THE MISSIONS TRIP

So, my 23-year-old law student took a week off of school to go on a week-long missions trip to Chiapas, Mexico. My kids have always expressed an interest in going on mission trips, but due to their rigorous athletic and training schedules throughout high school, we could never find one that worked with their schedule. I guess there were a few opportunities for them to go to the “inner city” to minister with a youth group they attended while in high school. Unfortunately, my husband and I didn’t allow our children to go with the group for a good reason. This topic would be an excellent discussion to dive into in a later post or on my (Call Me Camille) podcast. The title would likely be something like this, “Why I refused to allow my black children to minister with (great people) but a predominately white youth group to the predominantly black, mostly minority, inner-city.” Or perhaps this title. “Why I did not allow my children to go on a missions trip with wonderful Christians who hardly, if ever, had any interaction with blacks and minorities in their communities.” 

I grew up in a Christian home, attended a Christian school, and attended the world’s most prominent Christian, non-Catholic, University. So, I have seen it all! I saw the pictures and heard the conversations centered around the mission trips to the inner city and Africa. I listened to the many discussions about how and I quote, “good it feels to help “save” the blacks in the inner-city and Africa because, man, they need it!” Well-meaning Christians who loved showing off their pictures of, or pictures with little, dirty, poor black babies, locals, and children. If I am being honest, I never liked the comments, nor did I like the photos. And whenever I see pictures or unbelievably sad commercials that show half-naked, dirty children walking on dirt roads in some third-world country, it makes me shake my head. You know, the commercial that plays the same sad music as the Sarah McLachlan SPCA save the animals commercials. The same commercials where you are asked to donate just pennies a day to save a helpless animal and feed said animal for a year. Well, that one! Admittedly, I remember the conversations and the commercials like the one I just described, and it’s still a source of irritation to me. But, it was sincere, authentic, and raw conversations- like this one- about God’s view on missions, His plan, purpose, and everything else in between on the subject of service to God and others through mission work that we had in our home. 

In our house, we discussed it all, and I know that it was also a source of discussion in many black homes. I know this because although we rarely spoke about this publicly or in private, it was a conversation we often discussed among ourselves. 

As a teenager, in my home, similar discussions were had regarding mission trips. For the same reasons, and perhaps for reasons my parents chose not to disclose, my dad would not allow me to go on mission trips to predominately under-resourced minority areas either. I’ll have him on the Pod to share his thoughts on this subject in the future. ALL people, regardless of their skin color or social-economic status, need to hear the Gospel. I wish someone would have organized a mission trip to my affluent suburban community or organized a group to minister and serve the children and families in my predominately white executive neighborhood. They need Jesus too! 

As a family, we have a sincere heart for everyone of every ethnicity. We have compassion for the poor and know what God’s Word says about the poor, needy, and hungry. We know what our responsibility as Christians is to them, and it is an honor to serve others. Just so we are clear, I know that many hearts are in the right place and that the intentions of many are, in fact, honorable, but the actions toward your neighbor once you return home speak louder than words or the photos that were shown. Many of my caucasian brothers and sisters may not fully understand what I have just shared; however, it is how many black Christians feel. It is uncomfortable, but I feel that we all can grow through honest conversation and transparency-Don’t you?

I was going to save this conversation for a later day, but since I’m already knee-deep in this, I should also add that my current (predominately white) church, by their actions, seems to get it! This year, because that’s how long I’ve attended this particular church, I have witnessed them being intentional about their ministry within the community without focusing on any specific demographic. Serving the people, ALL of the people, in their community was their focus. That’s what it’s all about! And I have to tell you, being a part of this was incredibly refreshing to me! They get it!

Wow, I digressed! So, where were we? In high school, my son went on a trip with his basketball team, where they participated in several “service/community outreach” events. At the same time, they toured the South and visited many Division I colleges. It was a service, vacation, tour combo, if you will. So, that trip wasn’t quite a missions trip, but it was as close as he got to go on a mission trip. Speaking of service, my children were actively involved in our Chicago west suburban chapter of Jack and Jill. The Jack and Jill of America Inc. organization. Jack and Jill of America, Inc is a membership organization of mothers and children dedicated to nurturing future African-American leaders by strengthening children through leadership development, volunteer service, philanthropic giving, and civic duty. There, they participated in many community service outreach events and programs. Serving others and giving back to their community is in our DNA, but they have never participated in an actual mission trip. So, although only my son Jay attended, this trip to Mexico was an incredible experience for all of us. Admittedly, I was just as excited as my son. This leads me to the more significant issue here: my packing.

I NEED HELP!

So, let’s talk about my packing issues-I need help y’all! No matter how hard I try, I can not condense everything I need into an appropriately sized suitcase. I often find it hard to get everything I need into a bag weighing less than 50lbs. It’s a struggle. 

My poor son looked at me sideways (respectfully) as I kept bringing him things to add to his bag. But, before you judge, you must know that I pack for the “what-ifs.” I pack for the ” just in case” and the “if I need it and can’t find a place to buy it, no worries; I got you” moments. I have to pack those things for my own peace of mind, but I also need to pack my other essential items while adhering to the airline weight requirements- and that’s where you come in!

I would love to hear from you. Please email me @sonyacamillecontact@gmail.com with any packing suggestions or tips you would like to share with me. Then, come back for the second half of this post entitled “Packing solutions-what I’ve learned.” I will incorporate your feedback and my research from Pinterest and YouTube, and hopefully, I will get tips on how to pack more efficiently. Packing tips are coming soon here on Cordially Camille!