Short-Term Missions: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Julia and I have been serving in Nalerigu, Ghana for one year and we have seen a lot of short-term mission teams. Most come in and do a great job of getting out into the community, making friends, sharing the Gospel, and enriching our ministry. There are however, short-term teams who come through hindering our ministry. When they leave we throw a small party and pray they never come back. Below is a list of five negative traits of short term teams and a list of five positive traits. My prayer is that these lists will help you avoid the mistakes teams have made and ensure that your short term trip is a help and not a hindrance.

NEGATIVE:

5) Eat Chips-A-Hoy Cookies in front of the missionaries. When a missionary who has been away from America for months comes into your house to help train you for your week of ministry, make sure you eat Chips-a-Hoy or Oreo cookies in front of him. Never offer him one the entire time he is in your house. 

4) Hand out English Bibles to everyone regardless of whether or not they can speak English. Handing out Bibles is a good thing; however, when someone asks for an English bible and their request has to be translated from one language into English, there's a good chance the person you are giving the Bible too doesn't know English and just wants a present from the white man.

3) Give away all of your money to every child who asks. I realize when short-term teams come overseas they are confronted with hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. Most people who travel overseas have never encountered the level of poverty which surrounds missionaries on a daily basis. Volunteers are ALWAYS giving away all of their money to children. This money never goes to buy what the child is asking for but rather goes towards a soccer ball or is wasted on frivolous spending. Giving away every dime and article of clothing you brought with you does not help anyone and only makes the problem worse for those who live overseas.

2) Preach exactly how you would in America. Preach an American style sermon with three points. Give an invitation exactly how you would in America and make everyone close their eyes and raise their hand if they want to follow Christ. Watch in amazement as everyone raises their hands, NOT to be saved but rather to be acknowledged by the white preacher.

1) Never say thank you. Always assume that the missionary serving and working in the area you are coming to visit gave his life to missions to serve you. No matter where they drive you, what they share with you, or how much of their time they donate to help you succeed make sure you never thank them.

POSITIVE:

5) Bless the missionaries. When you are going to serve in an area make sure you bring a few food items along to bless any missionaries you might meet. Missionaries love Oreos, M&M's, etc. We aren't picky and would love anything!

4) Get to know the missionaries. We love hearing about the massive size of your church in America but we would also like to share with you our heart for the people God has called us to work among. Ask to hear about our testimony and call to missions. Ask how we came to serve where we are serving. Ask questions and sit back and listen you will be amazed at what you learn.

3) Learn a few phrases in the local language. I am always hearing people complain about the Hispanics in America who will not take the time to learn English, well, the same is true when you are visiting another country.You must take the time to learn a few phrases in the heart language of the people you are visiting. Take the time to learn how to say hello and how are you. Language is a bridge to a relationship. Nationals don't expect your language to be perfect but they absolutely love it when you try to speak with them in their heart language. Who knows maybe starting a conversation in the local language will lead to a salvation conversation.

2) Get involved. You are only overseas for a short time so make the most of every opportunity. Get out into the community. Talk with Nationals. Encourage Pastors. Be bold in evangelism. Make the most of every opportunity.

1) Train Nationals. Everyone wants to come overseas and start the next church planting movement. I hate to burst your bubble but your short term team is not going to start a church planting movement. You need to go overseas for a short term with a long term goal. Take the time to encourage your translator. Take the time to take a National Christian under your wing and train him in evangelism. The more you train Nationals to do the work, the more your short-term team will have an impact in the long-term.

My prayer for you reading this post is that you would reject the negative traits of short term teams and embrace the positive. May your short term trip be a help and not a hindrance to the long term ministry in an area.

God Never Gives More Than You Can Handle

God replied, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.-2 Corinthians 12:9

Christians have been known at times to say some really dumb things. I’m sure that at times I have also said some things which looking back on it shouldn’t have been said. One of the shallowest, least considerate statements that Christians make is, “God doesn’t give you more than you can handle.” This statement is offered to an individual when he/she is going through a rough or difficult time. When someone’s going through a rough time, it’s a struggle to say the right thing. But it is always appropriate to say nothing. If you absolutely have to say something, make sure it isn’t philosophically empty, spiritual nonsense. Telling someone that God never gives you more than you can handle is wrong on many levels.

