I hear this type of argument a lot...."just think of all the food, equipment, supplies, etc. that could be purchased for those poor people with the money spent to send one person on a short term mission trip." Or something like that
Anyway, all I know is, the Great Commission - not the Great Suggestion - says, "GO YE into ALL the world and preach the Gospel." Go Ye....You Go. That's an imperative statement, a command, if you will. It doesn't say "Send Ye" it says GO.
I do realize that not everyone CAN go, but many of us can. It may be more about changing our lives. And who can tell what good may be wrought because one person was obedient and "went."
My son will be leaving for Brazil in two weeks - a short term assignment for two weeks. He is going to a remote village deep in the interior of Brazil. And no, it is NOT a vacation by any stretch of the imagination! Last year, he slept in an un-airconditioned building (It's winter in Brazil now, so the temperatures are a brisk 110) in a hammock. This year, he is taking a pup tent and an air mattress, but will leave it there when he returns home, as some of the natives will make good use of it.
He went last year, and the church footed the bill. It made such an impact on him, that he cancelled his vacation plans and scheduled his leave to go again this year. At his own expense. His team is helping to build a school/seminary for the Indians, so they in turn, can go back to their villages and reach people who would otherwise be unreached. They can go where no one else is even allowed to go.
He is up somewhere between 4:30 and 5:00a.m., and this bunch of guys WORK. All day long, they work. They mix the concrete by hand and spread it out by the wheelbarrow loads....no fancy, state of the art equipment....everything is rough and primitive. Last year, when the team came back to give their report, David said, "You're looking at a Brazilian Bulldozer!"
Their main diet is oatmeal, rice and beans, and peanut butter - no fancy, gourmet meals for these guys. Part of the money that they all contributed goes for supplies to build the buildings, and equipment and tools that they leave behind so that others can continue the work.
I am proud of him, and he can do nothing less. He feels like the Great Commission is important and he intends to take it literally. And who knows...this could be the beginning of God's call on his life to go to the uttermost parts of the world. And I believe God will bless him for his willingness and obedience.
Ok...stepping down off my soapbox now.
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