Feb 25, 2015 By Samantha Peer columnist 4 min read

In January, Robert Lupton came to Waynesburg to deliver a lecture about the topic of his book, “Toxic Charity.” His book discusses the concept that sometimes, when we serve others, we are essentially harming them as opposed to helping them.

We do this by making others dependent upon us in delivering goods to them to meet their needs instead of empowering them to provide for their own needs.

With many students setting out on short-term mission trips for Spring Break, I want to extend some advice to enable them to avoid hindering the lives of those they encounter and assist them in positively impacting the long-term livelihood of the places that they will visit and the people they will meet.

First and foremost, stray from leading those that you are serving to believe that they are dependent upon you to improve or better themselves or their situation.

Instead of doing everything for them, maybe ask them if they would like a tutorial or if they would like to help in what you are doing for them.

Secondly, do not view those that you are visiting as merely individuals that you must minister to or persons you can take a photo with for your new Facebook photo. Instead, engage in a meaningful way with those that you encounter and take the time to get to know them. You may find they have more to teach you than you have to teach them. Additionally, having openness to getting to know those that you meet will enable you to develop deep relationships that will survive such a short encounter. Thirdly, come ready to serve, with a collaborative (not domineering) attitude. Newcomers often offer fresh perspectives to the different environments that they encounter.

Because mission trip attendees often come from vastly different environments, they should constantly be questioning the practices of the organization that they are assisting – in a manner that is not annoying or excessive.

 The visitors should seek to learn more about the culture of the area and why they do certain things or behave in certain ways. That being said, you should also allow your hosts to ask how it is done in your culture. This ‘iron sharpens iron’ approach can be very beneficial. All the best ideas are borrowed and adapted from somewhere else. Even the most unintentional conversation could spark an idea or reshape a ministry in unexpected ways. Therefore, go willing to learn and share.

Fourthly, do not feel as though your work is insignificant. Often, people feel that because they have limited time and resources, they are unable to make a lasting impact on the area in which they visit.

However, the sheer act of traveling a significant distance to give of your time and energy toward a (somewhat) unfamiliar cause will cause local persons to question why someone would go to great lengths to selflessly serve others. The majority of us do so because we are attempting to model the life of Jesus. Therefore, sharing the purpose of your trip is a tremendous opportunity to share your testimony or faith and tell your story to others, whether they be local or abroad.

For instance, simply explaining to your friends from home why you decided to spend your Spring Break building a home in North Carolina instead of sitting beachside in Cancun can be impactful and can set a positive example.

Fifthly, come with a positive and enthusiastic attitude. Though the contributions (time and energy) of those that attend short-term mission trips are only temporarily devoted to the mission, those who work for the organization being served are constantly putting in their time and effort. Their contributions do not end when yours do.

Therefore, it can be difficult to keep the same enthusiasm year round. However, your energy and excitement about the project will renew and lift the people you are helping.

Staff members who were feeling tired and maybe a bit low feel re-energized and hopeful that what they are doing is not all for naught, even though it can often feel like it.

Lastly, do not forget how to make the best of the trip for yourself. As you engage in manual labor, you will see friendships form that could never be created in a class or at a SAB event.

There is simply a unique bond that is built when you spend hours alongside each other, engaging in unfamiliar activities, sharing the same, small living quarters and essentially being immersed in a different environment.

Therefore, do not forget to engage with those serving alongside of you on your trip. You could build a lasting friendship with an unexpected classmate.