Corbett and Fikkert move beyond the argument that short-term mission trips are harmful to communities and demonstrate poor stewardship, to a careful explanation of how these trips harm. Then they lay out a comprehensive solution and provide a set of resources for short trips that includes a Leader’s Guide, Participant’s Guide and online videos.
The Leader’s Guide is divided into four sections of short, thought-provoking chapters that conclude with “Takeaways” so that the reader can immediately apply what was learned. In the brief introduction, the authors explain the “why” of the book and give suggestions about how to use it. “Part One: A Different Sort of Trip” guides the reader through an assessment of short term trips, describing both positive and less-than-positive outcomes. The authors argue that the cumulative effect of approximately 1.6 million adult Americans attempting to alleviate poverty in one to two week chunks is actually harmful to the visited communities, as well as to long term mission and development efforts. (This material is a condensed and slightly reorganized version of a chapter from When Helping Hurts by the same authors.) The next chapters present a vision for how to participate in God’s mission to reconcile the world to Himself in wholeness, including an explanation of poverty, again drawn from When Helping Hurts. Finally, the authors lay a foundation for brief trips that will do the most good and least harm based on the principles outlined in preceding chapters. The new paradigm is three parts discipleship to one part trip. The goal of the trip is to promote fellowship between the sending and receiving communities. Participants build understanding and demonstrate good-will as they discover resources, needs and priorities for service together.
The third section of the book consists of concrete and practical guidance for discovering potential partners on the field, deciding upon an approach, sharing vision, identifying leaders, gathering a team, and designing a program of discipleship around the trip. More pages of the book are dedicated to the implementation of the new approach to short trips than to theory. The emphasis is on providing guidance and practical tools in order to apply concepts of healthy and effective cross-cultural work. The final section of the book is a replica of the Participant’s Guide that includes notes for the leader on effectively guiding interactive training sessions.
The Participant’s Guide provides brief readings to accompany the videos, along with questions to provoke reflective self-discovery and group discussions. It covers some pre-trip training, though more pages are dedicated to facilitating reflection and processing during the “trip” and “post trip” segments. The focus of the Participant’s Guide is on informing, encouraging and holding participants accountable with the goal of a transformational experience.
The videos repeat essential points also covered in the Leader’s Guide, as well as some thoughts that echo ideas in When Helping Hurts. A video format is well-suited to a generation who are more accustomed to taking in information through video than through printed materials. On the other hand, some viewers may become bored with shots of each of the authors presenting points from the book against a black backdrop. While the Participant’s Guide includes QR codes for the online resources, it would be helpful to make DVDs available as well for those who lack the appropriate apps and/or reliable internet access.
The books are written in personable and non-judgmental tones. The reasoning and explanations are clear and focused. Statistics and credible sources make convincing arguments. The authors suggest enough resources to guide and satisfy the person who wants to know more without overwhelming him or her. Suggestions and recommendations for developing and carrying out a trip are immensely practical. It is readily apparent that the authors put their real life knowledge and experience to work so that their audience will not have to reinvent the wheel or make the same mistakes.
Corbett and Fikkert are knowledgeable and experienced guides explaining complex realities and carefully reviewing relevant details of the terrain ahead. Straight-forward, balanced, kind, and humble, their writing demonstrates that these men have the best in mind for all parties involved – short term teams, sending churches, donors, long term workers, receiving communities, and most importantly God and His honor and glory. Though Helping Without Hurting resources were specifically developed for short-term teams in poverty alleviation contexts, the authors’ descriptions of paternalism and typical cultural misunderstandings of short term visitors, along with the questions provided for reflection and discussion are valuable for any short term team.
