Monday, April 6, 2015

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). 

Monday, March 16, 2015

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