Mission Trips

In my post earlier today, I mentioned vulnerability, transparency and disagreement.  I find that I frequently do not hold positions that are in line with how I am "supposed to think."  I will use mission trips as an example.  This may also offer insight on why I never posted about my Nicaragua trip.
I also hope to articulate my thought on mission work and the future it holds for me.
As a good Southern Baptist, Sunday School teacher, ordained deacon (although inactive) and "decent Christian guy" I have often thought that I should be more supportive of mission work.  I faithfully give to my church and financially support the ministries of our local church, but I felt the need to be more "involved".  This brought about my decision to go on a short term medical mission trip to Nicaragua in July of 2011.

Most who go on a trip like this, in my experience, come back re-energized in their faith and with a real burden for the folks they ministered to.  Honestly, this was not my experience.  I have been reluctant to post about the trip because of how I feel.   I really thought that maybe something was wrong with me.  How did I miss the spiritual rejuvenation that everyone else seems to get from such a trip?  Was my attitude in the wrong place? Possibly.

I learned something important from that trip. First and foremost is that it was not about me.  I think I wanted to go to feel better about myself and to have the gratification of doing something significant.  So, yes, my attitude was centered on me, not Christ and his glory.  That was on me and likely robbed me of some of the blessing of going.  Secondly, I realized that the people I went to serve were not in dire medical need.  Nicaragua has a national health care system, and I think most of the people we ministered to had decent access to that system.  As a result, I felt like I spent some time taking care of  a lot of people who really didn't need me. I came away feeling that the week of penicillin that I prescribed for a sore throat would have very little lasting impact.  We were in a village that had a thriving church, so the people were even pretty familiar with the Christian gospel.  Consequently, we saw very few decisions for Christ during the week.

So there I was.  Away from my family, in a hot, sticky, village with a bunch of people that I hardly knew, feeling like I was out of place. Being out of my comfort zone was not as much of a concern as the lack of fulfillment.  I missed it.  Mostly because I went with the wrong attitude, but also because I really had a fundamental misunderstanding of effective mission work.

I know that many of the people who went on the trip were blessed and felt used, so I do not want to convey the idea that the trip was a waste of time. i also know the deep love and commitment our team leaders and the organization have for the people of Nicaragua  I also know that if even one person made a decision to follow Christ that it was worth it.  I also know that some serious medical needs were addressed, some that will have life changing effects.  We were able to have several patients enrolled in a plan that will allow for necessary surgery that may not have been possible, yet for the vast majority, I fear that our one week visit will have little reaching impact.

I came back jaded.  I thought that I would never do that again.  I read articles from organized mission groups and looked at the impact of short term American mission trips on third world countries.  I became convinced that many of these short term trips are more for us than the people or God that we go to serve.

I still believe that to a degree. Does this mean that I do not believe in the Great Comission? Hardly. I actually have a stronger commitment to missions now than before the trip.  How can this be, if I had such an underwhelming experience? I have come to the conclusion that the impact of mission work must be measured more by the impact on individuals.  I also think it is more meaningful when relationships can be firmly established and the impact of ministry can be evaluated over a long time.

I am not against short term mission work.  I have also come to the realization that for me, it must be done in a way that has a long term impact.  I also think that it is more effective when partnering with a local church and pastor/missionary where teams can minister to a group of people over a long period of time, and develop relationships with those they are ministering to.  Mission work is only effective when it seeks to fulfill the Great Commission (to share the gospel) and the Great Commandment ( to,love your neighbor as yourself). I learned that going to feel like I am doing something important is the wrong attitude. I came away from my experience convinced that supporting local missionaries in the field by giving financial support may be the most effective way to impact lives, but also being willing to sacrifice time to meet needs that will have a lasting impact on a community of people to see the love of Christ. I know that this can be done in multiple ways and short term mission trips play a role in this. Am I ever going back on the short term mission field? YES! But it will not be to make some unknown face feel better for five to seven days. It will not be medical work at all. I am going with my church to Dominica to support a local baptist church there which has identified needy families in need of adequate shelter. I have very little building experience, but I know that everyone needs a safe place to call home. I will go and help in this process however I am needed. I may hold boards or carry a nail bucket. I will go because a church there has developed a relationship with people in need and with our church. I hope it develops into a long term relationship with the people of Dominica. I pray it makes a difference for someone. I am not looking for a life changing experience. I just want to meet a need and have the capability and opportunity to do that. I think my attitude is better this time. I will be more aware of how God is moving in the small things, and I will try to focus less on me. I hope it is something I can develop into a long term commitment. In time, I may even want to try to organize a medical team to help with these people. I will look to see where God is leading and try to join in the work. I am excited that my church, Englewood Baptist, is committed to making impactful relationships through local, national, and international efforts. I plan to become more involved in local efforts as well. The needs of people in Jackson are great and we have an opportunity to meet those needs. My pastor preached on "lost things" Sunday. The lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. Recognizing how God values people and longs to bring them close to him motivates me to get more involved. I have a changed attitude about mission work, and I am looking forward to meeting and serving the people of Dominica.