One of the most frequently asked questions we are asked is,

"Can I participate in a short term mission trip and help?"

Watch your toes!

We may  step on a few.

 NOTE: 2018 has brought political turmoil to our adopted country & people are not currently making trips.  The following is food for thought for anyone considering traveling to another country for a weeklong trip.

We want to take a moment and answer this question honestly and candidly.

First of all, we appreciate the fact that people are sometimes emotionally touched by the work that God has called us to do in Nicaragua.  It shows that they are sensitive human beings and desire to be a part of making a difference in the lives of the poor.  That is a noble attribute BUT what about a short term mission trip.... 

At what cost?  

A trip to Nicaragua including airfare, hotel, meals, transportation, etc is a minimum of $1500 per person for a week!  A "trip" for a week or so may provide YOU with a memorable experience but what more?  

Will you meet missionaries, pastors, and those who have dedicated their lives to making disciples and ultimately helping the poor help themselves?  Will you ask them what is their greatest need and be determined to help meet that need?

Upon your return to the U.S.A. will you give MORE, even if it means changing your lifestyle,  to those dedicated people you met who need your monetary and prayer support  to continue the work they have been called to do?

We want to tell you something!  The people of Nicaragua have two most desperate needs (among many):

1.  To dedicate themselves to Jesus Christ and be discipled which takes  LONG TERM commitment.

2.  To have a JOB so they can feed their families.

We know dozens of men & women in Nicaragua who have carpentry skills, masonry ability, can paint, can make repairs, can sew, cook, etc.  If there is a project that needs doing - we are morally obligated to pay Nicaraguans to do it.

Many people involved in a trip to Nicaragua are "put to work" doing jobs like these.  We actually know of a church in northern Nicaragua that has been painted no less than 5 times in the past year - - -by short term "Missions" groups.  Please, think about this!  Why are Nicaraguans not doing these jobs?

Children at a SHELTER are not a tourist attraction.  We know you'd like to put your own arms around them and show them your caring concern BUT we must ask you to consider "WHAT IS BEST FOR THESE CHILDREN?"

We know directors of other SHELTERS in Nicaragua who have allowed groups to "visit" regularly.  Not only do the children begin to depend on the "Gringos" to bring them gifts and candy, those Shelters have become a target for thieves when visiting teams are there.  Many of the children now want iphones, cameras, & express discontentment when one might be favored over another, etc.  Isn't it more beneficial to provide the $ necessary for the children's care & avoid the endless cycle of meet & greet with no opportunity to form meaningful, lasting relationships?   

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY for the Kingdom's sake!

What kind of "decisions" are actually being made in response to short term teams' presentations?  After all, it is just "good manners" in Nicaragua to respond to an invitation given.  Surely your heart's desire is that people make a "REAL, LIFE-CHANGING COMMITMENT" to our Jesus - - not just a response as an act of courtesy or desire to please.  If you do not even speak the Spanish language in order to effectively communicate with another person, how can you possibly talk about real heart matters and share the profound eternal truth of the Gospel? Where will you be when that person needs questions answered, scriptures clarified, fellowship, discipleship? 

We want to tell you a story:  Years ago a group of 65 young people from Canada unexpectedly showed up on our island.  They had come to Nicaragua on a "short term mission trip".  They were spending their last day in Nicaragua "touring" the Islands.  We were exhausted from the needs of 3000 people 24/7 but we took the time to "entertain" that group and were overwhelmed as we learned the details of their trip. 

First of all they had spent $1500 EACH for the trip!  We want you to understand that the people we work with in the Islands have a YEARLY income of @$1000 IF they're doing very well.....Most live on $1 a DAY!  Do the math! Those young people had spent a total of $97,500 for a week long "trip". 

Secondly - they may have "toured" the Islands but saw NOT beyond the geographical beauty of the country to the pressing needs of the people who live there.  In an effort to have an "experience" and feel like they'd done something productive while there, many hadn't even spoken to a Nicaraguan while there!

And most importantly what had they accomplished while there?  They had painted a church and presented a couple of human videos!

