Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Haiti Journal 3 Missions, Vacations, and Vactions with Purpose

As I am preparing for Haiti, I am exploring some of the motivations for the trip and decided look up what other people had to say about mission trips.  Here are the two articles and my response.  After looking at the types of trips, I know that I want to learn from this trip while at the same time have to opportunity to interact with hurting people and do it all for the glory of God, by going where he leads me.  Here are some other people's thoughts on mission trips.

Other People's Thoughts
Humanitarian vs Mission Trip
I really liked this short post. The way this author explained the difference between a Humanitarian trip and a Mission Trip was that “the differnece between a mission trip and a humanitarian trip is working for the good of God vs. the good of man.”

Mission Trips vs. Trips with purpose
I am curious to know if these trips are for non-Christians to have a similar experience and really do what they believe in. I guess, I don’t see anything wrong with this concept as long as Christians understand the difference and are honest about their motivations.

It seems like this article is arguing that Trips with Purpose are simply ways to say that “I’m good and I deserve this consumerism because I am working for.” I agree that this attitude is bad, but at the same time, I don't think that is everyone's heart and the heart is what is important. I guess I would argue that both types of trips can be good along with vacation. All of these types of trips are important for Christians.

My Definitions
Humanitarian Trip - On a humanitarian trip, it is likely that faith will come up if interacting with others (this missional heart is good and you do not need to go with a Christian group). It is also likely that you could impact an entirely different people group that you would probably not reach the same way on a mission trip.

Mission Trips - Mission trips are wonderful. They often provide an educational aspect and you are going for the purpose of sharing Christ or advancing the gospel. In my experience, there has always been a humanitarian element, but the overall goal is to go where you are led. My fast approaching trip to Haiti will definitely be a Mission Trip and I an extremely excited.

Vacation with Purpose - I have never heard of a Vacation with Purpose before, but I suppose I have done this naturally. I have a hard time not talking with homeless people while in a big city and I am typically touched by the garbage that happens in peoples lives. I guess this section could include a trip that is extremely luxurious and you don’t interact with people in “need.” This type of trip is not for me, but rich people are often hurting and/or need Jesus as well. I understand that the consumerism in America is excessive, but if that is your lifestyle, I do support going on a trip like this for the sake of interacting with others who love money and luxury.

Vacation - Vacations are extremely important. They offer a chance for a family to interact and spend some sabbatical time together. People need breaks. God needed a break and in response we are expected to have periods of rest. This time probably should not be void of positive interactions with others; however, it does not need to be the focus and there is nothing wrong with “getting away.”

Dear God. Please help this upcoming trip to be about you and where you want us to be. Please start working in peoples hearts and prepare ourselves and others for the conversations and interactions we are about to have. I also pray that our labors will be fruitful both in the Kingdom and in Haiti (here on earth). I also ask that you will help us to bring back the truths that you want us to share with our friends and family. I pray that the group will work well together and that we will all have a role that we fulfill. Please help us to be flexible and have a wonderful time. It would be great to be able to see some of true Haitian culture as well ; ) AMEN!

These are just some of my thoughts what do you think about the various kinds of trips?  How would you define them differently? 

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Haiti Journal 4 Voices of Haiti

I will be leaving for Haiti in just over a week. The other girls and I will be working in an orphanage and at the school & the guys will be building a chicken coup. Though I wont be there for art, I am sure there will be plenty of inspiration. I plan to bring back some project ideas and photos. I’m not planning on doing a large scale project, but who knows.

A friend just showed me this project completed in response to the earthquake.  The photographer asked peopel to write the message they wanted the share on a piece of rubble.  This newly wed couple is standing infront of the church they were supposed to be married in. Their sign reads, "Love conquers all."

Jeremy Cowart - Voices of Haiti
  

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Save Me From Myself

I was watching a little LA Ink while I was sorting through a box from our storage shed.  Head from KORN went in and talked about his story of going from the band and doing tons of drugs.  He went to church, thought everyone was crazy, went home, prayed anyway, and gave up drugs to take care of his little girl.

I always thought that taking care of your kids with or without religion is an incredibly responsible decision.  I do like KORN (and have since I was little), but I was extremely excited when I heard that Head had become a Christian and was producing a solo album.

See the first few minutes of this video for Head's "conversion story"


The last couple minutes of this video talks more about Head's album, his experience with KORN, and his drug addiction.


Head's new song, Save me from Myself....I have always liked how KORN talked about serious issues and the lyrics had a sense of positivity (though still negative) rather than complete negativity like some of Slipknot's lyrics. Anyways that was my experience (and I did a bad job explaining it : ). I love that Head is able to do the same thing from a Christian perspective now....He is real and talks about the garbage in life and how he is healing.


Being an art student, I have gotten pretty used to people bashing Christians for being judgemental.  However, it seems that non-Christians can be pretty judgemental as well.  Here is the one comment that was posted below the video.

"Head up drugs to move on to something even more dangerous - religion! F**** up more people every year than any drug can!"

What are some anti-Christian comments you have heard recently?  Where do you think these negatice stereotypes come from?

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Thoughts of An Economist

“For those who believe, no proof is necessary. For those who don't believe, no proof is possible.”

~Stuart Chase

Do you believe/What do you believe?  Is there proof?  Is it necessary? 

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Trust

I saw a poster that said this the other day...I liked it.

"Don't trust everything you think"
 
What are your thoughts??? Are they trustworthy?

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Religion vs. Spirituality

Critical Thought Tuesday

I was trying to argue the difference between religion and spirituality in one of my papers for my African American Religious Culture class and this was my professors response…

“I understand the word “spiritual” to be the “innocent” word that people like to use because they think it frees them from dealing from institutional religion.”

Interesting…What do you think the difference is? Is there a difference? Do you agree?

Thursday, May 5, 2011

I Don't Like You...And Neither Does My God

Critical Thought Tuesday


“You can safely assume that you've created God in your own image when it turns out that God hates all the same people you do.”

~ Anne Lamott 

Any Thoughts???

Monday, May 2, 2011

Bible vs. Koran??

 I found this cartoon the other day when I was looking for some design inspiration.


Being an art student, I am used to this attitude and see it nearly every day.  My husband is a PhD student in Electrical Engineering and topics like this really don’t come up. 
There was a ceramics project up in our fine arts building a couple weeks ago.  The project appeared to be from Beginning Ceramics and the project had to do with using slabs of clay to build something.  One of the projects was a Bible like book that said “JESUS: Today’s Modern Fairy Tale.”  My husband was appalled (not surprised) at the idea of people mocking Christianity.  He brought up the point that you would never see something like this referencing the Koran or a Holy Book from another religion.
When I found this image while searching for inspiration, I literally laughed out loud.  I guess I commend any artist who can humorously capture the sad realities of life.
Check out my poster project that was in response to a series of Christian-Bashing posters…