I came across this statement the other day:
“Are missions trips ethical? Like the kind where (primarily) Christian groups go over to impoverished countries and help em out and give them food and stuff? Because you’re basically going over there with all these resources and telling these third-world people that they get these things because of your holy Jebus Crust, and they better believe in him too or else eternal hellfire and damnation. I mean….it sounds to me like the agenda is to brainwash, not help.”
What I wanted to say:
The blasphemy really helps to get your point across. Did you do your research on this topic before pulling it straight out of the side of your neck and posting it to social media? People all around the world are putting their lives on the line for the sake of someone else hearing the Gospel. Right this very moment, there is a missionary sitting with a girl who is a slave to human trafficking and leading her to freedom without the expectation of getting anything in return. There are people who choose to abandon their personal belongings and their families to make sure babies in Africa will eat tonight. What is the point of doing all of this in the name of hellfire and damnation? They are not preaching the name of Allah but the name of JESUS CHRIST our savior who loves us and wants nothing more than for us to spend all eternity by His side. The devil is a lie. Your statement is a lie and offensive. What have you done to help others overseas in the name of religion or otherwise? Should I just sit quietly in my apartment full of “stuff” so you can call me a hypocrite for not helping the least of these? How dare you?!
What I really said:
There is a very small percentage of these bible-thumping mission trips that I believe you are referring to. The majority of missionaries go over to countries to meet the immediate needs of people. Whether that be education, food, clothing, manual labor, you name it. They do this of course in Jesus’ name and for the chance to speak the Gospel. However, they do not speak damnation into the lives of the lost but love just like Jesus Himself would do. They show God through their actions, and worship, inviting (not forcing) others to join along with them. They do all of these things without expecting anything in return. I hope you this truth eases your mind about mission trips, and if you have any questions please ask me. I would be happy to give you my insight, as I am personally a missionary who has no mal-intentions but only those of loving others and expanding the kingdom of Heaven.
Something is WRONG
When our lives make sense to nonbelievers
-Francis Chan
It is hard to come over scrutiny and mockery for living a faith based life, especially when there is no other purpose but to be hurtful. I thank God for the discernment of the Holy Spirit to respond in a manner that would only bring Him glory. However, mean and uneducated posts on Facebook are the least of our worries as believers today. My heart is heavy for my Christian brothers and sisters who are forced to praise in secret because of the fear of being slaughtered and put on display as an example for others to see. I pray their lives and stories spark a great revival across the nations. As we get closer to the end times maybe we aren’t meant to live life so “comfortably”… but to be so radically in love with our savior that all that unbelievers can say is “I don’t get it, it HAS to be GOD.”
In Him,
Roni
