Amid the widespread persecution of Christians in India, Abi Miller and other members of Church STL travelled to India with the mission of spreading the word of God to the people.

After the plane landed, Miller and the other members of her church made the six-hour drive to the city of Guntur where they stayed at the bible college.

“At the bible college we would talk to the students, and we gave some testimonies,” Miller said.

Miller also spent time at the church in Guntur where they preached to the people and shared stories of how God has changed their lives.

After preaching at the church Miller attended a service and prayed amongst everyone.

With only 2 percent of India’s population being Christian and the persecution that Christians in India endure, Miller was greatly influenced by the strong faith of the people.

“When the people are worshipping and singing they’re so passionate,” Miller said, “and it really touched my heart because they really love God.”

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From the bible college Miller travelled to a village about four hours away.

“We set up this huge tent, and had this huge meeting where we would give different testimonies and teachings to them,” Miller said.

With Christianity being a minority in India there is a lack of Christian churches. Instead of a church, there was a hut made of sticks that became their place of worship.

Even though the church was merely a hut, people came to hear the testimonies and teachings Miller and the others had to offer.

“All the women would come and listen in between the time when they would be working and cooking,” Miller said.

That night Miller and the others stayed in a hotel that was not the ideal housing situation.

“There were blood stains on the sheets because of the mosquitoes,” Miller said, “and there were a bunch of water bugs that looked like huge beetles.”

After preaching to the people, Miller went back to the bible college then moved on to another village near the ocean where they continued to preach and give testimonies.

Miller said she was truly inspired by the conviction of the people she met in India, and amid the widespread persecution of Christians their strength and faith in God was incredible.

“Over there [God] is the only thing they have,” Miller said, “ and they really inspired me to just live my life for God.”

Due to the lack of churches in India, Miller and others from her church plan on going back to India in November to build one.

“Building a church is the biggest thing because most people will never even see a church in their entire lifetime,” Miller said.

Miller also hopes to go back and get involved with helping at an orphanage.

“I really want to do more orphanage stuff. I really would love to build an orphanage and work in one and teach the kids,” Miller said.

Overall, Miller said she considered the experience to be life changing, and although Miller was the one helping them, she felt they were the ones who truly helped her.

“They’re saving people; they’re telling people the great news,” Miller said.