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European Mission Work, Worthy Cause or a Scam?
Posted on 6/19/17 at 5:38 pm
Posted on 6/19/17 at 5:38 pm
I was recently asked to sponsor an individual raising funds so that she could participate in a foreign mission run by what appears to be a large, Christian mission organization. After reviewing the site, the details she provided, and speaking with the individuals involved, I was disappointed. There appears to be a complete lack of any form of oversight.
The pitch was that she would be helping Syrian refugees. In reality, she will live with the head of the mission group and his family in Spain. Their mission work consists of daily "prayer walks" where they walk the city and pray for people. She also mentioned that they will help the mission establish a for-profit business, which will supposedly be used as a method for meeting and converting people.
So, it appears that, in reality, she will be paid by others to move to an international city dominated by Christians/Catholics. She will walk the city, have coffee, view tourist attractions and pray for people. She will help the head of the organization establish a business that will generate a profit for him, but that will not be returned to the investors/mission sponsors.
I declined the opportunity to provide free labor for this sham organization. Is this what mission work has become? Funding European vacations?
The pitch was that she would be helping Syrian refugees. In reality, she will live with the head of the mission group and his family in Spain. Their mission work consists of daily "prayer walks" where they walk the city and pray for people. She also mentioned that they will help the mission establish a for-profit business, which will supposedly be used as a method for meeting and converting people.
So, it appears that, in reality, she will be paid by others to move to an international city dominated by Christians/Catholics. She will walk the city, have coffee, view tourist attractions and pray for people. She will help the head of the organization establish a business that will generate a profit for him, but that will not be returned to the investors/mission sponsors.
I declined the opportunity to provide free labor for this sham organization. Is this what mission work has become? Funding European vacations?
8
Posted on 6/19/17 at 5:40 pm to BabyCakes
Should have sent funds to North Baton Rouge.
Posted on 6/19/17 at 5:47 pm to BabyCakes
quote:pics?
she would be
Posted on 6/19/17 at 5:50 pm to BabyCakes
Without turning this into a religious thread, it's a crock of shite.
Posted on 6/19/17 at 5:53 pm to BabyCakes
I honestly don't have a feeling that very many mission trips do any significant good for the intended recipients.
Posted on 6/19/17 at 5:59 pm to BabyCakes
England needs more vans for their Muslim outreach program
Posted on 6/19/17 at 6:01 pm to BabyCakes
As a person whose children have done several mission trips, it's a good thing for the person going on the trip because they get to do some manual labor and attempt to help some poor people.
The don't actually help anyone, though, and they are all basically scams.
The don't actually help anyone, though, and they are all basically scams.
Posted on 6/19/17 at 6:03 pm to Spankum
quote:
I honestly don't have a feeling that very many mission trips do any significant good for the intended recipients.
It's difficult to help groups of people that can't figure out how to find clean drinking water on their own
Posted on 6/19/17 at 6:04 pm to Bjorn Cyborg
It really says a lot about the third worlders that they rely on american kids to build their stuff
Posted on 6/19/17 at 7:00 pm to Rize
quote:
Should have sent funds to North Baton Rouge.
I thought we weren't allowed to sends funds to an active war zone?
Posted on 6/19/17 at 7:06 pm to BabyCakes
Wouldn't call it a scam if they're open about those details.
I wouldn't consider it a good use of resources though.
I wouldn't consider it a good use of resources though.
Posted on 6/19/17 at 7:10 pm to WeeWee
quote:
I thought we weren't allowed to sends funds to an active war zone?
I consider it a second world country fwiw
Posted on 6/19/17 at 8:57 pm to BabyCakes
In this particular instance, not a worthy cause, but there certainly are other organizations doing great work over there that aren't scams. Just like spending money on a product or service, it's important to do your homework before giving money.
I'd also add that typically, donations given directly to an upstanding organization are more impactful than donations that enable a friend to volunteer their time for that organization... Unless of course the friend has a specialized skill set that's urgently needed. That said, I've done volunteer work with refugees abroad and worked alongside some people who were funded by friends and family. It was their only way to afford it and they didn't treat it like a vacation. I'd consider the donations well spent... just could be more effective dollar for dollar if given to the organization directly.
ETA: my post refers to actual volunteer work, not missionaries focused on spreading faith.
I'd also add that typically, donations given directly to an upstanding organization are more impactful than donations that enable a friend to volunteer their time for that organization... Unless of course the friend has a specialized skill set that's urgently needed. That said, I've done volunteer work with refugees abroad and worked alongside some people who were funded by friends and family. It was their only way to afford it and they didn't treat it like a vacation. I'd consider the donations well spent... just could be more effective dollar for dollar if given to the organization directly.
ETA: my post refers to actual volunteer work, not missionaries focused on spreading faith.
This post was edited on 6/19/17 at 9:04 pm
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