Mission trips?

[GARYC24 3]

Anyone ever do any missionary volunteer trips?
As in church group youth/adult mission trips?
Probably not this year (not much vacation time)
But definately next year I planning on doing a week or two..maybe Mexico?
They usually help build houses, structures, paint, etc.
There are some missionary trips one can book as if your going to a travel agency!

[Nightingale 0]

nope.

if people want to discuss religion with me, that's fine, if they come to me and ask. I will not go to them.

personally, I disagree with that kind of preaching. I feel that ringing doorbells doesn't do much other than annoy folks, and that helping them build a house, but making them listen to you preach as a condition thereof makes it less of a good deed and more of serving your own purpose. If you want to help someone build a home, help them build a home, with no ulterior motive.

when people feel a need for religion in their lives, they will come seeking. just be ready when they ask, because forcing it down their throats usually leaves a bitter taste behind.

Its kind of funny... the most successful people I've ever seen recruit others to their church did nothing save live their lives... people came to them.

[indyz 1]

Quote

nope.

if people want to discuss religion with me, that's fine, if they come to me and ask. I will not go to them.

personally, I disagree with that kind of preaching. I feel that ringing doorbells doesn't do much other than annoy folks, and that helping them build a house, but making them listen to you preach as a condition thereof makes it less of a good deed and more of serving your own purpose. If you want to help someone build a home, help them build a home, with no ulterior motive.

when people feel a need for religion in their lives, they will come seeking. just be ready when they ask, because forcing it down their throats usually leaves a bitter taste behind.

Its kind of funny... the most successful people I've ever seen recruit others to their church did nothing save live their lives... people came to them.

Although I am not a Christian, I have taken part in several Christian mission trips (how that happened is a long story and not really relevent to this thread). We went to Appalachia and worked on the homes of poor families for a week. The way this group found families to help was by taking applications from the families themselves. All religions were accepted. There was absolutely no preaching. It was actually expressly forbidden by the group's rules.

Edit to add: I think maybe you are confused about the differences between the type of mission trips that Gary is talking about and "traditional" missionary work.

My experience in Appalachia was almost totally positive. Good people (both the volunteers and locals), absolutely gorgeous scenery, and the work was definately rewarding. I'd do it again. My parents enjoy it so much they've volunteered to help youth groups on mission trips every year for the last four years.

[Beerlight 0]

Gary,

I've never personally went on any of these type of trips. But, I've some close friends that go several times per year. They just departed two days ago for somewhere in Central America. If you like, when they return I can get you some info?

Buck

[Nightingale 0]

the trip you speak of sounds like an excellent experience.

My parents' church goes down to Mexico to build houses, and so much preaching goes on that it makes the recipients of the "generosity" very uncomfortable. Its those kind of "missions" that I object to.

If your motive is to assist rather than convert, I applaud your efforts.

[Douva 0]

Quote

the trip you speak of sounds like an excellent experience.

My parents' church goes down to Mexico to build houses, and so much preaching goes on that it makes the recipients of the "generosity" very uncomfortable. Its those kind of "missions" that I object to.

If your motive is to assist rather than convert, I applaud your efforts.

"It doesn't matter whether you're selling Jesus or Buddha or civil rights or 'How to Make Money in Real Estate With No Money Down.' That doesn't make you a human being; it makes you a marketing rep. If you want to talk to somebody honestly, as a human being, ask him about his kids. Find out what his dreams are--just to find out, for no other reason. Because as soon as you lay your hands on a conversation to steer it, it's not a conversation anymore; it's a pitch. And you're not a human being; you're a marketing rep." (Danny DeVito as Phil Cooper in The Big Kahuna, written by Roger Rueff)

In a past life I was a very devoute Christian, and I knew a lot of people who seemed to get a lot out of these types of mission trips. Unfortunately, the church's propensity for turning followers into some pious variant on Amway salesman was more than I could take.

I don't have an M.D. or a law degree. I have bachelor's in kicking ass and taking names.