The Cost of Short Term Missions

North Americans spend millions of dollars each year on mission-related trips to developing nations, yet many of these efforts do more harm than good. Third-world people do not need more rich Christians coming to paint their church and make them feel indadequate. They do need, Van Engen suggests, more humble people willing to share in their lives and sacrifices.

The author writes from her experiences in Honduras.

The article first appeared in the January/February 2000 issue of "The Other Side." It was subsequently reprinted in the March/April 2000 issue of MEDA's magazine, "The Marketplace."