[Sherri]

I lead mission trips all across the world every year. The MOST expensive trip we have is two weeks to Africa, and it's $4,000. That's only because about $600 of that is for a two day safari and also we stay in the nicest places available that are reasonable. I don't believe in roughing it just for the sake of roughing it, if you can avoid it.
Most of our people pay their own way, but the younger ones send out letters or have yard sales, etc.
As far as whether the money could be just sent to the country, yes it could, but it probably wouldn't happen. I think mission trips are for three fold purposes:
1 - To bless and encourage the local missionaries or workers
2 - To connect with other Christians from other cultures and just love them. All across the world, people have the opinion that white Americans are superior and we would never stoop to their level. Just going in and working alongside them and getting to know them as brothers and sisters is invaluable to them.
3 - To help our people have a bigger world view and to realize that they have "family" all across the globe. This thing is a lot bigger than just the USA!! Also, it helps people to have a better appreciation for the things in the US that we take for granted. I think every young person should go on at least one mission trip.