SERVING WITH EYES WIDE OPEN by David A. Livermore was required reading by Global Partners, and nearly talked me into abandoning our plans to go to Africa. If there had not been several strong memorials over several years that made it clear this was the time, there is no way we would be going.
Livermore writes his goal in the book is to “open our eyes to existing blind spots in global missions, specifically short-term missions. I want to change the way we see and therefore do short-term missions.” (page 13) The book confirmed a number of the suspicions I have always had regarding short-term mission trips. Exaggerated testimonies from returning pastors and groups, mischaracterizations and misrepresentation of cultures, the imposition of western ideals in the name of the Gospel… I did not agree with everything in the book, but when I finished reading it was immediately resolved to recommend this book not only to everyone thinking of embarking on a short-term mission trip BUT JUST AS IMPORTANTLY, to everyone thinking of supporting someone going on a short-term missions trip. With American churches now spending as much on short-term missions trips as support for long term missionaries, I think it vital.
It is with fear and trembling we travel at the end of March. I hope and pray God will help us to direct our thoughts and so our cameras and pens to relate stories that are authentic. I may refer to other excerpts of Livemore’s book in future posts, but here is one paragraph that I am trying to internalize as an editorial guideline before we leave:
“Here’s what some African church leaders said when asked what they wanted most to say to American churches: ‘Please raise our dignity before the Christians and citizens of North America. We are not naïve, backward, and ignorant black people. Instead we are your brothers and sisters in the family of God who are seeking to be faithful to his calling in our lives.’” (page 169)
