Through the car window I could see a multitude of vehicles; rickshaws, colourful buses with cracks in the windows, motorbikes and cars tailgating each other, weaving from the left side of the road to the right.

The sound was a symphony of beeps and engines. As I sat in a van with a group of six young adults, we watched blue, green, pink and white buildings fly past us and intermittently glanced at each other excitedly.

We were in South Asia and our Global Exposure trip had begun!

Here’s four things that have stuck with me from my Global Exposure trip to South Asia:

1. Mission is about word and deed

I didn’t truly understand poverty until it was right in front of me, and in South Asia poverty is everywhere. I witnessed hunger, low education rates and sickness. It was confronting and unmissable.

This is why the Baptist Mission Australia team has such a focus on practically sharing Jesus’ love. I met so many people doing life tough, but I also saw how our team met these people where they were at; in the midst of the struggle and need.

While in South Asia, I was blessed to spend time with intercultural team members and the amazing staff of our partner NGO.

Arthur helps farmers with their cattle so they can better support their families. Summer cares for those with disabilities, ensuring they and their families have improved quality of life. Our partner organisation empowers women to read, write and save money together.

2. People are choosing to follow Jesus even though it’s difficult

Sharing the Gospel is a very sensitive practice in South Asia. Even so, I met so many passionate local believers living out their faith. They infuse Kingdom values into all they do, expressing their love for Jesus and people in everyday life.

While we were there, we heard of a baptism taking place in the early hours of the morning.

I asked Summer why she thought people would choose to follow Jesus in a country where being a Christian can be very risky. She said, “Our friends say that relationship with Jesus feels like the missing puzzle piece in their lives. Relationship with Jesus is so personal, it makes them feel whole.”

3. The faces of the people I met

The people I met have stayed with me. I can still see the people in the cities who live amongst rickshaws, traffic jams and smog, and who hang their colourful patterned clothing out to dry on a Friday.

I remember the people in the villages whose lives can be unexpectedly devastated by floods and for whom a healthy goat means a better education for their child.

I think of the pregnant mothers who live far from hospitals and whose midwives and doctors have limited knowledge of safe birthing practises.

And I remember the local staff at our partner NGO who are so passionate about poverty alleviation and the empowerment of women.

4. The power of hope

Change is made possible when hope is present. At each project our team visited, I noticed how eager people were to share their plans for the future. At the savings groups, women told us of their hopes to buy goats and vegetable seeds, to start their own businesses and provide their children with a better future.

At the Rural Income Generation project, we were excitedly shown new cow sheds and told about the success of the harvest. Our partner organisation is supporting people in their everyday lives and it’s giving them hope for the future.

Watch a video of my group’s trip and find out about Global Exposure here>>