When the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland erupted, few people payed much attention. However, in only a matter of a few days, the airline industry closed, impacting millions of travelers. I, as it turned out, just so happened to be one of those fortunate individuals who was stuck in Europe. Indeed, even after a week's delay, I am still in Romania awaiting a return flight to the United States (However, I am scheduled to fly home tomorrow, Lord willing). Since I have some time on my hands, I wanted to share a few thoughts with you concerning my trip to Romania and a few other items.
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In April, 2010, it was my great privilege to return for the third time to Romania to minister in a pastor’s conference and to preach in the local churches.
Some people believe that a short term mission trip is an exotic vacation. No one I know who has gone on a short term mission’s trip believes that for they know the challenges and deprivations of other nations compared to the comforts of life in America.
Some people believe that a short term mission trip is a waste of money which could better be spent by sending the money to the local missionary on the field or the welcoming church. The best response to such a misunderstanding is to ask pastors if this is true or if they want and welcome the personal presence of those who come to help, instruct, counsel, teach, and encourage them in their labors. There are items in life that money cannot buy. Money can never be a substitute for the loving effort to go and be with someone to let them know you care and help them in areas in which they need help. A cold and cynical attitude might be taken about other situations of life. Why not send the price of the plane ticket to the family of one who has died instead of spending money for a plane ticket and hotel reservations? After all, the person is dead so why “waste” good money? To all the nations I have travelled and to all the pastors I have visited on the mission fields, no one has ever suggested that American short term mission-minded people should stay home and send money as a replacement. Instead, all over the world, God’s people welcome and receive with love and kindness their brothers and sisters in Christ who have come to serve and help them and, even for a short time, enter into their lives.
Some people believe that a short term mission trip cannot accomplish much in a week. Again, those who are blessed by a concentrated and intense study of the Word of God think otherwise. They place a high value on the specialized teaching of Scripture or else they would not travel great distances and sit for hours each day for a week to hear gospel truths and information they can apply to their ministries. To the opponent’s and skeptics of short term mission trips the question comes, “What price would you put on receiving God’s Word?”
