Evangelical Tourism: Nothing but Negatives?

A response paper I wrote in my second year of University:

            Exploring the dynamics surrounding evangelical tourism has intrigued me. As the film by Vision 360, and the class discussion pointed out, there is a great debate as to whether the benefits outweigh the negatives with this kind of tourism. Among the hand full of heavily interviewed individuals, Dr. Salivarria, and Dr. Verbeek stood out the most to me. In Salivarria’s case he believed that short-term missions were essentially useless because they brought no long-term benefits to the community. He argued that a group of missionaries could come and run a health clinic for a couple weeks, and then leave it completely deserted, never to be heard from again. This is not something I had given much thought to before seeing this film, but I am becoming increasingly concerned about the non-beneficial aspects of short-term missions. It is important to clarify that short-term missions are not just an element of evangelical volunteer tourism, but rather, all sections of volunteer groups. I also found it fascinating to think that thousands of educated doctors are unemployed in Honduras because the government has no money left to support them, while at the very same time millions of dollars are spent on travel expenditures for short-term volunteers. One trip could spend upwards of fifty thousand dollars in travel costs, that is, enough money to employ a handful of qualified nurses in Honduras. After the self-interested traveller from the West leaves, it breaks my heart to think of the utter uselessness that is sometimes left behind. Stories of double immunization, empty healthcare buildings, towns built on swamps, structures being built by inexperienced workers, and so on, only further convinces me that short-term volunteering results in long-term pain for the host country. It was encouraging to hear statements from Salivarria that he had since planted 35 churches and medical centers by using the local people. This speaks volumes to those who may doubt the local population’s ability to enact in a way as ‘progressive’ or ‘advanced’ as ourselves.

            Having discussed the short-term, I would like to now focus on the long-term, and more specifically, on evangelical missions. The laid back and honest persona of Dr.Verbeek seemed much more appropriate for rational thought and critical reflection then many of the other evangelicals interviewed. Verbeek lives in one of the poorest areas in Tegucigalpa, and has lived there for over a decade. His clear knowledge of the local people’s needs far outstretches those coming in for a two week stint. He agreed that many short-term evangelical missions were inherently problematic, but insisted that if the group could take a few extra steps, the advantages would far exceed the downfalls. Verbeek suggests that groups should send money after they return home, and attempt to keep in contact with the locals they partnered with, thus creating a sustained relationship, and an opportunity to return. What is also paramount for Verbeek, is making sure to understand exactly what the needs are of the individual community that the group is working with, as told by the locals. I could not agree more. I believe whole heartedly that long-term volunteer tourism that is determined to understand the local needs of a community, as voiced by community members, and then seeks to follow-up with support for the long-term, whether evangelical or not, is a win – win situation. As Matthews states: “. . . without locals . . . one’s trip will be made meaningless," further demonstrating the importance of working with the locals. I believe that it is with this mindset that we can experience a true balanced learning experience between both the volunteers and the locals.

Another interesting theme was raised during this analysis, and discussion that I will briefly touch on. That is, the utter hostility towards Christianity in our modern day secular society, especially in academic circles. I find it fascinating, (and somewhat comical), that in a culture that prides itself in ‘equality for all,’ and ‘support for freedom of thought,’ continually pushes anything related to Christianity, evangelicalism, and so on, to the periphery of this tolerance. It seems to me that whenever these topics are raised, it is automatically acceptable to apply all stereotypes (such as George Bush’s leadership, or the wealthy lying American evangelical pastors) to blanket the rest. I am nearly positive, that if any other religious affiliation was attached to the film watched in class there would have been virtually no mockery, or disregard towards their opinions. It became paramount to me when I literally felt nervous for a young scholar in our class to admit she was a Christian during discussion. Why is that? How much more oxymoronic (emphasis on moronic) can we get? This is not to say that evangelical influence should not be studied critically, in fact far from it. What bothers me the most is the hostility and lack of respect displayed in a society which has essentially made an entire reversal in societal norms, and yet we seem to forget where we came from. (I wouldn’t doubt that a few decades ago a student could argue the exact same thing I am, only for the secular view to be accepted).  Finally, to expand on the previous point, I think it is important to mention that in today’s youth there is a growing number of so-called ‘Jesus followers,’ who do not subscribe to any of the institutionalized methods of the church. In fact, they are very much in support of a community based life working against liquid modernity, and are all about showing true love and tolerance to all. Maybe it is our own fault for not educating ourselves about what is really going on around us, or perhaps, we have become caught up in a powerful secular discourse.

Bibliography

CNN 360 Vision, Evangelical Tourism in Honduras. Accessed (February, 23^rd 2010).

Matthews, A. “’Negotiated Selves:’ The Impact of Local—Global Interactions on Young

Volunteer Travellers,” In Journeys of Discovery in Volunteer Tourism, edited by K. D.

Lyons and S. Wearing, 101 – 117. CAB International, 2008.