Going on a mission trip can be dangerous, but so can coming back home.

We live in a culture that has a 24-hour news cycle that seems to be filled with nothing

but negative elements and danger around the world.  These images and elements alone often keep people from going and making disciples around the world.  We convince ourselves that it is “too dangerous” or we simply decide that we don’t have the resources or time and we will go “someday.”

While those concerns have some validity, I contend that going on a mission trip can be

dangerous in other, maybe even more, dangerous ways.

Going on a "trip" with the mindset of a tourist rather than a disciple to fulfill the great commission

At times I hear conversations, both in person and on social media of people talking

more about packing their bags, getting their passport stamped, or what they are going

to do on their “off” day compared to having a laser focus on the “mission” of their trip. 

Those details aren’t bad; but, it is imperative for short-term missionaries to remember

that the time they have is limited and in order to maximize it the mind must be kept on

the mission.

Coming home with pictures of things you built

Building things is not wrong but we must remember that the Great Commission is about

people.  A successful mission is one that keeps that focus.  When we are all gone from

this life and enter into the next, buildings will still be here.  They are great resources, but

they need to be a resource that leads to changed lives.  So if involved in building

projects, take great pictures…just include the people that it helped in your pictures. On

that same note, don’t fall into the trap of wanting to take a lot of pictures just to have

your next great profile picture or receive a record breaking number of Instagram likes.

There’s nothing wrong with letting social media know you had an incredible trip; just

make sure to have the right motives!

Return talking about what "we" did

When we answer the call of Christ to make disciples of all nations, we go in His

authority and the power of the Holy Spirit.  It is imperative for us to invite the Spirit to

work in us and through us.  As we return and share stories and testimonies it should

focus much more on what He did than what we did. “But you will receive power when

the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in

all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8

Checking your good deeds off your list

Years ago, I was returning from some work in Honduras. When I sat down on the plane,

I was sitting by a young man who was returning from his 2-year Mormon mission trip.  I

enjoyed talking with him about his time in country and all that entailed.  I asked him a

question about his return and what he would now do going forward related to his faith

and missions.  He laughed and said, “I have done my duty. I am now done and get to

live my life.”  He said his church will see that he did his work and then he will be free. I

found it an interesting response.  While it might not be said in those exact words, we

often say the same with our lives.  We go on mission trips and feel a sense that we did

something valuable, maybe even something we were “called” to do, but that was the

end of it.  We have done our duty, our good turn, our mission, and now we can go back

to our lives and our control.  This is a trap.  “Beware of practicing your righteousness

before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from

your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet

before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be

praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you

give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that

your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward

you. Matthew 6:1-4

Not being able to re-engage in a healthy way

When you see God move, it should affect you.  It should cause a stirring of the soul that

desires to see that change on a regular basis. Sometimes returning from a mission trip

can be frustrating because you want everyone else to “get it.”  The realization that they

have not seen and experienced what you did becomes very clear.  They continue to

focus on their day-to-day lives and while your body is present, your mind is still back

with kids in an African village or with your new friends in Asia.  Your mind plays a

continuous album of photos in your head.  You dream of just going back or you think of

plans to sell everything you have and move.  The deep thinker Dr. Seuss said it well,

“Don’t be sad it is over, be glad it happened.”  While we should always live a missional

life, sometimes that means having seasons of being in a different context.  Other times

it has us right where God has planted us for that life season.  Don’t live in the danger of

dreaming about going on a mission trip again. Step into the reality that as a Christ-

follower you and I are called to live a life on mission. If we are going to make disciples,

we should do this regardless of where we are.

Not sharing what happened

When you come home, don’t be afraid to share with your friends and family all that you

saw The Lord do on your mission trip.  Unfortunately, it can be easy to buy into the lie of

not wanting to bother people with all of your stories. You may have a thought like

“They’re probably tired of hearing me talk about my trip.”  However, sharing your stories

can be so powerful! When you retell your experience, God gets the glory and you keep

alive your memories. Don’t forget to write everything down! You’ll definitely want to

remember it all in a month or year or 10 years.

I encourage you to be careful not to let yourself fall into these dangers. More

importantly, don’t let these potential dangers keep you from going on a mission trip

altogether.  In Luke 9:23, Jesus gives the charge: “If anyone would come after me, let

him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”  As a Christ-follower you

are commanded to die to yourself and the desires of your flesh.  I am convinced that

there is no greater reward than following Jesus. With your heart and mind constantly set

on Jesus, the dangers of coming home from a mission trip won’t even be an issue. 

Take Him at His word, follow Him to the ends of the earth, and keep your eyes on Him

always.