An interesting blog post on "missions" is being shared all over facebook. It's one girl's reflection and opinions on her previous "mission" trips that she cleverly coins as "voluntourism." While I greatly appreciate her honesty and openness - and her right to post whatever she wants on her blog- there are many things about the viral sharing of her blog post that make me cringe. This is the best way I know how to communicate a response to her blog.
Dear Pippa,
If you're reading this, please know that it is written with love and appreciation. Please don't dismiss it, but read all the way through.
Thank you for taking time to process your experiences in “voluntourism.” You offer an authentic perspective. You are wise to recognize that you ARE NOT the
HOPE of the WORLD – the “WHITE” SAVIOR. However,
I do hope you will keep an open mind on the subject and continue learning as
you go.
I am able to relate to a lot of what you have to say. I too, happen to be a white girl who studied 5 years of Spanish in high school. I now find myself living and working in a Spanish-speaking country with little ability to communicate verbally. Which is ironic because my purpose here is to write faith-based curriculum for children in their native language. (I am working hard with a private teacher to get a deeper grasp on the language.)
While my lack of ability to speak the language is a big hit to my pride, I haven't let it send me home or stop the work I've been sent to do. Actually, it has allowed me to step back and process the culture around me. To understand what it feels like to not automatically excel because of my background, upbringing, and skin-color. It has caused me to realize that I HAVE to rely not on my own abilities, but on the kindness of those I been sent to BE in ministry WITH and to rely on the ONE who sent me. God.
I moved to El Salvador with a lot of experience in short-term mission trips. You could label them as voluntourism, but that's not what they were for me. I was about 10 years old on my first trip. I returned to my home in North Carolina with a heart full from the love of people in another "world" who loved me in spite of our differences. While, at the same time, my heart was broken by eyes freshly opened to the fact there were people in this world who lived with so little when I had so much. I began to feel guilt for the advantages I had. Yet, I realized that the people I visited had things I didn't have. Joy that comes not from owning a lot of stuff, but from being truly thankful for each blessing you do have. Faith in God that is real because it's tested every day through struggles that I will probably never face. And a love of family that is treasured as a valuable possession.
Pippa, I read your follow-up blog about how you broke the Internet. I want you to know that I am truly thankful for you transparency. You're right, this is a hot topic that needs to be discussed and dealt with. And I am thankful that at 21, you're willing to initiate this discussion. I think you have a wisdom that you don't yet realize. Please continue struggling through this topic and being authentic as you learn.
You mention that you don’t want a girl across the world waking up thinking of
you, thanking you for her education and so on…but I wonder, do you ever wake up
thinking of her? Did she have an impact on who you are today? Have you considered that possibility?
Is her memory inscribed on your heart?
I believe that it is important to go to places where you are
the minority – to go to places where you realize that you aren’t as
special/important/accomplished/helpful/skillful/successful/needed
than you thought you were. I believe that
stepping out of your normal, comfortable circumstances in order to touch the
life of another person actually has equal, if not greater potential to change
YOU as well as the other person.
To the topic of racism: We are ALL God’s children. Some separated by geography, others by
economics, others by education, and others by plain ignorance. YET, we are CALLED to be together – to share
in this mystery of life. To live beyond the boundaries built by color, gender, preferences, up-bringing, and so on.
Yeah, it may require an expensive plane ticket – but your PRESENCE is PRICELESS.
I don’t know what your religious beliefs are. I’m a follower of Christ. I hope it's obvious! I don't want you to feel like I'm pushing my faith on you, but it's an active part of who I am and why I do what I do. I believe that God has the power to heal this
world in one breath, yet he chose a different way – he chose to use us! And chose to let us choose whether or not we’d
participate. He chose to come to us in
the flesh (not just a check in the mail) – at a price way more costly than a plane ticket - first through Christ – and today through Christ followers indwelled by the holy spirit.
I believe you were sent to Tanzania and Dominican Republic
not to build a library or offer medical care to very sick children. Like you
said, there are other means for that. If that's all you were there for, a financial donation is way more effective. But, in the developing world, we give too much power and credit to money.
I believe you were sent to those places to BE.
To BE one with the people, to
share in human love and kindness, to BE
CHRIST in the flesh. And, more
importantly, I believe you were sent there for the people of those countries to
BE the same for you.
I saw it clearly
in your photos. While the rocks of the
wall weren’t perfect, the bond built while sorting rocks from beans in Tanzania
was transforming. And while your Spanish
and medical knowledge were lacking in the Dominican Republic, the love and
smiles you shared while making friendship bracelets offered eternal
hope and healing that goes far beyond medical and language
abilities.
How was your soul been HEALED through those relationships?
It’s absolutely AWESOME that you are now using your finances
and talents to impact the lives of people across the world – and not hogging
the spotlight by doing it in person. You’re
right, we can use our resources (no matter how big or small) to impact the
lives of others that we may never actually meet in person. An example more people in the "developed world" should follow.
BUT it isn't only the person traveling by plane or from privilege or with an accomplished skill-set who has something to offer - the people visited have just as much, if not more to offer those doing the traveling.
Donations of money are useful and necessary, but your PRESENCE is a powerful gift of encouragement, hope, and LOVE that money just can’t buy.
The plane ticket you buy isn’t for the end result of being able
to say you traveled to a far-away place and took care of some “needy kids” as
some say. (And it shouldn’t take away
from the money you have already planned to invest in projects.) Purchasing a plane ticket is a sacrifice you
make because the people in that far-away place are YOUR FAMILY. They are an important part of your life and
you are an important part of their lives (whether
you like it or not!) And if you have
the means to visit them - the same as you would your blood family – then by all
means, do it! Not because you offer the
right skill set to meet their needs – but because all any of us need is connection
to one another.
I'm not saying that everyone needs to travel a plane trip away to create this connection. But you do have to step out of your ordinary routine, comfortable surroundings, and learned skill-set to experience this connection.
Sickness. Poverty. Hunger.
These things unfortunately have been and will be with us for a long
time. Possession of a perfect skill set
will not end them.
Yet,
The hand of
someone who cares will ease pain.
The unexpected visit of someone who
speaks a different language will stimulate the mind and imagination of a
child.
The smiles, hugs, and even tears
of a person who can’t pay you a visit in return will change your heart forever.
Pippa, I hope you one day see yourself as more than an
over-privileged white girl. I hope one
day you see yourself through the eyes of those around you who see beyond skin
and status – but just see you expressed in love, friendship, and presence.
The transparency with which you write, is the best gift you have to offer the developing world. To share in the struggles and triumphs of being human. To not let the boundaries stop two people from sharing an authentic appreciation for one another. To just have fun and laugh with one another in spite of not speaking the same language or having all the answers/solutions to the problems at hand.
Pippa, may God continue to bless the impact you have on this
world. Use this forum you now have to make a difference, not just to enjoy the temporary spotlight. And may you continue to allow the
people of this world have a profound impact on you!
With lots of love,
Ellyn Dubberly
