Top 3 Myths to Avoid as Short-Term Missionary in Latin America

One of the little surprises I've encountered while living in Dublin, GA is that there's a strong connection between local churches and missions in Latin America. Each year there are medical missions, students and construction groups that travel to Mexico, Dominican Republic, other Latin American countries, and most recently Haiti, with the purpose of lending a helping hand.

From time to time I find myself advising folks who are going on short-term missions trips to Latin America. Most of these trips are either for High Schoolers or College age students. During the Q&A time, usually this question finds its way in: "How will we be perceived?" After hosting many teams in the Dominican Republic, leading work teams from the US to Latin America, and working with Latin and American kids in general, I've lined up three general perceptions linked with Americans.

Before I go on let me point out that these perceptions are not applicable to every situation and every person you encounter in Latin America. But based on my experience as a Dominican married to an American, Youth Leader in Latin America, Youth Pastor in the USA and an avid "people watcher" here are my two cents.

Here are three of the most common myths Latin Americans associate with North Americans.

1. The Ambassador Myth: Latin Americans have their opinions (whether based on facts, propaganda or imagination) and some will presume that you are a consultant for the White House. Let the politicians unravel their own knots, your job is not to defend/attack US foreign policies. At times you may encounter some Latin Americans who harbor negative feelings about political issues that are well beyond your years and have very little, if anything, to do with you. Most likely your job has already been defined by your mission agency -- stick to it.

2. The Superman Myth: Let's face it, there's a lot of need out there. Little kids running around barefoot, lack of proper educational/sports/recreational infrastructure, inconsistent electricity/running water, and so forth. Our initial reaction could be to overcompensate with an urge to meet the immediate needs. However the complexities of poverty are beyond supplying a kid with a new pair of shoes or handing out some change. Poverty is intrinsically mixed with corruption, warped leadership, twisted concepts of power, bribery, cunningness, abuse, and manipulation to mention a few. In my humble opinion you should do your best to support local initiatives but perhaps even more crucial is sharing the liberating, empowering, and transforming news of Christ. Do not refrain from being kind and generous, but acknowledge that only our Savior can fulfill the deepest longing of individuals and societies.

3. The Passport Myth: There's a common saying that goes "to not come and see New York is to die blind". Visiting the US has implications beyond having your picture taken by the Statute of Liberty. The United States represents the land of opportunities. It is the place where if you work hard, you can scramble some money and most likely be able to support your immediate (and at times extended) family altogether. Therefore to marry an american citizen can be seen as cashing in the golden ticket. Am I saying not to get romantically involved during your short-term mission trip? yes. Probably by this point you're thinking that I'm asking you not to take a stand for your country, to be stingy or that I have just grossly profiled every Latin American as an exploitative opportunist. Nothing could be further from the truth. Latin Americans are people full of life and grace. But if you're only going on a short-term trip, take my word for it -- it is not worth it to take these chances. I have seen all three cases and, with seldom sporadic exceptions, the end result usually feeds the us vs. them mentality, the rich-northern-neighbor will solve all of our problems or each missionary is open season to hunt for a golden ticket. Are you a high school/college age student going on a short-term mission trip to Latin America? Then go. Love God in front of people through your work, communication, respect, humor, modesty, kindness and humbleness. In the long run it is your witness that will catalyze social action, political healing and personal and community freedom. www.arturopaulinoblog.com