Having just spent time living with those in poverty, I entered the store and was overwhelmed by the excess of America. I consider myself a pretty peaceful person, but when I returned from Cambodia on my first longer-term cross-cultural experience, I almost erupted in a grocery store. While a week-long service trip in another part of the world can absolutely make a difference, we can often have an even greater impact on those we see every day-our family members, friends, and neighbors. Sometimes, it’s easy to love people who are far away or to give generously and selflessly to others on a short-term basis, while missing the need and hurt that surround us every day. Here are five suggestions for ways to ensure that your short-term trip makes a long-term impact:ġ. Ironically, what happens after a trip typically receives the least thought and attention, yet it’s an essential part of every experience. In fact, I’d be thrilled if, as a modest goal, the number of short-term service trippers matched the number of Americans who go on cruises every year (currently over 20 million).įor short-term service trips to make a lasting impact on our lives, though, it’s crucial for us to ensure we go with greater humility, we serve in a way that doesn’t perpetuate paternalism or dependency, we listen and support local leaders who continue to serve after we leave, and we give thought and attention to our experience after we return. And unlike some who are calling for an end to short-term trips, I think the radical jump in those who’ve had these experiences has much positive potential. has increased from 540 trippers in 1965 to an estimated 1.5 million annually today. Like few other experiences, short-term trips have the potential to help us see our own materialism, grow in our appreciation for other cultures, form paradigm-shifting friendships, and experience the Gospel outside of our cultural blinders.Īs ease of travel, income, and global awareness have increased, the number of short-term trip participants in the U.S. I wasn’t trying to be nosy, but I overheard one enthusiastic high school-er comment, “I’ll never be the same.” And I sincerely hope she’s right.
JUMMP MISSION TRIP SKIN
It was the matching t-shirts and sunburned skin that gave them away (no judgement from me… my skin color matched theirs, and I’ve worn my share of matching t-shirts).
JUMMP MISSION TRIP FULL
On my recent flight back from Haiti, the plane was full of short-term trippers.