Today, I wanted to explore an epiphany that has visited me time and again after several Facebook sessions. What is up with all of these short term missions trip "photo ops?" Is it just me or is there at least one other being out there who is frequently perplexed about what it is anyone actually does on a short term missions trip besides taking selfies with impoverished children?
Please hear me out, I am not slamming on teens spending time with kids. That's actually a really great fit. But, are they learning anything? Are they building relationships and sharing the gospel with these children? Is there a plan in regards to how to communicate best with those who speak a different language and live in an entirely different culture than your own? If there is, why don't we ever hear about it?
The usual scenario goes something like this: someone signs away one to two weeks of their summer and bam, they are suddenly thrust into the missional arena. A typical status may read,
"So excited!!!!!!! Off to (insert name of country that you just learned even existed only a few weeks ago), so thrilled for what the Lord is going to do! See you in a few weeks, America!" Okay, cool, whatever. But, more often than not, we never hear about what God did during your amazing time away.
Logging onto my FB, I do notice that my news feed is absolutely riddled with pictures of tween girls hugging some foreign children whose names they may never have even learned. Why does one get the sense that they squatted down by the nearest youngster and said, "Hey, let's take a picture on my iPhone really quick!" Perhaps, they then just moved on to their next, menial, low level commitment task that comes with short term missions.
Please understand, I am not slamming short term missions, merely begging some questions on its effectiveness and ways that we may be able to improve upon such an essential need in the global church.
Point is, I rarely meet people who come back from a short term missions trip completely changed and on fire for what God is doing in remote corners of the world. Like me, you probably haven't seen much follow through on the American side as far as impact. Were you only trying to make a week's worth of difference? Do you still care enough to keep informed though there are now oceans between you and your new "best friends"? Do you care enough to tell your friends and family useful facts and information about how we can seriously contribute to building an economy in a certain area? Because, honestly, that would be refreshing to hear. If the contemporary church's youth could take initiative to follow through with people about what it is you actually accomplished on your time away serving the Lord, they could make a big difference.
Though, perhaps for some this would be too touchy. It may help root out who really needs to be going to spread the Gospel and who doesn't actually give a rip. If you genuinely are not interested on being the hands and feet of Jesus on your trip, then all you have is an SD card full of pictures of exotic scenery and poor children who make you look like a real adventurer- giving up a week and a half of your time to live among the lessers of society. Just some food for thought.
Ways to possibly improve?
1.) Pay attention to the economic climate of the village or area you are working in. Seek out information like what businesses seem to thrive or flourish in the area. Are there any at all? How can we help create them? Agriculturally, what can be grown in the region?
2.) What is the common religion of the native people? This is important so your people back home can have some specifics to pray for. It's important for you to know what you are walking into, and how to defend yourself against spiritual attack and to know how to best witness to the particular people group. Also- perhaps the area has no Christian Church. You could help them establish a goal of building one!
3.) What are the living conditions of the area you are working in? Do the people have sanitary needs? Are the women being taken care of and treated properly? Are there orphans running about everywhere? Is there a specific disease that has plagued the area? This is important so that people can put together special "drives" like feminine products for the poor women of the community, medicine for the specific illnesses. Is it necessary for there to be some sort of rescue or shelter built for women and children to escape violence? Are the disabled and the handicapped of the community being cared for?
4.) What about education? Are children able to attend any sort of trade or primary school? Is anyone caring for them? Is there a need for supplies, teachers, building projects?
These are just some samples of important topics to be thinking about before going into your short term missions trip. Try to get as many of the questions answered as you can through observation and asking. Also, remember to provide your friends and family with a way to get to your organization's website or address. They really might want to help and contribute, but it's hard to when there is nowhere to send the check.
