Most Christians going on mission trips really do have good intentions. And most Christians do a lot of local charities too. Those willing to go on a mission trip most likely already have a heart for people and their souls. Not everyone I'm sure, but most.
I have had different reactions than I expected from people when I did share with them about this mission trip. Some seemed standoffish while others are concerned that I must be putting myself in danger. While I wanted encouragement and offers of prayers, I also realized I wanted confirmation. I wanted to feel I was doing the right thing. I wanted to feel it was important. This I realized defeats the purpose in going. I must go because I feel God put this together. He opened the door, he provided the people, the opportunity. My confirmation needs to come from God.
It was interesting how it all fell together. Our pastor was preaching on missions. This made me think of my Christian friend, Pam who has spent most of her adult life in missions. She lives on a mission base among
people who have many problems. She and her husband establish relationships and they share Christ's love. I wrote her a long email about how I didn't feel very purposeful in my life. To this she asked if I'd be interested in a mission trip. This very thing had been going through my mind (or God had put on my heart) before she even asked. I took some time to discuss and pray with my husband. Then I thought of another friend who might benefit from going. She was all on board. I also had several scriptures pop out of the Bible at me that seemed to be telling me to go. That is how God talks to us, through the Bible, after all. So I made the commitment to go.
Some non-Christians, like in the aforementioned blog, take the approach that this is a selfish act, bringing attention to oneself. Or they might think that you should be helping people in your own country. They may even think that this is a big waste of money that could be given to help local charity. They don't get the bigger picture. Its about reaching one soul for Christ. One soul who might win another, who might win another, etc. It's about eternal perspective. This is something a lot of people don't want to think of because they want to seek pleasure, comfort, prosperity in the here and now.
I'm sure that going for one week isn't going to change the water conditions, poverty, sickness as much as it is going to bring hope. Hope that comes in Jesus Christ. When other country's gods don't offer them hope. With Christ they can find hope for a better life in their eternal life. And with that hope comes purpose in this life. So their situation may remain somewhat the same. Maybe a new church is established where they can go to worship and feel relieved of the oppression that had overtaken them, because of drugs, prostitution, loneliness, etc. Maybe a playground is built for the children to play at and escape their dreary lives for awhile. Maybe an orphanage is built to help house some of the homeless children abandoned by their drug fueled parents. These are all good things along with reaching hearts for Christ.
Time will tell what comes of this mission trip. I am hoping there will be things God does even after we leave because of us being there. I am praying God changes my heart so that I have less focus on myself. I'm sure I will return to life as usual but hopefully with a lot more appreciation and a little more faith that my life here is for the purpose of sharing Christ with others, in whatever way He opens up.
