Wouldn't it be easier to just send money to the National leaders of these countries? This is a very common question from the skeptics of short term missions. They don’t understand that most of what happens during a project is not a transfer of resources from the first world to the third, but a building of relationships modeling the Kingdom of God. Sure, money is necessary to buy materials for the construction of a church building, but it is the activity around which relationships are built.
Many team members upon finishing their project tell us that they felt like they received so much more than what they gave financially. And this is true. Individual team members return home with a new vision of what God wants for their lives and a renewed passion for their Savior. Many get more deeply involved in their own church and community. Most feel much more connected to other team members from their church, some whom they may have never spoken to before the project.
Often times people are introduced to cross cultural ministry for the first time. They learn about what the rest of the world is really like. A new journey of understanding begins as some contemplate becoming involved in cross cultural ministries on a more permanent basis either in their own community or internationally. Perhaps they realize it is God’s call for their life. Others sense that God has something else for them. Hopefully all will go away knowing God’s love for the poor and disenfranchised.
Churches are also affected. Often they get a new sense of vision of where they want to go with their ministry. With an energized group of united members, they have the impulse to start new outreach and see people through different eyes.
The other side of the equation is that the national church is also blessed in ways other than economic. In most third world cultures, professionals and the wealthy do not do physical labor. When they see brothers and sisters from the first world mixing cement, digging holes, and working in the kitchen, they can see how God has made them different. For the third world, the family is extremely important -- the center of security and relationships. They are amazed when they see the sacrifice of first world believers who leave their homes and families to be with them for a short time. National women lead the children’s program even though we are involved. They are publically recognized as the children’s minister by the broader community and equipped with resources such as puppets and crafts to have more dynamic activities once the team has left.
First and third world believers need each other. We are different parts of the body in Christ. Without each other we are incomplete, and do not function properly. Through our projects, we take a step towards uniting the body and allowing God to make it function the way he intended.
