Earlier this year, I had the privilege of joining the ARISE Care A21 anti-human trafficking mission trip to Cambodia and Thailand. It was my first overseas mission trip, and before we arrived, I found myself asking the Lord, "Why am I here? What do You want to teach me?" I felt completely out of my depth, but I knew God had a purpose.

On the day we arrived in Cambodia, Chloe and I felt unusually energised, so we decided to head out into the streets. Rather than simply seeing the sights, we wanted to ask the Lord who He wanted us to pray for.

That afternoon, we had the opportunity to pray with three different people.

The first conversation was challenging because of the language barrier. We left wondering how we could effectively minister when we couldn't communicate well. But with the second person, Chloe opened Google Translate on her phone, and everything changed.

We asked if he needed healing. To our surprise, his deepest need wasn't physical—it was emotional. He shared that he had lost both his father and brother during the Khmer Rouge killing fields. We were able to pray for comfort, healing, and forgiveness. It was a deeply moving moment, and looking back, I believe God was teaching us how to overcome the language barrier for someone we would meet later in the trip.

Later that evening we met the A21 Cambodia team. As one of their lawyers shared about the heartbreaking realities of the cases they were working on, I was overwhelmed by the weight they carry every day. Chloe and I had the privilege of praying for him, asking God to strengthen, encourage, and sustain him in this important work.

One of A21's key ministries is educating communities about the dangers of human trafficking. During a visit to a rural village, we met an elderly woman who pastored a tiny church that also served as her home. Poverty surrounded her, and small shrines dedicated to idols stood outside many nearby homes. Yet this humble pastor faithfully shone the light of Jesus in her community.

Although she was clearly well educated, she had chosen a life of obedience and service. I couldn't shake the sense that God wanted us to encourage her. With our team leader's blessing, we gathered around her and prayed over her. It was a simple moment, but one that reminded me how important it is to strengthen those faithfully serving in difficult places.

A few days later we travelled to Thailand, where we met the local A21 team. Their leader shared that one of their staff members was feeling very unwell but had still come to the meeting. Chloe and I both sensed God prompting us to pray for him. After asking permission, we laid hands on him and prayed for healing. When we finished, he told us he felt a heaviness lift from him. We praised God for His faithfulness.

That evening, we briefly walked through Bangkok's red-light district with an A21 staff member. It was heartbreaking knowing that many of those working there had been exploited or trafficked.

As we left the area, we walked through a crowded street. Among the crowds sat a young mother holding her tiny daughter, tucked away against a wall where few people seemed to notice her. The moment I saw her, I felt God prompting me to stop.

I walked past, but couldn't shake the feeling. Chloe noticed and asked if I wanted to go back. Together, with another member of our team, we returned.

As we knelt beside her, it was clear she was frightened. Her little girl was only around a year old, with just a small amount of milk left in her bottle and no visible supplies. Through Google Translate we gently asked if she needed help, protection, or a safe place. To each question she answered, "Yes."

We told her that we followed Jesus, and that we believed He had led us to her. She agreed to let us pray.

We prayed that she would know God's protection, His peace, and His love. We told her that Jesus sees her, cares for her, and has not forgotten her. Before leaving, we gave her a small financial gift that we felt God had prompted us to give.

As we walked away, the words of Genesis 16:13 filled my heart:

Just as God saw Hagar when she felt abandoned and alone, He saw this young mother sitting unseen by thousands of people walking past.

That moment profoundly changed me.

I realised that perhaps God had brought me halfway across the world simply to pray for one woman whom everyone else had overlooked.

The trip reminded me that prayer is one of the greatest gifts God has given us. It is an opportunity to become the hands and feet of Jesus—to bring hope to the broken, to stand with those who faithfully serve Him, and to remind people that they are deeply loved by God.

Whether God sends us across the world or simply across the street to our neighbour, our response is the same: obedience.

When we pray, God moves.

When we obey, heaven responds.

"The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." — James 5:16