The joys of evangelizing* to the unreached* populations of another country for a 2-4 week stay accompanied with sight-seeing and souvenir shopping are priceless. Just like most Caucasians spend their time worrying about poor people, Christians spend their time time worrying also about the poor but non-Christian people in other countries. They feel guilty and sad that Christians in Ethiopa worship in mud huts instead of renovated, state of the art, 3 story cathedrals with gymnasiums and puppet ministries. Christians also feel guilty that non-Christians in other countries are worshipping animals and rocks instead of a marketable Jesus and will never get to wear merchandise such as a WWJD bracelet.
At some point in their faith journey a Christian will venture to a third-world territory known in Christian subcultures as the 10/40 window*. The 10/40 window is cleverly named after the section of the globe that is most unreached by the gospel*, which lies across Africa and Asia from 10 degrees latitude north of the equator to 40 degrees latitude north of the equator.
The 10/40 Window is shown in red. As a new Christian you should become familar with this diagram:
The 10/40 window is a haven for Christians who are hoping to share their brand of American Christianity while at the same time checking another country off of their “To Visit” list. During the 2-4 week visit, Christians are also able to gain all the information needed to come back to America and be experts on a certain culture. After your short term mission trip you will be asked regularly to share about your experience in front of the congregation* and Sunday school groups. It would be appropriate during this talk to wear all of the authentic clothing and jewelry you purchased during your visit and greet your audience with a traditional hello in the native language of the country you visited. Make sure to share pictures of yourself interacting with the native people, and stories about the dangerous scenarios you could have possibly been involved in by witnessing in a hostile territory.
During your trip it is important to remember all the valuable information you have to share with the natives, as you are an American Christian, and therefore knowledgable in many areas that need to be shared with the rest of the world. Thank goodness for translators!
Your short-term mission trip will be an arduous journey, full of un-air conditioned rooms, squatter bathrooms, strange and unfamiliar people and customs, and many times no ice cubes in sight for your soft drinks. Never fear! Often the last day of your journey is set aside to visit the local resort/spa, bargain for souvenirs, and a safari. But the rest is hard-earned, as you have truly been a beacon of hope to many uncivilized people groups.
