Serving Abroad, Growing Within: A Conversation with Miriam Rete
Episode 15 | 12 Minutes | April 22, 2024
In this episode, Brenna Carson sits down with Miriam Rete, a student at Northwestern College, to talk about her recent cross-cultural service trip to Cowley, England. Miriam shares her experience leading a student team, working with a local community center, and how God has used travel and missions to deepen her faith. From tea time in the UK to meaningful conversations with those overcoming addiction, Miriam reflects on the joy found in different cultures and the importance of listening and learning. Whether you're considering a short-term trip or simply curious about life-changing global service, this episode is full of inspiration and wisdom.
In this Episode:
Miriam shares about leading a short-term mission trip to Cowley, England, where her team partnered with a local community center called The Jungle to support activities like story time, tea time, and art gym.
Reflections on spiritual growth—Miriam talks about how cross-cultural experiences have deepened her faith and helped her recognize joy and gratitude in everyday life.
Powerful encounters with individuals in recovery—She shares how connecting with men from a local rehab center inspired her through their testimonies of transformation and faith.
Lessons from leading two international trips—Miriam compares her experiences in Costa Rica and England, and discusses how different cultures reflect God’s image in unique ways.
Encouragement for others considering missions—She offers advice for those hesitant to step out of their comfort zone: go with a heart ready to listen, learn, and grow.
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Miriam Rete is a passionate student leader studying Business Administration at Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. With a heart for cross-cultural service and a vision for a future in healthcare administration, Miriam has led multiple short-term mission trips, including to San José, Costa Rica, and Cowley, England. Known for her joyful spirit and thoughtful leadership, she’s deeply committed to learning from others, embracing different cultures, and sharing God’s love through meaningful connection and service.
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Brenna Carson: Hello! Welcome, Miriam. How are you doing?
Miriam Rete: I'm doing great!
Brenna Carson: Good! Well, thanks for being here. I’m so excited to hear about your service experience with us and learn more about your story. To start, could you introduce yourself a little bit? Maybe tell us where you go to school, what year you're in, what you're majoring in—and if you have any post-grad plans, I’d love to hear those too.
Miriam Rete: Yes, I’d love to share. I'm Miriam, and I go to Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa. I’m majoring in Business Administration, but I hope to further my education and pursue a master's in Healthcare Administration. As for post-grad plans, I'm still figuring things out, but I’m considering staying in the States and working in healthcare—or maybe going abroad for a while to do missions.
Brenna Carson: Awesome, that’s very cool! You recently returned from a short-term trip with us. Can you tell us a little bit about where you went, what the experience was like, and some of the projects you were involved in?
Miriam Rete: Yes! I led a team of nine students along with an adult leader. We went to Cowley, England, which is a suburb of Oxford. While there, we worked with a community center called The Jungle. We helped with a variety of activities—story time in the morning, tea time in the afternoon, and an art gym program.
Brenna Carson: That sounds awesome! Was that your first time in the UK?
Miriam Rete: No, I’ve actually been a few times before.
Brenna Carson: Got it. But this was your first time leading a trip there as a student, right?
Miriam Rete: Yes, it was.
Brenna Carson: That’s awesome. How was it, stepping into that leadership role on a short-term trip? Was that something new for you?
Miriam Rete: I actually led a trip last year through Northwestern as well—for our spring break trips. That one was to San José, Costa Rica. It was such an amazing experience, and very different from this trip to Cowley. The cultures and environments were so unique. It was really cool to compare the two and see how God has created people and places so differently—yet we're all still made in His image and reflect that in how we live and interact.
Brenna Carson: I love that perspective! You've had the opportunity to experience multiple cultures. From those trips, how do you think you’ve grown in your walk with the Lord?
Miriam Rete: That’s a good question. Seeing how God is working in different places and through different people has opened my eyes. Sometimes, I realize I’ve been stagnant in my faith or take things for granted. Watching people who have so much joy, even without the same opportunities or material things I have, really shifts my perspective. It reminds me to be thankful and to find joy in the everyday things God has given me.
Brenna Carson: Yeah—“comparison is the thief of joy,” right? It’s powerful that you were able to step back and really see the joy we have access to in the Lord. That perspective shift is so valuable. Do you see this latest trip to Cowley impacting your life now that you're back home?
Miriam Rete: Definitely. In Cowley, we worked with several men from a local drug rehab center who would come to the community center. We played pool and ping pong with them, shared tea, and heard their stories. Many of them were eager to share how they had overcome addiction and how they’d grown closer to God in the process. It was so encouraging to hear how their past struggles were now helping them support others.
Coming back, I’ve been reflecting on that—thinking about how I can use my own experiences to encourage people around me. There are things I’ve struggled with that others may be going through now, and I want to let God use my story to help them.
Brenna Carson: That’s really powerful. God absolutely uses our stories to encourage others. And even as a college student, there are so many ways to support and uplift the people around you—you don’t have to wait until after graduation to be a light in your community.
You’ve now led two short-term trips. What would you say to someone considering something like this—whether it’s a week-long experience like yours or something longer? How would you encourage them or help them prepare?
Miriam Rete: First, I’d say: just go for it! A lot of people are hesitant, especially if it’s far from home or their comfort zone. But stepping into that space is often where God grows us the most.
It’s important to approach trips like this with a learning mindset. Be prepared to listen and observe. Don’t come in with your own assumptions or agendas. Instead, ask, “Why do they do it this way?” and be open to learning from it.
Brenna Carson: That’s great advice. Was there ever a time before your first trip when you hesitated and someone told you, “Just go for it”?
Miriam Rete: Not exactly. I’ve done a lot of traveling growing up, and my parents always taught my siblings and me to see travel as a learning experience. Whether it was interacting with people, trying new foods, or going to museums, they helped us see how different communities and cultures have developed over time.
Now, having led these two trips, I realize not everyone has that same background. And that perspective can really shape how we interact on a trip—with the local community and even within our own team.
Brenna Carson: Absolutely. Every cross-cultural experience shapes us—it changes how we see the world and how we relate to others. So, final question: what do you think cross-cultural service will look like for you moving forward?
Miriam Rete: As I mentioned, I’m looking into doing some missions after I graduate this December. I’m not sure yet where I’ll go, but I’m exploring different opportunities. I want to continue learning more about God through different places and people, and I want to play a role in expanding His kingdom.
If I do come back to the States and work in healthcare, I hope my missions experience will help me see people with different backgrounds in a new light. I want to carry that same heart of service into whatever context I’m in—whether it’s overseas or in a hospital here.
Brenna Carson: Absolutely. Thank you so much for sharing that. It’s been so encouraging to hear how God has been shaping your journey—through your travels, your leadership, and your faith. We’re so grateful to have had you serve with us and to have you lead one of our teams. Thanks for being here, Miriam!
Miriam Rete: Thank you!