Overseas Mission Myth #2

MYTH #2 - IF WE ARE INVOLVED IN BUILDING ANYTHING, WE TAKE JOBS AWAY FROM LOCAL PEOPLE.

Sometimes this is a myth and sometimes it is not. Just as we cannot go to other countries and do things that may take away from the local economy, we also cannot generalize about what the results of our actions will be.

The way to make sure this is a myth is to check out how your building project works. If you are paying a flat rate for a building no matter how soon it is finished, and if you are hiring the same amount of workers that would be hired if you were not there, then you are not taking money or jobs from the local economy. If you are paying less money or hiring less people, then this myth may in fact be truth. If you check it out first then you can be sure about what you are doing.

When we travel, we pay a flat rate for our building and hire local maestros and workers. Also, the family often works on their own home (similar to the Habitat for Humanity system). We do not care how quickly or slowly we get the job done because it will be built even if we leave. Often our role is to talk with the family or play with the children. I mean really who are we trying to kid?? We do not know how to build with cinder blocks and a machete! The reason we do building projects is to meet the people and have a chance to share the gospel. Our partners in Guatemala see the buildings as a way for the church to make contact with families.

So, no need to worry about this myth if you do your homework first!