So I finally get to go to Japan...this sucks!

[rocketpig]

sapphi_snake said:

rocketpig said:

sapphi_snake said:

mrstickball said:

JC could answer it a bit more exactly, but the answer is 'kinda'.

A missions trip primarily involves giving aid to people in a country that have a lack of it. For example, a lot of missions trips may be to help build an orphanage, or school, or take a group of doctors/nurses to a country that has a lack of medical care.

In addition to the aid, they try to share the message of Jesus with the people as well. Of course, they render aid/help regardless of belief, and will not discriminate against those that don't agree with them.

Most American churches support this kind of activity. The church I go to sponsors a local nurse to travel to Mozambique for 6 months out of the year to help with their medical care. They support 4 other missionaries, but that is the only one I can think of off the top of my head.

In other words it's all a conversion ploy to prey on the poor people of third world countries.

It's more than you're doing. I really doubt starving children care if they're handed a Bible and taught about Jesus Christ just so long as they get some fucking food to go along with it (or an education, medical care, etc etc etc).

They're not doing it for such great reasons, and they can't claim moral superiority for that.

The end result is that poor people are getting the aid they need. That's what matters.

My uncle sends $500/month to Kenya and makes a trip once or twice a year to a small village there. Because of him, about 30 Kenyan children are housed, educated, fed, receive medical care, and are safe from the various dangers that run rampant through that region. He's also Captain Christian and goes there to teach the children his faith in Christ. Do I agree with his religion? No, not at all.

On the other hand, it's his faith. His life is completely intertwined with the teachings of Christ. I doubt he could imagine a situation where it doesn't pervade his life so he brings that religion to those children. And exactly what is it that Christ teaches? Love, compassion, forgiveness, etc. How is that a bad thing? I don't agree with it personally but I'm not going to sit high-and-mighty in front of a computer and talk down his efforts to help children because he's out there doing it. I'm not. At the end of the day, those 30 kids are safe and educated because of his deeds. End of story.