Action International Ministries Short Term

Jasmine served as a 6 month intern at the Project Pag-Asa school for orphans in the Philippines. Here is her story:

Finding Healing While Serving

No one really prepares you for the heartbreak of saying goodbye to a place that has captured your heart so completely. The Philippines became more than an internship location—it became a home.
When I arrived in the Philippines, I expected to learn about ministry. What I didn't expect was how much God would use the experience to transform my own heart. One of the most impactful parts of my internship was serving alongside ministries that support vulnerable children and families. Through opportunities at Project Pag-ASA, orphanages, and child safety and abuse prevention training, I was introduced to the realities of trauma, abuse, and the importance of creating safe spaces where children can heal and thrive. As I listened to stories and walked alongside children carrying difficult experiences, I saw firsthand how powerful simple acts of love, consistency, and presence can be.
At the same time, God was doing His own healing work in me.
Through the guidance of my mentor, Agnes, and the relationships I built with ministry workers, teachers, students, and families, I learned to slow down, trust God more deeply, and allow Him to heal areas of my own life that I had often overlooked. This season stretched me, humbled me, and challenged me in ways I never expected. It also reminded me that healing is rarely something we do alone—it happens in community, through relationships, and through the faithful presence of God.
One lesson I will carry with me is that ministry is ultimately about relationships. Often the most meaningful moments weren't large ministry events or programs, but sitting with a crying child, encouraging a burnt-out teacher, sharing a meal with a family, listening to someone's story on a jeepney ride, or simply showing up consistently at 7 a.m. day after day. Most of all, I will never forget the children. Despite the challenges many of them have faced, they showed me incredible resilience, joy, and love. They gave me far more than I could ever give them.
The Philippines taught me to live more simply, love more deeply, and trust God more fully. I am incredibly grateful to ACTION Philippines, my mentor Agnes, the Potters, every teacher, caregiver, ministry worker, and child who welcomed me into their lives during this unforgettable season.

Naleah recently finished a short term trip to serve at a birthing clinic in the Philippines - here is what she had to say about her time there:
My name is Naleah and I went to the Philippines to serve at Hope Alive Birthing Clinic! While I was there, I stayed at the YMC (KIDs International Ministries) and ate the most amazing Filipino food ever! KIDs serves the community well and their mission is to break the cycle of poverty. While I was overseas, I learned how to truly live one day at a time and how to do it with patience and humility. I had the opportunity to explore Fort Santiago and Intramuros where I learned about the history of the Philippines - it was amazing and an honour to know more about the country I was serving in. While serving at Hope Alive, I got to attend and assist in nine births! I also got to participate in prenatal and postpartum check ups, ending each one with prayer. It was an incredible experience, and I would definitely go back again!

Have you thought of doing a short term trip to use your gifts and abilities to serve the Lord? Why not contact Action International Ministries to see if where you could potentially serve! Check out www.actioninternational.org today.

Hi everyone, I am Kathy, and I completed my short-term ministry at Community House Damaris in Athens, Greece. Damaris House is a safe house and recovery center for women and their children who are survivors of s*x trafficking.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time there and the opportunity to build relationships with each of the women. There were also difficult moments as I heard stories from women who had previously gone through the program. Those stories truly broke my heart. I found myself questioning why God would allow such terrible things to happen and why those responsible for such evil often seem to walk away unscathed.

God really does give us free will, and the consequences of that can be devastating for others. Yet during my time at Damaris House, He showed me that even in the midst of the evil we see in this world, He is still good. He is still deserving of glory, and He is still trustworthy, even when I do not understand what He is doing.
The stories of restoration became the light at the end of the tunnel for these beautiful women and their children. Seeing lives being rebuilt and hope being restored was a
powerful reminder that God is still at work.

Here is a post from Brett, who was part of a team that went down to El Salvador back in February to serve with one of our workers there, Cecilia Huezo, building prefab homes for the very poor. Here is what Brett shared - "As someone returning to El Salvador for the second time, it was wonderful to connect with friends and locals I knew and "pick up" from where we left off. I felt that I had stronger bonds and stronger connections with these people and with Tututelpeque.

Something that stood out to me this year was seeing the emotional reactions from the people receiving a house. I knew that the event was a big deal for them, but to see these people cry tears of joy - and praise God - impressed upon me that the kind of work we do is much more than giving someone a home. "