Luke Wendebornlwendebo@harding.edu
However, when I consider the situation it is hard for me not to question the traveling itself. Why travel halfway across the globe while neglecting the issues that surround us? Don’t misunderstand me, I am not saying helping in foreign countries is wrong; I just think we cannot only think about helping others elsewhere.
There are plenty of local agencies that seek to help White County. Harding has plenty of man/woman power, and yet volunteers are still scarce. So where does the problem start?
I don’t want to bash our wonderful Harding bubble, but I personally believe the population’s priorities has a major effect on this issue. The relationship between our environment and our actions is reciprocal. This is pretty obvious when you walk through a Wal-Mart. What is kept in a glass case? Books? No. Video games? Yes. CDs? No. IPod’s? Yes. We want what is newer and more exciting; therefore, what we are given is newer and more exciting. This is what I believe has happened at Harding, and possibly throughout the Church.
We want to go overseas because we want to go somewhere new and exciting. So when we sign up for programs or start programs we are more likely to go to Zambia or Greece instead of Memphis or Little Rock. I think what we need is a greater focus on domestic works. According to Harding, 48 percent of all Harding graduates participate in study abroad “experiences.” Remarkable, but how many participate in domestic “experiences”? How many domestic programs does Harding have? Is there a chapel day when local agencies are highlighted and given emphasis? If we can do it for other places why can’t we do it for White County?
We can by starting new domestic projects (like “Volunteer Harding”), by working through a catalyst (like the Spring Break Missions Program), or my personal favorite by volunteering at one of the many organizations around town (such as Searcy Children’s Homes, Hope Cottage, the White County Aging Program and Hospice).
There are so many opportunities at home and overseas, and I don’t want to discourage any future missionaries from doing what they’re called to do. All I want is for us to remember our neighbor before buying a plane ticket. Whatever the choice, I hope we can at least acknowledge the need for change.
