"… Flight attendants, prepare for take-off."

By Joan Jarman

As the summer season approaches, so does the season for short-term mission trips.  Planning and fundraising efforts are dwindling and it’s almost time to hit the long lines for luggage check-in and airport security.  For those new to mission trips…don’t let the initial airport chaos hinder your excitement for it will be quickly forgotten once the aircraft doors close and seatbelts are fastened for take-off.

David A. Livermore, author of Serving with Eyes Wide Open estimates there are over 4 million Americans going on mission trips each year.   The number itself is telling but so is the fact that such large numbers of Americans are choosing cross-cultural trips.  How does that happen in a country like ours where, unlike other parts of the world where students graduate with proficiency in multiple languages, foreign languages are not even taught until high school (and even then produce relatively few who are truly functional in the second language.

One would assume that in a country where mission trips are so popular there would be a high degree of commitment to cross cultural awareness and sensitivity, especially amongst church leaders.   Not so, at least not according to Livermore’s personal journeys and experiences.  He contends that still today there exists a sense amongst Americans  that they have the “right” culture and must therefore “convert” others to their ways.  He goes on to point out that for this very reason short term missions fail…they lack cultural intelligence due to, among other things, neocolonialism and failure to incorporate the voices of non-western church leaders on the receiving side of the short-term mission projects.

As Livermore says, its about ‘changing the way we see and therefore do short term missions.’ Serving with Eyes Wide Open is a good book with good insight. 

For additional resources on the topic, please visit Freedom Collaborative website library http://freedomcollaborative.org/organizations.

Short-term missions...Long-term effects?

Recently Charlie and I were asked to contribute to World Vision Canada's French publication on development issues and church involvement. We were asked a number of questions on short-term missions, a subject about which we have much to say! The whole issue will soon be available (although only in French) here. We wrote our submission initially in English, so here it is!

Q: What is it like to receive short-term mission groups?  

Receiving short-term mission groups takes a lot of work on the part of the receiving organization, in terms of preparing for the group, hosting and leading the group, and often in catching up on missed work after the group has gone. There is a lot of preparation that goes into hosting a group that the traveling team is not aware of. If a host organization does not have an assigned short-term mission coordinator, which some do, other project staff will probably have to work overtime to prepare for and accommodate a visiting team.

We have heard from various field workers (both local and expat) that the groups who visit their programs often promise continued support, such as staying in touch, raising funds, or raising awareness; however, in the majority of cases, organizations never hear from these visitors again. Thus, the time spent with the visitors ends up being an investment on the part of the host organization with no long-term positive effects.

Q: What makes a successful cross-cultural experience?

A cross-cultural experience, especially if it is a first encounter with a particular culture or country, will be successful if the traveler goes with a learning spirit and an attitude of humility. When groups return from a short-term mission saying, "We met this person... We learned about this issue...," these are often the groups that have a lasting positive outlook of their experience and the culture they encountered, rather than groups who only report on what they did. Going only to do makes a team work on outcomes rather than relationships, which turns their focus inward and closes them off to discovering and learning from new experiences.

Q: What do Christian leaders need to know before planning a trip?

Before planning a trip, Christian leaders should know the answers to these two questions.  How will you ensure your trip has a lasting, meaningful effect? What are the skill sets that your group possesses, and how will you use them effectively?

The purpose of the first question is to think through why you want to go. If building a long term, lasting relationship between your community and the host community is not a top priority, this is an indicator that your trip is being dreamed up for personal reasons. If you want to share experiences with a group, and plan to encourage your team to become advocates, raise awareness or build a relationship with another community when they get back, you have the right idea, keep going.

The purpose of the second question is to make certain you are using your skills wisely. People often think that in order to do a mission trip properly, they need to build something, or that they need to manage a project. In fact, around the world there is a great need for teachers, technicians, graphic artists, and many other skills that we have and that we use on a daily basis. Finding an organization that will allow your team to use the skills they have developed over their lifetimes will help to create meaningful work for your team, will fill actual gaps for the host organization, and will help to develop deeper relationships.

Q: What are the dangers of not taking the time to plan appropriately?

A common assumption by short term mission teams, is that the first thing on their to-do list is to raise money for travel. In fact, there are many more important things to do to plan for a short-term mission trip, such as exploring team's members' reasons for going, setting goals for the trip, learning about the host country and preparing for culture shock, discussing whether a trip is really the best way to steward your funds, and, then, raising money not only for your travel costs, but also to donate to the host organization's projects.

