Volunteer Teams

In class the other day a group did a presentation on volunteer teams.  Like most things there are both pros and cons to volunteer teams.  It's cool that those who participate in volunteer teams get an experience in a new culture and can free the missionary to build relationships when they would normally be too busy to do so.  But sometimes I think we go in as volunteer teams with this mentality that we are doing something really great and really significant.  Don't get me wrong, I think volunteer teams can definitely have and impact on the people they serve, but I think it's important to realize that, in most cases, the organization with which we partner could carry on the activities without us; we aren't really needed.  The real impact is made through the long-term commitment of permanent missionaries who spend months and years building relationships and making disciples.  Being on a volunteer team is great.  But a lot of it is about the work God is doing in us rather than the work we do as a volunteer.