The Trap of Poverty

Part of the "Hippocratic Oath" is to "Never do harm to anyone." This is part of the Doctor's oath. From having been here for the last few weeks I have learned a lot. Part of the issue of missions in the past and present is that missionaries want a "quick fix" something that will change people to the Lord and leave all their sinful ways behind. But this is not the case. In a society where witchcraft and ancestry roots go back hundred upon hundred of years, sadly there is no quick fix. You can not go into a field and throw out seeds , then expect a plentiful harvest. But instead the seeds will be choked by weeds and destroyed from everything surrounding them. One must put his hand to the plow and work the field for months upon months. Which for us as Christians would be a lifetime. In a society held to the cultural chains and roots which have held them captive for hundreds of years, they cannot be undone in one week.... one month... one year.... sometimes not even one lifetime. For some people just within this culture it may take ten years before you truly find out their motives. This is not just ten years of being acquaintances, this is more like ten years of them being your closest friend, a disciple. For some it may even take fifteen years, then next thing you know you are robbed and betrayed by those closest to you.(Imagine how Christ felt, He even knew what was to come) These cultural ties actually play into past missionaries. When the first missionaries came some did things right, others did not. From those who did not white people soon became a crutch for locals. People to pay for school, people to give them money, people who will get them out of their poverty. Then instead of helping them, we were actually fueling what is called "The Poverty Mindset." We are still doing this today. Short term mission trips of a few weeks or even a few years begins to create this mindset. Because then all we become are the "rich, white, Americans"(Bzungu) who are here to "fix their problem". But this is not their problem, their problem is not their poverty. Their problem is in the heart and morals. In a land like this where almost any individual  could walk into the bush, gather fruit, natural plants or even pick up wood to sell in the market. They could gain enough money to go to school, to buy food etc. The issue is not poverty at all. The issue is their heart and morals, which tie into their cultural roots. Back to my first sentence, we as Christians, Missionaries etc. must not do more harm. We must not sacrifice a people to their own issues by wanting to gain the momentary satisfaction of going on a several week long mission trip. Are these wrong... no. what we must realize though, is that every choice we make has lasting effects. Some which may take years and years to undo. Now this is just what I have been learning and picking up from talking to people here, so these are just some thought and things I am processing through. So do not take them as an ultimate truth. Thanks and God Bless