I had the privilege of partaking in a month-long mission trip to North India this past summer. I chose to go because I wanted to surrender myself to Jesus and share the good news to the nations. This desire, as simple as it may seem, was reaffirmed through experiences during my freshman year including MRN, Wintercon, and Kingdom Come. Even before formally joining STSM, I could see how God was using this program to accomplish his will in beautiful and joyful ways, uniting collegians as one body in Christ. God had planted in me a desire to go on missions throughout my life, and this opportunity was a door He opened for me to follow His leading.  

I came into North India expecting it would be extremely difficult– intense heat, humidity, dirty water, and other uncomfortable conditions. In fact, this challenge was part of the reason I chose to rank this country highly; I wanted to be stretched and knew that God would provide for me. However, the reality of the difficulty only fully hit me on the last day of intensive retreat, when I became very sick. In that moment, I realized that there would be times when I might be physically limited, even in pursuing what my heart desires. This awareness led me to rely fully on Christ, surrendering myself to Him and carrying my cross to do His will. I trusted that as I gave myself to Him, the joy of the Lord would be my strength and that He would use me in whatever way He desired. That truth was evident every day in India, and I genuinely felt God’s overwhelming love flowing through me as I danced and served the people.

I was blessed in countless ways during this mission trip. One of the most impactful was meeting the missionaries and believers in India. They sincerely held onto Jesus, giving their lives in pursuit of Him and His work at great personal cost—sacrificing relationships, comforts, and even their own safety. Every conversation I had with them highlighted their desperate longing for Jesus as their only hope. In a country with over 330 million gods and countless idols, those who had found Jesus radiated truth and life. Being able to worship and pray alongside them and witness God moving through them was so powerful and unforgettable. Though I had never met them before, it felt like a family reunion. Our faith in Christ was the bridge to allow us to encourage and serve together and it was so beautiful.

Their faith truly stood out to me. Coming from America, where many doubt the power and existence of God, seeing their confidence in the Lord was like a breath of fresh air. They did not just believe in God—they lived out their faith, dreaming seemingly impossible dreams and reaching hundreds of people. My own faith, in comparison, felt small, but witnessing theirs gave me an even greater assurance of who God is. The walls of shame that slowly crept up within me back home felt worthless and were replaced with truth. Pastor Roman, a staff member at St. Paul School, guided us through the places we visited, sharing testimonies of God’s work in his life. His Christ-like servitude and desperate heart to do God’s will were evident, as he shared that he received even death threats for evangelizing. Blesse from Grace Asham Orphanage shared the inexpressible joy she found in serving the Lord, despite the difficult and unstable path ahead. When I asked her about being a female missionary, she responded with a radiant smile that revealed how deeply her treasure was found in Christ. It was astonishing to see how God provided for the orphanage her family runs, caring for 70–100 children and even the elderly—truly, our good God is able and faithful. I long to serve as a missionary and Christ-follower like her.

I was also very blessed by my roles given on the team. Dancing to VBS songs allowed me to outwardly express my joy and worship and lead others in praise. For the skits, I played the main role in Heal Our Land, and I will never forget just how precious it was to be a part of it. Before every performance, I prayed, asking the Holy Spirit to fully move through us and use us as vessels for God to portray His heart. Each time, I felt my heart breaking deeply and tears would stream down my face as I sensed the unconditional love, pain, and sorrow Jesus experienced for a world separated from God by sin. My heart ached the most during the part when the people rejected Christ, the only solution to their brokenness and hurt, as the girl desperately longed for them to return to Him. This skit did not feel like acting to me but every detail felt as though the Holy Spirit had just taken the stage. The central message I received throughout this trip was clear: Jesus saves us from our sins. This truth is so simple but worth all of my life. When I asked a student why he endured long bike rides and familial disapproval to attend the school, he simply said, “Because Jesus saved me.”  I realized then that truly this truth was the only reason anyone could ever need to surrender everything to know Him and live for Him. On the last day of serving the school, I felt the closest to the Father’s heart the moment my love for the children exploded into a desperate prayer for their salvation. That is the Father’s cry and that has become my mission. 

Moreover, God protected and covered us in a place of great spiritual darkness. At times, spiritual warfare became more evident and frightening, whether through the countless statues and idols around us or experiencing spiritual attacks. In those moments, our team gathered together to pray, holding onto our only hope which was in Jesus Christ and His blood that defeated sin and death. God’s truths comforted and strengthened us, allowing us to experience His power personally. I was so grateful to serve the one true God, who has authority over all things. 

Returning from India, I believe God has increased my boldness and assurance that He can accomplish great things through my faith. I remember thinking, if in these decades, the missionaries could build such a wonderful school or a beautiful orphanage relying fully on God, what could He do with my life if I gave it to Him? I desire to commit my life to Jesus and do my best to be his useful servant, stewarding all that He has given me to go to the nations and share the gospel. I long for a brave heart, choosing the narrow road regardless of the consequences or persecution, because I have found true joy and purpose in Christ who saved me from my sins. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength (Phillipians 4:13).