Hey everyone! Here’s my weekly update for World Race week -2.
I’ve been wrestling with how and whether to write this blog post for a few months now. However, I got confirmation that I should write it when I was assigned a leadership role for storytelling on the Race. I still wasn’t sure how to write it, which is why it’s just coming to you now. But, I settled on breaking the idea of ethical storytelling into a mini-series. I hope you guys enjoy part one!
Several people have asked me what my biggest fear on the World Race is. I honestly have had a hard time answering this question because I really, really don’t like offending people, and I know this topic can be a little difficult to discuss. But, I want to be transparent with all of you through this journey. So here it is:
One of my biggest fears is inaccurately representing the people and cultures we’re encountering and falling into the idea that I’m anyone’s hero (namely, the western hero complex). I know my tendency to struggle with pride, wanting to be meet everyone’s needs, and thinking that I can help others through my own power and volition.
The idea of portraying oneself as a hero and how that relates to international missions grew heavy on my heart during my senior year of high school. Have you guys ever read The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver? Let me tell ya, thinking about going on the Race considering the things I read in that book made me absolutely terrified of the western hero complex, the desire to “fix” everything in a way that mimics colonialism, or thinking that simply by interacting with these people and taking a selfie with them, their lives will be changed forever. This kind of thinking can be popular among even well-intending missionaries. It’s the kind of thinking that leads to the creation of satirical Instagram accounts like @BarbieSavior.
Many of my dear friends, all meaning well, have said that I am going to change lives, especially in the “third world countries” I’m going to like Zambia and Botswana. However, it’s been my prayer that I can approach the individuals in developing countries I’m going to as equals whose lives don’t need to be, nor can they be, “fixed” by my high fives, tag-playing, or songs. I am beyond excited to serve and hang out with those who have less privileges than I could even imagine – however, my fear is portraying these people as passive and helpless people that are waiting, desperate for us missionaries to come. I do not want to fall into the temptation to post pictures of myself holding sweet babies for the likes, for people to see me serving and admire me, and to do these things thinking that I am changing lives or that I am gaining favor with the King for my actions. I don’t want to take the concentration off of the Gospel and Jesus’s love and put it on myself.
I hope I’m not coming across like I don’t think there is benefit in offering aid and help and service. Yes, my goal is absolutely to meet tangible needs, to encourage and uplift, and to share the Gospel – and the Gospel is 1000000% life-changing. However, my fear is that my desire in sharing the Gospel will be to make others see life, God, and worship the exact “right way” I do, and that that would be the thing that changed a life.
That being said, I want to share with you the things I am experiencing on this Race, but please know that I will be trying my best to accurately portray the people and cultures I am encountering in a way that empowers them and glorifies our Father. I’m asking you guys to keep me accountable in how I portray people, places, and cultures. I’m also asking that all of you pray for me as I struggle against putting myself in the spotlight over the next year.
I’d really like to have conversations with you guys about this and hear about any thoughts or experiences you have with this topic!
Love you guys! Stay tuned for my last post in the U.S. coming next week!
