Many approach missions and aid work from the foundation of charity. Gena Thomas shares how the foundation of justice is better. Listen for practical tips and powerful concepts to make your next missions trip better.Subscribe to the Show: https://engagingmissions.com/subscribeLearning to seek justice for a community can be extremely messy, but also beautiful and balanced. Gena Thomas joins us to talk about pursuing right relationships with short-term missions and missions in general. The topics throughout the episode come primarily from her new book, A Smoldering Wick, which focuses on charity versus justice within the missions world.Her ideas and thoughts bring to light the issues that come from simply giving handouts to the poor. We tend to see ourselves as having more than them, which makes the relationship imbalanced. A just and righteous form of missions, however, brings about “right relationships.” Gena clearly presents how we as believers can seek such justice and why it is so crucial to the Gospel of Christ.What we talked about00:26 – Introduction01:15 – Connecting climbers and coffee drinkers02:57 – Building connections in the community04:19 – Returning to the States05:04 – The work of God in difficult seasons06:36 – Raising support from the field07:14 – Meaningful verse07:57 – Doing things differently09:21 – Beneficial habits12:25 – Doing Ministry Well12:48 – Who is this book for?14:15 – Theology, Theory, and Practice15:04 – What prompted you to write the book?16:39 – Justice versus charity20:14 – Fighting the desire to dehumanize22:01 – Becoming a conduit for the Kingdom22:42 – Screening for attitude and aptitude25:59 – The skill of building relationships27:08 – Telling the whole story30:17 – How and when to be vulnerable31:33 – Next week’s episode33:28 – Welcome to the club34:58 – Marketplace matters36:15 – Surrounded by the nations37:49 – Internet and book resources38:17 – Where to find your book38:44 – Contact info and parting advice (genathomas.com)Resources & Contact InfoWalking with the Poor by Bryant Myers (qualifying purchases benefit Engaging Missions)A Smoldering Wick by Gena L Thomas (qualifying purchases benefit Engaging Missions)Website: genathomas.comTwitter: @genaLthomasFacebook: @genaLthomasEmail: connect@genathomas.comFeedbackIf you’d have any comments or questions, you can always leave a comment in the show notes or send an email to feedback@engagingmissions.com. Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”