This a great question and one we hear often. Sure, we could just send the money and actually build more churches and other things. But “going,” which is what we are called to do – is life changing for those of us who go, for the people we serve, and for the people we work with. It is personal when we go ourselves and there is no substitute for being there. It is something we have to look at through a “long term” lens. The relationships formed and vision that is created when we go not only propels missions where we are serving, but exposes us to possibilities at home as well as other places. Many of our full time missionaries were first introduced to missions through short-term trips. This is just one of the many ripple effects of actually being there yourself. There is purpose in your presence and the benefit is priceless.