I never liked people calling what I did a “mission trip”. It was the easiest thing to refer to it as, but I always loathed it. Mission trips are fickle. Mission trips are something you embark on for a few days, weeks, months. Mission trips make your conscience feel better and open your eyes for a moment…as short or as long as it lingers, it still lasts for just a moment. Mission trips are mere glimpses into other countries, into the lives of others around the world. That’s all it is—a glimpse. How could you possibly get to know an entire country when you have a time limit?
I hated being labeled with the terms "tourist" and "mission trip" so much that I complained to the Kolbs about it. Carrie told me something interesting: "You're not a tourist. Tourists and backpackers have no obligations when they go to different countries... they don't try to create relationships. But you're LIVING here. You're helping us move in and learning about the country and making relationships. You will always be able to say that you lived in Nicaragua for three months."
There's a HUGE difference, which I am extremely adamant about. And I know for sure that I didn't learn everything there is to learn about Nicaragua for my extended stay... but it bugs the crap out of me when people visit for an even shorter time and suddenly assume an air of superior knowledge.
Usually people on mission trips stay with some sort of organization, and have arranged meals and arranged lodgings. Everything is arranged for their comfort—everything is carefully laid out for the travelers. And the travelers “oooh” and “ahhh” over the quaintness, the difference, perhaps even charm that a third-world has churned out for them who are doing God’s work. It makes them feel good inside, like a better person for having seen another part of the world. They work in the dirt, the mud, with poor people who come willingly for help and to help. They do arranged activities and pray with people in the arranged places.
Then they go home at the arranged time, proclaiming themselves a changed person. They stand in front of the church and speak about their arranged experiences. They make everyone else feel good inside too, for having sponsored and supported and prayed over the travelers successfully. And then life goes on. The travelers are back in their large houses and comfortable lives, and they feel wonderful for fulfilling God’s plan, for being so “uncomfortable” for a time.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against mission trips, and I’m not against catching glimpses of other countries. If you say God led you to that trip and that country, I will sit and listen to your story. But if you say that your ten-day trip has entirely opened your eyes and that it was the best experience anyone could have and that you really feel you made a large impact and that your life and their lives were forever changed… I will get up and leave the room. Confide in someone else about it because I will be of no use to you and vice versa. Yes, you helped them for a while—but they are still in the dirt and the mud while you are back to your privileged life. You have the option to move about—in most cases, they are forced to stay in the lives they’ve always had. Are you sure what you are doing actually has anything to do with them?
Do you truly want to make an impact? Move there. Do you really want to change the lives of others? Brace yourself. I firmly believe the most effective way to impact people, to impact a country, to impact the world, is to move to said country. To move, to make friends, to build a life for yourself with the same people you are trying to help, in the same dirt and mud. Don’t you know how much it touches other people when they realize you’re there to stay with them? When they discover that you’re willing to do what it takes to live in the country? You must make EFFORTS for them. That’s when they see something different about you… something that either makes you insane or perhaps like Jesus. Jesus hung with the lowest of the low. Honestly, I don’t think He’d spend much time in America if He were here. Sure, He might step in every once in a while and say, “What’s up, dude?” but I believe He’d be more likely to be in Nicaragua saying “Que onda, mae?” or in any other country saying the same thing (but in different languages according to the location). Maybe we don’t see Him much in America because it’s our comfort zone and He wants us to get out of it.
Now I’m not saying everyone has to get the hell out of America and spontaneously move to a new country. Not everyone can do that… everyone has a different calling. Also, people who DO have that calling shouldn’t just go whenever—they must go once they feel God egging them on. It’s God’s timing that is right, not yours. Certainly not mine, in case you think I’m screaming at everyone to leave (yeah, I’m totally trying to get people to leave the country so I can claim the land for my own and name it Ashleytopia).
