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Interserve Staff Member Quy reflects on a recent trip to visit Partners in South Asia:
On the run-up to my trip to South Asia, I had many thoughts running through my mind. Even though I was always up for travelling and exploring where the Lord would take me, I was nervous. Because of the pandemic, it had been five years since I had last been on a long-haul flight. Following Covid, I had become less inclined to travel altogether. My fear of flying had worsened, and I worried about how things would be.
Thankfully I went despite the fear I was carrying. I was ready to see and hear what God wanted me to discover. During my week-long trip, I was able to shadow the work of some of our Partners in South Asia. What a blessing this would be.
Walking with vulnerable families
I had the privilege of meeting and staying with two wonderful Interserve Partners for four days. Yagya is South Asian himself, and married to Sally, a British national. I learnt of their love for their community and how they work to be an extension of who Jesus is. They juggle their time between connecting with local people, leading a toddler group and prayer group, taking care of their daughter, and travelling to surrounding areas to help families in need. Sometimes this is close by, but outside of monsoon season, this can involve long rides to very remote villages.
Sadly, a significant issue in this region is child trafficking. Many girls do not receive the same respect or opportunities as boys and are seen by some as less valuable members of the family. Sometimes girls are offered in early marriage to help with a family’s financial burden. Too often, criminal perpetrators target vulnerable girls and families, making empty promises before holding them captive in faraway places. Several years ago, Yagya and Sally set up an NGO to help prevent child trafficking in the region. Their work helps to educate at-risk families and girls, and they journey with them to develop skills and confidence for their future. This reminded me of how Jesus walked alongside people personally. With time, love and compassion. Where they can, they will also bring trafficked girls into safety and recovery.
Two young women live with Yagya and Sally, alongside their own younger daughter, both having come from very difficult family situations with very limited access to education or opportunities. Suryasta* is warm, bubbly and growing in confidence each day. She has worked hard to improve her English, a key skill that opens many doors in the region, and recently completed a barista training course.
Suryasta pictured practicing latte art
Khushi* is studying at high school and currently working towards her next exams. While we were there, she celebrated her birthday for the first time in her life. What a joy and privilege to witness this special day! To be known and restored through God’s love is a precious thing to see.
Sharing Stories in the mountains
I also had the privilege of spending time with Interserve Partners Ron* and Gill,* who live and work at a rural Christian hospital in the mountains. One day, Gill and others took me on a six hour hike. We talked about Gill’s work visiting patients, and my heart was full, hearing how she cares so much for her patients. She grieves with them when they experience challenges, and rejoices with them when they are recovering and restored. Her faithful prayer and care for them seemed as if they were her own family.
Ron also shared something of his work and travels with us, including his experiences of serving in another country where sharing the Gospel is forbidden. His response was very practical – to witness Jesus to others in whatever way he could, sharing His unconditional love and answering questions in a way which reflected God’s truth. I was impacted by the message he shared at a fellowship group one night when I was there: ‘A healthy church sends.’ This was a great reminder that we are not to stay in a ‘holy huddle’ – we are all called to go out and boldly serve wherever He sends us, whether going overseas, or simply to our neighbours across the road.
Final thoughts
As I flew back to the UK, I noted my key takeaways from a memorable trip:
- God’s love is vast and relentless for His people. We too must go out and share His love.
- ‘A healthy church sends’. There is much work to be done. We may not feel comfortable or fully equipped, but the Lord is faithful when we rely on and follow Him in His purposes.
- Don’t limit yourself to fear. ‘Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us’. Ephesians 3:20
- I witnessed so much work done to restore lives, and I too, felt restored in my reservations and worries about flying. In a world full of brokenness, restoration is happening every day for people around the world because of Him. Sometimes we can’t see it, but the Lord is working all the time. For that I give thanks!
*Names changed for security purposes
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