We have just returned from a short-tem mission trip. We hauled 18 people and 40 bags through airport security and onto vans and into a foreign country. We bought and packed supplies, mastered rolling our clothes and weighing suitcases right to the nose of 50 pounds. We said thank you to people who donated items, dismissed questions of concerns about our health or wellness or safety. We got up early, went to bed late, and we spent a week "on mission."
I've read a lot of blogs and articles from long-term missionaries. I've read letters and blogs about or to short-term missionaries. I have posted links to them before on this blog... I've never been the former, but the later, I've done several times.
And the truth is, there is a lot of mind-changing - but mostly heart-changing - that needs to change in our approach to missions as an individual and our approach to missions as a body of believers.
Its not that the questions asked are pertinent - but they reflect, in many cases, a total disconnect from the most profound truth - God. is. already. there. God is in Jaco, Costa Rica, in Uganda, in every nation, every community, every culture. He is already there. We as short term missionaries don't usher him in with fanfare and glitz - he is already there, working in the missionaries and churches and individuals who spend their lives in these places. Daily creating relationship, giving love, instructing in faith and crying out from the deepest parts of themselves to see God reign in their city.
I don't dismiss your questions and I'll answer them gladly. But when I do, know that I'm not really sure what it is your asking - instead, a simple "Tell me what God is doing there" would be much more fitted than...
Did you have a good trip? - what does this even mean? does it mean did you enjoy it? as in was it pleasurable for you? was it filled with accomplishments? did you save people? was your hotel nice? Obviously you didn't die or get sick so bad that you are hospitalized, so...
I always feel like the answer is programed to be "yes" because really, what Christian would be like "NO! It was terrible! I hate missions! I hate foreign countries! We did nothing for Jesus."
What is it like there? Not always so heavy-handed, but often this question really means "So, parade around what you saw, not important about people but just how different everything looks and tastes and operates"
This question, while not altogether bad, misses the essential element of missions - the people. When you travel on a short-term mission trip, you do see a world that is different that the one you live in - but what you see is not nearly as important as who you meet, their stories and the circumstances which you experience together in that place. We can show you pictures of what we saw, but that is not the point - the point is not to make a spectacle of the lives of others to showcase their difference or their "worse off" or whatever it may be. These are people - just like us - who live in a different place. Its not a zoo, this is not for your entertainment. We will share them to give you context, but remember, these are homes, the community and the faces of real people in a real place. Don't compartmentalize them.
Well, I am glad you made it back safe. Y'all, I have a ton of people that say this to me every year. Are we glad we got back safe, sure... but this implies that when we travel on mission that God would have conveniently forgotten to provide for us with safety, wellness or health. And its not a popular answer, but I stand firm in that if something bad would have happened that God would use it for the good. So safe is fine, but if I do go, I go with the knowledge that safe or not, God is in control of this trip.
Now - nobody go getting all upset because I stole your question. I know that its the only question you knew to ask. You aren't sure how to ask about something that is complex as a mission trip. I get it. I've asked these questions too in my life.
But this is what we want you to know about our trip.
God is working there and the laborers of His church need your constant prayers. Spiritual warfare and physical circumstances are very real barriers to their growth.
It was not a vacation - did we have some "free" time, absolutely. But the fun we had is secondary to being a part of God's work for that week. So "Did you have fun?" should not be first in the question lineup. Do you have fun when you work for Jesus, yes, but again - short-term mission trips are about the accomplishments for the Kingdom, not making us feel good about ourselves.
It is God's work. What we do there is part of a bigger vision - our photos, and testimonies are only tiny glimpses of the intricate weaving of our mission team with the local community and the meeting of needs.
Don't underestimate or dismiss the work of believers already in the town where we went. Short-term missionaries are not designed to be saviors - Jesus has already gotten that covered. We do not go to become heroes or to shift the light away from the love of Christ to our own boasting. This is something that we will struggle with - on balancing meeting needs and meeting people with keeping our pride in check. It is not about what we can do. We are not the salvation these people need. We are not the focus. We are the instruments for a Holy God. So don't be surprised when we talk of work that we did there, and it doesn't include a headcount of baptisms, deep spiritual salvation experiences, or a list of "done and done"
The work there is continuous. We are not the only mission team to visit this area. We are part of a bigger picture created and managed by the local church. We do projects based on our talents and availabilities and needs at that time. There are others who came before and others who will come after to complete the work needed. It is not a "end all" trip.
Trips like these change our hearts and minds. We will want to talk to you about it. We will want to showcase the ways God did awesome things while we were there. We will want to tell you about our new friends in this new place. If you aren't really interested, don't ask - because this is now a part of us, and we will be disappointed when you shut us out of the conversation that you started.
Short-term missions at heart - should be about serving the local church. If you pack supplies, you pack what they ask for, you meet their physical needs with whatever you can transport. You use your money to accomplish projects under their direction. Bring what you need to take care of yourself and aid in your projects - but don't come into a place ready to be a hero - ready to pass out shoes, hats, and peanut butter like you are going to save these people through that one act. Instead, act out of love under the direction of the local church. You will get to see glimpse of appreciation and thankfulness in every moment you serve, be on the lookout for those. Give the bags of supplies to the church to distribute, approve gifts and tokens and handouts through the church before you pass out to the community. Remember, the local church is there to meet those people every day in their needs - and thus, mission teams should respect the churches place of authority over its work. Remember that the community will need to rely on the church as its primary resource for Godly instruction instead of running to mission teams for a free handout and a smile. Recognize that its not about you. And its not about you being someone important to these people. It is about you being a messenger of Christ. Of showcasing his love for them through your actions. It has never been about you and your self-worth or your ability to change lives. It is about a Savior - who is in the business of changing lives - and don't think for one minute, he won't change yours while you are "on mission" for Him.
Just a few thoughts from the returning....
For photos from our trips and team members:
http://puravidaiglesiaradical.shutterfly.com/
Please note the link section to the right with pertinent links to the ministries in Jaco, Costa Rica.
