Do Mission Trips Do Any Good?

Q: This summer several of the young people in our church are going on a mission trip to a poor village in Central America. Do these honestly do any good? They’ll only be there a couple of weeks. What do you think of trips like this? — J.F.

A: I strongly support mission projects like this, as long as they’re well-planned and have the support of the missionaries they’ll be assisting. I hope you’ll do all you can to help those who will be going, both by your prayers and your financial support.

Will they actually do any good while they are there? They certainly will, even if it’s only for a few weeks. For one thing, they’ll be a great inspiration to the believers in that village, who may feel isolated and wonder if anyone cares about them; these young people will be a living example to them of God’s love. The Bible says, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

They’ll also be able to help in practical ways, even if they can’t meet every need. Teaching the Bible to children … helping repair the roof on a church … digging a ditch to pipe in clean water … the list of possibilities is almost endless — particularly in a poor community with few resources of their own. The Bible says, “As we have opportunity, let us do good to all people” (Galatians 6:10).

But the real benefit will be its impact on those who go. We have so much — and most of the world has so little. May these young people realize that Jesus’ words are still true: “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Luke 10:2).

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)

(c)2018 BILLY GRAHAM DISTRIBUTED BY TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES, INC.