Short-term trips are pointless: just a bunch of white kids raising tens of thousands of dollars to go overseas...we should just send that money to the organization, and it would go to better use.
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| Guatemala 2004 |
They are an excellent investment because they truly change the person who goes - seeing poverty gives perspective and makes us more grateful for what we have.
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| Guatemala 2005 (or 2004?) |
They are a horrible idea because they often hurt the ministry they go to help. Sending unprepared, ignorant, idealistic teenagers (or adults) to a country where they don't know the language is just a bad idea.
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| Zambia 2006 (Sooooo filthy...) |
Good really can come of short-term trips. They encourage the community and the ministry, especially with the knowledge that people would save and raise so much money just to come visit them.
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| Swaziland 2007 |
Short-term trips are just a way for rich people to show off their wealth. These people don't need to know the great circumstances that we all live in, what they need is help to get more money.
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| Swaziland 2007 |
Many short-term trips go to orphanages, which is incredibly valuable. Those kids need to know that they are loved, and just having someone come and hold them or hug them or say "Jesus loves you" can positively impact them.
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| Mexico 2008 |
Construction-oriented trips are a terrible idea. It would be much better for everyone if the money was sent to the ministry so they could hire local workers to build the church or home or chicken coop. It would bring work to people who need it and benefit the ministry at the same time.
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| Uganda 2010 |
Short-term trips bring awareness that leads to action. Most missionaries wouldn't be where they are today if they hadn't been exposed to the needs of the world on a short-term trip.
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| Zimbabwe 2011 |
They are just a way for Western Christians to check "Do Something For The World" off their good-works list. Why not help people in your own city?
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| Zimbabwe 2011 |
Obviously, I am not entirely opposed to short-term mission trips. I don't think that I would be where I am today without them, and I have seen incredible things come out of them, both for myself, my teammates, and the communities we've been in. But I do struggle with the whole concept. What do you think?
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