·         It’s not biblically accurate: You’re going to have a hard time finding this little gem in the Bible. I am convinced that Scripture is full of people who find themselves at the end of what they can handle.

·         It isn’t appropriate: Even if it was true, at the point that a loved one is confiding in you about some terrible trial they’re going through, they feel they’re dealing with more than they can handle. This platitude comes off as painful and dismissive.

·         It’s just dumb: People go through more than they can handle all the time. Whether it’s the loss of a child or a slow death from cancer, people are going through things you can’t possibly imagine.

The truth is God does give us more than we can handle. The point of trials in our life is to draw us to our knees in utter dependence upon our Heavenly Father. God, often gave Paul more than he could handle, yet, Paul understood that in his weakness the power of Christ was best demonstrated. We too must understand that the more we recognize that we are weak and depend on God, the more we know and experience His power.

In conclusion, God usually gives us more than we can handle and that’s the point. Our trials are meant by God to bring us to the end of self-reliance and drive us to our knees in utter reliance on God.

August Newsletter

God has put eternity in their hearts; but man cannot discover the work God has done from beginning to end.-Ecclesiastes 5:11

STORY:

Ramadan, the annual Islamic month of fasting, ended on Wednesday, August 7th. Ramadan is a Muslim fast in which Muslims abstain from eating or drinking from sunrise-sunset in order to obtain favor from Allah. Most of the Muslims whom I have talked with over the past month are fasting in order to have their sins forgiven. 

I had the privilege of attending numerous Iftar meals during Ramadan. Iftar, is the sunset meal when Muslims around the world break the Ramadan fast. The Muslims in Nalerigu broke their fast by eating a fig, than washing before prayers, going to prayers and than returning to enjoy a larger meal of cocoa, banku (fermented corn), rice with fish, and tea. We were able to have many spiritual conversations. I was able to share with them that Christians also fast, but for different reasons and how Christians believe their sins are forgiven. 

I had a blast spending time with my friends, however, in the midst of festivities; it was difficult to remember that our entire evening was spent with people who were celebrating a meaningless spiritual exercise that denies Christ's work of salvation. I recalled my many Muslim friends who have told me that  they feel closer to God during Ramadan. It grieves me to remember they are self-deceived and walking in darkness. Julia and I are praying that one day they will participate in an eternal festival that celebrates the Lamb of God.

PICTURES:

Muslim men washing up before evening prayers and breaking fast.

Muslims wash their hands, feet, ears, mouth, face and head before going to prayers and breaking fast. This washing is used to cleanse them so that they may stand before Allah clean. After they wash and before they go to prayer I am unable to touch them because I am unclean. If I touch them they would have to wash again before going to prayer.

Breaking fast with a cup of cocoa. 

Before leaving for Ghana Julia and I spent hours praying for National friends. After being in Ghana less than a week a group of Muslim men invited me to have tea with them. These men have become my cultural informants, language helpers, but, most importantly my best friends.

During Ramadan Muslims aren't allowed to eat or drink anything from sunup-sundown. Roughly an hour before the sun goes down everyone in town begins to prepare for the evening meal. "B" is preparing the tea, known as Ati, the tea has a high concentration of caffeine and all of the men believe the tea gives them power and makes them furtile.

If you ever come to Ghana and someone offers you cocos, don't take it!

My friends leaving for evening prayers.

Everyone is happy when it's time to break fast.

Enjoying a meal after a long day of fasting.

One of the leaders of the group of men I have tea with and one of my best friends in town. He once told me that he hears missionary talking about how it would be easy for him to become a Christian. He informed me that if he became a Christian it would be the hardest thing he ever did. He would lose his family, friends, and business. He has counted the cost and isn't sure he is willing to pay the price.

"P" is a Christian who is scared to share his faith because he doesn't want to lose his friends. Please pray that he would have a spirit of boldness.

A young boy who runs errands for all of the men. He is participating in his first Ramadan and is excited for the opportunity to pray to Allah. 

