Don't Do For Others What They Can Do For Themselves

In many traditional mission efforts, Westerners go to work on construction projects in a developing country. Often, as the team is working, there are adults from the local area watching them work for hours if not days. Many of the people watching may not be employed, but they may be fully capable of doing the work that the Westerners are doing for them. Is it possible that our desire to help a local church in a developing country is actually stealing opportunities from people in their own community? How can we be more intentional to encourage partnership in projects?

Bill Warren is the Executive Director of FAME, an organization that made the switch from medical brigades to focus on training and sustainability of projects.

Are you a mission-minded individual interested in learning more?