I just came back from a "mission trip" to Cambodia - May 2-19. There were 23 young adults that went from our Church. We went to Cambodia to work with kids, bring a tonne of supplies and to help (mostly financially) with a building project. Sometimes I have questioned the value of these types of trips, and I still do at times - but I will leave that for another post. This whole experience affected me in ways I am just beginning to understand. I saw things there that you just don't see in North America - the poverty, the prostitution (VERY aggressive), the social needs. We may have a large problem with these things in North America, but we have found ways to hide them better so that middle class people like me don't have to see them too much. I found the needs impacted me so much, that I can't wrap my head around the needs I see here at home. We have meetings to discuss how we should change the programs at our church...my kids feel they "need" new things or more attention...my computer doesn't work right...I feel like I want a rest...things need fixing around the house...we have the same old discussions at church meetings that we have had since I got here...and I just feel like shouting, "STOP, don't you know that people are starving, that people suffer through crap everyday and we (I) am doing nothing about it! Can we just do something meaningful instead!" I get frustrated easily, and I think I am just starting to figure out why. Either it is because I just can not adjust back to real life for me, or I have been enlightened and it actually really sucks.
I feel as though I am about to have a fight with a bully, I fully expect this post to be read as hurtful and condemning to many. That may be the case but here goes anyway. I have long been frustrated by coffee drinkers. I realize that probably 95% of those who are in the blogosphere are those who are regular coffee drinkers, actually *ahem* probably not regular coffee drinkers, they are people who are very particular about the coffee they drink. Most times they take one sip of coffee and declare it to be horrible, or wonderful, or somewhere in between. They do NOT drink any free coffee, especially the coffee served at churches, they do not just go to the corner store for coffee, their coffee must meet very specific requirements and standards. If they make it at home they do not just use a coffeemaker, they must use a various assortment of grinders, presses, and perhaps going as far as to roast their own beans. I know that I am not cool for criticizing coffee drinkers and their habits,
Comments
I think we all need experiences that open our eyes and your short, but intense, time in Cambodia was one of those experiences. Prehaps that is what one of the purposes of short-term missions is: a way a encouraging long term action.
I agree pamela, that is definitely one of the purposes (porpoises) of an experience like that.
Phil, thanks for the encouragement...more frustration, I can't wait! I will check out that book, I have been wanting to read it.