Mongolia Outreach

A few months ago I was asked by the Youth Pastor to participate as a staff in a two week outreach to Mongolia with thirty of the youth from the church. For someone who can't stay in the same country for more than a year, I immediately obliged and jumped on board this team for another opportunity to explore and serve in a new land. We're going to be staying at the YWAM base in the capital city of Ulanbator where we'll be spending the first portion of the outreach and then traveling out into the countryside where we'll spend the second portion. Personally, my main focus will be serving the youth in their various ministries as well as running an 'English Camp' for the Mongolian youth.

I think Mongolia is one of those countries that most people might have heard the name of but don't really know anything about or where or it is. Where is it you ask? Well, Mongolia is a landlocked country in Central Asia with Russia at its North and China at its South with a population of just over 2.6 million people.



What I know so far is Mongolia's major struggle of poverty and harsh climate that has recently claimed many lives and as much as 1/3 of the livestock in their last winter season. As we continue to pray for this outreach we feel God leading us to be a source of encouragement and hope in their difficult times.

I feel fortunate to be able to come along these youth in their first experience of missions as well as the opportunity to impart the love, joy and peace of Jesus to the Mongolian people. Please partner with me in this next month leading up to our outreach (August 3-13). That we would be prepared to serve and empowered by the Spirit to speak the Good News in a country that tells them their misfortune is "karma" (Mongolia is dominated by Buddhism). I am expecting great things!

I'm looking forward to learning more about the culture and people in these next few weeks. I'll be sure to fill you in!

English Class

This week marks the end of the first semester of English Classes and the beginning of summer vacation. It has no doubt been an interesting past few months of learning how to effectively teach my own language to a group of Korean speaking people but I've begun to take up my own style of teaching that fits my personality and strengths so I think this has made for a comfortable and free atmosphere for learning. Since most of my students get intimidated by learning the English language I try to make class times as enjoyable as possible with games, discussions and skits. It's been neat to get into discussions with my students about how Canadian culture is different from Korean culture; they're always interested in hearing personal stories about what my life was like growing up in Canada and how my experience of living in Korea is going. It's always amusing for them to hear of the different things I've eaten since I've been in Korea...Usually the laughter is at my expense but I let them enjoy it :)



Also, since most of my students are from the community and are non-believers, English class has been a great place to build a small community of friendships through study. Like I've said, learning English is no small task for these people and so those who have committed to enduring through this semester have been able to watch each other grow in the language while being able to share in each others lives. I'm so proud of their progress and happy to see friendships and a community being built reminding me once again the craving every one of us have for relationships and a safe accepting community to express ourselves. Two of my students (and their families) are now coming to church as a result of this! I'm so thankful for these English classes and the windows of opportunity I get to share testimonies of God's interventions in my life.

I'm convinced that, as believers, we carry the peace and joy of the Spirit in our lives and that this fruit is contagious!
I would just ask that you stand by me in prayer for these students, that they would taste and see that the Lord IS good through the joy and freedom that comes in a community of faith.

Because his love is better than life - Psalm 63:3

The Armor-Bearer

In 1 Samuel 14:1-13 there is an incredible story of how Jonathan, through a righteous indignation confronted and killed many of Israel's enemies. Although Jonathan's bravery and passion for God both inspires & challenges me, I want to talk about his Armor-bearer. When Jonathan approached his Armor-bearer to basically ask "are you with me in this", his Armor-bearer responded saying "Go ahead. Do what you think best. I'm with you all the way." (1Sam14:7msg) I was struck by the willingness of this young Armor-bearer to follow Jonathan in, what would seem like a suicide mission - yet because of this partnership they were able to attack one of the Philistine outposts & kill around 20 enemies. (2 men vs. 20 enemy soldiers!)

"I'm with you all the way"

The reason why I was so impacted by the Armor-bearer in this story is because, upon reading this story I immediately thought of my friend Sung-Jin Park. Nine months ago while attending a School of Worship in Montana USA I met Sung-Jin where we instantly became close friends. Not only that but he eventually took the place of my mentor, someone who has been genuinely interested & deeply invested in my spiritual growth as a person of faith. When he heard that I was planning on serving for a season in Daegu, South Korea (his home country), he felt that God had called him to come along with me to help with adjusting to the culture & church life. Since I arrived in South Korea, Sung-Jin has been nothing less then a selfless, humble example of Christ in my life & a present day Armor-bearer who's motivation has been "to be with me all the way".

The funny thing about this story is that the Armor-bearer doesn't get very much recognition. This reality has helped me come to the conclusion that, without the Armor-bearers in my life, I would not be where I am today. Jonathan would have been killed that day if not for his Armor-bearer. In my ministry in South Korea I tend to attract a lot of attention. People see me as a hero for being willing to leave my country and live in a completely different culture. The truth is, without the support of people like SungJin, family, friends and supporters behind the scenes, I wouldn't even be here.

In my selfish nature I tend to wish other people would be this kind of friend to me but I want to make it my goal to be an Armor-bearer friend to the people God puts in my life. To be there when it matters & support them in whatever direction they decide to go.

I just want to say thank you to all those who have invested in my life this far. You're a blessing!

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" Galatians 6:2