I’m trying to get my point across. You create more waves once you have made the effort to reach out, once you have the time to reach out, once you have people to reach out to. For all those natives willing to help and be ministered to at those mission trips, there are thousands more who aren’t willing. And that’s fine. You aren’t there to change their minds… not really. You aren’t there to madly convert the hell out of everyone you see—what kind of God would want that? Be their friend. Be an example. Live how Jesus did, but always remember that you are human and make mistakes. Once people see that in you, they will realize you are the real thing and that you aren’t the same as everyone else who prays and then hops on a plane ride home. Suffer with them. Live with them, as Jesus did.
Course, you can’t create waves without Satan seeking you out and attacking relentlessly. And it sucks. I know this firsthand: Carrie once mentioned to me how she knew I was being attacked because she had never seen me cry so much. It absolutely sucks to be spiritually attacked any country… ESPECIALLY a country you aren’t used to. But if he’s not at your throat, you ain’t doing it right. And you know what? You’ve already won the battle—you’ve made it there, haven’t you? Stick it out, give it to God lay it in His hands, and you will emerge laughing at the devil for what he couldn’t do to you.
The other day I was speaking with someone (remaining anonymous, out of courtesy and plus I didn’t ask first if I could spread this to the world) about the Kolb’s absence. She said she couldn’t stand other people constantly going on and on about how much they miss the Kolbs. Yeah, we all miss them and they were my and your close friends and family—we understand and respect that. But—these are my own words now—it is hard to remain sympathetic with you when you constantly dwell on their absence and always tell them how much they are missed and wanted. Look, they didn’t call themselves to Nicaragua; God did. Take it up with Big Guns Upstairs who can handle anything you say, not the Kolbs themselves. I know it may seem cruel for me of all people to say this, since I alone spent three months with them—but come on! It’s not healthy to show the Kolbs how much you regret the absence that was God’s intention. They have enough love for you and Nicaragua simultaneously. Accept God’s plan for them, like they graciously have already, and set them free. Don’t you think it’s better for them to hear “I love you,” and “I support you,” instead of “I miss you” all the time?
I don’t know, they might feel differently. This is strictly my own opinion… maybe I’m getting all riled up on their defense for naught. But I do know this: when God provides the opportunity for them to come back to America, whether for vacation or to move back, they will come back to you with the same open arms they extended to Nicaragua.
And it is my prayer that you will open your arms to wherever it is God leads you too—be it America, in Nicaragua, or in the dirt and mud of another country.
I hated being labeled with the terms "tourist" and "mission trip" so much that I complained to the Kolbs about it. Carrie told me something interesting: "You're not a tourist. Tourists and backpackers have no obligations when they go to different countries... they don't try to create relationships. But you're LIVING here. You're helping us move in and learning about the country and making relationships. You will always be able to say that you lived in Nicaragua for three months."
There's a HUGE difference, which I am extremely adamant about. And I know for sure that I didn't learn everything there is to learn about Nicaragua for my extended stay... but it bugs the crap out of me when people visit for an even shorter time and suddenly assume an air of superior knowledge.
Usually people on mission trips stay with some sort of organization, and have arranged meals and arranged lodgings. Everything is arranged for their comfort—everything is carefully laid out for the travelers. And the travelers “oooh” and “ahhh” over the quaintness, the difference, perhaps even charm that a third-world has churned out for them who are doing God’s work. It makes them feel good inside, like a better person for having seen another part of the world. They work in the dirt, the mud, with poor people who come willingly for help and to help. They do arranged activities and pray with people in the arranged places.
Then they go home at the arranged time, proclaiming themselves a changed person. They stand in front of the church and speak about their arranged experiences. They make everyone else feel good inside too, for having sponsored and supported and prayed over the travelers successfully. And then life goes on. The travelers are back in their large houses and comfortable lives, and they feel wonderful for fulfilling God’s plan, for being so “uncomfortable” for a time.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not against mission trips, and I’m not against catching glimpses of other countries. If you say God led you to that trip and that country, I will sit and listen to your story. But if you say that your ten-day trip has entirely opened your eyes and that it was the best experience anyone could have and that you really feel you made a large impact and that your life and their lives were forever changed… I will get up and leave the room. Confide in someone else about it because I will be of no use to you and vice versa. Yes, you helped them for a while—but they are still in the dirt and the mud while you are back to your privileged life. You have the option to move about—in most cases, they are forced to stay in the lives they’ve always had. Are you sure what you are doing actually has anything to do with them?
