Think of any mission trip location.

My first thoughts go to places that visibly need help: Mexico, Cambodia, Haiti, etc. Yes, parts of those areas are in deep physical need, but what about the places that seem to be doing just fine? Interestingly enough, we leave out places like Ireland, Australia, the U.S., and more. However, answer this for me: Doesn't their spiritual need equal to that physical need of other countries? I'd be willing to say it is.

Don't get me wrong, I fully understand that people are withering away from starvation, illnesses, abuse and other horrific events. This article is not me downplaying the seriousness of that at all. However, in the midst of helping the countries suffering from what we can see, what if we also reached out to those fighting a battle internally?

This past May, I had the privilege of going to Italy and sharing the Gospel with a team of 12 people. We served at a church (International Christian Fellowship- Rome) and put on different events, met people on our daily commutes and shared thoughtful conversations and served the people of the church and the city through prayer and community service. Leading up to this trip, when I would mention to people that I would be going on a mission, I got some pretty surprised faces when I said I would be going to a more developed country. The fact of the matter is: Yes, Italy is beautiful, physically and economically developed and an overall successful place. The real situation we went to tackle was the spiritual battle they were facing. We didn't need to risk our health to work for the people there, we didn't have to worry about the food we were eating, but we did interact with many people who we desired to encourage to pursue a relationship with an unfailing and loving God.

A successful economy, amazing tourist attractions, great food and less risk of illness mean NOTHING when God isn't apart of it.

Before Italy, I had been on two mission trips to Mexico. We couldn't drink the water there, didn't have the opportunity to shower as often as we normally would and you would have to be very careful with what food you chose to eat. All the while, we were working in the dirt, painting and cleaning up buildings, playing and loving on kids in the orphanage with partnered with and teaming up in prayer for the area. Now THAT sounds like a mission trip. In Italy, we had easy access to water, could shower whenever we wanted, ate amazing food and even got to see incredible landmarks (which, honestly, pictures don't do justice to). All the while, we worked in the church eight hours a day, walked at least eight miles every day, and prayed over the city and with its people any chance we got. So why would that be any less of a benefit to the kingdom of God? The answer: it's not.

There are so many ways to change the world around you. Buy the person behind you their coffee, pack a lunch for someone in need, unconditionally love the people who might be hard to love and so much more. But do it all for the glory of God. Make the area around you a mission field.

So, what's stopping you?