Short-term mission trips: if you have ever been on one, are thinking about it, own a passport, will in the future, know a missionary and thus should consider going (that means you), you need to read a couple of articles linked below. They are great points about what is wrong with short-term trips and what is right. Future articles on the same site will discuss how trips are done well and why we should deem them important.
The Problems with Short-Term Trips
What is Right with Short-Term Trips
On a lighter note:
After you read those, head over to SCL for some good laughs as you realize this was you (and me; or all your friends if you didn't go but had to read their facebook updates) on your last mission trip:
Becoming an Expert After a 6-day Mission Trip
Facebooking Your Mission Trip