150927 Thank you for the time at the preschool ministry

It's Chuseok today! (Although I have a picture of Chinese moon cake)

Today was my last Sunday serving as a preschool teacher. It's been 2 and a half years since I joined the ministry. Preschool ministry was the very first place where I served. There was a lot of spiritual growth through serving in the ministry, and I was also able to learn how to build a relationship with small kids. I remember the first time I met the department pastor for my interview. It all started since that day. I had three partner teachers in total - two of them left me, but I'm leaving the last one behind. Since about a year ago, I started serving as the lead teacher in the department. That allowed me to get even closer with the department pastor and we were able to deepen our relationship. Then a few months ago, we got a new pastor. Being a lead teacher also allowed me to get closer with her as well.

I wanted to say goodbye to my students, but unfortunately, only two out of ten showed up. Perhaps they all knew that it was my last day and purposely didn't show up because they didn't want to say goodbye? Haha. Who knows. But I'm not sad because I will see them again.

During our teachers' meeting at the end of the ministry time, all the teachers and the Hi-C volunteers prayed for me. It is always encouraging to receive prayers. I'm thankful for them and their prayers.  I also pray for them that they will continue to faithfully serve in the ministry, and for them to continue to seek God and put their trust in Him in everything they do.

Oh yes. I should also share where I will be going starting next week.
I'm moving to Hi-C department and I'll be serving as an administrator/teacher. Hi-C is the high school ministry at our church. It will be totally different but I'm excited to be serving at this new department, with new pastor, new teachers and new students. I pray for God's wisdom and a joyful heart as I start serving in this new ministry.

On a side note, happy Chuseok everybody!

150926 Thank you for working in mysterious ways

Installation work by Gary Baseman @ Drake 150; sorry if it's a little creepy. 

God really works in mysterious ways.

It was one of my closest friend's birthday dinner party tonight. Although I knew most of the people who came to the party, I'm not personally close with them. There was this one girl, whom I met back in January, at the birthday girl's engagement party. Since then, it was my first time seeing her.

We were catching up on how things were going in our lives. I got a chance to briefly talk to her about my mission trip to Cambodia. I also mentioned how I am interested in going there for a long term. As I was sharing, she seemed intrigued by it and she also shared how she has a group of friends who do humanitarian work in Cambodia. I asked her if they were part of a non-profit organization but she said that they don't belong to a group. Rather, they did it voluntarily and funded themselves with the money out of their own pockets. Their vision was to build libraries to make facilities to expand people's interest in learning, as the majority of scholars and educated people were killed during the Khmer Rouge. I was really curious to what her friends were doing but I didn't get much chance to talk to her as she was sitting at a distant from me. We had to quickly wrap up our conversation, but she said something that really surprised me.

She said that she is willing to support me if I were to do any missionary work. I was honestly shocked when she said that because, not many people have verbally told me that they are willing to financially help me. I've received tremendous amount of financial help from friends around me, and from my church and I am extremely grateful for their generosity. However, as the support was coming from someone who I barely know, and who barely knows me, I think that's what made me surprised. On top of that, I don't think she's a Christian. Not to say that non-Christian don't like to support me or anything, but generally speaking, I think unbelievers often don't like help Christian clubs? Don't get me wrong, I am really thankful just by what she said.

As I am writing my blog, I'm coming to realize how God works in mysterious ways. On top of that, I'm wondering if this is God answering my prayers. One of the biggest reasons that hinder me from going to Cambodia for a longer term is financial help. No, I didn't receive financial help from anyone or anywhere. But I wonder if this is a preview of God's financial provision for me, so that I can trust in Him more.

I'm not in a place to rush myself to make a decision. So I pray earnestly and fervently to seek God's will for me.

150924 Thank you for the preschool sisters

My first pair of basketball shoes, ever! Thanks Mr. K:)

I met up with the girls in the preschool ministry for dinner. I'm thankful for the time we had because I feel that God's used each of us and each of our experiences in our lives to encourage one another, especially for those of us who are going through hardships in life.

