Music Videos
OK, you have to watch this video. Not to mention that Sara McLachlan has maybe the best voice in the world, but the video is amazing; and communicates something so beautiful; it challenges everything about my lifestyle.... PLEASE watch it.
WOW! I have been thinking a lot about something and this video sparked it even more. I won't go into my frustrations with "Missions" as most of the american church defines it (white people going somewhere they don't speak the language and only stay a week, usually in accommodations significantly nicer than the folks they are "ministering to",... not to mention they have no real skin in the game; it's easier to "share Christ" (hate that saying) with a stranger half way around the world than it is with your neighbor or co-worker). So here is my idea.
"Virtual missions trip". Folks sign up and raise money as if they are going to fly somewhere for a week.... but instead ALL of that money would go directly to a "missions project" run by the local folks. Here is the math:
-10 american folks go to -insert country- for one week at a cost of $1500 each = $15,000
-An orphanage in Africa can be fully supported for $16,500/year
-5 permanent African wells can be dug for $15,000 ( 1000wells.com )
WOW, and during the virtual missions trip week, the american "missionaries" would fast and pray for the orphanage, the workers, write your congress man/woman, serve (maybe even love, but that would mean knowing them first) the poor in their own communities (the last () is about my personal conviction and how I don't do this) ....
This sounds a whole lot more effective than me going to a Spanish speaking country for a week to "minister".
Keith

