At GO InterNational, mission trips are never about what a team accomplishes in a week. They are about what God is already doing through local leaders—and what happens when we slow down long enough to pray, listen, and walk alongside them.

This testimony comes from a team member who recently returned from Lima, Peru. It’s a first-time mission experience, and a powerful reminder that prayer doesn’t just prepare us to go—it shapes how we see God at work long after we arrive.

How This Journey Began

This was my first international mission experience, and I’m grateful to fellow pharmacists Rachel and Matt Harney for inviting me into it last summer. I’ve known them both for years and worked with Rachel at Harrison Memorial Hospital in Cynthiana.

The opportunity intrigued me, but I knew I couldn’t commit without prayerful consideration. That decision—to wait, pray, and listen—is really what this testimony is about. Prayer truly changes everything.

Here are a few things God taught me along the way.

Our Relationship With God Depends on Prayer

Every healthy relationship depends on communication, and that is especially true of our relationship with God. Without consistent and meaningful prayer, it’s difficult to discern His will or recognize His calling.

Prayer doesn’t happen overnight. It takes intention and humility, and I still consider myself a work in progress. God wants to hear from us—not polished words, but honest hearts. While I admire eloquent prayers, I’ve learned that the posture of prayer matters far more than the phrasing.

That kind of communication strengthens our relationship with God and prepares us to hear His voice.

Listening for—and Accepting—God’s Answer

When Matt first shared about his role with GO InterNational, I was impressed, but that wasn’t my answer. I continued praying throughout the summer, asking for clarity and staying open to however—or even if—God was calling me to serve.

I also asked questions and learned more about GO’s ministry, including the eyeglasses clinic. I could have said yes early on, but I sensed that God hadn’t given the green light yet. I had to be willing to accept “no” as readily as “yes.”

In the past, I’ve relied too heavily on my own instincts and taken wrong turns. This time, patience mattered. In early September, God made His direction clear. That’s when I began to see how prayer and obedience work together.

Don’t Worry About Your Limitations

One of the most freeing lessons God taught me was this: when He calls you, He is already at work equipping you.

We were called to serve through outreach and disciple-making, but we didn’t become superhuman. We were still ordinary, flawed people. Our abilities—even our God-given gifts—are small compared to His power.

God does the heavy lifting.

I described our first clinic day in Carmen Alto as “glorious chaos.” When we arrived, I couldn’t imagine how patients, equipment, supplies, and even a dental setup could function in such a small, noisy space filled with people and animals coming and going.

"When He calls you, He is already at work equipping you."

By the end of the day, we had responsibly cared for 80 patients. In more than 40 years in healthcare, I’ve never seen anything like it—especially with only one medical provider. That day wasn’t about our efficiency. It was about willing hearts trusting an almighty God who didn’t bring us there to fail.

And those willing hearts weren’t limited to the 19 of us who traveled from the U.S.

The Great Commission Creates Unity

What encouraged me most throughout the week was the unity among God’s people. Wilma, her family, the church, and the many local volunteers welcomed us not as outsiders, but as family.

That unity transcended language, culture, race, and geography. We didn’t start something new—we stepped into what God was already doing. People showed up unexpectedly to translate, manage crowds, and serve wherever help was needed.

I may not know everyone’s name, but I remember the van driver, the worship leader, and the young girl who taught me the days of the week in Spanish. Each of them is making a difference. That was evident in the many people who accepted Christ during the week—and I know those moments were just the beginning.

The Flock Will Be Shepherded

Wilma’s compassion is unmistakable, but it’s matched by persistence and deep faith. Her love for people is evident in everything she does—her voice, her gestures, her smile, and her concern for each person she meets.

I have no doubt that every person who accepted Christ will be loved, prayed for, nurtured, and guided toward spiritual maturity. Wilma may never fully know how many lives have been changed because she saw a need right outside her front door and chose to respond.

If I’m blessed to return to Lima someday, I would love to reconnect with those 37 individuals who accepted Christ and see how God continues to work in their lives.

Why This Story Matters

This is why GO InterNational exists.

Not to create moments, but to walk with local leaders like Wilma long enough to see discipleship take root and multiply. Trips like this are not the mission—they serve the mission of planting the Church where it isn’t and strengthening it where it is.

Prayer prepares the heart. Obedience opens the door. And when God’s people walk together—across cultures and continents—the Church grows in ways no single team ever could.

If you’re wondering whether God can use you, your skills, or your yes, this story is your reminder:

He already is.

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Jackie Burrell is a pharmacist with more than 40 years of experience in healthcare. She recently joined GO InterNational for her first mission trip to Lima, Peru, where she served in medical outreach and discipleship alongside local church leaders. Jackie is passionate about prayer, obedience, and stepping into what God is already doing among the nations.