A man named Samuel went out for lunch with a friend of mine, Maurice, from Chihuahua, Mexico on my last two Mexico missions trips. (This is Maurice sending me an updated report on his missions experience.) Samuel explained to him that he worked under a pastor in Kenya some years back who had received a medical outreach tema from the U.S. The team came well equipped to set up a makeshift clinic and offer medical treatment to the poor and needy in the area surrounding the pastor's church. They had also made the extra effort to bring medicine to distribute among the people. Many people were treated and the trip was "successful". So successful, in fact, that the team decided to come again and yet again.

On the last night of the team's third trip, Samuel explained that his pastor (a very sincere and bold man) stood and made a challenge to the team of short-term missionaries during a dinner taht they were all having together.

"You have come here these three times now. You have seen teh work that we are doing as a church, and you have experienced the need of the people in our area. Each year that you have come here it has cost you mroe than $40,000. Next year, I do not want you to come back. Instead, send us the $40,000 that you would have spent to come, and we will use the money to build a permanent medical clinic to care for the people of this area. The year following, return and see what your investment has done."

Maurice obviously wanted to know what the team's resonse was. The pastor's challenge had been very bold and at the same time, valid. Maurice asked what the team's response had been.

"The team got very angry. They left, and we neither saw nor heard from them again," he answered.

Maurice's letter said: "The great failure of short-term missions has been this unilateral inclination to go and go and go. Going is implicit. We would do well, nonetheless, to consider our place as we do. Some may go and stay, as in full-time service; others may go and return home with a burden to pray and give. Whatever the case may be, let our going be with purpose and with a heart to learn how we may best advance God's Kingdom - Abroad."