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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I'm astonished by these responses.  Have you actually been on any of these trips?

I am not religious and have never been, but was raised going to a church semi-regularly.  My church partnered with others and went to Mexico every year for upwards of 25 years to build houses for homeless people in 2 specific towns, then a hospital and a school.  I went on those trips for many years, starting at age 13, and they absolutely formed the person I am today and created a global, humanitarian perspective that I hope to pass on to my children.   We would work alongside the soon-to-be homeowners pouring cement, raising roofs, installing windows.  We developed real relationships with families and the community that continued for many many years.

Sadly, the dangers of the drug cartels stopped the trips about 5 years ago, but many participants have gone back on their own dime for short visits to maintain those friendships.

I can only hope that I'm able to offer similar experiences to my kids when they're older.  [/quote]

Perfect example of the rationalization that missionaries are steeped in.  Because it helped YOU, it must have helped them.  Not true.

[/quote]

I can say unequivocally that those families would disagree with you.  It's amazing the difference having a solid roof over your head, instead of taped together refrigerator boxes, will do to help your present and your future.[b]  Once they had homes, nearly every single one of those families was able to have at least one member hold a job and be a productive member of his/her community.[/b]  Nearly every single one of those children was able to go to school.  Several of the kids I personally knew went on to college.  Because they helped to build the houses and school, they were personally invested in their success.  They were able to help their neighbors.  They were able to feel pride in home ownership (surely something DCUM can understand).  Tell them our combined efforts did not significantly better their lives. 
[/quote]

You could have done better for those families by sending money to employ local laborers to build the houses. Then, not only would some folks have houses, but other folks would have jobs.    These trips badly distort local economies by putting local builders out of work, and allow the cost of supplies to be unreasonably increased.  Sure, it might work for the 3 families who get a new house, but it's overall very bad for the community.  [/quote]

You could do better good by getting off DCUM and going to give a sandwich to a homeless person right now but you're here enjoying being mean because it makes you feel good.  Oh well, we're all human.[/quote]

Joke's on you.  I'm literally typing this from the developing world, where I'm handing out grant money to local organizations, since they are better situated to assess local needs and are better stewards of the funds than foreign missionaries.

No lie.  Jeff can check my ISP.  So, you see, I come by my smugness naturally.  [/quote]

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