About Baptisms, Brothels, and Blessings: Paisley's First Major Mission Trip

What happens when a young woman says "yes" to God's call to missions? Paisley Jackson's extraordinary journey from her hometown to the shores of Lake Tanganyika reveals the beautiful chaos, divine appointments, and life-changing lessons that await those willing to step out in radical faith.

Fresh from her first major mission trip to Africa and preparing to depart for Mongolia, Paisley shares stunning testimonies that would challenge even seasoned missionaries. On her very first day in Burundi, she witnessed twenty people give their lives to Christ during fishermen ministry and personally baptized a young convert—a powerful beginning that set the stage for weeks of ministry across both Burundi and Congo.

The adventures ranged from comical cultural adjustments (eating whole fish despite her aversion) to genuinely dangerous situations (a 24-hour boat journey where men repeatedly tried to separate female team members from the group). But the most profound moments came through unexpected divine redirections. When planning to minister at a local brothel, God clearly instructed Paisley to stay behind and pray instead. While interceding, she received a specific name—Deborah—only to discover later that her teammates had ministered to a woman by that exact name, confirming her prayers had direct impact.

Physical hardships proved unavoidable when Paisley and her entire team contracted malaria despite taking preventative medication. Through extreme weakness, IV treatments, and weeks of illness, she discovered God's faithful provision for medical care and developed a deeper trust in divine protection. Now she's heading to Mongolia with enough faith to go but not yet enough funds for a return ticket—a testament to her core lesson from Africa: "God doesn't care about the results of what he asks us to do, he just wants our simple yes."

Have you been waiting for a clear call before stepping out in faith? Paisley's story reminds us that God speaks clearly when we simply ask and listen. Follow her journey and consider what your next step of obedience might be, whether across the ocean or across the street.

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