Serving Others, Encountering Christ

Joanne Wee | Gebirah Missioner – Vietnam

“One of my most memorable moments was during the distribution of reusable sanitary pads. An elderly grandmother approached me, and I instinctively offered her a pad. She gently declined, but held my hand and repeatedly said ‘cảm ơn’ — thank you. She had come simply to express her sincere gratitude for our presence and what we were doing. That simple encounter touched me deeply.

Another experience close to my heart was visiting a home for women and children. Seeing their circumstances and the loving work of the Dominican Sisters made me wish I could do even more.

But what touched me most was witnessing the spirit of our mission team. Despite our differences and occasional misunderstandings, I saw people choosing humility, offering apologies and sacrificing personal comfort for one another. We were reminded that we had come to serve, not to be served.

It was heartwarming to witness the Body of Christ at work — imperfect people trying their best to put others first, united by the Lord for His greater glory.

A mission is an opportunity to step away from our routines, be present with others, listen to their stories, share laughter and allow others to be heard and seen.

To anyone considering joining a mission, my encouragement is simple: Go for it!”