I have to admit that, in preparation for this trip to India, I was battling fear and anxiety about the unknown.

The last two times I had been in India were incredibly special. I had seen the Lord move in incredible ways, so why was I so unsure of what this journey would look like? Why was I questioning what God could do?

Part of it, I believe, was spiritual warfare. But another part was simply the reality of what believers in India are facing every day.

As we communicated with our in-country partners, we were warned about the travel risks we would face. We talked through how to strategically move our team from one place to another and how to best protect everyone along the way. Who would have ever thought this would be the reality of a missions trip? I certainly didn’t.

But none of this was a surprise to God.

He knew what the situation in India would look like before He ever called us to go. He knew how to keep us safe, and He knew how we could accomplish what He had called us to do without hindrance. He not only gave our team wisdom, but He also placed the right people in our path and alongside our team to help us every step of the way.

And lives were changed.

Our team had the privilege of preaching in two different churches on Sunday morning and encouraging believers who may be struggling to remain strong in their faith in the face of persecution and adversity.

The way these believers unashamedly and joyfully worshipped the Lord brought tears to my eyes. It gave me a tiny glimpse of what heaven will look like one day, when every tribe and every tongue worships the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords.

I walked away inspired and challenged in my own faith. No matter what our circumstances may look like, our God is still on the throne. He is still in control.

After Sunday morning worship, we began the long journey to another compound where we would stay and minister for the next three days. It was a long journey, but somewhere along the way I was reminded: this is why we had come so far.

This is why these people are unreached.

We finally reached our destination and settled in for the week.

Our first day of ministry began with the opportunity to minister to 50 orphaned and at-risk children in the care of the church. What made this especially meaningful for me was getting to see how some of these children had grown.

I had met many of them during both of my previous trips to India, but it had been two years since I had seen them. And yet, these beautiful children had not lost any of their excitement or enthusiasm to see us. They greeted us with smiles and special handshakes, listened intently as we shared about their purpose, and were reminded that they are never alone because God stands with them always.

That evening, we experienced something even more special.

Seven believers had chosen that night to publicly proclaim their faith through water baptism.

Even in the face of persecution, these believers were standing up and declaring, in their own way, “We believe in Christ, and we will follow Him all the days of our lives.”

The church held a special service to celebrate and encourage them. One of our team members shared a message with the believers, and then each of the seven had their own special moment of baptism.

Afterward, they changed into white clothing, symbolizing being washed clean through the baptismal waters. Then, together, these seven new believers took communion for the first time.

Sometimes in America, we add water baptism to the beginning or end of a service. And while that certainly doesn’t make baptism any less important or meaningful, I will never forget how different this moment felt.

These young people were publicly declaring their faith in Christ despite knowing the reality of persecution around them.

Watching them take that step of obedience challenged me deeply.

Their courage reminded me to stand firm and to be bold, no matter how difficult the circumstances around me may feel.

Over the next two days, our team shared at conferences for youth and women. We talked about purpose, discovering who we are in Christ, and understanding the specific gifts and callings God has placed within each of us.

They were discipled and challenged to learn what it means to be godly men and women. They were equipped with the knowledge of the armor of God and encouraged to stand firm in the face of adversity.

What I won’t soon forget is the hunger on their faces as we shared and discipled them.

Their hunger for the Word of God and their desire to know more about Him were both invigorating and refreshing to my soul.

I went to India honored to have the opportunity to disciple and encourage believers, but I believe I am walking away having received even more than I was able to give.

I am walking away with a deeper gratitude for the knowledge of God’s Word that I have been given and for the freedom I have to openly learn, study, worship, and share it here in America.

I realize more clearly now how easily I can take those freedoms for granted.

These believers reminded me that faith is not dependent on comfortable circumstances. Their worship, their hunger for God’s Word, their willingness to be discipled, and especially the seven who publicly declared their faith through baptism reminded me that following Christ is worth everything.

I left India humbled and reminded once again of just how great and how big our God is.

He has overcome.

And because He has overcome, we too can be overcomers.

No matter what we face, no matter how uncertain the road ahead may seem, and no matter what circumstances surround us, our God is still on the throne. He is still in control.