Serving short-term with SIM turned into a life-changing journey for friends Lizzie and Katie.
“My faith is the cornerstone of my life, and my desire is to use the skills I’ve gained through my medical degree to serve Jesus,” says Lizzie, who was on a six week placement with SIM in South Asia.
Lizzie was able to share the joys and challenges of navigating unfamiliar and unexpected situations with her great friend Katie, whom she first met at university: “We met through various Christian freshers events and ended up going to the same church and living on the same road… and here we are five years later!” she says.
“We both wanted to explore mission abroad and go with another person, so it was a perfect fit!” she adds.
“We didn’t feel called anywhere in particular,” recalls Katie,” our general approach was to explore options and pray and see which doors God closed, and then to pursue the ones which were open.
“It was interesting as we never felt a particularly strong calling to South Asia, however, after being there, we can definitely see how that was exactly where God wanted us to be!”
The medical students served at a mission hospital that’s committed to showing God’s love by offering free care for those unable to pay.
“It gave us such a perspective about the purpose and importance of the hospital and seeing the love and care for each individual patient and staff member. To see people following God’s calling on their lives, and the joys, triumphs, and challenges in that was also really encouraging,” says Katie.
Although their plans often didn’t go the way they expected, the pair say God was always in control and worked things out, particularly when they faced their first challenge early on.
“Lizzie was turned away at the airport due to a damaged passport (which she had had checked and was told was fine to fly with), so I flew alone,” recalls Katie. “Once landing, I had to spend a few days alone before travelling into the hospital and so was grateful for the contacts I had with SIM.
“But God was very gracious and kind to both of us in those days we were separated. We were also so grateful for all our church family, friends and family praying and that Lizzie got a new passport quickly and joined me at the hospital only one day later than planned!”
During their mission trip, both students grew in their faith, as they developed a greater appreciation for global health challenges and enhanced their medical skills in a resource-poor environment.
“We were sad to leave the hospital and the community. Six weeks is so short, and some connections felt like they were just starting to form and flourish. The country, lifestyle, community etc, were so beautiful and we miss it!” admits Katie, “but we also acknowledged our need to progress in our training and that we couldn’t stay any longer.”
“I developed the habit of turning to God in prayer in all circumstances — big or small — rejoicing when things don’t go to my plan, and confidence in my identity as a child of God,” says Lizzie. “I gained a love and appreciation of God as a good father who provides, and awe at the fact that he is the God of all nations, and yet he cares about me personally.”
Now they are back in the UK, the pair say they’re grateful for the relationships formed, the lessons learned, and the ways in which this experience has shaped their perspective on medicine and mission. And while their futures remain quite open and they don’t know what God has in store for them, they’re prayerfully consider all their options.
“Out trip has given me more appreciation of skills that I can develop over the next few years that would be helpful in overseas medical work, and how living abroad could look like. I’m not sure if God has/will call me to overseas mission, so we’ll have to see!” says Katie.
However, Lizzie is typical of many who go on short-term mission and invariably return more committed to local and world mission.
“Before our trip I didn’t think exploring cross-cultural mission was something I’d want to do long-term, but now I’d definitely be open to doing long term overseas mission,” she says.
“I’ve discovered that as Christians we plant seeds and it’s God who does the main work. Mission can be very relational — showing God’s love, praying for people, and being honest when questions arise. I’ve learned that this can be hugely impactful, even though it isn’t overtly sharing the gospel. I also think there’s a need in many places, and our mission field is wherever God has called us now, so I don’t need to wait until I reach a certain stage in my career to be a mission worker.”
Our Forged programme will help you explore how your skills and experience connects with opportunities and needs across the world.