Should I Stay Or Should I Go?
One of the ongoing debates we hear is whether it’s wise to spend the money traveling to Uganda so much. Wouldn’t it be a more efficient use of resources if we just sent funds over? That way more people could be served. I mean, painting a building or installing gutters can be done by just about anyone, right?
This is certainly a question of stewardship but it’s also a reflection of our western mentality to maximize time and money. God’s economy is a little different though. Yes, good stewardship of resources is critically important, but in our mind there’s no substitute for being present. Our God is relational. He didn’t send a check or wire funds. He sent His Son, in the flesh, to dwell among His people.
By being present, we bless others in ways that money can’t. I can buy a meal for you or I can sit down and break bread with you. The latter is a picture of the Kingdom and much more encouraging to the brethren. Rather than simply receiving food, they receive the encouragement and support of knowing that someone cares enough to show up. That’s huge! Especially when you’re in prison. Matt. 25:36.
Also, by being there, God blesses us. I wish we could recount all the incredible blessings we’ve received simply by spending time with the children and our friends in Uganda. Not necessarily by doing anything for them, but by just being with them. They encourage us as much (if not more) than we encourage them, and the body is strengthened as we share our experiences with our friends back home.
Could we save more money by not going? Absolutely. Is our God big enough to provide the resources we need to carry out the ministry He’s called us to (including travel)? You bet He is.
We should emphasize that our desire is for as much of the ministry’s funds to be spent on behalf of the children. So we made a conscious decision that everyone pays his own way to travel to Uganda. No ministry funds are used for team members to travel there, leaving more resources for the children.
Yes it’s expensive to travel to Uganda and we exercise wisdom in planning our travel. But we still go.
6 Responses to “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?”
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I once thought the best use of money for missions was to send the funds rather than short-term missionaries.
Then I went to Ethiopia. Now I know just how much we, as Americans, need to see how rich we are while others are hungry. We need people to go to Africa…people who will return to their home congregations and to their jobs and their neighborhoods and share what they saw with any and everyone who will listen. I asked the Lord to open my eyes and heart to everything He wanted me to see and learn. He did just that and now I am starting an Adoption Advocacy/Orphan Care Ministry in our congregation. Go and tell – let the Lord do the math!
Great points that totally hit the nail on the head, and could apply to adoption as well. I’ve heard that question come up multiple times–wouldn’t it be better to help more people by donating that $25,000 or $35,000 or whatever it costs to some big project, than to just adopt one child? I may link to your post soon–LOVE it!
Dear friends ,
i like this post and its incredibly wonderful but i should also say that whenever the sixty feet team comes to Uganda we who are on the ground doing the work are encouraged so so much.
1. we get so stressed up when we are constantly meeting the kids listening and hearing all sorts of sad stories from the kids and the staff there. Your comming is a big big ignition to our work and efforts being redirected and channelled by these teams coming.
2. when the team comes on ground the feel of the reports we make on line are confirmed and the course of action in the US is dicussed from an experience point of view,this is great for our work to go on.
We need people from the team coming to uganda and we really appreciate every effort for this trips.I am evcouraged by them and the kids too are encouraged and know that there are people who care about them.
Please come as frequent as possible ,may God grant you the resources
I am very encouraged by your post. There seems to be a current trend in the missionary community to blast short term missions as harmful to the communities and people they visit and detrimental to the “on the ground” people. It sounds as though you disagree with this position. Will be coming to Uganda some time this year. Hope to see some of you, instead of just reading about your work.
You should goooooooo
I will GO, and Go often. Your post reminds me of some of the things David Platt writes in Radical.
The entire plan for the future of early church was left in the hands of 11 men. Jesus was intentionally RELATIONAL with them. I was saved at the age of 32 because certain people in my life were relational with me.
I keep growing as a christan because others encourage me.
Pouring ourselves into each other is our small part and the Holy Spirit carries the rest of the load
Great Words of Wisdom Dan!! thank you for the encouraging words