Growing up, I was never really interested in missions. I make a point of conveying that every time I talk with someone about why I'm doing missions now. I didn't hate missions, I didn't love it: I was simply indifferent. Missions happened, and they were a good thing (I was pretty sure), but I had nothing to do with those.
That changed, obviously, when I actually did a short-term mission trip myself. Through that experience (as seen in my other blog posts), I found myself on the path of missions. Missions, and the ministry that comes with it, is what I want to do now and I'm so glad to get to do it. But I still distinctly remember that time before I decided to go. I had no idea what was coming in that short-term trip, and I really don't know what is coming when I go for longer! I think, like how I was, those who have not done missions are usually afraid to go: they think themselves unqualified, or that that sort of life simply isn't for them, or that it just isn't possible for their life circumstances. I would still say that the latter rationale is mostly fair, but it is unfortunately missing the whole picture.
I would invite you to read Matthew 13:44, the parable of the hidden treasure. It's short enough that I'll give it to you here: "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field" (NRSV). At GoWeek, when GoCorps trained my wife and I how to fundraise, Katy White shared this parable with us and told us that missions is just like this. The man in verse 44 found treasure and sold everything he had to get it. He looks crazy to the people who don't know about the treasure! But he knows.
Missions, especially long-term missions, look crazy to those who don't know what treasure there is in it. Outsiders can't imagine what the life of a missionary is like and how full it is. In America in particular, we are trained to think that having more things is what will fulfill and satisfy us, and there certainly are riches to be had in the U.S. But the riches of a life dependent upon Christ and lived through Him each day? The riches of seeing God work through you and in you to touch other people's lives regularly? If you can imagine that, then you can glimpse the treasure that most cannot. The man who found the treasure looks insane, but if they knew what lay in that field, then they would know that he is making the most rational decision he could. Missionaries aren't crazy, we just found something that we wouldn't give up for the whole world :).