Approximately 20 percent of all US-based international mission work each year is done by short-term volunteers just like our Honduras mission, according to an analysis by sociologist of religion Robert Wuthnow. That translates to 1.6 million US church members annually going on international mission trips and doing work valued at $1.1 billion (not counting preparation time & travel days).
When you think of mission trips in this way, then you get a big picture view of the incredible loss that must be felt by those who are no longer being served as well as missionaries who are forced to remain at home.
As with so many other aspects of life, missions were deeply impacted by the coronavirus pandemic & the subsequent lockdowns & restrictions on social gatherings. Everything, including short-term missions, has forever changed. However, despite mission travel reshaping drastically, it has become a good thing.
It has given our Honduras mission core team time to breathe & reconsider how the process can be transformed & improved upon plus how our financial support can make the greatest impact.
Mission Safety is Paramount
The Mission Core team’s main concern is always the safety of our missionaries, & we analyze that in the greatest detail - the new inherent risks, & what can we do to continue to maintain your safety. We are constantly consulting with risk management, our medical team leaders, local Honduran experts & others for guidance.
We believe that God will bless our work in new ways post-pandemic, as we see new efforts that have been thoroughly undergirded in prayer, & as we engage with new partners like Deacon Rick Vogel to collaborate with us in the days ahead. We also expect there will be a gratitude for freedom to operate in a more normal fashion that will make post-pandemic mission work even more satisfying than pre-pandemic work when we faced few obstacles.
The Core Team certainly understands your frustrations as we set multiple travel dates, plan and then must postpone the last 2-years. Know this to be true…. we will return to Honduras soon!