I have had the opportunity to share the Gospel, the creation story, and the story of Zacchaeus but still little to no desire to know more about the Gospel,

One of the hardest workers in Nalerigu

This is the ladies man of the group. I wish I could share with you his nickname but it would be inappropriate. We have a lot of conversations about marriage and purity and how the Gospel impacts my view of women.

Muslim women preparing cocoa. Cocoa, dates, and other various fruits are the first foods eaten as soon as the sun goes down.

Looks like Julia is going to have to learn how to tie bows and T is going to have to buy a gun.

DEVOTIONAL:
You Know You Live in Africa When

A Prayer About Pornography

PRAYER REQUESTS:

1. Please be in prayer for my Muslim friends. Pray for brokenness in many hearts to understand that their fast has not reconciled them to God. Pray for "P" a Christian who is scared to share the Gospel with his Muslim friends. Pray God gives him a spirit of boldness. Pray for "B" a ladies man who is curious about why I only have one wife and don't sleep around. 

• Julia is twenty two weeks pregnant and we have learned we are having a GIRL! We are very excited/nervous to be parents. Every night I tell my daughter that she has to be a Carolina Panthers fan and she cheers for Duke or dates anyone who likes Duke I will disown her. Please pray that God would prepare Julia and I to be parents. Pray for Julia as she is pregnant in rural Africa. Pray God keeps her and the baby happy and healthy throughout the rest of her pregnancy.

1. The school year has started once again in Nalerigu and Julia is back to doing what she loves. Julia is teaching a 4th and 2nd grader; language arts and other classes. God has gifted Julia with the ability to teach children and we are glad she has an opportunity to utilize her gifting in Africa. Please be in prayer for the school year. Pray Julia and her students bond and learn from each other as the year progresses.

• Please be in prayer for all of the other ministries we are involved with. Please pray for the salvation of the women in the Witches Camp. Pray that God would speak to them through the Bible stories which are shared. Pray for the adults and children at the tuberculosis village we work with. Pray they would see the love of Christ through our actions. Pray for National partners whom T is discipling. Pray they would be edified and equipped through the study of the Bible. Pray for the women who attend Naomi Fund (a fund which provides food for widows in Nalerigu). Pray they would learn about God through the stories Julia shares. Pray for the patients in the hospital who are turning from ancestor worship to the living God. 

God is doing incredible things in Nalerigu and we are privileged to watch Him work on a daily basis. Thank you for partnering with us in prayer. Nothing of eternal significance is ever accomplished apart from prayer. We couldn't do what we do if it wasn't for your support. Thank you!

Serving Him,

The Welchs

Are you saved?

If you continue in my word you really are my disciples. You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.- John 8:31-32

Everyone knows someone who claims to be a Christian, maybe, even someone who is nominally active in church but when you examine their lives next to the teachings of Christ you begin to question whether or not they are truly saved. If you open your mouth and question their salvation you are attacked with various verses taken out of context and told not to judge. When you examine the claims of Christ, however, you begin to develop a picture of Jesus who was not afraid to call people to a commitment; demanding total allegiance to Him. Jesus Christ taught that a follower of Him could not lose their salvation, however, he/she will persevere in the faith until the end or to quote Jesus, "if you continue in my words you are my disciple but if you forsake my words than you are not my disciple."

Jesus says in John 8:31, "If you continue in my word you really are my disciples." The "continuing" here involves hearing, accepting, and obeying His teachings. It's not enough for individuals to merely give mental assent to what Christ is saying. If individuals want to be in a relationship with Christ, they have to set out to live according to His teachings. The ESV uses the word "abide in" which means that as a Christian we must continue believing what Jesus has said and walk in obedience to Him. This verse shows that continuing to trust Jesus and obey Him is one test to see who is truly a disciple of Christ. If we are not "continuing" or "abiding in" Christ's words than we are not His disciples.

