Action Team Photo Competition 2020

This is the world through their eyes:

The 2020 Action Team Photo Competition

Action Teams is the BMS World Mission gap year with a difference, and each year, we ask the young people who serve overseas to get behind the lens and capture the best of mission on the frontline for our photo competition. They sent in these photos to inspire, yes, but also because of the stories behind them. Of all they shared and experienced this year, this is what they wanted you to see.

Behind each of these pictures is a team of passionate young people, dedicated to sharing the good news of Christ’s love on their gap year. We hope you can see God’s incredible creation in these photos, and that they encourage you to see God’s handiwork in your every day, just like these Action Teamers did. We hope you enjoy the winners of the Action Team Photo Competition 2020!

First place: Street Barber

Street barber in Delhi. Winner of the 2020 Action Teams Photo Competition.
Taken by Miriam, Team Delhi.

Congratulations to Miriam of Team Delhi, for taking the wonderful winning photo!

“When we first arrived in India, we were struck by the number of street barbers and thought they perfectly summed up the efficient chaos of what we saw in India,” said Miriam on her inspiration behind taking the photo.

The judges loved the personality shining through the barber’s face. “I was really drawn to this photo because I think we’ve all developed a greater appreciation for the incredible skill of barbers and hairdressers, like this man, during our time in lockdown,” said one of the judges. Well done Team Delhi!

Second place: Children at the Window

Well done to Team Kolkata on scoring second place!

“I was taking photos of the school we served in and church it was connected to,” said Zoe, who captured this wonderful image. “I just loved the way the boys were sitting, watching the craziness of the after-lunch rush around them.”

The judges were really struck by the colours in the photo and loved how Zoe captured this moment of quiet in the middle of busy school life. Congrats Team Kolkata!

Liking this? Click here!
icon
Children in Kolkata. Second place in the 2020 Action Teams Photo Competition.
Taken by Zoe, Team Kolkata.

Third place: The Cross

A large cross in Kosovo. Third place in the 2020 Action Team Photo Competition.
Taken by Esther*, Team Kosovo.

The judges loved this photo taken by Team Kosovo. Congrats on getting third place!

“I was really impressed with how the photographer managed to capture such a simple yet powerful insight into life in Kosovo,” said one of the judges. “In a country where much of BMS work is sensitive, it’s so inspiring to know that Christ’s love is being displayed like this.”

Well done Team Kosovo!

Want to be inspired by more photos like these?

If you’ve enjoyed these photos, then you’ll love the beautiful photos from our brand–new Mission Worker Photo Competition, featured in the next issue of Engage, the BMS World Mission magazine! You won’t want to miss out on this. Keep being inspired by God’s work across the world, and sign up for Engage today.

Runners up

Face Time

A Mozambican boy taking a selfie. Runner up in the 2020 Action Teams Photo Competition.
Taken by Elana, Team Mozambique.

Portrait

A woman in Delhi. Runner up in the 2020 Action Team Photo Competition
Taken by Miriam, Team Delhi.

Boudha Temple

A temple in Nepal. Runner up in the 2020 Action Teams Photo Competition.
Taken by Hannah, Team Nepal.

Holiday Club

Three children in Mozambique. Runner up in the 2020 Action Team Photo Competition.
Taken by Elana, Team Mozambique.

The Kosovo we knew

A river in winter in Kosovo.
Taken by Esther*, Team Kosovo.

Recess

A group of children in Nepal. Runner up in the 2020 Action Team Photo Competition.
Taken by Hannah, Team Nepal.

Where the mountains meet the sky

A plane flying over a town in Nepal. Runner up in the Action Team Photo Competition.
Taken by Hannah, Team Nepal.

*Names changed.
Words by Laura Durrant.

Time for action: the latest blogs from our Action Teams

Pictures from recent Action Team blogs

Time for action:

the latest blogs from our Action Teams

Read the latest blogs from our Action Teams to see what they’ve been up to so far during their time overseas!

From teaching English to local children to navigating their way through a different way of life, our Action Teams are already making an impact on the people they’re serving. We’ve created a list of their recent blogs posts for you, so you can catch up on all they’ve been up to!

