What is a picture actually worth?

I think everyone today knows the phrase, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” It has become an instant saying for photography enthusiasts looking back on the moments they had perfectly preserved in their devices. These pictures can often be magnificent, almost uncharacteristically perfect, with different filters and imaging technology, this age thrives on these still-shot memories we collect. The same goes for pictures we take when we are doing missions work throughout the globe. We see opportunities to post pictures of people from different cultures and share their “Story” through a breathtaking photo. While this can be good, I wonder how many of us use these photos as a platform for something else? The popularity contest, receiving likes or comments through these stunning pictures. Or maybe even using that heartfelt story to say, “look where I was and what I did.” My question I posed to myself was,

“Is our social media driven lifestyle actually keeping us from fully investing in the people we come to minister to on missions trips?”

While here in Guatemala we will be working with two orphanages, Village of Hope and Casa Shalom. The children in these orphanages have been through a literal hell. They have had various types of trauma in their lives; sexual abuse, physical abuse, abandonment, and abduction just to name a few. They are in desperate need of people who are willing to invest in them, and this is why we are here. Our time here is to uplift these children while being the vibrant light of Jesus in every way we can to them.

I remember when I first got here, one of my immediate thoughts was to get some snapshots of the ministries we will be working with. I wanted to share some photos with supporters and show them visibly where I will be working here in Antigua. The Lord quickly stopped me in my tracks.

“Don’t settle for a photo opt. You are here to invest in these children with your time, energy, and gifts. I don’t want you to take pictures in ministry until I tell you. Enjoy each precious moment you will have here.”

When the Lord said this, it was a hard pill to swallow. I wanted to take pictures, they are how I relay what I am doing to people back home, especially supporters. I know I was falling in that social media driven category, so I was quickly humbled by the Lord. After some time spent with the Lord, I finally agreed to what He was telling me.

Later on in our week, my team discovered that one of the homes does not allow photos to be taken. They spoke of how it can be more harmful than good for the children living there. It was funny how the Lord put that on my heart before the conversation even occurred. I had already embraced the idea and I was excited to work with the children there, which by the way, they are all adorable…..trust me.

I just want to pose the question to people out there doing missions. Whether you are going out long term, or only for a short term trip, take the time to invest in the people you will be serving. Don’t settle for just another photo opt mission trip. If you are on the World Race, put down the camera and tangibly serve the people you are with, I have a feeling you will make a great impact if you do. The trip is not about satisfying your social media hunger, it is about impacting people through your intentionality and Christ-like attitude. 

I also want to point out that pictures are not this bad thing. They are definitely great tools to share the work done wherever you go. I just wanted to share how God reminded me that it is not all about the photos and videos, it is about the tangible investment we make in each life, each country, each moment that is the true difference. Be someone who strives to go as deep as you can when you are with a ministry, you will definitely see a difference in the end.