Why Go Overseas?

Has the international mission trip become irrelevant, unnecessary, perhaps even unseemly and immoral?

I know that some people wonder, either privately or not so privately, why it is that some Christians feel the urge to do good in faraway places when, as we all know very well, there are plenty of people in need in our own cities and neighborhoods.

I’m sure that some people feel this way about my current trip to Lebanon; I get it. After all, there is always a bit of tourism that goes on when I’m visiting another country, meaning that I am spending some time seeing beautiful historical sites, eating wonderful foods, and taking a break from the work I normally do. In that sense, it is a kind of vacation, or at least a respite from the usual list of things to do.

I confess that I love visiting different countries and encountering cultures which are foreign to me. It’s something which I thoroughly enjoy; I like trying to discover how to fit in, or at least how to tread lightly in a place that is not my natural home. 

And I understand that some people, particularly those who are my church members, might even feel that my overseas travel is distinctly not a part of my ministry at home. They might say that I am shirking my duties by spending time outside of my appointed office. 

I would respond to this complaint by arguing that this is part of my ministry; this is part of the whole call of God on the life of Wes Magruder. I haven’t come to Lebanon to engage in work that competes with or detracts from my church job. It’s one and the same work; the same gospel that compels me to proclaim the word on Sunday mornings and lead a congregation in north Oak Cliff also compels me to serve the displaced Syrian children of God.

Even so, there is still a practical question left when it comes to international mission work: does it make good sense for Americans to travel to a foreign country to do work which could just as well be done by others in that country?

This is certainly a legitimate question that must be answered honestly in every circumstance and context. It is true that a survey of American mission efforts over the last century might reveal a mixed bag in this regard; Americans have built and donated things that were irrelevant and unnecessary; Americans have gone into countries like imperialist invaders and bullied the residents around with arrogance and impatience; Americans have often been bad actors in other countries; Americans have also been guilty of doing work that benefitted their own egos and psyches rather than the people they ostensibly came to help. All of that is true.

But that doesn’t mean that Americans — or anyone else, for that matter — should stop their interest in international mission work. It means merely that we should do it better! 

We no longer have the luxury of sitting back and saying to ourselves that we should take care of our own poor and suffering first; we cannot afford to adopt an “America first” policy regarding the kingdom of God. This attitude may have been acceptable in the past, but our globe is infinitely smaller now, and a crisis in one small corner of the world will have repercussions elsewhere, whether we like it or not.

When I’m in Lebanon, or Greece, or Cameroon, I feel like I’m doing work for the only “place” that really matters — the entire planet. Because when we talk about “the kingdom of God,” that’s what we mean; God’s kingdom is that which God’s rule of shalom, love, and community encompasses. The kingdom of God is not limited to this planet (it includes the whole cosmos), but there is no part of this globe which falls outside of God’s reign.

If we really believe this, then we must act like it. As Christians, we can never subscribe to an “America first” mentality; nor must we succumb to an ideology which proclaims that our country is more divinely blessed than any other.

The world is full of diverse peoples, each of whom we are commanded to love as our neighbor, whether they love us back or not. And the only way to love our neighbors is to get to know them. 

In the end, that is the reason why I think international mission trips are urgent and necessary for the Christian. We have to get to know the real people who live in our world. It no longer suffices to send a little money here or there to address a need. We can’t fall back on our State Department or a large, impersonal non-profit organization to do our work for us. And we certainly cannot afford to let large media conglomerates tell us what the rest of the world is like, even if they have impressive video footage. 

No, I am convinced that the only true change in this world will take place when we all actively seek friendships with people around the world, when we nurture relationships with people who are not like us at all. You don’t have to leave America to do that, of course, but it certainly helps!

The world would actually be a safer place if we got out of our comfortable enclaves and opened our hearts to the world around us.

Thats why I’m here in Lebanon this week. Not simply to found a non-profit, which will do some great work. But to see my friends Ghaleb and Reyna Charif, and Tarek and Mouhar. Yesterday, I saw a woman who I met back in February; I didn’t remember her name, but she remembered mine and warmly greeted me back to her country. 

Today I met a young 23 year old woman named Shaza, who works as a facilitator for Save the Children. I watched as she led Syrian refugee children in playing Musical Chairs, Red Light/Green Light, and another game with a ball that looked like a cross between dodgeball and tag. She is the same age as my oldest daughter, and I thought of Rachel as I watched her.

All I could think was that I wished Rachel could meet Shaza. I think they would enjoy each other’s company. I think they could be friends.

But that’s what I always think. And that’s what I think about all the people of the world. We really could be friends if we just took the time to be with each other, even if only for a simple dinner. 

Truly, when you boil it all down, the international mission trip is worth it for that one simple event — the meal. That is where relationships begin; that is where God’s kingdom begins to peek through; that is where mission work hits its stride.

