WHY GO ON A MISSION TRIP?

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WHY GO ON A MISSION TRIP?
Why do we go on mission trips? Why go to the third world when we could stay home with water we can drink from the tap, paved roads and interstate highways, clean bathrooms, showers with lots of hot water, central heating and air conditioning, and all the other luxuries we are used to having.

Many people say it’s because we have so much, we “ought to” or “should” share with those less fortunate. That may be so. But most of the people returning from mission trips talk of sharing, of giving and of getting. Sometimes all we get is love and affection, and often gratitude. But there’s more. There is also God’s call. We’ve been called to serve and we aren’t satisfied until we do and then the return is so satisfying. We have fed that hunger and feel full.

My rheumatologist has gone on 30 mission trips to Honduras, twice a year for 15 years. On the last trip, in a bouncing school bus on dirt roads on a very long drive from the airport to the mission destination, he wrote the following poem. I have his permission to share it with you.

Mission

Why do I go to a place far away?
With bumpy roads and very hot days.
With mosquitoes and bugs and things that bite,
And terrible fatigue when finally it’s night.
But why did I say at my first week’s end,
"I certainly would like to do that again!"

Cause a friend of mine, once said to me,
"I’ll show you a place God wants you to be."
"A place with dust and dirt and grime,"
"But it’ll steal your heart, as it has mine."

And the poverty and sickness was certainly appalling,
But I worked with others to make things better,
And the people that were there, we worked together.

Now things are better in the place where I went,
And I was so glad it was me that God sent.
Cause the friends I have made there in the time I’ve grown old,
Have given me pleasure in the depths of my soul.

Now I know why at every week’s end,
I say to myself, "I’ll go there again.”

By Hugh Spruell
Dedicated to the June 2006 - Cannon UMC - Mission Team

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Comments

[Spook]

Good poem. Creative rheumotologist with a big heart and strong faith. Wishing you good focusing during these last weeks/days of preparation for your take-off to China!

[goodsue]

Thanks, Spook
Spook, thanks. I am SO GLAD to get your comments. Supportive during this time of great change. You're something else!! Susie