The sense of unity in one of my first mission trips was amazing. In the evening our group would gather with our host families and church members in a tiny Costa Rican village. We would share experiences from the day, learn worship songs in Spanish and become acutely aware of all that we had in common. That connection and fellowship, over 30 years ago, was life changing and became one of the key events which led me to work with Plant With Purpose.
Like most “mission trips” though, that trip was centered on a building project—in this case, a new house for the local pastor. For many in our group, that project was the central draw. However, in hindsight, I think all of us would agree it was not the most important thing that was accomplished. The relationships, and the insight that was gained, far outweighed the value of our mostly unskilled labor.
After finding that type of short-term trip personally meaningful, we experimented with a couple of trips which included building projects, when I first arrived at Plant WIth Purpose. However, one of our most important objectives is to encourage those we serve to discover their own agency. Outside groups doing things for people often has the opposite effect. I remember a church in Oaxaca, Mexico, which showed us a ten year-old foundation for a new church building and asked us to send a team to help with its construction. I asked why the foundation had sat empty for so long, and the reply of the pastor was, “we have been waiting for you to come.”
I contrast that with a church we partner with in Haiti, which after going through our curriculum, analyzed the needs in their community, and then, on their own, began building houses for those in their community with inadequate shelter. That has a sustainability that an outside team could never match.
Even though there isn’t a need for building projects, trips are still crucial, both for us and for the communities we serve. One of the most important things people can do is come and see. That is why we call our trips Vision Trips.
For most of us, it is almost impossible to visualize the lives and challenges of rural farm families without seeing first hand. You can read about them, but the words all conjure up the wrong images. Farms, plots, or parcels don’t convey the rugged steepness of the land people are planting or the daily challenges they face simply getting to market on roads that are often impassable. Nor do words alone communicate the love, joy, and perseverance of our local staff and the farmers we partner with. When new US staff arrive, we make a priority of getting them into our partner communities. After that, their passion flows from their heart in addition to their head. The same is true of our supporters. Of course not everyone can go, so for those who can, there is an implicit responsibility to come back and tell others.
However, even without service projects, or the distribution of donations or gifts, there is still a huge benefit for the community which receives a group. It is a very visible reminder that what they are doing is important. Over the years I have participated in countless demonstrations of how to make compost, graft a fruit tree, run a savings group, or lead a Bible study. I am always struck by how much our attention and interest means to the local farmer giving the demonstration. I remember the words of a community member in Haiti, who told me that our visit made him realize for the very first time that he had knowledge and skills that were of value. He was astonished that his skills had so much value that people would travel from another country to see them. For those who are discouraged and disempowered, Vision Trips are a vivid reminder that everyone has talents.
I wish all of our supporters could come with us, and see what you are making possible. In the enthusiastic words of our director in the Democratic Republic of Congo, “Come and see what we are doing!” And while you are at it, you just might plant a tree or two.