Do you truly want to make an impact? Move there. Do you really want to change the lives of others? Brace yourself. I firmly believe the most effective way to impact people, to impact a country, to impact the world, is to move to said country. To move, to make friends, to build a life for yourself with the same people you are trying to help, in the same dirt and mud. Don’t you know how much it touches other people when they realize you’re there to stay with them? When they discover that you’re willing to do what it takes to live in the country? You must make EFFORTS for them. That’s when they see something different about you… something that either makes you insane or perhaps like Jesus. Jesus hung with the lowest of the low. Honestly, I don’t think He’d spend much time in America if He were here. Sure, He might step in every once in a while and say, “What’s up, dude?” but I believe He’d be more likely to be in Nicaragua saying “Que onda, mae?” or in any other country saying the same thing (but in different languages according to the location). Maybe we don’t see Him much in America because it’s our comfort zone and He wants us to get out of it.
Now I’m not saying everyone has to get the hell out of America and spontaneously move to a new country. Not everyone can do that… everyone has a different calling. Also, people who DO have that calling shouldn’t just go whenever—they must go once they feel God egging them on. It’s God’s timing that is right, not yours. Certainly not mine, in case you think I’m screaming at everyone to leave (yeah, I’m totally trying to get people to leave the country so I can claim the land for my own and name it Ashleytopia).
I’m trying to get my point across. You create more waves once you have made the effort to reach out, once you have the time to reach out, once you have people to reach out to. For all those natives willing to help and be ministered to at those mission trips, there are thousands more who aren’t willing. And that’s fine. You aren’t there to change their minds… not really. You aren’t there to madly convert the hell out of everyone you see—what kind of God would want that? Be their friend. Be an example. Live how Jesus did, but always remember that you are human and make mistakes. Once people see that in you, they will realize you are the real thing and that you aren’t the same as everyone else who prays and then hops on a plane ride home. Suffer with them. Live with them, as Jesus did.
Course, you can’t create waves without Satan seeking you out and attacking relentlessly. And it sucks. I know this firsthand: Carrie once mentioned to me how she knew I was being attacked because she had never seen me cry so much. It absolutely sucks to be spiritually attacked any country… ESPECIALLY a country you aren’t used to. But if he’s not at your throat, you ain’t doing it right. And you know what? You’ve already won the battle—you’ve made it there, haven’t you? Stick it out, give it to God lay it in His hands, and you will emerge laughing at the devil for what he couldn’t do to you.
The other day I was speaking with someone (remaining anonymous, out of courtesy and plus I didn’t ask first if I could spread this to the world) about the Kolb’s absence. She said she couldn’t stand other people constantly going on and on about how much they miss the Kolbs. Yeah, we all miss them and they were my and your close friends and family—we understand and respect that. But—these are my own words now—it is hard to remain sympathetic with you when you constantly dwell on their absence and always tell them how much they are missed and wanted. Look, they didn’t call themselves to Nicaragua; God did. Take it up with Big Guns Upstairs who can handle anything you say, not the Kolbs themselves. I know it may seem cruel for me of all people to say this, since I alone spent three months with them—but come on! It’s not healthy to show the Kolbs how much you regret the absence that was God’s intention. They have enough love for you and Nicaragua simultaneously. Accept God’s plan for them, like they graciously have already, and set them free. Don’t you think it’s better for them to hear “I love you,” and “I support you,” instead of “I miss you” all the time?
I don’t know, they might feel differently. This is strictly my own opinion… maybe I’m getting all riled up on their defense for naught. But I do know this: when God provides the opportunity for them to come back to America, whether for vacation or to move back, they will come back to you with the same open arms they extended to Nicaragua.
And it is my prayer that you will open your arms to wherever it is God leads you too—be it America, in Nicaragua, or in the dirt and mud of another country.
