In a previously published resource, Wise Short-Term Missions: Principles and Practices to Benefit Vulnerable Children and Families, CAFO highlights both the risks and the benefits of short-term missions.
Too often, short-term missions may not be led with a long-term mindset or do not include quality consideration of the best interests of the children, or needs and culture of the host country. Yet, the potential benefits of serving orphans and vulnerable children through high-quality partnerships between host countries and organizations and visiting short-term mission teams are numerous. If approached wisely, hosts and guests can initiate and continue effective practices that will enable short-term missions to develop into long-term service for orphans and vulnerable children.
