This month’s update was written by Nia Wesley, our short-term missionary visitor during the past month.

I embarked on a missions trip to experience the mission field and take the next step in following God’s calling to missionary service. I spent two weeks in Antofagasta, Chile with the Perrys, and it was a life-changing experience. I was faced with the reality that missions work is a lot harder than I thought. The mission field isn’t very glamorous or comfortable and indeed is often filled with uncertainty and danger. Despite this, God used this time to solidify my desire to serve Him on the mission field and bring to light parts of my life that I needed to surrender to Him.

 I was welcomed with open arms into the loving and caring community of believers with a depth of sincerity, a genuine hospitality and selflessness. The poverty and extreme joy, contrasting one another, struck me as something rather odd. Starting my trip with a visit to a church family’s house, I was encouraged to hear how God is working in their lives and was privileged to share my testimony with them. After that, I attended a ladies Bible study at the church. Here I had the opportunity to build relationships with a few sisters from the church. It was wonderful to fellowship in mutual love for God and each other.

 This trip was laced with the themes of submission, trust, and servanthood. God reminded me to allow Him to make the plans for my future, to allow Him to direct my steps and lead me to where He would have me serve Him. Along with the reminder to set my gaze on heavenly, eternal things, the greatest lesson taught was to depend on God alone. Temporal things in my life were being given a higher place than they ought. My comfort, safety, and stability are not more important than God’s glory or the advancement of His kingdom. Instead of deterring me, these realities have reminded me of Whose strength I must rely in: God’s. I experienced so much love and joy throughout the entire trip, and I thank God for the opportunity to have partaken in it.

—Nia Wesley

This is our July 2023 email update. You can sign up to receive our updates in your inbox here. You can download a printable PDF here.