Why Short-Term Missions Matter

I never expected to be an advocate for short-term service trips. As a matter of fact, after reading the two excellent books “When Helping Hurts” by Steve Corbett and “Toxic Charity” by Robert Lupton, I took the opposite approach and actively discouraged these types of trips. However, after stepping outside my comfort zone, living in Mexico for four years and interacting with groups on short-term service trips, I have a much better perspective on the value these trips can bring.

Hi, I’m John Laney and let me tell you how I got to this point. 

John’s Story

After spending 20 years in the Navy, our family decided we wanted to leave the Navy and return back home to Newberg, Oregon. But, before going home, we wanted to first take a one-year sabbatical overseas to both have a cultural experience and experience Christian service in a meaningful way. Due to COVID, we found ourselves in Northern Baja, California, just south of Tijuana and 60 minutes from the border. For the next four years, we found ourselves teaching English, volunteering at an orphanage and working with a building ministry.

Through that process, I saw many groups coming down to Mexico to bring their money, labor and energy. They would serve by building a house, cooking a meal, working on a road or simply hanging out and playing with kids. But what was most impactful was seeing the impact on the individuals that came to serve. These people would arrive with one idea of Mexican culture and leave with a different idea. They would come with their understanding of worship and leave with a different understanding. They would come down with one perspective and then would watch it change. I saw that in others and I saw that in myself. 

So, before answering the question, “Do missions matter?” I’d like to break that question down a bit. In my mind, short term service trips matter in three primary ways. First, they matter to the receiver. These trips allow groups to build projects, paint walls, bring food and money and otherwise aid the group that they are serving.  Second, they matter to the relationship and Christian bonds between the giver and receiver.  Finally, they matter to the giver, who oftentimes walks away with a life-changing service experience.

I’d like to give three concrete examples of this change.

Time

Not long ago, our pastor preached on the two types of time: chronos time vs. kairos time. Chronos time asks, “What time is it?” “What is the next event?” and “Why can’t he hurry up?” While kairo’s time asks, “What is my time for and how can I best use it?” Chronos was Martha’s mindset when she rushed around getting things ready for Jesus, while Mary, under kairos, just sat and listened.  

In the United States, chronos dominates our lives, while in Mexico, you will get a taste of what it is like to live under kairos. 

Money

While money dominates much of American living, Mexicans take a very different approach. In the United States, we view money as a symbol of individual success, independence, financial achievement, and the pursuit of the “American Dream.” In Mexico, there is a much stronger emphasis on community, family, and shared resources.  While Americans will carefully tithe out their giving percent, Mexicans will gladly give what is in their pockets.  

While in Mexico, one will see how the focus of money shifts to a means to support and care for loved ones, enjoy life, give and live in the present. 

Family

American family life is characterized by independence and self-sufficiency, and a child often moves out at 18. Young adults are often encouraged to move across the country in order to pursue personal and career goals at the expense of close family ties and community. “Make your own decisions” and “do what is right for you” is a common mantra. 

Not so in Mexican culture. Family takes precedence over career, and close multigenerational ties take precedence over independence. This family support is central to daily life, with a deep sense of duty to care for and be cared for by loved ones.  

While there are many more examples of cultural differences, I see the lessons from the Mexican view of time, money and family are much closer to the biblical model that we are called to emulate. And through embracing these lessons we get the majority of the value from a service trip. 

Your Next Step?

If this resonates with you, if you are interested in reciprocal service where you both give and receive, or if you or a family member might benefit from stepping outside your comfort zone to see and taste new experiences, then I would love to talk. Our website is below for an upcoming short-term mission trip to Mexico.