South Asia Mission Trip

Imagine yourself in the middle of Riverbend on the most crowded night, noises blaring, people so dense that you can’t see ten feet in front of you, trash on the ground, and there is such a variety of smells that you can’t separate them. Now you have a mental picture of our trip to Southeast Asia. But unlike at Riverbend, these people are living life. Life in South Asia is a hard life.

During our trip, we visited the slums where families, just like yours and mine, live crowded shoulder to shoulder, with no running water, no sanitation and little-to-no electricity. They pick through garbage to find something to eat or perhaps for a plastic bottle that they can sell to buy some food for their family.

As we observed the poverty, the smells, and the constant noise, we also saw something else – hope. Almost everyone we met in the slums met us with a smile. In the midst of their plight, they have been introduced to their only true Hope – Jesus Christ. Our missionaries are the feet of Christ as they teach these souls God’s word through English classes, henna storying, and personal example. In their poverty, the people of South Asia are becoming rich.

If you have the opportunity to go on a mission trip to South Asia, or anywhere else in the world – do it. As you are being God’s messenger, He may just let you know that while you thought you were going there to do a great work for Him, He was taking you there to do a great work in you!

Susan Whited
Counseling Director