What is a Global Service Intern (GSI)?

Dylan Panacheril, Reflects on being a Global Service Intern

​It almost goes without saying, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t begin by acknowledging how crucial a role being a GSI has played in my growth over the past few years and the people that helped play a role in this. The program brought along a host of opportunities to lead, learn and develop in areas I wanted to refine and, more often than not, areas I needed to improve. These opportunities to be work with and be trained by a plethora of mentors, co-leaders, and peers then culminate in the HOPEww Volunteer Corp/s (HVCs) we are given the task of leading.

Having had the privilege of serving/leading these trips has been an absolute joy, and have brought about some of my closest friendships as well as become some of my fondest memories. They are, as well, some of the times I have felt most challenged and exposed. I initially submitted my GSI application unsure of myself- questioning whether I would measure up, was I the right choice or, rather, why me when there are more equipped and qualified people out there? From the experiences I’ve been able to have, one of the lessons I’ve come to realise is in learning the perspective of the bigger picture- that the world is a big place and certainly much bigger than me. That there will likely be someone more qualified, but the bigger picture is that God has me where He does and so I’d better do something with it. 
 
Growing up in Zambia, it was not uncommon to see poverty around me. From a young age, I was taught to see it and feel compassion enough to do something about it. Years after immigrating to Australia, however, and becoming a disciple, I’d noticed I had forgotten what it felt like to have my heart moved by the condition of those around me- whether they were in need materially, emotionally, or in any other way. Based off a friend’s recommendation, deciding to go on an HVC seemed like the logical move to get back on track, and so I signed up for a trip- and one back home to Zambia no less! For all the experiences that trip brought me, I remember realising two things on the flight home: how I had missed the mark in loving my neighbours around me, and that I never wanted to forget having my heart moved like that again. More than anything, I came back sobered by how much I knew I needed to grow and learn, and resolved to make God known by striving to love Him and love others in words and action. Becoming a GSI, for me, was my way to pursue the heart of Jesus, in these areas of growth, for the next couple of years, and physically realise it by serving the materially poor both abroad and locally. 

​Through all the lessons I have been taught, unique experiences I’ve been fortunate to have, and relationships I’ve been gifted with, my time as a GSI has resolved my conviction to realise my walk with God by loving Him and loving others. That the foundation of my discipleship is grounded in the conviction that the full execution of Jesus’ ministry comes in seeking and saving the lost, and loving my neighbour fully. Reflecting on this now, I could not be more grateful to the program and every person that played any role it. Without them and the example of Jesus they show me, it would be hard to see what it looks like to live the life. The training has shown me a lot about the world and my role in it. It has been the best ministry training I have ever done- with chances to encourage and help build up the churches in the places we serve. More than anything, the GSI showed me that pursuing the heart of Jesus in loving God and loving others is truly the greatest commandment; and being able to learn this from everyone who I’ve been fortunate to meet and see it in the faces of the people, children and families we serve, has made it all the more real. For me, that has made all the difference.