1. Team Thailand

The Action Team in Thailand have dinner with their supervisors
Team Thailand experience some local cuisine with their supervisors, Helen and Wit Boondeekhun

From the bustling city of Chiang Mai to the rural village of Wang Daeng, Anna, Jonny, Keziah and Paul are experiencing the full variety of life in Thailand. Read their latest blog post to find out how they’ve been connecting with their new neighbours and dealing with the consequences of praying for rain! And while you’re there, check out Jonny’s vlogs – we think they’re great! It’s all great inspiration for prayer!

Read Team Thailand’s blog

2. Team Delhi

Imagine having to completely adapt to a new way of life in a matter of weeks. That’s what you have to do when you’re part of an Action Team – and it’s no different for Amy, Cody, Hannah and Orla! In their latest blog post, they’ve created a list of unusual things you might spot in Delhi, from locals armed with selfie sticks to cows in the middle of the road! Take a look at their blog to see how they’re adapting to life in Delhi, how you can pray for them, and what it’s really like to live in such a fascinating city.

Read Team Delhi’s blog
The Action Team in Delhi take a selfie in a tuk tuk
Team Delhi practice their selfie-taking skills to try and fit in with local people!

3. Team Mozambique

Visa problems aren’t ideal for your first two months overseas, but they didn’t stop Alex, Andrew, Jack and Rebekah, from serving the local community. From teaching English at the local Christian school, Rei dos Reis, to running a bible study for local children, they’re already a real asset to their new neighbours. Thank you for praying for their visa situation and praise God for the privilege of serving in Mozambique.

Experience a graduation ceremony from Rei dos Reis school!

Read Team Mozambique’s blog

4. Team Kolkata

The Action Team in Kolkata let off a lantern
Team Kolkata experiencing all the lights of Diwali

All Action Teams lead busy, rewarding lives, and Cameron, Emily and Erin in Kolkata, India, are no different! They’ve been teaching English to children at a local Christian school, as well as helping them put on their Christmas play and getting involved with an organisation that helps women living in slums to find employment. Head to their blog to read all about it and see some pictures of the wonderful children they’re teaching. Be inspired to pray for them when you do!

Read Team Kolkata’s blog

5. Team Peru

Perued

(verb)

To have your plans change at any moment without warning; something Becky, Bethan, Katie and Marika experience a lot! They’ve still managed to get stuck in at a local Christian School, teaching English and battling it out at the school Olympics! Have a look at their blog to get a better idea of what life is like for them and how you can offer prayer support.

Read Team Peru’s blog
The Action Team in Peru take a selfie while competing in a school sports day
Team Peru competing with Bethel Christian School at their Olympics

6. Team France

The Action Team in Francetake a selfie in front of the Louvre
Read Team France's blog to find out what it's like to be on an Action Team!

Ever wanted to find out what makes an Action Team tick? Now you can! Caitlin Esther, Jonny and Tafadzwa answered your questions about what they’ve been up to in their latest blog post. Give it a read and see if your question was answered! And even if it wasn’t, you’ll get a look at what it’s like to be part of an Action Team – and some prayer points too!

Read Team France’s blog

We love hearing about what our Action Teams have been up to, and how they’re helping transform lives all over the world. If you want to stay up to date with everything our Action Teams are doing overseas, like their Facebook page, or follow them on Instagram. Check them out today and be sure to leave them some encouraging comments!

If you’re interested in joining an Action Team yourself, or know someone who would be, click here find out more!

Like this story? Click here
icon

Joy, burnout and leaving: Q&A with James and Ruth Neve

Joy, burnout and leaving:

Q&A with James and Ruth Neve

Supporting this

They’ve said goodbye to family and friends, and are on their way to India. James and Ruth tell us about how that feels.

The Neves are almost at the Heathrow check-in desk. It’s taken months of preparation to get this far. James has left his job as a debt advisor and Ruth has left her role as a senior Baptist minister in Southampton. It will be 42 degrees Celsius when they arrive in New Delhi, their new home. They’re ready for it, and their Hindi is coming along nicely. Life as long-term BMS World Mission workers is about to move up a gear.

A man in a patterned shirt stands next to a woman with light coloured hair
James and Ruth Neve have been studying for months in preparation for their new life as BMS mission workers in India.

LET’S START WITH SOME BACKGROUND – WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE MUSIC ARTIST AND SONG?

Ruth: Well, the other day in chapel I played Celebration by Kool & the Gang.

James: I like Coldplay – am I allowed to say that? I do, there, I said it out loud.

Ruth: But which song? They did Paradise.

James: Yeah, Paradise, that’ll do.

SO, HOW DID YOU END UP AS BMS WORKERS?

