I recently had the privilege of leading a small team on a Discovery Trip to Southern Central Mexico. Among the team was Lindsey, a kind woman whose openness, curiosity and thoughtfulness brought depth to our shared experience. In the following reflection, Lindsey shares her personal insights and takeaways from her time in Mexico through a small glimpse of how this Discovery Trip impacted her.

Lindsey’s Reflection: 

In August of 2025 I was given the opportunity to go on a short term exploration trip to Southern Central Mexico. When I first learned about the trip, I was excited and hesitant. Unsure if mission trips would even accept mothers or if it would work for my family for me to go. The only thing I knew was that I had been learning Spanish for a year and asking God to use it. As my family and friends prayed over the decision, I became more assured and had more at peace with the decision to go where God leads.

On this trip, I learned that doing mission work requires flexibility and a mindset of serving God’s people well. Serving that is done for the Lord, not for the approval of others. I also have kept and applied a simple phrase that global servant Debbie Myers shared, she said their mission is about being “Comfortable in the uncomfortable”. I grew to understand this as feeling calm and at peace in a room where you cannot fully understand the conversation, at a dinner table where you don’t know what the ingredients are or even how to eat the meal properly, and in a home where you cannot read the hosts to understand if you are honoring their homes and families in the way that you would like to convey.

Throughout the week, I learned many things about myself. I learned that no matter where I go on this earth, I take my memories and experiences with me. I was able to share about my own family, listen to others share about the faithfulness of God in their lives, and process the grief of losing my mother on car rides with the group. Before going, I assumed that we would simply be too busy or that I wouldn’t even think of these things as we traveled. The complete opposite was true. The closer I drew to the week’s mission and God’s direction for the week, the more I saw Him weaving my story into the story of the week. The moments of uncomfortableness helped me to draw closer to the comfort of the Heavenly Father that’s never left me.

The biggest thing I learned about mission work was that God orchestrates things behind the scenes before, during, and after the mission. He was preparing my family, listening to my friends’ prayers for me, and bringing beautiful moments of connection after the trip. But the number one thing I learned about God on this trip, is that His way is better. Better than I could have hoped or imagined, better than I could earn or deserve. The more I give control of my life to Him, the more energy and resources He provides and in that there is comfort to be found.

The Invitation

I share Lindsey’s story in hopes to convey that god is at work everywhere and the invitation is open for us to respond to. Is God calling you? Do you feel a stirring in your heart for cross-cultural mission? Are you sensing a nudge to step out in faith, but unsure where to begin?

Whether your answer is a confident yes or a hesitant maybe, we invite you to reach out. My team and I would be honored to walk alongside you as you discern God’s calling in your life. Reach out to us today at volunteers@internationalminstries.org