I tend not to take things too seriously, and to offer snappy, sometimes snide comments when someone gives a broad brush slam to a very complex issue - like hammering modern tourism for not doing enough to alleviate the poverty that often surrounds it. On the one hand, I am grateful that tourism has any positive effect at all, and on the other hand I am disappointed, as Lwang is, that it isn't more. But "doing more" is often frustrated by the folks in charge where the need is greatest. The world is rife with petty tyrants who stand between the plenty and the needy. We in the West, and especially in the United States with its underpinnings of Christianity and Liberty, have trouble understanding how things work in the rest of the world. Sometimes it is helpful to back off - way off - and look at some very basic historical facts. For example, the Europeans who colonized what was to become the United States largely came here for Liberty, while those who colonized Central and South America, and most of the Pacific came there for gold. In Africa the indigenous people have a long history of tribal genocide and slavery that continues to this day. These aren't necessarily convenient facts or popular facts of politically correct facts - but they are facts nonetheless.
Anyone wanting a quick fix must be willing to support the actions necessary to obtain it - and in the real world that would mean nothing short of invasion and occupation. If you're not willing to support that you must be willing to nibble away at the problems as Rick suggests, one small piece at the time. Take money abroad, spend it in the little places with the people who need it most, rewarding where you can.
And I agree that a church sponsored mission trip is a worthwhile endeavor. Most of these are "brick & mortar" missions that directly help those who need it most rather than "preaching" missions looking for converts. (The preaching's in the doing).
As for the United States, we are not perfect - but we are the most generous nation in the history of the world, sharing more of our hard earned national treasure than anyone else ever has or likely will. We take a lot of abuse for it, but continue anyway.
Mark Twain said "If you rescue a poor starving cur and nurse him back to health, he will not bite you. This is the principle difference in a dog and a man."
E. itajara
