Pictures with Mickey Mouse?
About the Author
Ben spends most of his time working with underprivileged kids in Tijuana, Mexico, encouraging them to continue their education. He's an unofficial member of Iglesia Bautista Monte Horeb, which runs the elementary school, Centro Pedagógico Didaque.
If I were a Youth Pastor leading a mission trip to Tijuana (as thousands do every year), I would not make a stop at Disneyland on the way back home. I’m not ready to condemn the leader who does greet Mickey and Minnie, but I think it’s a sketchy move for several reasons.
- The abrupt change from poverty to wealth, often for the first time.
- Mixed signals: Group members can confuse the meaning of service.
- Raised support money: Who’s paying the $63 admission, overpriced snacks, and hotel for the night?
I’ll save the first two points for future articles. They’re worth expanding upon and deserve some good thought in missiology. The third point, however, can be addressed more quickly. Support raising is a touchy subject. Two polar opposite models are probably Campus Crusade for Christ and George Mueller. CCC goes after supporters with business-marketing techniques. Mueller never asked for money—always trusting that God would faithfully provide. Mission agencies and missionaries today all have different takes on what’s biblical and right.
I’ve seen missionary blogs over the last year that have more pictures of their furlough than work on the field. Some look more like vacation brochures than humble missionary diaries you’d find in the basement floor of a seminary.
What? Missionaries can’t have fun with pastimes and hobbies? Of course they can and should—I do. Down time and getaways are crucial, essential, and rejuvenating. Yet when cost is involved, stewardship needs to be in high gear. Who’s paying for the box-seat, Starbucks sipping, missionary family of six?
That’s not my question to answer or judge. However, I do feel today’s missionaries should use increased discretion when money and missions are involved.
April 14th, 2007 at 9:19 am
Or, at least, more discretion in their communications. It is, in my opinion, a common misconception among donors that all of the money they give will end up going to something “spiritual.”
April 17th, 2007 at 12:31 am
Maybe things are a little different in Canada with regards to tax laws. When we do side adventures like a day in the mountains or a day out golfing, those funds have to come out personal money from the team members. Any ,money that is donated and tax receipted can only be used for projects and trip expenses.
even when our teams eat out, that comes out of personal money. But with that said, I know better than to include a lot of “vacation type photo’s ” in any reports. Our teams often work 14 hours a day, they work hard ….and they play hard….. my big side adventure last trip over seas was a day at the Abby on the way home……$200 for the hotel….$50 for transportation….$55 one order of fish and chips…and $25 admission. this could have hired a teacher for the orphanage for 6 months……it made me sick…. as interesting and as exciting as it was, I will now always remember England with a little disappointment!