Please! Understand that a church building can be BUILT for less than $97,500 in Nicaragua!! (the church in the Islands was built in 1997 for
$26,000)  A permanent house for a desperate family costs less than $5000.  The annual budget for FISH is only @$65,000!!!

We were absolutely flabbergasted as we talked with that group!  What for "Heaven's sake" was someone thinking?!

IN CONCLUSION:

PLEASE, please consider VERY carefully your involvement in a "short term mission trip". In our humble opinion the words "Short term" coupled with "Mission" is an oxymoron. 

Find long term missionaries or an organization you believe in!  Support them with your generous contributions! 

Pray for those on the "frontlines" like Walter and Zayda.

As a Bible professor once told us, "$end the Gospel! Take out the $ sign and see what's left!"

We encourage you to read the following book and article:

"When Helping Hurts" by Steve Corbett

"Why Most Mission Trips are a Waste of Time" by Noel Becchetti

To those of you who have given so generously to the ministry of FISH, we certainly encourage you to come and visit us IF you want to "see for yourself" how we are spending the donations of FISH.  That would be considered an Accountability visit and we welcome that when peace is restored & it is safer to travel to Nicaragua.

Something that we did not mention in answer to the question, "Can I participate in a short term mission trip and help?" is that entertaining groups takes a missionary away from what they are in Nicaragua to do!  It takes a tremendous amount of time, energy and resources to take care of a visiting group.  There ARE actually some people who do NOTHING but that!  Their actual "mission" is to be a travel agent for short term groups. Is that missions?

Before the current turmoil, there were no less than 8 trips a year from our hometown of Kingsport, TN and hundreds of trips from other communities across the United States.  Nicaragua had become THE destination!  It was close, affordable, was relatively safe, and the people are friendly BUT  is a lasting difference actually being made or are funds diverted from LONG TERM ministries?

As business owners and self-funded missionaries, we cannot help but think of the extraordinary amount being spent for "trips" and the housing, medical, and evangelism needs that could be met by the same amount.  More families' living conditions could be permanently improved and lives changed for eternity with that kind of support!

We are also mindful of other traditional missionaries (those who depend on the support of others to live in another country) who are spending 1-2 years of their lives AWAY from the country God has called them  in an effort to raise enough $ to return to the field!  If just two "short term" groups from Kingsport alone were to give those travel funds instead of going on a trip- - - those missionaries would already be back where they are so desperately needed!

It takes courage to develop relationships with people long term - - -to know their struggles, to share in their sorrow, to lead them in the Way of the Master. 

As Jesus said, "The poor will always be with you." Many live near you as well. No, they may not have the physical and material needs of those in Nicaragua, but they certainly have the Spiritual needs!   One must leave their "comfort zone" to reach out to them and form lasting relationships no matter what the cost.  It will be frustrating, it will discourage you at times, it certainly will not be easy but it's what Jesus wants.

It's one thing to visit the poor and develop a romantic notion that their mindset and struggles are different because they're in Nicaragua!  A quick visit will not reveal the bitterness, fear, depravity and utter hopelessness many are experiencing.  They have more self-control than that!

It's another thing altogether to live among them long term, love them inspite of the difficulties and eventually call them "brother" or "sister" because of what Christ has done in both your lives!  And! To go on loving the unlovable who remain in their "lostness"!

Unless GOD has called you to serve HIM by committing your life to people in another country - - - please open your eyes to the poor among us and share the love of Jesus where you live.

We encourage the Body of Christ to THINK!

Is it really worth using $ to visit Nicaragua for a week when those funds are desperately needed by those who have dedicated their lives to serve the people of Nicaragua? 

Do you actually believe that a warm smile from a wealthy (yes! you are wealthy!) North American is an adequate  replacement for food or medicines that could have been provided long term to people in need?

Is the renewed spiritual vigor you may feel better than making life style changes so you might give sacrificially & make possible a long term difference?

Consider the real COST of a trip to Nicaragua.  If you can GO and GIVE - please do! But if you cannot do BOTH, then GIVE!

Someone once asked Mother Teresa if they could travel to India to help.  She asked, "You have enough money to pay for a trip to India?"  They answered, "Yes!"  Her reply was, "Then you must give that money so we can carry on the work God has called us to do!"

AMEN.