The Long-Term Benefits of a Short-Term Mission By Shelly Schwalm
H I G H E R T H I N G S __ 22
I never thought I’d get hooked. Since my first trip nearly 10 years ago to Mexico, I have been blessed by mission trips to Nicaragua, Ghana, Alaska, and elsewhere. Each trip has left me wanting to go again. I’ve found that the more I go, the more I am shown that it’s not all about what we can offer. Mission trips also shape us to be gracious recipients. I think it is a common misconception that the purpose of mission trips is solely to bring resources, offer physical labor, and come with spiritual encouragement for people in need. This is a big part of it! We are excited to reach out because Christ’s resurrection causes us to respond that way! Still, in our enthusiasm, we must remember that we’re not the only ones with something to give. As we go and serve, we start to see that there just might be a thing or two we can learn from our Christian brothers and sisters around the world.