Lately, I've been meditating on Corinthians. Even apart from that through other Bible verses, God has been revealing a lot about trusting in Him because He is God of all comfort. At the same time, I also feel that because I have this comfort, God is showing me people around me who needs words of encouragement.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 

who comforts us in all our troubles, 

so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 

For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, 

so also our comfort abounds through Christ. 

If we are distressed, it is for your comfort, 

which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 

And our hope for you is firm, 

because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

I'm thankful that I can hold onto this truth and share the comfort to others around us. I'm thankful for the time of sharing, encouragement and challenge between the sisters of the preschool ministry. Although I am stepping down from the ministry as of this Sunday, I pray that our relationship will continue to build up and our personally relationship with God will also continue to grow.

150920 Thank you for Cambodia missions this summer

With some of the boys at the orphanage

I'll be sharing my testimony about Cambodia today at my church. I also want to share it on my blog - I hope that you'll get a glimpse of God's work in Cambodia!

This summer, I had the great privilege of participating in God’s mission to Cambodia for two weeks in August. It was my first time going to Cambodia, as my only mission trip experience was in Mexico.

Although there was excitement and joy to go on this mission trip, in the back of my mind, I thought that nothing could beat my love for Mexico. What God showed me in my first mission trip was so great, I didn’t think I could see much more than what He showed me in my two trips to Mexico. Because of this mindset, it was hard for me to initially open up to the children in Cambodia. We started the trip with VBS for 2 nights and 3 days at a retreat centre away from the orphanage. For the duration of VBS, I kept comparing them with the children in Mexico. I felt a bit disconnected and I unknowingly put a barrier between the children and myself. My heart wasn’t fully open to Cambodia and I wasn’t sure what to do about it, so I prayed to God and told Him that I want to give the children my very best.

It was only at the end of the first week that our team went to the orphanage. As soon as I arrived at the orphanage, God answered my prayer and opened up my heart. I really can’t understand what it could’ve been, other than the work of the Holy Spirit. Suddenly, there was so much joy and peace in my heart that I had not experienced at the retreat centre. From that moment on, I completely surrendered to God and allowed the Holy Spirit to lead me. God also empowered me physically, so that I could spend as much time as possible with the children and He restored my strength them. In Toronto, I easily get tired from just being with ten kids for less than an hour during Sunday school. So the energy I experienced in Cambodia was definitely given by God.

Despite the horrific history of Khmer Rouge, it was evident that God is present and there is hope for Cambodia, which God loves so much. As I spent my time with the children at the orphanage, talked to local Christians, and met with different missionaries, God showed me more and more of His love for Cambodia. Many of the children at the orphanage are Christians and I was able to see the depth of their faith. For example, there was a boy whose mother had passed away, but she didn’t know Jesus. Even at the young age of 10, he was gripped with great sadness because he believed his mother had passed away without knowing Christ. I believe this is an indication of the great faith that many of these young children have.

One of my favourite moments - watching the children having fun with arts and crafts

I think I always go on missions wanting to bless the people I meet. Amazingly, I always come back receiving more blessing than what I could give. I’m really thankful that God called me to partake in His mission. Through Cambodia, I was once again reminded that God is in total control of not only my life, but also the future of Cambodia. Although I am weak and sinful, I’m thankful that God used me and “equipped me with everything good for doing His will.” I give thanks to God for opening up my eyes and heart to see beyond Mexico and giving me a bigger heart for the children in poverty. I don’t want God’s work to be finished now that the mission trip is over. Instead, I want to continue to pursue His heart for the poor, here at home in Toronto.

I want to share a passage that personifies my experience in Cambodia.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, 

according to his power that is at work within us,

 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, 

for ever and ever. Amen. 

Ephesians 3:20-21

150919 Thank you for the women's prayer retreat

Learning "Still" together

Be still and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

There's a song that will always remind me of Cambodia. It's called Still by Hillsong.

Hide me now 

under Your wings

cover me 

within Your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father You are King over the flood

I will be still and know You are God

Find rest my soul

in Christ alone

Know His power

in quietness and trust

When the oceans rise and thunders roar

I will soar with you above the storm

Father You are King over the flood

I will be still and know You are God

As I was singing this song at the prayer retreat, I could almost hear the voices of the children in Cambodia in my ears. I miss the time when we worshipped together.

