This is Part One of a Three-Part Series.
Over the past couple of years that this blog has been in existence, one of the hottest topics has been Short-Term Missions. Every time it’s been brought up, the blog gets so many comments. I’ve commented about it on several other blogs that have discussed the topic, and this blog still gets so many clickbacks from those other blog comments, some of which are now several years old.
Take out the financial arguments against Short-Term missions (which I still think can be valid depending upon the circumstance, but that’s another post for another day) and you’re still left with the question that no one appears to be asking: what is the effect on people, both emotionally and spiritually? And in that question “people” refers to those native to the mission field and the missionaries that serve, whether long- or short-term.
When we were in our fact-finding mode before entering our field, we had encouraged the national Christians to be open with us about what works here and what doesn’t. One Christian man stated with pain, “Who are these missionary people? They just show up out of nowhere, from a church we’ve never heard of, having already decided what they’re going to do and then run around barking orders. We didn’t ask them to come over. What makes them think that our churches need their help? Then, when we’re just getting to know them, they decide they can’t handle things here and disappear without even a goodbye, never to be heard from again.” His face was contorted with frustration, and since then he’s become understandably suspicious and hostile towards American missionaries.
At that point, we believed him, yet it was difficult for us to fully appreciate his stance–until we were on the receiving end as long-term missionaries. » Read the rest of this entry «
