Why do Christians go on mission trips? What is the purpose of a mission? Is it to show our love and dedication to the Lord and His children? Is it to share the hope and salvation found in our Savior? Is it to experience God outside of our comfort zone? Or maybe we use it as an excuse to travel the world and experience other cultures? Maybe it is all of the above.
Are any of these the wrong reason?
My sister-in-law and I had a conversation this Christmas that opened my eyes to why many people may look down or question our World Race commitment. We were discussing the World Race and everthing that comes with it when she told me that she had read one of Cody's blogs where he mentioned how America's wealth has become a stumbling block. She then explained that it seemed unfit for Cody to talk about this issue when we are getting ready to leave for a mission trip that seems so "Americanized".
"Americanized"?. . . Ouch!
I love and admire this woman. She has so much insight and I always enjoy conversing with her… and I know that she would never say anything out of spite or disrespect. So, I could tell that this was an honest concern/query meant to get me to think about our motives behind our decision. I have been so excited about our decision to "let go and let God" that I never thought about what the World Race might look like to others. Of course, we have had family tell us that we are irresponsible for making this decision… but, other than the cost of the trip, I hadn't understood why so many people looked down on it. The fact that we will be traveling to 11 different countries and being a part of the ministry in each for only a month makes the mission seem kind of, should I dare say it, "touristy".
So, I am here to set the record straight. I appreciate my sister-in-law for encouraging me to really think through why Cody and I are about to give up our whole life here for a year to serve abroad. So, here is…
Why we are going!
I understand that some people may question our motives behind going on a mission trip that travels to 11 different countries. It may appear that we are only in it to be able to travel… Honestly, I would be lying if I didn't tell you that I am excited to be experiencing 11 different cultures and seeing so many different places that I would not have, otherwise, been able to. This is one of the reasons I immediately fell in love with the World Race. But, did you get that? It is one of the reasons… it isn't the reason we want to go.
In November, Cody and I were a part of a team that went to Colonet, Mexico (in the Baja) to help at a feeding shelter our church supports. While we were there, we got to spend a lot of time just loving on the women and children that volunteer and/or take part in this ministry. It was during this time that I really started to understand that it is all about relationships. We want to go and show Christ's love to the nations! We want to help in creating disciples, just as the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20 commands us.
Some people may ask "How much difference can you really make in just a month?"
The first thing I would like to point out is: Would anyone have asked us this same question about our week-long trip to Mexico? Probably not. Well, a month is 4x as long as a week.
We understand that we may not be able to accomplish much in only 4 weeks… but the Lord can! That is part of the beauty of the whole thing. . . You see, we have to trust that the Lord has already been in this place and will continue His work there after we leave.
"For we know that all things work together for good, to those who love God. . . to those who are the called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28
Remember that other missionaries will be going out as we come in and we will be leaving as new missionaries are arriving. So, there will always be someone there to help in these local ministries.
Some people may ask "$31,000 is a whole lot… Even if you do raise it, couldn't it be used for more important things like college debt?" First of all, if the Lord wishes us to go He alone will provide the funds to do so. $31,000 is NOT too big for the Creator of the universe. . . He owns that money!! Second, is anything more important than our God and His will for our lives? That debt will be here when we return to the US. The Lord will provide for that need as well.
Some people may ask "Isn't a year a bit extreme? Wouldn't you be more comfortable with a shorter-term mission?" The answer to both questions is: yes! And that is exactly why we are doing this mission. 11 months can seem like a long time. That is 48 weeks, or 335 days. It would be much easier and more comfortable to serve in a shorter mission, but we wouldn't be putting our trust in God near as much! Instead, we would be putting our trust in time. 335 days is going to push us to new levels. It is going to test our faith and ability to trust God. It is going to strengthen our marriage and relationship with our Savior. 335 days is just enough time to be radical, to become sweetly broken and wholly surrendered!!
Some people may ask "What if you don't raise all the money and fail to complete the whole mission?" This question has scared me most of all. Why? Did you notice the word fail? I hate failure… that is why I have never gotten a grade lower than a B! Failure scares me to death. It means I wasn't good enough or didn't work hard enough. I have heard people make comments about expecting us to be gone for only 6 months and I felt defeated before we've even begun. But then I heard a voice whisper "If I am for you… how can you fail?" That is when I realized that there is absolutely no failure to be had in this experience! Even if we are only out in the field for 3 months, God will do with it what He wants. 5 days is all we need to be changed, let alone 3 months or (God's blessing) 11 months.
Mission accomplished!!
Some people have asked "Aren't you afraid of going?" I know that the Lord has not given us a spirit to of fear, but when I feel God moving so strongly in our lives now…
I am more afraid of NOT going!!
This is why we go! 
