens | Stacy Peterson

    Missions & Miles with Stacy Peterson What does it take to lead a group of teens halfway around the world when just getting to the departure city is an adventure? In this episode, Joy Owens talks with Stacy Peterson, who leads Maranatha mission trips from Alaska, about the logistics, surprises, and spiritual impact of serving overseas. Stacy shares how he prepares teens and adults for cross-cultural travel, the fundraising ideas that actually work, and the times God came through at the very last minute. He also explains why mission trips so often send people home more flexible, grateful, and calm. In this episode Stacy’s work as a high school science and Bible teacher at Amazing Grace Academy in Palmer, Alaska, and at his wife’s pediatric clinic in WasillaHow encouragement from his friend George Alder got him started, and how that grew through Amazing Grace Academy and Rick Jordan’s leadershipThe unique challenge of leading mission trips from AlaskaTraveling with teens: fundraising, logistics, and choosing safe, engaging activitiesPreparing first-time travelers for cultural differences through pre-trip meetings, food, videos, and clear expectationsThe cultural surprise that catches students every trip: bathroom customsStories of passports, money, buses, and weather coming through at just the right timeHow mission trips ease stress, build trust in God, and grow gratitude back homeThe planning timeline for trips every two years, from fundraising right after returning to working closely with Maranatha a year outFundraising ideas: fair parking donations, Facebook Marketplace sales of donated goods, rummage sales, bake sales, and student letter-writingPacking advice: travel light, bring medication, leave electronics at home, and take small gifts from home for local childrenWhy to avoid tight layovers and over-scheduled daysWhy Stacy and his wife spend their vacation time on mission tripsServing in Paraguay, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Panama, Bolivia, Brazil, Kenya, and Zambia, and why Kenya stands outTakeaways for group leaders Start fundraising early. Stacy’s team begins as soon as they return from the last trip.Set expectations before you go, especially about food and daily customs.Pack light and build buffer time into every travel day.Leave room for God to work, even when the details come together at the last minute.Learn more Maranatha Volunteers International: maranatha.orgReach out to Stacy at stacy.aga@gmail.comPlanning a mission trip? Butler Travel has helped groups serve around the world for 30 years. Website: butlertravel.comFree budgeting tools: butlertravel.com/tools

  4. Oct 22

    Angels at the Bangkok airport; Group and humanitarian flights explained | Nathanael Martin

    In this episode, Nathanael Martin, Butler Travel's ticketing manager, answers questions about group and humanitarian air fare. You'll learn why to avoid split tickets, why group rates are not always the best way to go and who can use humanitarian airfare. He also shares how God has worked miracles for several of Butler Travel's clients including angel interventions at the Bangkok airport. Takeaways for group leaders Plan 6 months ahead for peak travel timesBe flexible with travel dates to get best pricesMake sure your participants aren't on a split ticketCheck out Nathanael's photos at https://naturebynat.com/ Want Nathanael to book you a ticket? Email him at info@butlertravel.com Planning a mission trip? Butler Travel has helped groups serve around the world for 30 years. Website: butlertravel.comFree budgeting tools: butlertravel.com/tools

  5. Oct 14

    Mission Work Among Unreached People Groups | Brad Mills, AFM

    Missions & Miles with Brad Mills What does success look like when the results are hard to see? In this episode, Joy Owens talks with Brad Mills, president of Adventist Frontier Missions, about serving across cultures, leading a mission organization, and staying faithful when the harvest hasn’t come yet. Brad’s love of missions began with the stories his mother read to him as a child. That love led to 19 years overseas with his wife, Lena, and their two sons in four countries across several continents. He talks about living on medical mission boats in the Amazon, learning Spanish and then Arabic, and why the greatest measure of mission work is faithfulness. He also shares some unforgettable travel stories, from appendicitis abroad to a rabies scare in Turkey to evacuating Beirut with his family. In this episode How childhood mission stories planted a lifelong callingA one-year volunteer assignment in Bolivia that confirmed Brad and Lena’s call to cross-cultural ministry13 years in the Brazilian Amazon with a medical missionary boat project serving isolated jungle villagesHow learning about the 10/40 Window, where many people have little or no Christian presence, led the family to consider a new fieldEntrusting the move to the Middle East to God, and how the call became clearWhy effective ministry has to happen in people’s heart languageRedefining mission success as faithfulness, not just visible resultsAdventist Frontier Missions’ work planting indigenous church movements among unreached people groupsTravel stories: surgery overseas, a street cat attack in Turkey, and evacuating Beirut during conflictKey ideas Faithfulness as success: In unreached settings, the truest measure of mission work is faithfulness to God’s call, not only visible results.Planting, watering, and harvesting: Different workers play different roles, and results can unfold over many years.Heart-language ministry: Meaningful cross-cultural communication requires learning the language people actually speak.Notable quotes “The greatest measure of success in missions is faithfulness.” “You’ve got to go as a learner.” “It absolutely positively has to be done in the language that people speak, their heart language.” Takeaways for listeners If you’re considering mission work, go with a learner’s posture.Be willing to serve where you feel called, even when results aren’t immediately visible.Invest in learning the local language so you can communicate meaningfully across cultures.Connect with Adventist Frontier Missions Website: afmonline.orgPlanning a mission trip? Butler Travel has helped groups serve around the world for 30 years. Website: butlertravel.comFree budgeting tools: butlertravel.com/tools

