The Power of Travel

Have you ever visited a foreign country? I’m not talking about visiting one to see the famous landmarks or wonders of the world. I’m talking about visiting a third world country so people can see and hear the love of Jesus.

I believe you should regularly visit a third world country. If you’ve never been, put it at the top of your list immediately.

Here is why…

1. To be Obedient

One of the last things Jesus said was to “go into all of the world…” (Matthew 28:19-20). He wasn’t talking about seeing the Eiffel Tower or the Pyramids. He had a purpose in mind of things you would be doing as you went. Can you guess what that would be?

I’m shocked how few Christians actually have a passport. What does that say about how seriously we take Jesus’ instruction to “go into all of the world”?

2. To Remind Me of Extreme Poverty

I’ve visited several third world countries and some more than once. Yet it is easy for me to forget what extreme poverty is like. By living in a country that has strong (but not perfect) social safety nets, I forget how a majority of the world lives because I’m not confronted with it daily. I need to be reminded of the sights, smells, and faces so I don’t become lulled into complacency. My world is not the world.

Last week I was in Haiti and we visited this home where a kind grandmother lives and is the sole provider for her young grandson. She was just living in a tent and some men from the church and project we sponsor built her a house about 2/3 bigger than what is pictured. Something she could have never done on her own.

She had the wall on the right put up so she could rent out the other side to have a little income. She now lives with her grandson in this one room. Grandmother goes to bed every night not sure where their next meal will come from. She is happy to have ONE meal a day. I left with so many questions…Where do they get water? Where is the restroom? Who will take care of her grandson as she ages?

People can talk a great game about poverty but yet do nothing to change it. I’ve heard crass comments like… “I pay my taxes, that’s how I help the poor.” I’ve also had people justifying their lack of global involvement with “We have plenty of poor people in our own backyard,” which is a valid point that said person does nothing about either. I’m not saying OR…(help the poor in our backyard OR globally)…I’m saying AND.

You can help change one person’s world, and as everyone starts doing that the world begins to change. I can guarantee that if you do nothing, nothing will change. If you do something, something will change.

The one difference between my country and third world countries is that there are safety nets in place to help people who are in need. Here are just a few in my region. You can even dial 2-1-1 and be connected with someone to get you all kinds of help. In other countries there is nothing. In fact the community we partner with in Haiti has an unemployment rate of 80%! It’s called extreme poverty for a reason.

It’s easy to say, “Teach a man to fish and he will eat for the rest of his life.” Of course the big assumption is that there is actually a place to fish.

So what are you specifically doing to help the poor? It matters. Why not start by sponsoring a child through Compassion. My family sponsors 2. (1 John 3:17,18; Prov. 14:31; Prov. 19:17; Prov. 22:9; Prov. 28:27; Matt. 25:34-36; Luke 3:11; Gal. 2:10; James 1:27)

3. To Learn

By just being able to read this blog, you are in the top 1-3% of the wealthiest in the world. Arrogantly we can believe we have nothing to learn from others who have less material possessions than us. We may be rich in commodities, but we are poor in community. I have much to learn from my sisters and brothers about community.

The number 1 question someone wants to know before they go on a “missions” trip is “What are we going to do?” The question betrays our heart that the other country has nothing to give or teach us. I think the best trips aren’t so much about doing, but about being. What if you went with a student mindset, instead of a savior mindset?

One thing I learned (again) on this recent trip is that joy isn’t dependent upon your circumstances. If it was, no one would ever smile, laugh, or sing in Haiti because by our measurement there is nothing to be happy about. Maybe our measurement is flawed.

4. To Visit My Friends

The number 1 question I get when I come back from a trip is “What did you do?” The question feels a little strange. I wouldn’t be asked that question if I went to visit my grandmother. I would be asked a more relational question like, “How is she?” The goal of visiting my grandparents isn’t about doing, but being.

Maybe the problem is we view “mission work” as exchanging goods and services instead of creating relationships and making new friends. When you have friends and partners instead of sponsors and donors it changes the relationship. No longer are you the white savior of the world, you’re just one friend helping another in a two-way relationship.

One of the things I love about being a follower of Jesus Christ is I have instant friends in any city of the world I visit. Wherever I go I have friends because of my faith. I can always find a church who will welcome me in and if I’m in need will help me. You can’t say that about any other group or corporation. It’s amazing to think you will never be alone no matter where you might move or travel. My family is world-wide and I’ve got a lot of family I’ve yet to meet.

5. To Expand My Horizons

When you leave your borders you find that the borders of your heart expand. It’s easy to think our world is THE world. It’s not. My country isn’t even the center of Christianity. God is doing amazing things all around the world, just like He said He would. Visiting my brothers and sisters in another country gives me a picture of what Heaven will be like as I stand with others from every tribe and tongue around the world.