Mission Groups

Before I moved to Mexico, coming here each summer on the Salem Presbytery mission trip had become the highlight of my year. It recharged me, helped keep my life in perspective, and let me re-connect with the folks here that I had come to know and love. Now, as a full-time volunteer with Hebron Foundation, I get to go on all the mission trips! So, one of the really fun things I get to do is to work with groups that come from the US.

This week we have had a group of 8 seminary students from Pittsburg Theological Seminary. They came to visit indigenous churches in Chiapas and to be matched with seminarians from the Presbyterian Seminary of the South for a weekend at that student’s home church. Several of the students from both schools will graduate in May and begin their ministry this summer.

My role with groups is a combination of camp counselor, tour guide, business manager, driver, translator (don’t laugh), project co-worker, cook and host. Hebron has eleven groups scheduled for this year with room for more in the fall.

I believe a universal truth with groups that go on mission trips, either domestic or international, is that they intend to serve the people of the community, village or country they visit. Many times individuals say they are going “to help those poor people in…(insert destination).” At some point during the group’s time with their hosts, they usually realize that they are being served much more than serving. The individuals are receiving more than they are giving.

If they realize that, then I believe the experience has been a success. They have come to realize that “it’s not about the project.” While it is important to help a community build a church, school, water system, or provide health care with a medical team, I believe the project is secondary to a larger purpose. I believe these trips are about humbling yourself, getting out of your comfort zone, being served by fellow Christians whose standard of living is much lower than your own and opening yourself up to the presence of God in all situations.

This group has been true to that model. They have been humbled by the faith of Christians persecuted for their beliefs. They have been served the wonderful meals prepared with the best a small impoverished village had to offer. They have felt the presence of God as they ministered to each other, ministered to two orphaned children, and as they have been lovingly received by total strangers at each church they visited.

This group returns to Pittsburg tomorrow as converts to foreign mission - eager to involve their new churches in this life changing experience. One student has felt a call to return and minister here when he graduates. I’d say this trip was a success!

Below you'll see a "reprint" of an email sent home by a member of this group to family and friends describing their experiences as mission travelers. Pleaseread on to get their perspective!