As I sat in the only Cyber Cafe within three hours of our home in the bush of Côte d’Ivoire last month, tears began to fill my eyes.
It was a long hot day of travel to the nearest city with electricity. We were hot, hungry, and exhausted. After several house visits, errands, and even a dress fitting, we finally got to the cyber cafe around 5 pm. I was excited to connect with my family and friends. I wanted to fill them in about my ministry last month and hear about the happenings of life back at home.
Then came the moment when I noticed a Facebook notification telling me someone shared one of my pictures. Shocked and curious, I clicked to see what was shared. I hadn’t seen or talked to this person in years, so the next screen caught me completely off guard. My heart instantly sank deep into my chest.
I noticed that before sharing my picture saying “exhibit A”, he shared a video. The video referred to white people going to predominantly black countries and presenting themselves as “white saviors.” It talked about the underlying issues when it comes to many mission trips, and said that most people go on these trips to feel better about themselves. It also criticized people for posting pictures of their trips on social media, claiming that it is only to make others think they are good people.
As I stared at his Facebook page my heart began to break.
My heart broke knowing that this is a big issue. Knowing that many people do go on short term trips with the wrong reasons and motives in mind. I have read and studied books like “When Helping Hurts” and “Toxic Charity” that state major issues with volunteer organizations. They discuss how many things these organizations do actually hurt the people and country they are trying to help. Often times mission trips or volunteer trips go into improvised areas to help fix a problem and leave shortly after the problem is fixed. This not only causes the people to see them as people who came in to save the day (“white saviors”), but also leaves the area in more devastation due to the dependence that was created. I’ve learned the importance of sustainability and development in these countries. In his book “Toxic Charity” Robert D. Lupton says, “Betterment does for others. Development maintains the long view and looks to enable others to do for themselves. Betterment improves conditions. Development strengthens capacity. Betterment gives a man a fish. Development teaches a man how to fish.” In order to have a successful mission trip, we have to have a development mindset and not a betterment mindset.
My heart also broke at the idea that a picture or blog I post could give the impression that I have poor motives when it comes to my mission work. I never want to present this as just a fun and exciting vacation around the world. Don’t get me wrong it’s definitely fun and exciting sometimes, but it’s also full of challenges and heartache. I’ve spent time with woman and children who have experienced unthinkable tragedies. I’ve loved on children who have lost their parents and are forced to live on the streets begging for food and water. I’ve held a two year old boy, whom I love dearly, in my arms as I begged God not to take him because his malnourishment was so severe he looked lifeless. I’ve seen things that, at times, I wish I could unsee. But I’m thankful that I can’t. Now that I have seen them, I have the opportunity to be a change agent. Someone who can elevate their voices and pursuing justice for the oppressed.
As missionaries we have to strive to build deep authentic relationships with the people we meet. We have to be willing to be vulnerable and reveal our broken pieces to them to ensure they know that we are not perfect and that we make mistakes and face trials too. We have to talk to them about the struggles we’ve faced and where God was in the midst of them. We have to embrace our mutual brokenness and admit that we are not okay either, but that Jesus can fix us both. By building these relationships, we are able to change the “we will rescue you” mindset and replace it with mutual respect and admiration.
So I’m going to keep following God to whatever country he calls me to. I’m going to keep telling people about Jesus and letting them know that they are fully known and fully loved by Him. I’m going to keep sharing the stories of the people I meet. I’m going to share the happy, sad, scary, and funny. I’m going to share these stories in hopes to inform people on what’s truly happening around the world. I want to share what textbooks don’t tell you and be the voice that these people so desperately need and deserve. I’m going to keep building authentic relationships and loving them like Jesus. I’m going to keep posting pictures with them, just like I post pictures with my friends and family back home. Because that’s who they are, my friends and family. And I ask that when you read my blogs or see my pictures, don’t see me. See them. See the children of God around the world who deserve the same chance at life as you and I do. Children who deserve to be loved.
Joyfully His,
Lizzy