When a group does not plan appropriately, and has not adequately thought through their goals for the trip, members of the group can lose sight of the big picture and spend much of the trip being overwhelmed by unexpected events. If the group has prepared, maintains an attitude of flexibility, and focuses more on walking alongside people, rather than going to do work for people, than even big changes in circumstances will not ruin the trip, but add to the learning experience.

'Shine On'

Reflections and prayers for grassroots collaboration around cross-border trafficking issues in the region: celebrations of the past, and hope for the future.

Collaboration can be challenging, and I'll admit to say so.

At times doing what I think is best,

.......Alone,.......Can seem easier.

But the regional impact I've seen in the last year through people working together

Causes me to hold to the belief that

........it's

........always

........worth

........the

........extra

........efforts.

So this is my prayer. God, remind us daily of this greater, collective impact.

Help us to act

.......Collaboratively,.............Not-competitively,....................Willing to compromise {our paths, not our vision},...........................With open hearts that strive to include others,
And help us to continually hope for unity.
Thank you God for showing me how your power can shine brighter through people united-
Like last year, when cross-border talks happened and a grassroots safety net was created for protecting Cambodian migrant women exploited in Malaysia.

........God, shine on in our partner referrals.

Like today, when I saw networks of people communicating ideas & strategies back and forth.

........God, shine on in our daily communication.

And like next week, when a collective Call to Action statement will go public and the endorsements of over 60 regional civil society organizations will shout together for Cambodian & Malaysian governments to expeditiously put mechanisms of protection in place for migrant workers!!

........God, shine on in our shouts across the region.

And like next year, well I don't know exactly, yet, but I know God that you care about migrants and victims of trafficking & exploitation. You are and will take care of them.

Through us.

God, shine on.
May our trust match your faithfulness

and your light magnify
as we join hands with others.

God restore our hearts to trust each other,

........To see together what alone we only dream is possible.

Learning,
Hoping,
And praying,........Together.

Amen.

From Small Beginnings

Richard Branson said that it is amazing how long it takes to become an overnight success..

I was stood in the Chab Dai member meeting two weeks ago, looking out at more than 160 participants from more than 50 member organizations, remembering our small beginnings.

I am always inspired and encouraged by our member meetings but at this one, our fourteenth, I found myself reflecting on the past and how we got here.

The very first 'official' Chab Dai member meeting was held less than a week after we began in June 2005.

In many ways that was the most daunting meeting of all.. Not only was I organizing everything from logistics to food, chairing and note taking but this was the real test to see how much commitment and support there would be from these first twelve member organizations to the vision and goal of working together to end sexual abuse and trafficking.

We have experienced many successes and failures in the time between that first meeting and this month's fourteenth meeting. We have embarked on many ambitious projects - the most recent one being the Chab Dai Charter which in many ways epitomizes everything we have been working towards during these years - committing ourselves to excellence in all we do.

I am not only encouraged by the increase in participant and member numbers but more in hearing them share their commitment to excellence within their projects and organizations makes the vision more of a reality to those who we are committed to.. The care and long term healing for survivors and beyond that to inspiring new advocates among these survivors and their communities.

..the path to success is often marked by many failures and numerous lessons learned but as long as we keep the goal in sight, and are able to see how far we have come, it helps us keep going on this journey.

Still working - still hopeful

Helen

Follow Helen on Twitter @helen_chabdai

Church Group Raises Money to End Trafficking

A church group in Northern California organized a yard sale this month to raise money for Chab Dai projects. The group networked to collect clothes, purses, luggage, and books for the cause. Dave & Loni Ghiorso hosted the sale in their front yard two weekends in a row, and set out information about Chab Dai to tell customers that all sales would be donated to ending human trafficking & abuse. The group raised a total of $250!

Advocates like the Ghiorso's church group are valuable to our vision of ending trafficking in Cambodia. 100% of their donation was given to our newest project {Community Hero Project}. The project is supporting & equipping 25 local community leaders {we call them Heroes!} to educate fellow villagers & students about human trafficking & child protection. To help these Heroes transport the training resources easily on motorcycles in villages, their donation will buy large vinyl bags with the words "Community Hero" printed on the side.

This fall two members of the group, both accounting & business gurus, will be donating their time in Cambodia. They plan to train staff & project managers of grassroots organizations working to end trafficking {members of Chab Dai} about budgeting & leadership skills. We look forward to learning from them!

Hey Advocates! Do you want to learn more about how to fundraise for Chab Dai's projects in Cambodia, USA, or Canada &/or to volunteer your time {long-distance opportunities also available}. Email us today for more information: cambodia@chabdai.org OR usa@chabdai.org

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