Disciple making, mission trips, and their correlation

"Then Jesus said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...'" ~Matthew 28:18-19

My church has a saying: Be disciples, Make disciples, and Send disciples.  The focus of our lives as Christians should, in some part, be making disciples.  I think that is a great motto for life.  But Christians in this day and age, and especially in this society, seem to be so complacent.  Forget making and sending disciples--- who's even being one?  Not to sound horrible, but too many people (myself included) give up what they want most for what they want now.  Too many people are satisfied with life being comfortable, not challenging themselves or their fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  We're taking the wide road that many find.  I want to search for that narrow road, the one that few will find, and I want to take that journey.  Not only that, but I want to take it with other disciples.
What does this have to do with mission trips?  Well, from what I know of mission trips, the main goal seems to be to be disciples, make disciples, send disciples, and spread the love of God to people who don't know Him.  People build churches, volunteer at orphanages, get to know local people and pray with/for them.  I've noticed lately that people often say things like, "I can't wait to see God do awesome things overseas!"  And while this is in no way a bad statement, because it is AWESOME to see God move in people, the key part I get hung up is that while people literally say 'I can't wait', that's what is happening.  Waiting.  We wait for the overseas trip that costs thousands of dollars do actually do something.  While building churches and helping orphans in other countries is fantastic, what does it really mean if the rest of our lives is spent doing none of that?  One week (or even one month) doing good doesn't mean it's okay to just sit around doing nothing to further God's kingdom the rest of the time. In fact, in my opinion, I would rather never go on a mission trip if it meant that I was using my time wisely, right here where God has placed me.
That being said!  I happen to know a good number of people who have been on mission trips because they feel God is calling them to go minister to other people-- these fantastic men and women show me daily what it's like to be Jesus to the world around them!  One of these great people is my friend Emma, who is currently in Brazil.  Hearing her heart for the Lord and for the people of that country is incredible, but what's even more powerful to me is to see that she wastes no time sitting around and waiting for a change of scenery to do what God has called her to do.  I see people around me who are actively being, making, and sending disciples.  They are the few, the faithful; the ones who have found that narrow road.  So whether you've been on dozens of mission trips or you've never left your hometown, I hope we are all using this beautiful thing called today to be, make, and send.
~Laurel