It's really weird for me to miss Cambodia when I sing this song. The first time I sang this song with the Cambodian kids were at the retreat centre, during our worship time. During worship, I remember keep thinking about the children in Mexico. Everything I did during the VBS kept taking me back to the time I was in Mexico. It was like my heart and my mind were separated from my body. It felt like my spiritless body was present in Cambodia. At the time, I never would've guessed if I was gonna miss Cambodia this much, nor fall in love with those children this deep. But I'm thankful that God opened up my eyes to see beyond Mexico, and to love the children in Cambodia as well.

The theme of the women's prayer retreat was to "Be still and know that He is God." I think I decided to go on this retreat because was drawn to this theme more than any other reason. As there are things that I am uncertain of, and I need to be still before God to know where He is leading me next. This retreat was a good reminder that being still means to trust God, and just know that God is in control of everything even though I may be anxious because of all the uncertainties in my life.

It was also a great opportunity to get to know the women in different ages. A lot of times at church, I only hang out with the girls in my age, or younger. I never really get a chance to talk to older ladies. As I get older, I think I have more desire to get to know the older women of God. Although it was very brief time that we had together, I'm thankful for this opportunity to read the Word together and share about His teachings in each of our lives in different stages of our lives. I'm looking forward to the next women's retreat!

150917 Thank you for providing moms for Cambodia

Cambodian rice field

#AGTG

All Glory To God. I just learned this new hashtag today and I thought it's appropriate to put it to use in my entry today.

I don't think I shared with you how the orphanage in Cambodia is in need of moms (caregivers to the children). The orphanage was short on one mom when I was there, but shortly I left, they were in need of two more. Our Cambodia short term team members and myself, have been praying for new moms to come since we came back from our trip. We were praying desperately because the main missionary at the orphanage was coming back to Toronto on her sabbatical this week. 

Earlier this week, I messaged the volunteer who serves at the orphanage for a mid-term, who is currently living at the orphanage. I asked how things are going, hoping to get an update about the mom situation. He finally messaged me back today and I was so overjoyed to have read his messages. He said that the orphanage hired three moms just this Monday. What's crazy is that the missionary came to Toronto on Tuesday...! So it is truly a miracle that they got three moms literally just a day before she left Cambodia!

When I prayed for Cambodia and the orphanage, I prayed with desperation and urgency. I trusted God that He will provide, but I kept praying that it would happen at His time. To be honest, I didn't think God will provide all three moms before the missionary came back home. It would've been amazing if God sent just one or two moms... but no, He sent all three! God listens to our prayers and more than that, He knows what is needed for His people even before we come to Him. I was once again reminded of how weak and doubtful I am. Why is it so hard to trust God fully? I want to be at a place where I can completely trust Him no matter what the circumstances are. It's so stupid of me to constantly forget to trust in God fully, after all those times when God has been faithful to me. One of the most recent experiences I had in Cambodia, which I will be sharing in my testimony sometime soon. I'm thankful that God is faithful and His faithfulness is far, FAR greater than my sins.

I'm going to continue to keep Cambodia and the orphanage in my prayers, especially for the new moms who joined this week as they take the next few weeks, even months to adjust well. 

150911 Thank you for the prayerful heart for Cambodia

Two boys getting ready for a soccer game

Since Cambodia, I've been thinking and praying for the children almost everyday. I miss them a lot, and I have a deep desire to go back. Some people might say that it's because I recently got back from the mission trip, and this is one of the withdrawal symptoms. Sure, it may be true. But I don't think I prayed for Mexico and had this kind of heart for the children there after my mission trip there last year, and the year before. I think that's one difference. Well, it could just be that God is giving me a bigger heart to pray, and it may be irrelevant to Cambodia. Whatever the reason and the motivation may be, I pray for Cambodia because that's what God's telling me to pray for and about. I don't know how long I'll be praying for Cambodia, but I will do it as long as God tells me so.

150910 Thank you for the spontaneous meet up

I was studying Japanese on my own in university. Doesn't it look like I studied really hard?

