Why Transformational Travel?

The global gap between rich and poor continues to grow. Today the poorest fifth of the world's population possesses less than 1% of the world's wealth, while the wealthiest fifth owns more than 85%. Over 800 million people are chronically hungry while chronic overeating is the greatest threat to public health in the world's richest nations. This growing disparity is unjust, unsustainable ecologically, and imperils peace locally and globally.

The spiritual price we pay for allowing this to continue is even greater. As we amass more wealth and collect more stuff we don't need, we, the privileged of the world, must harden our hearts, close our eyes, or invent ideologies that absolve us of any responsibility for the welfare of our poorest neighbors. But the question the Apostle John asked is still relevant: "If someone has enough to live on, and yet when seeing another in need shuts up his heart against him, how can it be said that the love of God dwells in him?" (I John 3:16)

The choices people make in privileged societies has a huge influence on the choices available to the masses of poor people who live on the edge of survival in places like Haiti.

Through the Transformational Travel program, Beyond Borders provides privileged people from the global north the rare opportunity to meet face to face with their neighbors of the global south.