The 2025-26 REACH teams are nearing two months on the field. Since arriving in their outreach locations, they’ve shared about building relationships, outreach work, and meeting God in a new context. The following excerpts were collected and edited from their latest blog posts; in some cases, names and locations have been changed or omitted for security.
Madeline, Team Mediterranean: A recent experience that has left an impact on me was a simple walk home one afternoon. Walking is a common method of transportation in this country, so we passed a lot of people as we went on our way. Many of the people we met on the road were women, so I greeted each one in the local language as we passed by. Some just kept on walking without much of a reaction, but others were so happy! It was amazing to see the way their faces changed when I greeted them in their language instead of just walking by.
In every context, on every continent, He has stayed by my side.
As I reflected on this, I realized the importance of meeting people where they’re at. Not trying to change who they are, what they’ve been through, or where they come from, but just accepting where they are right now and sitting there with them—even in a way that’s as simple as a five-second greeting. This made me so thankful for the times that our Father has come to meet me where I was, too. In the midst of my sorrows, my sin, and my joy, He has always been there. In every context, on every continent, He has stayed by my side.
Bryleigh, Team Zambia: The week was filled with some new, exciting outreach opportunities and fun time with the kids. All of us on the team have been able to start leading activities on the base, such as worship and Bible studies, and we’ve really been enjoying it.
We also got the opportunity to visit a school near Love’s Door. We sang some songs, played a game, and shared encouragement from the Word with the students. This time was a highlight for all of us, and we are very excited that we get to do this every Friday for the next two months.
The kids just have so much joy and excitement when they see us, and God has been showing Himself to me through them. I’ve been realizing that I should be as excited and enthusiastic in my faith and my relationship with the Lord as they are with me. His arms are wide open, and He truly just wants me to run into them like a child.
Maddy, Team Himalayas: On Monday, we began our three-day trip to one of the last villages in this mountain range. We took a 17-hour bus ride, an eight-hour jeep ride, and a four-hour walk to get here. This village is a very rural place, so there have been a lot of changes in our routine to be able to adapt to the culture well.
The community is extremely welcoming and kind. The day after we arrived, they already had us very busy! For the first two days, we spoke at the church, and each gave some words of encouragement. We had all prepared our messages individually, but when we compared notes with each other, we realized we’d prepared very similar things. It seemed like the Father had an important message to share with this community.
We talked about how to trust and praise the Father even through difficult times. We know that He is good and that He loves us. Through hard times, He is there with us and grieves with us. Brian specifically spoke about being thankful and giving glory to the Father.
As I sat there listening, I realized I had a lot to be thankful for. These beautiful mountains, this community, my team, my friends and family, but most importantly, how much the Son loves me and has never left my side.
Kiah, Team Zambia: Please continue to pray for our teams as some of us acclimate to a new culture for the first time and deal with the challenges of being far away from anything and pretty much anyone familiar. Thank you for your continued support and prayers. It brings me much comfort to know that God has so clearly led all of us here and surrounded us with an organization and churches that have sent us in the power of the Holy Spirit. The “senders” are as important as the “goers!”
Photo credit: Rosedale International
One Response
I realize that in this day and age REACH team members have ways of communicating more directly to their immediate circle of family and friends than these monthly RI articles, but I love the way these powerful glimpses of mission among the “least reached” beyond our “bubbles” helps us as a Rosedale Network enter into these experiences from our ambassadors to other international networks.