The 4 Elements of a Short-term Trip

I am skeptical when it comes to short-term humanitarian aid / mission trips.  I’ll admit it.

This skepticism stems from the fact that I have been on some bad (and when I say bad, I mean REALLY BAD) short-term trips.  And yet, in 11 days I leave for Ethiopia on my very own short-term trip.  Why am I going?  Well… Despite the amount of terrible trips, there have also been some good ones.

I have learned over the years that a good short-term trip requires 4 elements: A need, something to offer that need, local support, and continued partnership.  Without these 4, we are wasting our money and time. 

How does my trip meet these 4 Elements?  I am so glad you asked…

What is the need?

Care for HIV / AIDS victims.  Doctors, medicine and continued medical care is expensive.  Furthermore, the emotional and spiritual impact of having a deadly, incurable, disease is certainly devastating to most people and their families.

What do we have to offer?

We will be traveling with a group of Doctors and Nurses from Menlo Park Presbyterian.  Through Ethiopia ACT, we will be hosting medical clinics where these Medical Professionals will be able to offer their services free of charge.  In addition, I will be able to utilize my pastoral background by counseling and praying for many of these individuals.  Through these clinics we are able to help Ethiopia ACT build relationships within the community - better relationships equates to more trust and more people being cared for within Ethiopia.

“When teams hold community-wide clinics and care for the sickest and most needy people living in the neighborhoods we serve, they not only bring medical care to people who desperately need that care, they also build up our relationship with the local government and build our visibility and credibility with the wider community.” – Andy Warren, ACT Program Director

What happens to the people I meet and help?

On this trip I will be able to meet and build relationships with all sorts of people.  I look forward to praying with them and reminding them of the love that God has for them.  But then what?  Are they left to fend for their own?  The beauty of Ethiopia ACT is that they are there for the long haul.  The care for these people is tied to the local church.  This is an essential element to short term trips.  When I leave, Ethiopia ACT will continue to serve and love these people.  They are our local support.

What happens after the trip?

My church, Redeemer, Orange County, is committed to the ongoing care of HIV/ AIDS patients through Ethiopia Act.  It is a sizable part our monthly budget and we look forward to supporting them as they plant churches and care for others.  Yes, it feels good to help others but this is so much more than feeling good about myself.  It is about partnering with brothers and sisters around the globe and sharing in one vision – the love of God, and the love of others.

If you are interested in learning more about Ethiopia ACT check out their website at: http://www.mtwact.org/

Or…

If you are interested in supporting financially you can donate by check (made out to Redeemer Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 9708, Newport Beach, CA 92658) or you can donate online at  http://redeemeroc.org/ministries/global-partnership-donations/ (please put my name in the memo). 

Ethiopia ACT

Dear Friends,

I have a very exciting opportunity coming up that I want to share with you. On April 17 -27th I will be traveling to Ethiopia to work with AIDS patients through Ethiopia ACT (AIDS Care and Treatment) and my church.

What is Ethiopia ACT?

Ethiopia ACT was founded by Andy Warren in 1996. Andy Warren originally moved to Ethiopia to serve as a missionary, with the goal of planting a church in Addis Ababa, the Capital of Ethiopia. After arriving he quickly discovered that there was a great need to care for those who had been victimized by HIV and AIDS.

“We looked around and didn’t see anybody doing anything about it... We started small—just going into homes in the slums, making sure people got fed, their rent was paid, household tasks were done” - Andy Warren

Before long City Officials began to take notice of the work that was being done. Lives were being changed and the mortality rate was dropping among those they worked with. Soon, City Officials asked Andy and his team to take over all medical care for AIDS and HIV patients within the city. This was a huge task and was too big for the team. For this reason they declined complete oversight, but in doing so promised to train government officials in the same type of care that ACT had been administering. This continues to be extremely successful within the city.

What will I be doing? 

