It got me thinking....in two weeks I'll be in Honduras building with Habitat. I know our mission is amazing and I believe our work will truly benefit one family in particular and hopefully the community as a whole. But what will the impact of our trip really be? Are we actually narrowing any gap between poor and priveledged? Do more trips need to be taken? Or are these trips actually being effective? Are we going just to ease our conscience and feel like we've made and effort to give to the poor? So we can return home and live comfortably with all our wealth thinking we can have both. "I'll enjoy all God has blessed me with as long as I take a trip to help others every so often (not to mention enjoy some new cultural experiences)." Or "I'll make a donation and even give over 10%. (which won't sacrifice any standard of living I'm accustomed to (but it's over 10% so I think that counts)." Or, "you know some people need to be givers, no goers. I'll just give and hopefully my money will give food or clean water to a family."
These aren't all bad thoughts...but they're not good...and they certainly are not solutions. It seems like we just make excuses in our heads to somehow rationalize our own way of living. It seems weak! Obviously, one person can't end poverty, right? So, we'll do what we can and hope for the best?
And why is it that we give when big things like the Tsunami in SE Asia or the earthquake in Haiti or even Hurrican Katrina happen....but on a daily basis, we ignore the needs of those that live in the same neighborhood as us? Do we only give when it's convenient? Only when we have a structured schedule for volunteering or a payment plan set up for us so all we have to do is click "submit."?
Maybe what I'm getting to is that we do give....in many ways with money, time, sweat, etc....but is any of it a sacrifice? Sure, I could save money and go lay on the beach for a week instead of building in Honduras with Habitat, but what am I actually giving of myself to do this? I'd say most of us are going for culture and travel experience just as much as our desire to give to these people. Not to mention, why does it bother me a little when people come back from mission trips...and they always have a picture with one of the poor kids in the community....proof or something? Just look at google images for mission trips and you'll see what i'm talking about:
No answers. Just thoughts. And wondering if we really do everything that we can?
Read the blog...it's good!
http://www.relevantmagazine.com/worldview/features/19766-a-world-divided
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