Something really interesting happened today. A friend from New York was visiting Toronto for a day as she had to renew her visa. I didn't have plans after lunch, so we decided to meet up for desserts in the afternoon. We met up for a little over an hour and in that short time, we shared about how God's been working in our lives over the summer - to be exact, over the past month. 

Before getting into that, I also want to share about my lunch date with a church friend. She offered to pray for me and for the team while we were in Cambodia. I wanted to thank her and share about what God has shown me in Cambodia. It's such a blessing and an encouragement to know that there are people who pray for me. I'm thankful for her and for her prayers. I'm also thankful for another opportunity to share about Cambodia. I'm learning that the more I share about Cambodia, the more I am reminded of how great our God is. I pray and hope that through my testimony, that people will also come to see how great He is.

Back to my friend from New York.
She shared her testimony of what happened in her life in August. So many crazy things happened to her, but in the midst of all that, it was so evident that God was with her in every step. God already had planned what was going to happen to her this whole time, and my friend obediently followed Him. Where she is now, is where God wanted her to be. I'm thankful for God's sovereignty and faithfulness, and also thankful for my friend to depend on Him despite the things that happened to her. It was truly amazing listening to her story.

I was reminded of how powerful a testimony can be. As we share our testimony, those who listen are blessed and encouraged as they hear about how real our God is, and how personal He is in our lives. God is glorified as we share our testimonies. God works in such ways that we can never comprehend. I guess that's what makes Him God. We will never understand His ways, but we trust that His ways are always good and we go in obedience. No matter how much we plan, and how much we worry, it is ultimately God who leads and makes things happen.

I pray that God, the source of hope, 

will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. 

Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Romans 15:13

I have a privilege to share my testimony about Cambodia with my church next Sunday. There is a coexistence of excitement and nervousness when I think about sharing my story. But I decided to do it with hope that the church will see God at work in Cambodia. Whenever I get an opportunity to share my testimony, I always tell God that if there is even one person who will hear about God's greatness and come to know God through it, then I will gladly share my testimony. Even if there isn't, I always do it with a hopeful heart. I want the church to get a glimpse of God's love for Cambodia, and I also want to encourage them to join me in prayer for this country. I pray that God will open up their hearts and ears as they listen to my testimony, and also testimonies of other people who went on missions to various countries this summer. 

150902 Thank you for the teacher dedication service

"Vision" by Anointing

Summer is coming to an end and it's September again. That means it's time for school. The first week of September also means teacher dedication service at church. Everyone who serves as a teacher comes to this service to dedicate themselves as teachers again. A while ago, I was wondering what the point of this was. But after today, I realized how important it is to dedicate yourself before God as His servant, before the church, and before each other. As I am serving in the preschool ministry at church, I participated in today's service. The teachers have to prepare a song and present it after the message. The song is called "Vision" - it's a Korean Christian song, which was popular about 10 years ago. I remember singing this song often, as I was involved in a Korean Christian club.

As we were practicing, one verse caught my attention. In English it goes like this:

To every tribe and tongue,

all nations join the song,

endless praise to salvation's one true Lord.

I was singing and reflecting what this meant. Instantly, it reminded me of Cambodia. Cambodia is a different tribe from Canada and Korea. However, we believe in one true God. We speak differently, and cannot understand each other, but we worship our Heavenly Father, who gave us His only Son to die for us, in order to forgive us and give us the eternal life. There are a lot of first generation Christians in Cambodia. Still, as the majority of the population believe in Buddha, we have to pray for the people of Cambodia. Cambodia is just one country out of 196 countries in the world. There are about 6,500 spoken languages in the world. According to OMF, only a little over 1% of the population in Cambodia are Christians (Click to read more about Cambodia on OMF). I'm not sure how many countries or tribes are unreached, but just by seeing the percentage of Christians in Cambodia, it is evident that a lot of work is required.

Another thing that was memorable during the evening was during the sermon. The pastor said "where there is passion, there is sacrifice also." I think it is true. If you have a passion for something, you would have to sacrifice something. So, what am I passionate about? Am I passionate for God? For the gospel? For the people whom He loves? Then what am I sacrificing to share my passion? It's something I need to think about more.