Dan says he often hears people say, “I want to go on this mission trip and make a difference. But why is it so expensive?”
Well, this is what I often hear in my neighborhood. But did you notice that inflation is at near record levels over the past two years?? My own boss says airfares are costing about 40% more this year than last…40%!!!
I sat and prayed over this very matter, even spoke with people who are fully involved in overseas missions, spent time with career missionaries, short-termers too, and finally came with an answer that I think is beyond any reasonable doubt. If Jesus calls you to go, there is only one answer…Go!
Here is a mission trip quandry I believe we have all pondered at one point: I don’t understand how a mission trip can cost more than “I think it should.”
Keep in mind, that it is far less expensive for people from North America to serve in Mexico or the Bahamas or the Caribbean than it is to serve just about anywhere in African countries. On the other hand, it’s not so expensive for a Romanian believer to travel to Israel as it is for an average American to do the same. The same is true for believers from Germany or France to serve in Kenya as compared to one to serve from let’s say, California. Frankly, I wish the poorest of the poor that we serve in this ministry were really close by since it would be a lot less expensive to reach out to them; but they are not. We are reaching and serving those God has specifically called us to serve. So if cost is your only consideration, then consider if this is a true call of God, And if so, then seek a ministry that is close to home, and go do it, but make sure that you are meeting the same mission that Jesus put on your heart.
Why to Pay The Cost – Are you folks nuts ?
Sometimes because we only breathe and volunteer with our bare hands we think we are qualified to go in a mission trip overseas. Just because a country was on our bucket list we simply want to go. Some of us we haven’t seen our home country in years and when we see a short term mission trip opportunity to our home country – we want to jump in! How sweet!
Some other times we do not trust the organisation that organizes the trip. And this is reasonable. So please start digging. Read reviews, make a phone call, communicate through email. Ask as many questions as you want. But do not hide under that cold and comfortable “I simply don’t trust this”, without doing your homeworks. If there’s a will there’s a way we say, isn’it?
Why to Pay the Cost – The core of it
If it is to look upon the place where the mission started, where the heart of the missions is, well that is at the Cross. At Calvary. We do not have any excuses as Christians to look back when it comes about paying the costs. The highest of the highest prices has been payed for my Salvation, that I already know that I cannot repay it. It may be true but some of us are taking Christianity for granted. Some of us believe that it’s enough to look into the opposite direction and the propblems of the world are solved. Aren’t we pharisieistic and blindfolded by life?
The perspective that Jesus had was to serve. And such overlooked and ignored is His command to make disciples to the end of the earth. His mission field were people next to him, just because He wanted to offer a strong conviction in His disciples lives so they would become that unstoppable force that would turn around that brutal Roman Empire, to penetrate cultures and civilisations over the ages.
Why to Pay the Cost – The Readiness
Here I am, send Me! We often are using Jesus’s words in our eloquent prayers, but the real deal is that we are not ready to go anywhere there is a cost that would cost us our comfort, our financial stability, our morning Starbucks Cofee routine, our subscription to Netflix or to a such a handy Prime.
I am ready if it’s cheap enough for me to go.
I am ready if it’s free for me to go. If there are no questions asked. If there are no forms to fill. If I will be invited as The Showman, I might go and come back the same I went.
In the Garden of Ghetsemaneh the readiness of Jesus brought Him into bleeding tears. But in the end He expressed that unforgetable saying that brought us back to the heart Of God. And that was… Thy will be done, not mine.
When it comes to readiness, let’s pray these two prayers combined: Here I am Send Me. But Thy will be done, not mine.
Why to pay the cost? Is it any worth in it?
This is one of the most over used enemy tactics. To make you doubt. To doubt about your contribution to The Kingdom Of God. To be fearful that you might become a part of something bigger than you are.
Yes but we will on the field for 9 days you might say. What major change was made in 9 days?
This is a wrongfully asked question. You are going to serve your best for 9 or 10 or 12 or however days, not to change environments, people or beliefs. The change can be made with or without you. The change belongs to the Lord. The question is are you willing to become a part of that change? Will The Lord use your life in order to revive a forgotten tribe in Kenya? Or will you start serving a jewish Rabbi just because you might become the only Christian witness of Messiah’s love? Would you go in a remote area of Romania just for the sake of seeing people treated right maybe for the first time ever?
If you can’t get a miracle, be one!
Why to Pay The Cost – Conclusion
There is not a simple answer to this question. But I think we covered some of our younger generation questionsand fears. I know this message will reach out to them and that they will answer in repentance and action. Just for the sake of Christ The Lord. And if you want to come with us on a Short Term Mission Trip to Romania, Kenya, Israel or Mexico, APPLY HERE.
You will also need a travel insurance so we recommend to purchase one that suits you best from our partners.
We will be in touch with you shortly after.
Get off that couch and do something meaningful with your life!
