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In my last blog, I briefly mentioned the good that comes from short-term mission visits to cultures/peoples other than our own.  I know better than to bring up such a loaded statement in a brief blog post and wanted to explain a bit more deeply the realities of short-term mission trips.

The world has become a much smaller place, with people traveling across the globe with ease.  That has meant a change in the face of mission for many church and parachurch organizations.  It is now possible for almost anyone to plan a mission trip to anywhere for a week or two.   This new kind of mission brings many opportunities but also many problems.  It is important that as people of faith we share in God’s grace, love and goodness with care and respect.  It is also just as important to be aware not to harm those whom we hope to help.

Those of us “doing mission” often want to do just that – DO.  However, what we often don’t realize is that in our haste to do we often end up harming those who we had hoped to help.  It is a tricky dance we must do when in mission, however, in Presbyterian tradition, we hope to dance together not causing our partner to trip, stumble or fall.  We strive to do mission mutually and to understand that both parties are givers and receivers.  If we enter into the relationship thinking that those of us coming from the US bring everything and those we visit receive everything we will miss out on the joy and richness that can be achieved through mutual mission.  We tend to react to problems, out of good intentions, without understanding fully the root causes and give solutions that aren’t sustainable locally.  Communities around Guatemala are stuck with projects or programs that they don’t have the resources to run or don’t see the value in keeping up.  Not only do we often miss the mark in providing programs that are locally appropriate, but we miss the opportunity to let the spirit move among us.  In our rush to “fix” things, we overlook the essential ingredient in mission – God’s accompaniment. 

God’s mysteriousness is not always as appreciated in the US context as it is in Guatemala.  We tend to feel like we have acertain level of control in our lives, and that God works within controlled boundaries (i.e. we only turn to God when we can’t make sense out of life).  In Guatemala, so much is out of one’s control that it is only God who is truly in control.  People put their complete faith in God’s ability to care for them, to provide for them, to keep them safe.  And it is a daily exercise to witness God’s miraculous good deeds.  They thank God when they arrive safely to their destination, they thank God when they have found work, they thank God for the gift of waking to a new day.  If we do not take our time, we miss this opportunity to learn how to embrace such a spiritual deepness in our personal faith; we miss the importance of the mutual relationship;  we miss the understanding that as partners we both have much to give and much to receive.

A mutual relationship should mean that both parties grow and transform because of the relationship.  I think that can happen when we let down our guard, let go of the need to “do”, and become true collaborators in mission.  And when talking with those who have been truly touched by a mission experience, they often see that there is more work to “do” at home than there is in the places they travel.  I like  to reflect on mission as said in Luke 12:22-26.  We can worry so much about doing without realizing that it is God who will ultimately provide.  Once we take the time to sit, share a meal, share stories, share our lives, allow the Holy Spirit to move among us, then we can start the work together.  Trust and friendship are built.  Guatemalans teach us to slow down, and we teach Guatemalans that God gives us initiative to demand change.  Guatemalans teach us that we need to allow problem solving to come from the local context, and we teach Guatemalans that they already possess the resources necessary to problem solve.  Guatemalans teach us that life is fragile, and we teach Guatemalans that if life is fragile we must encourage each person equally (regardless of gender or age) to strive to be the fullest person they can be.  Guatemalans teach us to trust God more deeply, and we give thanks!

So as you think about planning a mission trip, whether to Guatemala or any other part of the world, take a look at the following resources to help you do more good than harm: 

1.  Tools for trip leaders provided by the Presbyterian Church USA

2. “When God’s People Travel Together” — a three-volume set of booklets including a leader’s manual, a resource to help participants reflect on their experiences and Bible studies on partnership a collaboration between World Mission and the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program.

3.  Taking Wolves Among Lambs: Some Thoughts on Training for Short-term Mission Facilitation. Written by Rev. Dr. Karla Koll, PCUSA mission co-worker serving in Guatemala.

4.  Passion for Mission and Justice: A Context for Mission Today. Written by Dennis Smith, PCUSA mission co-worker serving as Regional Liaison of Southern Cone and Brazil (South America).

And always remember to take your time – God’s time is patient and kind – and always ask that question, “am I doing more harm than good?”  There are also resources in the field with Presbyterian Church (USA) mission personnel serving in more than 100 countries.  Chances are there are mission co-workers in the places where you do mission.  Although we don’t have all of the answers, we do live among those you wish to serve and are able to assist in being bridge builders and cultural interpreters.  We also have contacts on the ground that can be helpful to your mission work and partnership.  We work to serve both the partner organizations and the Presbyterian Church (USA).  So feel free to contact those in the field for help.

And it is true, those of us living in the field do see all sorts of outcomes from mission trips, but we celebrate and give thanks to God for the good that is a result of the hard work, dedication and faithfulness of countless individuals.  I know that women in the Guatemalan Presbyterian Church enjoy leadership positions in part due to the relationships with ordained women elders and pastors from the Presbyterian Church (USA).  I also know that people who have visited Guatemala on mission trips have been forever changed and continue to work on justice issues back in the United States because of what they experienced on a mission trip.  God becomes alive, and we experience our faith in a new way when outside our place of comfort.  Connecting with God’s larger family is vital to our lives as global Christians, may we trod softly and humbly.

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