TRAVEL

            This week we welcomed our daughter, son-in-law and grandsons back from a two week trip to Europe.  Our oldest grandson, Graham, now 14, has traveled to Japan with the Birmingham Boys Choir, spent a month in Africa with his dad on a mission trip, and now has been to London, Paris and Brussels.   The younger grandson, Deason (9) made the trip to Europe and will spend a month in Africa with this dad on a mission trip in January.  Both have been all over the U.S.  I am grateful my daughter and son-in- law have the means to enable the boys to travel

            How things have changed.  I was 26 years old and married before I ever saw the ocean.  Liz and I had gone from Louisville to Fort Worth for me to finalize pursuing doctoral studies at Southwestern Seminary.  Driving back to Birmingham we veered down to Gulf Shores.  She had been there with her family, but that was the first time I saw the ocean.  It was more than two decades later before we went overseas on a mission trip.

            The most meaningful travel I have done has been on mission trips. I’ve led churches on a dozen in the U.S all the way from Florida to Arizona to Montana to Pennsylvania to the Virginia coast. I’ve also been to Switzerland, Romania and Uganda.  More and more Christians are making these trips. 

            Some question the value of such short term missions.  Wouldn’t it be better to serve somewhere locally and send the money you would otherwise spend traveling to the mission for its use?  The value of short term mission trips to those on the field might be questioned.  However, I have been reassured by those to whom we have gone that others coming to help for a week or two are encouraging to them, and a powerful witness to the local people.  But the value of such trips to the individuals who go is not in doubt.  By exposing Christians to other cultures, other people and the hands on work of missionaries, they are transformed.  Missions become personal for them.  Their awareness is sharpened and their support for missions is enhanced.

            People are going to spend their money to travel anyway.  Why not go on a mission trip?  There are thousands of mission trips originating in U.S. churches and denominational organizations each year. I encourage you to go on one of these trips if you have the opportunity. 

Grace and peace.