Remember Your To Be List

By Eva Englert-Jessen

I don’t know about you, but I sometimes struggle to be present. With all the activities that life brings, and in a society that rewards efficiency, individual accomplishment, and achievement, it can become all too easy to slip into a pattern of crossing off checklists and pressing forward to the next task on the list. I notice this in myself especially during times of transition (which I’ve had a lot of recently, speaking personally), when there is a lot of change or ramping up happening in several different areas of my life. Perhaps some of you are experiencing this now, too, as the rhythms of a new school year get going, or as you tend to a grief or change in your family, or as you support or process all that the recent natural disasters have brought to our world. Sometimes I cope with lots of change and new activity by trying to get on top of it all-- to outsmart or out-strategize it with lots of action plans.

Don’t get me wrong: there are obvious times and places in our daily lives when focus, goal-setting, strategy and accomplishment are worthy and necessary. Indeed, part of what I think makes a church relevant and impactful is its action in the world, rooted in love of self and neighbor through Christ. But I think when we get so tunnel-visioned on life as a checklist, or a series of activities to get through, we forget so much of who we are at an even more elemental level.

We forget that we are human beings (not “human doings,” as I heard a seminary friend say), created out of holy dust and who breathe, move, who have eyes to see beyond our screens and our lists. We forget that we are part of God’s broader cosmic creation, which includes even the ants and mice and those critters we commonly view as pests--and by extension we forget our link with all human beings, including those we’d rather not associate with. We forget to be awake with our children's silliness and curiosity. We become numb to hard or seemingly inconvenient questions that our faith implores us to ask and respond to. And we forget to link the stories of our individual lives with the lives around us.

What reminds you to pause in the midst of frenzy? What reminds you that there is actually enough time, that it does not all have to get done today, that it’s even okay to say no sometimes- or to have our kids say no sometimes? What reminds you that you are a living, breathing body that can laugh, cry, and be creative? For me, it’s digging in the dirt and planting green things, for one. I pray that a moment of remembering might happen for you this week. Do that thing that reminds you of your belovedness, and your beloved, beautiful messy humanity.

Speaking of linking stories, I want to close with an idea. In my work and conversations with our KPUMC youth and the United Methodist Women group last week, I’ve been musing on the possibilities for KPUMC to create more intergenerational spaces beyond our existing Wednesday night dinner and Sunday morning worship. I hear our youth share about what life is like for them as young people seeking meaning and connection in the world, as students and athletes and dreamers. And I hear the stories of some of the backbones of our KPUMC community, like the UMW, share decades of church history. What would it look like to put these two communities together in an intentional way-- to share stories, questions, and even respond to each others’ generational misconceptions? I’d love to see something like this happen, perhaps even as early as this fall. Let me know if you’d like to be a part and put something together.

Prayers for wonder and connection in the midst of life.

Good News ONLY

Would you like some good news? Yeah, so would I.

So I’d like to announce that this edition of the Kessler Park UMC Newsletter will be entirely full of good news only. Seriously. For a few minutes, at least, ignore the headlines and turn away from the TV.

Here’s some exciting news — the last two weeks, a total of 12 people have joined the church! And I hear a rumor that we will have even more joining this coming Sunday! I’m not sure exactly what has caused this mini-surge, but obviously we’re experiencing some energy and excitement. I think it’s related to the fact that people are discovering that KPUMC is an authentic community of faith, where you can be yourself and yet also grow into the likeness of Christ.

Speaking of this Sunday morning, we’ll also celebrate the baptism of Preston Lynndon West, son of Chad West and Brad Bleeker. Baptisms always fill me with hope, because they remind me that God has claimed each of us; God has marked us with a symbol that transcends race, gender, culture, language, and nationality.

Unfortunately, this Sunday we’ll also be saying farewell to Norlynn Price … wait, wait! This edition is supposed to be good news only, so — never mind! Forget what I just wrote there.

I’m also excited these days about a new adult Sunday School class that has started in the chapel. John Ogren is leading this group, which last week, had an inaugural class of nine people. Some of the couples came because there is now a Sunday School program for pre-kindergarten kids in the nursery, led by Wendy Ogren. Thanks to the Ogren’s for helping facilitate expanded ministries in the church!

Last week, we launched our fall Wednesday Night Live programming with a delicious fried chicken meal. Two adult groups meet after that —  one is a new lay pastoral care group, headed up by Mike Smith and Ken Kelley; the other is a new Social Justice team, led by Susan Baxley. Two more ways in which KPUMC will be making a difference in our community in the future!

After last night’s Wednesday Night dinner, children and youth assembled the flood buckets gathered and donated by church members over the last few weeks. These buckets will be packaged and sent to UMCOR’s depot in Louisiana for use in the flood-affected areas of south Texas, as disaster recovery efforts unfold … oh wait, sorry — I’m veering toward bad news again …

OK then, can I also mention that it was great having a contingent of KPUMC members at the Dallas Pride Parade last Sunday? It was an extremely warm and muggy afternoon, and the parade started late, BUT regardless, it was inspiring to walk with the members of the other Reconciling churches in Dallas as one group together, committed in our affirmation of our LGBTQ neighbors. People along the parade route were truly encouraged and excited to see Christians walking to show their support.

Oh, and I just learned today that the Reconciling churches received the 2017 Dallas Pride Parade Category Award for “Best Social Commentary”! See, isn’t that good news?!

May the rest of your day — and week — be filled with news that is hopeful, life-affirming, positive, and optimistic.