Highview Evangelical Presbyterian

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Pastor's Corner
Posted by: Dennis Farnsworth on Tue Sep 02 2008

No matter where she travels, or the activity which engages her, Rachel Porter finds mission opportunities. She has fasted for World Vision. She has labored to make people aware of the Lost Children of Argentina. She served on Group Workcamps' staff last summer in Puerto Rico. She has participated in four (?) mission trips from Highview. She has served many meals at the Rescue Mission.

While studying abroad in Costa Rica last year, she worked at an elementary school in San Jose. She fell in love with the students and teachers. She empathized with their impoverished conditions. When she returned home for Christmas, she asked our church to donate supplies and money. We gave $500. Rachel sent us pictures of the enthused teachers, and a relationship was forged.

Rachel later contacted Group Workcamps to see if they might make the school a future project site. Group came to investigate and spoke with local authorities. In the end, Group chose to refurbish an orphanage rather than the school. Who can argue? The school's hopes for help were dashed. Miss Porter's hopes were dimmed only momentarily. She thought, as only the young and the reckless can think, maybe Highview can take on this project. So she called her parents. Then she called the pastor.

Exposed to several articles and a couple of talks on missions this past year, I have grown skeptical about churches and foreigh mission trips. Why not send money so the local church could hire their own people to do the labor? That boosts employment. When we bring in so many donated supplies, do we steal sales from local merchants? How effective can people be if they don't know the language or customs and must rely on a scant few translators? Unless we have medical or engineering skills, are we more trouble than we are worth given the amount of time the local church must spend in organizing our activities and travel? Last, do we sponsor these trips to be exotic or to compete with those churches deemed exotic? If I could not be helpful, if a native (local) group did not have a clear purpose and desire for our church, if it would be better to simply send money, I was inclined to decline further trips.

Along came Rachel's plan. She said the school and its principal are begging for us to come and paint. Could we do some light carpentry work, like window installation? The teachers are willing to work alongside us and donate what they can for supplies. The government doesn't have time for these poor people. Won't we come? The local church with its English speaking pastor want to join us. Won't we come? August 2009 would be a perfect time to say yes. What's God say to you?

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