On Mission Trips

It’s that time of year when we hear of mission trips during Spring Break.  This year, as with many years in the past, my congregation is no exception to this yearly rite of passage for many of our young people.  I too experienced this when I was unemployed between jobs in 2003.  I’d describe it as a trial by fire.  I didn’t catch the mission bug and doubt I will ever catch it again.

I decided to do a web search on if mission trips do any good and came up with the obligatory Odyssey Online essay of “Why Going on a Mission Trip Is Nothing to Be Proud of.”

The Odyssey Online is everyone’s favorite college essayist blackboard for opinion pieces. I’ve seen it used before with uplifting essays from Freed Hardeman college acquaintances.  The only problem is that this particular author comes across as a huge hypocrite for begging others to contribute to stateside service without mentioning her own service endeavors.  Sure, it could be that she put in her time stateside, but we really don’t know.  And this is why I am hesitant to criticize those who go on mission trips (although I do feel as though many of the younger people have alternative goals)

I put in my time in 2003 in El Salvador and I’m perfectly fine not going back.  I applaud those who go and do real work, rather than turning it into some Spring Break feel-good-about-yourself trip.  There are people who work; preach the word; go door to door having those multiple Bible studies with adults.  Others play soccer games with the youth, which is fine to an extent, and probably serves a purpose.  Although I would argue that doing real work as Bible studies reaps the real fruit.  Others who play soccer and do VBS’s with the kids are sowing seeds.  No doubt many of these seeds will flourish, but there’s not scientific study over who’s seeds flourish.

Why wouldn’t I go back?  Probably about 10 years ago I would have said I don’t felt as though I fit in adequately.  Now, it’s that my personality has changed so much is that I’m even more introverted than before and I’m sure it would not be a healthy environment mentally for me.  Maybe that’s a cop out, but I’m fine with that.  Somehow I’m fine not having close relationships with fellow church members over fears of being hurt.