I've been wrestling with something for the last few weeks. The SVPs have been reading a book together called "Becoming the Answer to Our Prayers." The last chapter that we read talked about having a vision for what we are doing, and it said that we need to be careful not to become so wrapped up in accomplishing our vision that we lose sight of what God has planned, what His vision is. I've been wondering if Americans are so caught up in helping the poor, in giving to them, that they lose sight of what is actually beneficial for the poor.
I don't think I would have ever thought like this before spending this much time in a third world country hosting mission teams each week from the States. I believe that building an orphanage and providing a place where Peruvians can help one another in community by supporting young, abandoned mothers and abandoned children are amazing works that we are called by God to do. But what impact do one week mission teams have on the community? What is the effect when American teams bring down suitcases full of clothes to give away, crafts and candy, and when they pick up all the trash in the streets?
More and more I am beginning to think that after these things happen over and over, the communities will begin to rely on teams to come down, pick up the mess, and bring them lots of stuff to keep. I don't know if it actually helps kids to go in to schools and interrupt classes or educational activities to play games or do a vacation Bible school program. Doesn't that just create inconsistency for them?
My view is that short term mission trips have a much greater effect on the teams that come than on the community around us. I am torn about whether or not it is the right thing to do...but I can't deny the fact that many people become full time missionaries after going on a short term trip. So, I am wrestling with this...
And now I have to go shower because I've taken so long to write this! Ha, but I am learning so much here.
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2 comments:
Great thoughts, Casey! I totally agree with you--it's hard to realize, but though "helping" people by giving them things makes us feel good...it can end up hurting them in the long run. It's the whole teaching them to fish vs just giving them fish idea...
Keep questioning and wrestling with these things! Looks like God is teaching you both a lot :)
Love,
Alexis
Casey, as I talked with a full-time missionary today who is in Poland (I'll be working with through my job with Greater Europe Mission), we had very similar questions/thoughts. I've heard it said: If you are spending less than a year (or today's woman said less than 3 months) on a missions trip, at least have the humility to recognize that you are doing it for yourself and not for the good of others. Hmmm... kind of a harsh reality when we want to be serving others, but I can see the truth in it. I keep asking the same thing. Yet, it's by going on the short-term trips that people (including myself) can catch the vision for the long-term. So it IS beneficial...just not necessarily in the ways we'd typically think??
Still wrestling with the question. :o) Definitely not an easy answer.
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