Jesus goes on to say in John 8:32, "You will know the truth and the truth will set you free." A follower of Jesus Christ is no-longer a slave to sin but is instead a slave to righteousness. Before we were saved by Christ we were unable to escape from sinful patterns of conduct, but; now because of Christ's saving grace we have been set free. By continuing to believe and obey Christ's words we are set free from guilt and the enslaving power of our sinful patterns of conduct. Before becoming a follower of Christ all we could do was sin, now as a follower of Christ we are filled with the Holy Spirit and have within ourselves the ability to say no to sin and yes to Christ. When we continually, habitually say no to Christ and yes to sin we show by our actions that we are a slave to unrighteousness and have not been set free. 

In conclusion, if you are continually walking down the path of unrighteousness it is because you are not abiding in or continuing to trust in Christ's word. If you do not continue in Christ's words, than you are NOT his disciple. My prayer for you reading this post is that if you have forsaken Christ's words than you would repent and call out to Christ for salvation. If you are a follower of Christ my prayer for you is that you would continue to abide in Christ's words and the truth of His words would set you free.

Satan: The Roaring Lion

Be serious! Be alert! For your adversary the Devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, looking for anyone he can devour.- 1 Peter 5:8

In June, Julia and I had the privilege of attending a safari. While on the safari we had an opportunity to watch a lion stalk her prey across the African plain. When we spotted the lion, she was on top of a ridge watching a herd of animals. She picked the weakest animal in the heard and proceeded to prowl through the tall grass to her target. When the other animals became alert to danger she would lie down and wait for them to resume eating before she moved closer. Our guide informed us that lions are opportunistic hunters who ALWAYS look for the weakest, slowest, least aware member of a herd before attacking. 

1 Peter 5:8 informs us that the Devil prowls around like a lion looking for those whom he may devour. Peter uses the graphic image of a lion to describe Satan's destructive threat: Satan hopes that Christians will be defeated in hardships and deceived to fall into sin. Below is a list of five principles which if implemented will help to strengthen our walk with God and protect us from Satan, the roaring lion...

5) Be in the Word! Ephesians 5:1 commands us to imitate God. In order to imitate God we must know God and to know God we MUST be in His word. Psalms 1 says, "how happy is the man who does not follow the advice of the wicked or take the path of sinners or join a group of mockers! Instead, his delight is in the LORD's instruction, and he meditates on it day and night." The truly happy person guides his life by God's instructions. The Bible sets the ideal for every situation and guides the believer into Christian maturity. We must be in the Word!

4) Be in communion with the Father! 1 Thessalonians 5:17 commands us to pray without ceasing. Christians are to have a mental attitude of prayerfulness, continual personal fellowship with God, and consciousness of being in His presence throughout the day. We must be in communion with the Father!

3) Have accountability partners! Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, "two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fail, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he fails and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him-a threefold cord is not easily broken." As Christians we need individuals in our lives who will ask us tough questions. We need individuals who will not tell us what we want to hear but rather what we need to hear. Proverbs 27:17, "As iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another." We must have accountability partners!

2) Have faith in future grace! Christians persevere in this life by placing our faith in the reality that the glory which is to be revealed to us will be infinitely better than the fleeting pleasures of sin. Jesus instructs us to fight temporary pleasures of sin by having faith in future grace. His instructions are recorded multiple times throughout the Gospel, the most notable time being in Mathew 5:8. Jesus says, "blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God." As Christians we don't look at lustful images or take a second glance at a girl walking down the street because we desire to see something infinitely better. We desire to see the God of the Universe and because of our desire to see God we forsake the fleeting pleasures of a lesser desire. How easy will it be to say no to lust when we have gazed deeply upon the God of the Universe? We must have faith in future grace!

1) Live in community with fellow believers! The church is the hope for the world. The church is the means by which God has chosen to demonstrate His grace and glory. Every Sunday morning God puts His grace and glory on display for people to apprehend. We witness this grace/glory in the lives of the people we worship with. We witness God's grace/glory as we worship with those who have been redeemed by the Lamb. Matthew 16:18 records Jesus words when he said, "I will build my church and the gates of Hell will not prevail against it." No-man is an island unto him/herself. We are made for community. We must live in community with fellow believers!

The Devil is a prowling lion looking for those whom he may devour but if we implement these simple steps into our lives it will strengthen us as Christians and will not leave us as easy prey for Satan, the roaring lion.