Rethinking Missions While Support Raising

The other night, my wife Karena and I went to the home of a dear friend of ours, Ms. Elisabeth.  She grew up in Germany and has been widowed for several years now.  As we spent several hours sharing about our story and vision, and asking for support, we learned a valuable lesson.

During the time that we resigned from being local-church youth ministers, and just before God led us to work with YouthHOPE, we applied at several mission organizations.  One was: Samaritan’s Purse.  They are an International Christian relief and evangelism organization which provides spiritual and physical aid to victims of war, poverty, natural disaster, and disease.  Most people, who have heard of SP, are familiar with their successful shoebox ministry: “Operation Christmas Child.”  Not only was Ms. Elizabeth familiar with it, she was actually 5 years old when she received a shoebox at Christmas time.  Her brother got a box as well.

For the past 7 years, our local church has participated in the shoebox ministry.  Every year, the same dear lady would get up and advocate for the cause.  I recall her words, “Just go to the dollar store, take your list they give you, purchase the items:  toothbrushes, toothpaste, toys, books, etc.”  As I would hear these words, I was stirred to action.  As Ms. Elizabeth heard these words, she was stirred to frustration.  “Why do we point people to the dollar store?” she asked me.  “The toys at the dollar store fall apart before the box ever gets to the other country.  I remember my brother opening his box and seeing a car, but the wheels had fallen off before he ever played with it,” she said.  “Kids in other countries don’t have toys so why not give them a nice toy to play with?  Something that’s made well that will last?  Are they not worth it?”  I sat astonished.  I had never thought of it that way before.  She continued, “In addition, why are we sending them a toothbrush and toothpaste?  Is that really what they need?  Underwear, yes.  Shirts, yes.  But toothpaste?  For what?  What about 2 months from now when it runs out?  What have we really done?”  I was speechless.  Ms. Elizabeth had the right perspective and the authority to challenge the methodology.  She concluded, “Justin, I just think it’s better to send nothing at all if you aren’t going to send something nice – something decent the child can enjoy for more than a day or two.”  Wow.

At 29 years old, my wife and I are rethinking missions.  At 70+ years old, Ms. Elizabeth is rethinking missions.  In our 3^rd year as an organization, YouthHOPE is rethinking missions.  As we go in to the nations and minister to youth globally, the words of our Lord ring ever more true, “My ways are not your ways, My thoughts are not your thoughts.  As high as the heavens are above the earth, so far are My thoughts and ways above your thoughts and ways.”  Isaiah 55:8-9 (NKJV)