My neighbor’s large church has had a mission Haiti, and every year they send a couple dozen white suburban kids, who must raise money to pay their own way, to do “mission work” for two weeks - stuff like picking up trash, planting flowers, and taking Instagram pics with skinny little black kids.
They aren’t allowed to leave he compound alone and must travel with an armed guard when venturing outside as a group. Of course, all travel has stopped now
I am conflicted - while I admire their Christian desire to do good, train-up their children in this mindset, and create community among themselves, I find their efforts extremely naive, and, frankly, useless. The end result seems to be cheap virtue-signaling. Its been the exact same thing for 30 years. That anyone would risk their life over this is stupid. They are indeed as innocent as doves, but forgot the “wise as snakes” part.
I apologize for my cynicism.
I agree wholeheartedly.
Few things more pointlessly stupid than sending good white kids into the worst ghettos of the world to pick up trash or dig a well.
Better to send them some garbage bags and shovels. Let these people pick up their own trash and dig their own holes. Or let them live amongst their own squalor and thirst. No trouble to me.
don’t- it’s good to see some folks still have common sense.
All these missionaries need to watch that movie MACHINE GUN PREACHER.
Potentially losing your life seems anything but “cheap” virtue signaling.
“I apologize for my cynicism.”
Don’t, you are much too benevolent.
“The end result seems to be cheap virtue-signaling.”
Virtue signaling makes folks feel good.
It is an addictive high like drugs—and can be just as dangerous.