I just recently ran across this article about problems with short-term mission programs. I have long seen that there were problems with it, but I haven't been able to nail it on the head. This article does, and I would highly recommend that you read it.
http://www.csm.org/articlewhymost.php
What a disgrace!
7 years ago
7 comments:
GREAT article! Thanks for posting that!
That is very true about Latin culture being extremely relationship-oriented. Talk to a Latin-American person a little and they never forget you, even if you forget them... :-S
You can see it even in the Mexicans who live in the US (especially if you grow up around them and their more-than-frequent long & loud get-togethers :-).
The people who go to Latin countries for a week, build something, then leave, usually build nothing more than just that -- a inanimate thing. A mission trip isn't going to be profitable unless relationships are built.
Finally got around to reading it, thanks Abb. I was frankly surprised what it talked about -- I figured it would be more along the lines of the problems we've often heard about... I guess both perspectives really have the same root -- true love :D
Culturally, though, it's gotta be tough :D
All the best with your missions plans. I take it you are not LDS or something like.;)
Russ (blogger next blog)
Right on, Beth. We noticed that even in Hawaii. The people there live in a culture more like South Americans would. Everything is very laid back. If you see the real Hawaii, things are kind of run down, but they're the nicest people you'll find.
I think that that is one of the reasons why the "turn or burn" approach to witnessing isn't really the best. They'll either decide that they won't do all those bad things anymore, which doesn't really do any good, or they'll just get scared by you telling them they're gonna' burn up in hell. :P That's not really going to get the right message across.
Hey, kid! You wanna million bucks or you wun me to rip your fingernails out with pliers?
Same with the way a lot of people present the "Salvation Message."
Thanks for posting that, I have way too much built up rage agains mission trips to comment objectively.
Good read.
Thanks!
Hello Abbey.
I shall reply to your blog comment you left on my blog, and please have a good weekend.
Russ:)
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