A journey of discovery

Originally featured in the Oct 2025 issue of Interserve's GO magazine.

Gabriella shares her experience of her first short-term mission trip, as part of Interserve's NextGen programme.

I recently had the privilege of spending a month with Interserve on an island in Southeast Asia. I would have to describe it as one of the most fruitful and blessed times that I’ve ever experienced. I will always cherish the people that I met and connected with, both local people and those on the team. The country captured my heart with its relaxed lifestyle and rich culture.

The trip was a time of new beginnings and stepping into the unknown. It was my first time travelling abroad alone and without my family, which stretched my independence and helped to mould me as an individual. I had the opportunity to visit temples and mosques, which was something I had never done before. There were cultural differences to adapt to, some big, some small. At times I found myself eating rice for breakfast, lunch and dinner. And I even grew accustomed to the occasional shower using water from a bucket(!). God showed me the beauty of stepping out in faith and then reaping a harvest of blessings.

This was the first time that I had the opportunity to serve people internationally, through helping in local churches, serving children in churches and schools, and visiting disadvantaged families. These experiences were eye opening and truly humbling. They helped me to see the true meaning of our lives on earth – letting our love for God be reflected in our love for people. We are made to serve.

However, the most fruitful part of my experience was encountering God in a new way. I learned to sing my favourite worship songs in a different language, and experienced intimate moments of fellowship and connection while worshipping with very small congregations. I was enriched by witnessing the practice of Christianity from a whole new global perspective. There were many unfiltered and natural cultural experiences that initially felt foreign to me. Yet I grew to love and appreciate them for their authenticity, helping me to flourish on my cross cultural journey. These new shared experiences also enabled genuine connections with other NextGen trip team members, building unity even though we all came from different parts of the globe. We often prayed together, knowing that God would be our strength and guide as we continued on our journey.

If I was to offer one piece of advice for someone who is considering exploring overseas mission with Interserve, I would advise them to be bold. Take that leap of faith and embrace the beautiful opportunities that will surely come with it!

If you'd like to get involved in a short-term mission trip, check out Interserve's NextGen programme, or get in touch with another SWAN member mission agency!