At some point, we had the money to vacation or to participate in a mission trip and we chose to volunteer in another place where we both got to serve and see an exotic location. While we never intended any harm, it’s possible for the spirit of “voluntourism” to still infiltrate our efforts and undermine the dignity of people we visit. Sometimes we go with a heart to serve people, but we catch ourselves in a vulnerable community acting similarly to the way we would at the zoo.

The name “advocate” for 127 supporters describes our primary role as believers living in America who want to help impact vulnerable communities abroad. We desire to see the orphan, the widow, and the impoverished flourish, and “supporting the interests of a group” describes our part on the team of Christians around the world working together toward that goal. As advocates, we advocate for the cause of someone else. We're the story-tellers who raise our voices on behalf of the vulnerable and, in doing so, we draw attention to the local leaders who are actively meeting the needs of at-risk communities.

While we may not initially see ourselves as the problematic Americans that Peter describes, sometimes we can be blind to the ways our values and behaviors clash with those from different contexts. If we want to excel in cross-cultural ministry, we have to prioritize humility and be willing to evaluate even our most “helpful” intentions.

One 127 advocate, Whitney Constien, roots her advocacy in prayer - doing the work of intercession for 127 partners who work in vulnerable communities. Read some of Whitney’s recent prayers and hear how some of our partners responded when we shared those prayers with them.

When confronted with suffering, we generally want to do something about it. As Christians, this gut inclination to care for those in need is reinforced by the Holy Spirit and supported by Scripture. Throughout the Bible, we see that our God cares for the vulnerable and wants us to as well. One passage that speaks to this is Proverbs 31:8-9.