Religious organizations send members of their church to work on projects abroad, on what they call mission trips, but what is the purpose of their missions?
The controversial issue with mission trips is although their intentions may be positive, their efforts may not always leave a positive effect on the communities involved. When churches take part in mission trips yes, they are contributing to our global community, yes they are helping people, yes they are donating their money and time, but they also have a hidden agenda; to convert.
The main purpose of a mission trip is to spread the word of God. People travel the world doing good deeds in the name of God trying to gain followers and supporters. But do these people not already have their own beliefs and religions?
North Americans show up, act like do-gooders in the name of God and get people to convert their entire faith, simply because the white people say so? It seems a little like bribery. You believe in our God, and we will give you food.
Many people may not have looked at the work of mission trips from this perspective before, because the people involved are good people with good intentions. They believe they are doing good work but at what cost?
In some countries faith, religion and God are the foundations in which entire cultures have been based. To take that away from them is insulting. And although foreigners may realize this, it is a lot easier to take the food and change your faith then to send your children to bed hungry.
Also, when people come in and start trying to convert people to new faiths there will still be those who choose not to follow. Now, the community is divided based on faith and religious belief. The conversion of half the community has created a separation between them and created conflict.
Who has this right?
Another point that must be raised; often people working on the projects do not have the necessary level of experience and skill to make their efforts worthwhile and their dollars could have been spent more wisely. It costs thousands of dollars to send people on mission trips and conduct these projects, but do they really know what they are doing?
How many people know how to properly build a school? And who asked if the people in that small village in Guatemala if they wanted one anyways? Perhaps all they wanted was for us to help buy them animals so they can start a farm in order to survive. The thousands of dollars spent in air fare alone could have done this for them.
The problem is, 9 times out of 10, the people involved don’t have enough experience and are sometimes distracted by the real purpose of their mission, which is to convert.
In light of the big picture, their efforts may be pure but sometimes their efforts can turn out quite sour.
This is a very good point. I like my world cultured, I enjoy learning about different cultures, beliefs and traditions. It should not be taken away. How is letting Jesus into their life going to make their lives better? It's not. And they shouldn't have to be forced in order to receive food. It's appalling. I met a young man who was going on a mission for his mormon church and this is what he knew about the trip. He told me that they weren't even going to tell him where he was going he was just going to get on a plane and where he lands he will teach his religion. This young guy would go somewhere, without any research and try to convert. That isn't helping when you don't even know who the people that you are suppose the "help" with "God's words". Just help and leave your religious beliefs at the door.
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