Why short-term mission trips are bad and why I am going on one.

“Giving to those in need what they could be gaining from their own initiative may well be the kindest way to destroy people.” - Robert D. Lupton
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       A lot of times, people have a certain mindset regarding mission trips. "I'm going to save people," they think to themselves, "I'm going to change the world." But, in reality, you're not. Long-term missionaries spend years building relationships and working among people in order to learn their culture and earn respect. Spending two weeks in a country you know little about does not make you a hero nor will it spark some major revival. Do not go if you think you are going to "fix" their country or do something they cannot do for themselves.
       Whatever it is that we are going to do, there are people already in the country who could do it just as good (and probably better) for cheaper than the price of our plane tickets to even get there. More problems arise when people show up on short-term mission trips thinking they know what's best. It isn't helpful to build Western-style buildings and give people shoes if they don't like your buildings and don't want to wear shoes. Frankly, I don't want to wear shoes either. If you know nothing of the language, culture, and people -- you know nothing of the need. 
       Oftentimes it is more useful for the people and the economy if you provide them with work by giving them the very jobs you were going to go over there and do yourself. The issue of poverty is more complicated than just giving people what we think they need. I have seen too many "mission trips" marketed in youth groups and churches as some kind of vacation. They highlight the cool places you will see and the free time you will have, and they barely think about what ministry will be done. Rarely does there seem to be a heart for the people they are going to serve. All too often we take offerings and pay for our students to go on trips that only promote the wrong attitude and make them feel as if they "did something for God." These kinds of trips make people feel like good Christians. Mission trips are not there to make Christ-followers feel they have paid their debts to the poor and can now go on with their lives without giving those who are lost much more thought. Mission trips exist because it is the very mission of God. Christ died for all people and he commands us to share that news with everyone.
       Okay -- short-term mission trips can be bad. How do we make it worth it? Ultimately, short-term trips are more beneficial to the people going than to the place they are serving. We need to be aware that we are not going to save the world, and we need to be aware of what we really are going to be doing. If a person is humble and goes into another cultural context with the intent of learning, they will learn much. An individual can benefit greatly from seeing another culture and another way of life. Experiences like that are needed. Short-term mission trips open an individual's eyes to issues they may not see at home. God uses these moments to call many people into long-term missions. Also, if people from a congregation go on a trip overseas themselves, it often helps spark and revive that church's zeal for the mission field overall. They become more mission-minded and excited about all that God is doing throughout the world. So, if you are going to go on a short-term mission trip, examine your heart. Go with a correct attitude. Research the country and people. Find out what kind of ministry you will be involved in. And let God move in your heart in great ways -- because he will.
       In October, I have the opportunity to go on a short-term trip to Lomé, Togo. I am so excited to meet people different than me, see how they do missions, and pursue further this deep calling on my life. We are actually going to be hosted by a wonderful missionary, Mary Ballenger, who was sent out from our church 50 years ago. As we celebrate and honor the work she has done for the past 50 years as a missionary, we will be working on various projects she has prepared. She has invested so much time and effort into the culture of Togo, and we are coming in order to help out with things she has already been working on. According to the current itinerary, our team will be doing the following: a roof project for a building at WAAST (West Africa Advanced School of Theology), painting dorms, connecting with village churches, orphanage work, and Book of Hope distribution. In this way, we can provide a helping hand in order to help the local missionaries' work be easier and go more smoothly. By helping build the roof and paint the dorms, we can complete necessary tasks and make room for the long-term missionaries to focus more on other projects. Mary knows the people and the culture. She has invested time and built relationships. She knows the reality of long-term missions and the reality of short-term missions -- and she has welcomed our team to come out.
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"The greatest benefit of these programs is not to the field but to the short-termer and his or her home church. Yes, they often accomplish useful projects and provide timely assistance; but that cannot be the primary justification for sending them, because the benefits to the field simply do not make up for the trouble and expense of transporting and orienting so many people for such a short time. No, the benefit is more long-range. Many of these people will come back as longer-term missionaries; and even if they don't, they will usually be better Christians for their experience. Many churches have been rejuvenated and their missionary zeal rekindled after their members have gone on short-term mission projects. So, keep them coming. Only remember to keep the reasons in focus."
-Thomas Hale.
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       This trip to Lomé, Togo, is going to cost somewhere between $2,800 and $3,000. I am currently working and saving as much as I can (and will continue to do so over all of summer break) in order to reach this goal. If you would like to help me in getting all the funds needed, you can give one of these ways:
Online:
http://canvas.church/give/ 
Giving Type: Project 24/7 
Memo: Togo Mission Trip Becca Brander

Drop off:
You can drop off cash or a check at the Canvas Church offices anytime Monday through Thursday between 8:30 AM and 4:30 PM. You can also drop off money during the weekend gatherings by dropping it into one of the giving boxes in the lobby.
Cash: In an envelope that says "Togo Mission Trip Becca Brander."
Checks: Made out to Canvas Church, with the memo reading "Togo Mission Trip Becca Brander"

Mail:
Mail can be sent either to Canvas Church or directly to me.

 Canvas Church
255 Summit Ridge Dr.
Kalispell, MT. 59901

 Becca Brander
PO Box 190644
Hungry Horse, MT. 59919

 Otherwise:
Please join me in prayer. Pray not only that the financial goals would be met, but that my heart would be prepared. Pray for the people in Lomé, Togo. Pray for our team as we go out. Pray that God would do a work in our hearts and that we would be a blessing -- not a burden -- to the missionaries and the locals where we will be staying. 
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