Why Travel? Why not just give?

A common question concerning mission work is, "Why not just send the money? Why waste money on traveling that could otherwise go to supplies or other good use?" This is certainly a valid concern. Only when an organization works with care and concern of their finances can they make the most efficient impact-- you know, the most bang for their buck!

The trip cost does include airfare from Austin to Port-au-Prince, but to see that as only airfare does not accurately account for what that money is doing-- airfare does not only get missionaries from point A to point B. It gets them face-to-face to build relationships and share in the experience of love from our community to theirs (and vice versa!)

Perhaps Joseph, the Haitian translator on Margery and Tom's last trip, said it best: "I am grateful because it is hard to live in Haiti, even before the earthquake. It is hard to walk the streets and see the people hungry and searching for something to eat; to see children playing in trash, and water running down the road from the houses. It is hard to live in a place that you love, but that breaks your heart and makes your spirit sink. ... And then there was the earthquake, and everything became much worse. When we watch television we see pictures of other places in the world, and it is easy to believe that Haiti is forgotten. Or that maybe God has made Haiti the world’s trashcan and it’s people don’t matter. I know that isn’t true, but sometimes it is easy to think that. 

"I know that Jesus came for all people, for me and for you; that God loves all people, me and you, and everybody in the world. But it is easy to be discouraged by what you see around you. Sometimes you have to work hard to hold on to hope and to live what your faith tells you. I am thankful for your team and others because by coming you remind us that we matter. When you work with us and talk with us and worship with us, you are saying that it is true – Christ’s love is for EVERYONE." (translated paraphrase)

Thank you for helping us to share Christ's love.