Stepping over the poor to get to the poorest

While in San Diego about a month ago I got the chance to hear Bob Goth, author of Love Does, speak. One of the most impactful things I heard him say is that sometimes as we're trying to get to "the poorest of these" we're overlooking the poor that are right in front of us. And we REALLY want to get to Africa or India to get to the poorest, but sometimes it's just not what God is calling us to do. Sometimes God is calling us to serve here in our own backyard. So what are some of the benefits of a mission trip within the United States?

1. Mission trips within the United States are needed:

I've been asked countless times why I go to Jamaica while there are so many needs here. That's simple...God's called me to Jamaica. But there are people being called to serve here at home as well. We're not all called to go overseas. There are so many needs here within our own boundaries. Sometimes we just need to open our eyes.

2. Mission trips within the United States are healthy:

When I say healthy I'm also saying cheap. :) I talk to church after church that want to go off to a strange foreign land...but they can't afford it. So they just don't do anything. Or they're saving up to go somewhere "big" next year. I understand that it can be a strain on the church and their community to have to raise $1,500 for 20 people every year. God blesses those efforts time after time, but is it necessarily healthy? What if you can save for that big trip AND do a mission trip? Mission trips within the U.S. are a great way to do that.

3. Mission trips within the United States are fun:

They may not seem fun on the drive there, but when you look back at your week you'll have countless memories and strong friendships. How could you not with 18 hours in a church van with 12 people? Not only that but you often get to see a side of the U.S. or even your own community that you'd never experienced before. Driving to Tucson from Minneapolis WILL be fun....it will. Besides, everyone loves a road trip.

4. Mission trips within the United States are a precursor:

Often times a local/domestic mission trip gets people hungry to do more! You work with a Jamaican church and community in Miami and then you want to go see the real Jamaica. (Do all Jamaicans really say "mon"? YES!) You've gotten a taste of the food and the accent and the culture and now you're more prepared to go serve in the place where it all began. This is awesome!

We don't have to step over the poor to get to the poorest. And when I say poor I don't just mean "financially" poor. There are so many opportunities to use your life and your voice and your experiences to touch someone's life forever...right in your own backyard. And by doing so you're still fulfilling the Great Commision! Being God's hand and feet right here at home.

FACE SLAM!

As I sit in the Denver airport with a LONG layover getting back home from a convention in San Diego, I reflect on some of the words and conversations I've had over this past long weekend.

The convention was the National Youth Workers Convention which is held twice a year...one on the west coast and one in the mid-west. This is a place where youth workers can come each year to refresh and gather resources for their ministry for the upcoming year. Our job is to talk about PPM and, as accurately as possible, explain to leaders why they should be taking trips with us instead of with one of hundreds, if not thousands, of other short-term missions providers. I'm sure many of these other ministries are great and have a lasting impact, but we, along with many of our past groups, believe that PPM is different in some way.

Before the convention there was some talk with a fellow staff member about a "re-branding" of PPM. Getting back to the roots of what PPM is all about. Because there are so many others that do mission trips that are seemingly the same. As I was thinking about all of this this past weekend I was slammed in the face with this question:

What would happen if we stopped trying to convert people and just loved them? 

Bob Goff wrote the book Love Does and during "big room" one night this weekend he asked something along the lines of the question above. And as we spoke with leaders and explained PPM to them it hit me...PPM is just there to love people! Truly and genuinely love people. We're not there to build something...we're not there to do a VBS for the kids...we're not there to "convert the heathens"...we're there to show people authentic love and point them towards the local church and show them Jesus' love through our words and actions...period! I believe we are doing what Jesus called us to do and letting the Holy Spirit do His work in people's hearts and lives through these genuine relationships and through the consistent work of the local church.

On top of that, PPM staff is genuinely invested in the countries, churches, teams and individuals with which we serve. We push ourselves to the edge of everything we are and give everything that we have physically, spiritually, and emotionally to show God's love and point towards Christ and His Church. THAT is unique! THAT is different! THAT is what PPM is all about!