Yesterday I participated in a class discussion about what missionaries tend to leave behind after short term mission trips: dependency, if you're going to go cynical, garbage, if your going to go the literal route, and probably a lot of false promises. One idea that is particularly disturbing is that groups are typically encouraged not to give out their contact information ("you never know who might show up at your door someday"). Good sense should always be encouraged, but the problem with this well-intentioned advice is that when we travel, we are the guests but often act as the hosts. We go into a community, take pictures, talk to the people, get their story, and live "their life" for a bit.
This summer, I brought church groups to an apartment complex every afternoon to run a high-energy VBS. We came, somewhat invited, and definitely welcomed. However, we were in their space. We were in their literal backyards. We knew in which house each child lived. And yet, to let them have our email or address to keep in touch was out of the question because "who knows what they might do with it". This double-standard is a little paranoid, a bit patronizing and a big barrier to real friendship.
