"Imagine a team from France calls your church and says they want to visit. They want to put on VBS (which you have done for years), but the material is in French. They have heard about how the U.S. church has struggled and want to help you fix it. They want to send twenty people, half of them youth. Only two of them speak English. They need a place to stay for free, with cheap food and warm showers if possible. During the trip half of the group's energy will be spent on resolving tension between team members. Two people will get sick. They'd like you to arrange some sightseeing for them on their free day. Do you want them to come?"
- Darren Carlson
During my short-term missionary trips to Mexico, I got an earful from the local missionary about American behaviors. Bottom line is this: The questions posed by Carlson are worth considering, because I heard the same ones posed by missionaries in Mexico. But really? Are most short term missions teams like this? Well, it depends a lot upon the leaders, the sending organization, the goals, and the relationships with the local missionaries.
I would say this. If you want to serve in the mission field, then GO TO SERVE. Ask the missionaries what they would like you to do. Stop checking out TripAdvisor to plan your missionary excursions in your country of choice, and start reading your bible about what sacrifice really means.
When we decided to be a repeating, short-term missionary family, we had no idea what we were doing, but here's one thing we did right. We asked our missionaries this question: How can we help? We did not expect them to arrange outings, accompany us to meals to speak the language for us, or change their daily schedule. We simply were quiet and did what we were told to do. The result? A wonderful relationship with many Costa Ricans, because through prayer and the Holy Spirit, we were able to set aside our human desires, and perform useful services to those who were there for the long haul.
This year's no different. We had a long Skype conversation with Matt and Lisa Befus were they outlined what they would like us to do. It's an adventure as always, we're trying things we've never tried before, but we love, we absolutely love to serve with these folks at this school.
We're exactly where God wants us to be.
So, as Jesus said...GO. But when you do go, leave your electronics in your backpack, leave your American entitlement at home, and be prepared to experience the adventure of a lifetime. Why? Because when you come back home, the missionaries you served will say, "I'm glad they we're here."
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