  6. Oct 8

    Mission Work in Zambia: Cultural Humility & Travel Tips | Steven Grabiner

    Missions & Miles with Steven Grabiner What does it really mean to help people well? In this episode, Joy Owens sits down with Steven Grabiner, whose life has been shaped by mission work, cross-cultural learning, and years of leadership in Zambia. Steven talks about how his faith journey led him into service, what he learned about effective aid and cultural humility, and how a hidden health battle affected his work in the field. Steven has flown more than two million miles on Delta, so he also shares practical wisdom for long flights and delays. He closes with heartfelt advice for anyone considering a short-term mission trip or a long-term move to the mission field. In this episode How Steven's conversion in his early 20s sparked a desire to serveHow restaurant work in New York City and Boston, plus health lectures and stress classes, unexpectedly led to overseas mission workMoving his family to Zambia to work at Riverside Farm, a mission project and NGO on the banks of the Kafue RiverHow his definition of successful mission work changed, and why helping people in the ways they actually want and need matters mostThe unintended consequences of aid, including mosquito nets repurposed for fishingCultural differences in Zambia: kindness, saving face, and indirect communicationLiving with undiagnosed liver disease, and why you shouldn't ignore serious health concernsTravel tips from two million miles: choosing the right seat, eye masks, and noise-canceling headphonesAdvice for anyone considering mission work: clarify your motivation, expect to learn, and go with humilityConnect with Steven Website and leadership coaching: percepta.coachFacebook: Steven GrabinerX: Steven GrabinerPlanning a mission trip? Butler Travel has helped groups serve around the world for 30 years. Website: butlertravel.comFree budgeting tools: butlertravel.com/tools

  7. Oct 1

    3 Pitfalls That Can Derail Your Short-Term Mission Trip

    Saying yes is step one. How you prepare determines whether your trip changes lives — or just survives. This episode breaks down the three mistakes we see most with first-time teams: waiting too long to plan, skipping cultural prep, and going it alone instead of partnering with a local organization. Check out https://butlertravel.com/tools/ to get your free trip planner tools.

  8. Trailer

    About Missions and Miles

    Podcast DescriptionWhat happens when a 13-year-old leaves Connecticut for Zambia with nearly 40 bags? Joy Owens shares the unexpected airport miracle that launched a lifetime of missions, travel, and trusting God when plans go wrong. Welcome to Missions and Miles, a podcast for missionaries, humanitarian workers, short-term mission leaders, and anyone preparing to serve overseas. In this first episode, Joy introduces the stories, practical advice, and faith-filled travel experiences the podcast will bring to listeners around the world. You’ll hear about: Moving overseas as a teenager and beginning life in ZambiaA Christmas Eve airport miracle that saved Joy’s family from a massive baggage feeWhy travel plans in missions rarely unfold exactly as expectedHow delays and unexpected obstacles can become moments of providencePractical tips for finding travel deals, organizing flights, packing, and preparing for humanitarian workDrawing from years of living and traveling in Zambia, Kenya, Honduras, Taiwan, Germany, and Portugal, Joy offers a glimpse into the realities of getting to the mission field—and the surprising ways doors can open along the way. If you’re considering a mission trip, leading a group, serving overseas, or simply curious about the intersection of faith and travel, this is your invitation to come along. Subscribe to Missions and Miles for stories and practical tips from people serving around the world. Sponsored by Butler Travel. Get your free quote at butlertravel.com

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    7 Episodes

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About

The go-to podcast for people who love to hear inspiring mission stories and travel tips for making the journey smoother. Hosted by Joy Owens— of Butler Travel, a group and humanitarian travel agency with 30 years of experience — this show pairs real stories from the mission field with the practical travel knowledge you need to actually get there. If you're preparing for a mission trip and feel like: • You don't know what to expect once you land • You've never led a group before and don't know where to start when booking tickets • Packing lists and visa requirements feel overwhelming • You want to be inspired to serve This podcast is for you! Inside this podcast, you'll hear how to: • Prepare emotionally and spiritually for the field • Lead a first-time mission team with confidence • Navigate flights, visas, and group logistics without the stress • Learn from mission leaders who've been exactly where you are • Advice from those with years of experience in the mission field This is not just inspiration. This is not just logistics either. These are relatable stories and advice — so you can: Answer the call with confidence. Lead your team well. Avoid the mistakes. You'll get honest conversations with missionaries and group leaders, practical travel breakdowns from a team that's booked mission trips for decades, and real stories of how God worked miracles. Learn → butlertravel.com Connect → butlertravel1 Plan Your Trip → info@butlertravel.com

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