Experiencing God’s Power in New Places
Reflections from NEXT Summer Interns
As the calendar page flipped to August, plane wheels touched down on U.S. soil bringing the NEXT summer interns home again. Stepping back into what was once familiar, they returned with their suitcases and hearts packed full of memories and sights they’ll never forget. This summer, 19 NEXT interns set out to serve and learn at the various sites around the world that have a Wesleyan presence, most of which are led by seasoned Global Partners missionaries.
How do they sum up a summer spent immersed in new cultures, on a journey that has been so spiritually and emotionally personal? Sometimes words fail. Even still – we find uplifting encouragement in hearing what God has made possible. Step into the experiences of two Summer 2022 NEXT interns below – and would you continue praying over these individuals as they process through what’s next?
Karis Intern
This summer had so many beautiful moments filled with God’s hand at work, but one of my favorites was spent in a bowling alley. I had been praying for the past year that God would open the door to share Christ with someone this summer. I was nearing the end of my time in Karis, and I still hadn’t received the opportunity to have a spiritual conversation with an unbeliever.
Throughout the summer, two other interns and I spent time with an unbeliever named *Miriam. In my last week, the interns and I met with Miriam one last time before we left. She brought a friend named *Olivia from one of our English conversation clubs, who happened to be a believer. Together we went bowling and later had some sweets over cups of tea. During tea, we began talking about religion.
Olivia asked if we were Christians and shared with us how she had read the Bible and believed in Jesus. A friend of Olivia’sgave her a Bible, which she read and gained both clarity and freedom. This story intrigued Miriam, who asked questions about Jesus and the Trinity. Miriam then told us what she believed, sharing that the Quran leaves her asking so many questions. Olivia told us she would translate stories of our faith journeys in their language. The two then slipped into their heart language, giving Miriam a better chance to understand what Christ was doing in our lives.
Leaving our time together, I was so excited that we were able to share, but I was even more excited that Miriam had a local believer who shared with her. We were leaving, but Olivia will stay with Miriam and keep investing in her. God opened the door for a spiritual conversation in a way that I did not imagine. He is planting seeds and watering them. God is growing his church through local believers, and I feel so blessed I was able to see that firsthand.
Eastern Europe Intern
As I reflect over the summer I got to spend in Eastern Europe, one of the first things that pops into my mind is a Scripture that I repeated incessantly this summer —
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (Ephesians 3:20-21)
We really do serve a God who can do immeasurably more, and that is a truth that this summer has enabled me to testify over and over again.
My team led an English camp in a nearby community, and throughout the week we saw God’s provision in abundance. The weather forecast projected a week of rainstorms, but the few hours during our camp saw sunny skies every day, before the rain fell each afternoon. On our first day of camp, 12 students showed up, and by the last day of the camp, we had 28 students actively participating. They were so excited and begged us to stay longer.
Beyond that, this was the first camp held in this community as part of our team’s effort to expand and to provide educational resources and the gospel message with every community in the region. God worked mightily again that week by opening a door for one of the long-term workers to build a connection with a local high school teacher, who is excited about working with the team in the future.
We really do serve a God who can do immeasurably more, and that is a truth that this summer has enabled me to testify over and over again.
In just a few days’ time, I was overwhelmed by the sheer number of testimonies that exceed even what’s been written here and of the incredible work of God’s hands. The way He graciously used my team and I this summer to accomplish His will was nothing short of humbling and miraculous. Praise be to God!
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