Short Term Missions Trips--- For What?

So our group of IMME students has really struggled with the idea of short term missions. Not only are short term missions trips not cost effective at all (financially) but they can do more harm then good. “Missions projects” can often be accomplished in a more sustainable and culturally sensitive way by locals instead of Americans. The money we spend on flights, hotels, and especially sight seeing, can do a lot more good in the local community. Not only that, but locals take more ownership of what they work for themselves, instead of things handed to them. Ownership is essential because the locals will 1) create something that actually works in their context (culturally or geographically), 2) have the means and motivation to maintain a house, pump etc. and 3) be empowered to serve themselves and their communities. When we go in to “serve” a community in the Majority World country, we are showing that our work and help is better then what they could do themselves. This creates a dependency that can hurt the community being served as they begin to wait for us to fix their poverty. And, let’s face it, as Americans we have “god-complexes.” We think that we can “save the world” because of our superior culture, education, citizenship, etc. Though we do not like to admit this, it becomes painfully evident when we enter a community and serve without first listening to the hearts and needs of the people there. It is very hard to be beneficial if we are helping outside of relationship.

            I am coming to believe more and more in relationship and empowerment. If we can build long-lasting partnerships, admit that building houses and leading VBS is not going to save a community, and practice “presence” instead of god-complexes, I think that we can do short term missions. At least, we can do them without too much damage. I feel like the best good that short terms can do is raise awareness among the people going and perhaps encourage the “target community” by showing solidarity. We can give our presence by listening and engaging in their lives. We can humble ourselves by living among those we wish to serve and learning how life works in their setting. I’m still not sure how short term missions can work for everyone’s benefit, but I also am so glad for the trips that I have gone on. For me they started a journey of seeking truth through cross-cultural settings and looking outside of my American bubble. Now I just have to figure out how to best express God’s love in the world through helping without causing further damage. Just some thoughts….