I will be traveling with a few people from my church, Redeemer Presbyterian, and a group of doctors and nurses from Menlo Park Presbyterian.  While the doctors and nurses will be treating physical ailments, I will be assisting on the emotional and spiritual side by counseling, praying, and speaking love into these peoples lives. There is a great need for spiritual care among AIDS and HIV patients. I am excited for this opportunity because it allows me to love and care for people while utilizing my gifts and pastoral background.

How can you help?

First: Will you keep me and my team in your prayers? Would you consider writing my name on a note card and then putting it in a place that you will see it often? That way you can remember to pray for me and my team every time you see it.

Second: Will you look into Ethiopia ACT and tell others about it? You can find more information here… http://www.mtwact.org

Third: Will you consider supporting me financially? The cost of a trip like this is around $2700 – of this I am responsible for about $1200. You can donate by check (made out to Redeemer Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 9708, Newport Beach, CA 92658) or you can donate online at http://redeemeroc.org/ministries/global-partnership-donations/ (please put my name in the memo).

If you have any questions, please let me know. I would love to tell you more about everything we will be doing. Thank you for your support!

Redeemed by Christ,

Scott

Laying Down Our Rights in the Kingdom

I preached last week on Matthew 5:38-42. Here is the link for anyone interested. (Bear with the sound for the first 2 min, it gets better)

http://www.folfcrc.com/2011/05/15/laying-down-our-rights-in-the-kingdom/

Sanctity of Life

http://thegospelforoc.com/2011/01/sanctity-of-life/

Letting go of the American Dream

http://thegospelforoc.com/2011/01/letting-go-of-the-american-dream/

A few changes...

I have recently been invited to write for The Gospel for OC. This is an exciting opportunity because I believe The Gospel for OC is taking great strides in both uniting the Church and in declaring the one true Gospel within Orange County. For those who have frequently read my blog you know that this fits right inline with my desire for Christ's Church. I am looking forward to participating with these brothers and sisters in the very near future.

So, what does that mean for this blog? I am going to continue to use this blog to write, however these writings will be more of a personal nature. For the most part, any posts regarding theology, the local church, or the Bible will now be posted through The Gospel for OC. I want to thank everyone who has faithfully come to this blog over the last two years. I look forward to seeing your comments on the new blog.


For His kingdom,
Scott

10 Things That Forgiveness Is Not

Silly Preaching

Welcome to my brain

I just feel like writing. I am not sure why I feel this need to write. In all honesty, I don’t even know exactly what to say, but there is a strong urge to get the thoughts that are running in my head out. For those who know me well, they realize that this isn’t like me, I am usually a person with an agenda and a point to make – not this time. September was a month that stretched me emotionally and spiritually. I feel like I was put through the ringer, experiencing times of joy and difficulty – all of which lead me to Christ, in which my heart was exposed, reminding me how bankrupt I am on my own. I am grateful for this. I am grateful that Christ loves me enough to tear my heart open and reveal the black areas that still remain. I am grateful that he allows me to go through trials and exposes my idols for what they are – empty and destructive. This month I preached twice at church. God was so gracious to me. I love to preach, but it wears me out. It reminds me of my own depravity and strengthens me in Christ’s faithfulness. The Holy Spirit has been heavy upon me this week. I have found myself fighting back tears as I contemplate Christ and his love. Even now as I write this I find my eyes welling up – the guy next to meet at Starbucks probably thinks I am crazy. This is not normal, but I like it. I talked with a friend all last week who was struggling. I offered this friend comfort and reminded this friend of their worth in Christ and that because Christ shed his blood, they are the most valuable person on earth. I could use this advice for myself. I was comforted through my friends struggle. I was the one trying to encourage, but their struggle with self-worth brought me comfort because it resonated so much in my own life. I put a lot of hope into something this last week that didn’t pan out. This brought me a lot of disappointment, which I was not expecting. I still pray that it pans out one day but if not I pray that I will be satisfied in Christ. These are the thoughts that are running through my head. Not to worry, my next post will be back to defending doctrine.

Salt & Light

Had the opportunity to preach the other day. Here it is if anyone is interested.

http://www.folfcrc.com/2010/09/05/salt-and-light/