missions, but different

the reality is…

the traditional model for short-term missions and other forms of "voluntourism" (the melding of service and travel), can often:

  • exacerbate attachment issues in vulnerable children

  • incentivize institutionalization (keep kids in orphanages)

  • ineffectively direct funds at a problem

  • lead to dependency rather than independence

  • take money/opportunities away from local workers

  • paint undignified images of developing nations

  • feed into a "savior complex" in volunteers

So le't’s find a new way

The task in front of us is to salvage that which truly blesses those we seek to serve and do away with that which is harmful and unsustainable. We have a pretty cool idea of how to do this but first, please take the time to read our Reimagining Missions guide below.

Reimagining Missions Resource
 

Advocacy trips

Normally, we’re not about reinventing the wheel. But in this case, the wheel was way broken and raggedy. So yes, we’re doing a new thing.

Advocacy trips are not mission trips. They are not service trips. They are advocacy trips. Education focused and designed to honor and dignify everyone involved - it’s all the good stuff without all the bad stuff. Learn more about the model with the drop down deal below or click the link button to access a PDF information packet.

 
 

  • Each group will go through an intensive, 20 hour training/cross cultural ministry bootcamp via a series of zoom calls, in person trainings (depending on your location), guided reading, and roleplay/reflection activities. You will hear from experts in the field as well as plenty of Guatemalan voices. You will become a (well, not an expert), but someone who knows things about subject matter relevant to working cross culturally and advocating for vulnerable children and family. Our hope is that this portion of the trip will be academically enriching but with like a lot of heart and soul mixed in there too. This training will be interactive (aka not boring) and will hopefully set you on course to be a lifelong (competent) advocate for vulnerable children and families as well as prepare you for the second phase of your advocacy trip.

  • A thoughtfully designed trip to Guatemala. This will be a culturally immersive experience that is certain to challenge and grow participants on a deep level. The pre-trip training is designed so as to prepare our advocates for a more informed, and therefore, more profound and meaningful trip abroad. It is important to clarify that this is not a "service" trip. You will spend 7 days in Guatemala, appreciating its beauty, honoring its culture, and listening/learning. This is where we are really flipping the script. Considering that your team will not be completing any hands on projects, it will be imperative that your perspective switches from "helper" to "student."

    You will travel, eat amazing food, drink ridiculously good coffee, see beautiful people and places, and learn from Guatemalans. You will grow in relationship with your group, have meaningful conversations with our staff over bonfires, witness God's movement in another culture, learn how to make Guatemalan food and probably have a ton of fun. In the process, you will support Guatemala's tourism industry and more directly, support Story's programs just by being there!

  • The type of knowledge/experience you will gain through this experience is too valuable to keep to yourself. But the reality is, actually advocating is hard to do. It's not that often that ethical orphan care naturally comes up in conversation. So we are building in your first advocacy opportunity to this model. Our gentle nudge to get the ball ralling.

    Our expectation is that within two months of returning from Guatemala, you host a micro-event. That sounds fancier/more complicated than it means to. What we're talking about is a small gathering of friends/family (ideally, 10-20 people) in your home or somewhere else casual and comfortable.

    We will provide you with plenty of print resources and other fun things to share with your people but for the most part, you are the champion here. We would love for you to share, in whatever format you wish, about what you learned during both the training and the visiting portion of your advocacy trip. You'd be amazed what happens when you, someone your friends and family know and trust, share from your heart about your journey.

    We're so passionate about this part that we will cover any expenses you incur to put the night on (food/beverage/etc.) We also have a short guide that walks you through how to plan and execute all of this in a not-awkward, totally sweet way.