BMS Action Teams have now been overseas for one month and are adapting to their new roles and relationships. We’ve heard back from several of the teams as to how they’re settling in and first up is the India Delhi team, working with our partner organisation Anusaran:
“Our involvement in the church is ever-increasing and the school where we work is amazing. We’re continually learning about what works best, what doesn’t work at all, how to cope when your translator keeps leaving the room in your lesson or just doesn’t turn up! We’ve learnt that being flexible is a definite requirement to being at the school. We’ve also been trying to think of ways that we can reach out and share Jesus with the people in our area. As Anusaran are trying to grow their ministry here we feel that we might have a part to play in this.”
One of the things all the teams are discovering is that, as they offer whatever they have to give to their new communities, they learn and gain from them in return. The Brazil Santos team told of the privilege they felt when they had the opportunity to wash the feet of street children, and the India Kolkata team’s favourite part of their time so far was sharing and worshipping outside their guesthouse: “There was something really humbling about sitting barefoot on that pavement. It truly was amazing to interact with those who sleep on our doorstep, and to be able to praise God amongst them.”
The Brazil São Paulo team, who are working in PEPEs (pre-schools) and with churches, shared how they were being challenged and encouraged by Christians in the city: “We’ve been completely blown away by the amazing hospitality of Brazilians and the sheer love they have shown us, despite the language barrier. The Christians here love so sacrificially, it's really inspiring. We all have so much to learn from them about community and loving like Jesus did.”
If you are 18-23 years old and would like the opportunity to serve God overseas, as well as being challenged and grow in your faith, then Action Teams may be for you. Click here for more information.