James: We had a chat many years ago with [former BMS General Director] David Kerrigan about the possibility we might offer ourselves to BMS one day. The honing in on India happened about this time last year as we began to explore the possibility of whether BMS could make use of people like us.

Ruth: Because we had our children young, we thought we would still have some life in us towards the end of our working careers. It was a sense of: would we, as people in our 50s, have something to offer? This experience in India will certainly broaden our horizons, and we may be better grandparents as a result.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT YOU’LL BE DOING IN DELHI?

Ruth: No. We’ve been given as much carte blanche as possible to learn about the people and discern where God is already working and where his heart is beating.

And BMS has given us tremendous affirmation to do that discerning process, and come back and say, “this is where we think we should invest our time and energy”, and hopefully leave a legacy.

Joy will be extinguished if you just keep working. God doesn’t want us to live like that.

JAMES, YOU WENT TO DELHI WITH BMS IN 2007 – WHAT DID YOU DO?

James: I went as part of an Insight team. We worked with an existing partner, looking at women’s empowerment and children’s education in a slum area. There was a team of seven or eight of us, and it was a sample of, ‘this is what BMS is about’.

HOW DID YOUR FAMILY REACT WHEN YOU TOLD THEM YOU WERE MOVING TO INDIA?

Ruth: Naturally, there’s been a mixed response of sadness and support due to the separation.

A woman in a yellow dress and a man in a suit in a church
James and Ruth Neve are leaving their loved ones behind to serve God in India.

JAMES, HOW WILL YOUR EXPERTISE IN DEBT ADVICE TRANSLATE TO INDIA?

James: Personal debt is becoming an increasingly worrisome issue in India’s burgeoning middle class. If, for example, a debt and benefit advice service is planted within these next three or four years and is sustainable, then great, but it could take another form.

WHAT IS GOD’S HEART FOR THE POOR AND THOSE IN DEBT?

James: God is concerned about those burdened by debt and has made specific provision for relief of debt. Given his consistency of character, that should be the case in India.

RUTH, YOU’VE WRITTEN OPENLY ABOUT EXPERIENCING BURNOUT. HOW DESTRUCTIVE IS BURNOUT, AND HOW CAN IT BE AVOIDED?

Ruth: Many ministers are in burnout because a lot of them are workaholics. You lose your joy if you keep being that way, because what often gets squeezed is your time with God. The pressure of Sunday will take over, and unless you are very intentional you’ll stop hearing God.

My advice is for people to be careful because your soul is at stake. We need to sleep and have rest patterns, and have the Sabbath. Joy will be extinguished if you just keep working. God doesn’t want us to live like that. It’s not how Jesus lived. If you are stretched to elastic point, you will snap, and it’s not pretty, and often the church is a victim of it.

These past months have served as valuable preparation for the future, reflecting and drawing breath, and just being able to make a new start.

If you want to commit regularly to supporting James and Ruth, you can become a 24:7 Partner by clicking the box on the right.

Want to support the Neves? Click Here
icon

HOW HAVE YOUR FOUND STUDYING AGAIN IN PREPARATION FOR OVERSEAS MISSION?

James: These past months have served as valuable preparation for the future, reflecting and drawing breath, and just being able to make a new start.

A woman takes a photo of herself and friends in the background
James and Ruth Neve made new friends during their preparation time for mission work in India, including this group in Birmingham. Each week they were taught a phrase of Hindi and given Indian etiquette advice.

WHAT WILL MAKE YOU SAD WHEN YOU’RE AWAY?

James: Distance from family and friends.

Ruth: Notable occasions, such as when our grandson does something specific and we can’t share in it.

WHAT WILL BRING YOU JOY?

Ruth: The joy will be in sharing our lives with some lovely, generous people in India.

James: I think I’ll get great joy from going to a Twenty20 game in the IPL.

Ruth: Me not so much.

(For any non-cricket fans, the IPL is one of the most prestigious cricket competitions in the world.)

FINALLY, WHAT CAN PEOPLE BE PRAYING FOR?

Ruth: Please pray for the practical stuff of life to be taken care of. We want to go to India without having to think about things such as finding a tenant for our house.

James: Please pray for our language learning and finding a community. And pray for what will become the work that we invest ourselves in, and that makes a difference.

Could you be called to mission overseas? There are many ways to serve God with BMS, so keep praying and explore our mission opportunities today.