Written by Beatriz Lima

 

You might have heard the old saying “God doesn’t call the equipped. He equips the called.” I’ve always loved it because, in a way, I believe it encourages us to be bolder in how we show up for others and how we serve, offering us reassurance that God will strengthen us and capacitate us, even when we feel unqualified. 

As a volunteer writer at OM, I get to meet people from all walks of life who share one heart for the nations and the Great Commission. Recently, I had the great pleasure of getting to know Ana*, a young woman from the UK who said yes to God’s plan for her life beyond her skills and limitations, and moved to Central Asia to reach people with the love of Christ.

Back in 2019, Ana lived a full life in her hometown. She was involved in her local church, participated in a band, and worked for a charity that visited schools and helped young people, fostering conversations around mental health through a Christian perspective. During her final year in that role, she began to sense a nudge from God: in many places in the world, this is not happening, people do not hear about Him and talking openly about faith is not always welcomed. 

This realisation stirred compassion in her heart for the persecuted church and for Muslim communities. It also prompted her to start researching ways to serve overseas. Ana says God spoke to her through multiple channels including her love of reading. “A book that really marked me was Dirty Glory: Go Where Your Best Prayers Take You by Pete Greig,” she said. “The stories helped me see how God moves through prayer in different places around the world.” Another book that helped shape her journey was You Will See Hoopoes: Expanding Your Vision of God by Lenna Lidstone. Ana read it during her five months in Turkey on OM’s REACH programme, a season of training and cross-cultural experience.

When Ana first connected with OM, she had a heart to serve Muslim communities, but she knew she needed training before taking any long-term step. REACH gave her a first taste of living abroad, building friendships across cultures and learning how to talk about Jesus with people from different backgrounds. Before that, she says she had little understanding of Islam and felt unsure how to respond to questions about faith.

Ana’s journey did not happen overnight. It took about two years from the first nudge to joining REACH. During that time, she talked with her pastor and church, asked questions, prayed and gathered information. A mentor helped connect her with OM, and she kept praying that God would make a way forward.

She also started taking language learning seriously. In Turkey, she took language lessons in person: “It’s easy to look at language learning as a big barrier,” Ana said, “but it’s actually very relational. It’s an opportunity to meet people and learn from them.”

Even with all that preparation, Ana still felt out of her depth. She admits she did not feel like “the kind of Christian” who moves overseas. Yet, as she learned to surrender her plans, she began to see God provide step by step, beyond what she thought she could manage.

One thing surprised her during REACH: she did not need to become a different person to serve well. “Before going, I thought I’d have to become really serious, or just… different,” she said. “But God still uses my personality and interests. I can still be myself, the way He made me, and connect with others.”

When asked about her initial worries and expectations, Ana said “I thought moving overseas would feel hard in every way, but emotionally, relationally, spiritually and physically, I’m doing better. That’s about obedience to God. He has the best for you, so when you obey and follow Him, life feels richer in every area, even when it isn’t easy.”

She expected loneliness, but found the opposite. “I worried I’d have no friends,” she said, “but God brought community. I feel less stressed. I value time with people more, eating together, being in community. And I love learning. I’ve learned so much through the church in Istanbul and now here in Central Asia.” Ana says this has changed how she responds when she senses God prompting her again. “Now I feel excited when I hear God speaking something,” she added, “because I’ve experienced walking in obedience. It’s nothing like I imagined, through the kindness of God.”

After REACH, Ana took two short visits to Central Asia. Those trips helped her slow down, pray and get to know the place and the team before moving long term. She loved Istanbul, but over time she felt God confirming that Central Asia was where she should be.

When I asked Ana what people often misunderstand about serving overseas, she answered quickly: “People think you have to be an ‘elite Christian’ to do something like this. You don’t. You can be an ordinary Jesus follower who listens to God and takes one step at a time. He will help you.”

Ana believes many different personalities can thrive cross-culturally. “If you love adventure, great,” she said, “but even more important is being willing to hear God speak and watch Him work. You can also thrive as an introvert. You don’t have to be the most social or confident person. Being interested in people and open to learning matters.”

For anyone who feels hesitant, Ana shares a helpful perspective. “Your mind will tell you you’re not good enough,” she said. “But if you don’t go, who will? Start small. Research. Learn. Do one of the trainings. You don’t have to know what forever looks like. Just take one step, and God can guide the next.”

Right now, Ana’s focus is on settling in, learning the language and building genuine friendships. She shares meals, makes time for neighbours and looks for natural opportunities to talk about faith. She also asks for prayer for believers in Central Asia who face uncertainty about what the future holds.

If God has been stirring your heart for the least reached, Ana’s advice is simple: don’t wait until you feel “ready”. Take one small step, and let God lead you from there.

 

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*Name has been changed for privacy