Healthcare mission trips (HMTs) are not the most effective forms of service and evangelism. HMTs often make the mistake of treating the patient’s body without treating the patient’s spirit. Many countries are suffering from much more simple natural causes such as dehydration and sanitation, and something as simple as digging a well could be the most effective type of evangelism. Each trip requires a heavy financial investment and a specifically qualified group of people. Healthcare mission trips are a waste of time and resources and fail to efficiently serve and evangelize to the world. The primary goal of a mission trip is to serve the world through not only physical service but most importantly spiritual service. With such a
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Unfortunately, missionaries get caught in treating symptoms rather than the underlying disease. Countries, such as the Congo, Angola, and Zambia have many other needs that need to be met before any other course of action should be taken. People are dying of dehydration and many other natural causes that the average American doesn't have to worry about. About two million people die every year from water-borne diseases, and millions become seriously debilitated. When a group a wealthy, western cultured missionaries enter a poor community the last thing the people are thinking of is our savior Jesus Christ. More than likely, they are thinking of money. This creates a vicious cycle that only grows and develops. Dependency is a disease that spreads rapidly throughout a community. It is becoming more prevalent in our own country each day that …show more content…
Typically, the cost of a trip varies depending on the location and time of year of travel. As an example, South and Central America average $2,700 – 3,000 while Asia and Africa average $3,200 – $3,600. Each mission, on average, will only serve a couple hundred people due to the lack of nurses and resources. Fees not included in your donation for this trip would be fees for obtaining a passport, vaccinations necessary for international travel, international health insurance, and telephone calling cards. Cost and project availability vary, but on average a village sized water project can be completed for between $12,000-$15,000. The costs include preparing the community for a water project, actual construction and the long-term monitoring and evaluation needed to make sure your investment lasts a very long time. These large systems can serve over 3,000 people! Healthcare missions can average $30-$40 per person, while building a well could serve a community for about $5 per person. With a Healthcare mission resources are extremely limited, but with a clean water program the opportunities are
Unfortunately, missionaries get caught in treating symptoms rather than the underlying disease. Countries, such as the Congo, Angola, and Zambia have many other needs that need to be met before any other course of action should be taken. People are dying of dehydration and many other natural causes that the average American doesn't have to worry about. About two million people die every year from water-borne diseases, and millions become seriously debilitated. When a group a wealthy, western cultured missionaries enter a poor community the last thing the people are thinking of is our savior Jesus Christ. More than likely, they are thinking of money. This creates a vicious cycle that only grows and develops. Dependency is a disease that spreads rapidly throughout a community. It is becoming more prevalent in our own country each day that …show more content…
Typically, the cost of a trip varies depending on the location and time of year of travel. As an example, South and Central America average $2,700 – 3,000 while Asia and Africa average $3,200 – $3,600. Each mission, on average, will only serve a couple hundred people due to the lack of nurses and resources. Fees not included in your donation for this trip would be fees for obtaining a passport, vaccinations necessary for international travel, international health insurance, and telephone calling cards. Cost and project availability vary, but on average a village sized water project can be completed for between $12,000-$15,000. The costs include preparing the community for a water project, actual construction and the long-term monitoring and evaluation needed to make sure your investment lasts a very long time. These large systems can serve over 3,000 people! Healthcare missions can average $30-$40 per person, while building a well could serve a community for about $5 per person. With a Healthcare mission resources are extremely limited, but with a clean water program the opportunities are