Heart & Seoul

As the conference came to an end Friday night, so did my celebrity status. At least, until Sunday evening when I spoke at a church attended by several of the students who came to the conference. Photos, handshakes, and autographs - I feel that the excellent pastors and leaders at the conference are much more deserving of fame than I. It just so happens that being from America makes you pretty popular among teenagers here! Still, I certainly enjoyed being a part of the conference, seeing youth encouraged by others and passionately seeking the Lord.

The pastor responsible for funding the conference made it a top-notch experience. Along with special guest musicians, a conference planner, and emcee, students received scholarships to attend and great prizes throughout, including scholarships for future education. I was very impressed with his desire to give the students the very best in building them up in Christ.

During the rest of my time in Korea I stayed in Hotel Charis.

Charis is the Greek word for grace. How fitting. During this trip I am constantly in awe of what God allows me to be a part of, all by His grace.

On Saturday I met up with a couple of my Korean friends who attend UW - La Crosse with me and went on a guided tour of a palace. Hearing some of the history of Korea provided a greater understanding of the people and culture.

We also saw the Blue House (equivalent to our White House). My conversation with the friendly female security/police officer went like this:

Me: So, are there guards all around the house?

Police: Police officers?

Me: Yes, police. Do they surround the house?

Police: Yes.

Me: So I couldn't sneak in?

Police (surprised): You?

Me: I mean, a person couldn't sneak in?

Police: You can make a reservation.

Me: Oh. For today?

Police: One month before.

Me: But I leave Thursday...

Needless to say I didn't make inside the Blue House. Next time, I suppose.

My pastor at the Korean church in La Crosse retired to come back to Korea last month. His son Bobby will be going to school in Boston but is in Korea for a few weeks. He took good care of me during my time in Korea. An old friend of his came and we stayed in the hotel together. Since he is interested/passionate about missions utilizing his teaching experience, it's certainly possible we may end up partnering together some time in the future.

Sunday morning we went to a small church that is affiliated with his church in the states. The people were very welcoming and loving, as I commonly experience among Korean believers.

Sunday evening the pastor's son spoke at church while me and his friend shared our testimonies. Our translator did a wonderful job even with a short time to prepare. Unfortunately, I didn't get a video taken, although the service may have been recorded. So stay tuned...I might get it posted!

My translator and I

Monday Bobby, his friend, and I went to a market for acquiring some good deals on snazzy attire. That evening we went to an excellent restaurant where an old friend of Bobby's is manager. She has a heart to be a missionary to Japan. Many think that America leads the mission field but Korea sends a greater proportion of its population out on missions. It was quite encouraging seeing so many people of a different nation passionate about bringing the hope found in Christ Jesus to others.

At the restaurant. What blessing meeting these two mission-minded individuals!

On Tuesday I met with some of my friends from UW-L to go hiking at Gyeryongsan National Park. It was the first time I traveled alone. I only needed to take a bus to a subway station where I would meet my other friend. It shouldn't have been difficult, except no announcements were made in English, the driver didn't speak English, and there weren't many people on the bus. Fortunately, an older man told me what stop to get off at and after a short walk I arrived at the station. God provides!

Wednesday, my last day in Korea, I spent time with friends I met at the Vision Conference, mostly at this building:

The building was designed to look like praying hands. Pretty neat, huh? Inside we watched a short 3D Imax movie, went to Seaworld, and the SkyArt Gallery, which is the world's highest art gallery at 63 stories high.

Seoul is a big city..

At my friend's university

My new friends in Korea

I spent the night at the airport in a bathhouse. Basically it's a place to sleep and shower. Or sit in a sauna. Neat idea and nice facilities. Although I didn't get much sleep, it'd be okay since I'll be on a plane for several hours the next day on my way to start the next adventure: Thailand!

I appreciate your continual prayers. Ask that God would bless those who were so generous with their time and resources while I was in Seoul, and praise Him for all traveling going smoothly and for maintaining good health.

Here's a video that played in one of the subways, warning against running down escalators. As you can see, people could get real hurt...

"Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in Him, and He will act." -Proverbs 37:4-5

The Journey Begins

Christian recording artist who sang at the conference. Very talented!

Annyeong-haseyo! (Hello!) 

Japan. Almost there!

After 48 hours with less than 6 hours of sleep, I found myself at the Chicago O'Hare airport, waiting to board my plane to San Francisco and eventually Seoul. As you may have read on my last blog, one of my main prayer requests is for God to connect me with people during my travels. I didn't expect this to occur before I even left the US. Here's the story:

While waiting at my gate, I was reading a book with an obviously Christian title. A man across me asked if it was a good book, indicating to me that he was likely a Christian himself. I noticed he was with a group of Korean girls. After briefly talking I find out these girls are from an orphanage in S. Korea and that he and his wife hosted them for a couple weeks at their home in WI. The girls did not speak English very well and were a little nervous about making it to the correct gate on their flight back to Seoul. Turns out, we would be on the same flight all the way to Seoul! Praise our Lord!

At the airport in San Francisco

So, all traveling went smoothly. Here I am in Hwasun, a fairly rural area, at the Next Generation Vision Camp with around 150 or so middle school and high school. Attendees generally are underprivileged compared with other Korean students, and so the camp seeks to empower them to aim high and live for purpose in Christ. *Pray for the students, that the goal would be accomplished within their hearts.*

 

 

 

Church where retreat is being held

Students arriving at the retreat

 While most of the time I will be an observer, I hope to connect with some of the students. Please pray specifically for a couple students, Pete and Jason (names changed to remain anonymous). I won't give too many specifics in order to not give away their identity, but *Please pray that we would be able to connect and have spiritual conversations, and for them to have receptive hearts. Ask God to reveal Himself to them in real ways.*

I hoped to send out an earlier update, but I was distracted by a girl...as you can see in the following photo:

My 10 year old friend; she and her mom come to the church where the conference is held.

Prayer requests:

• Wisdom in using my time here most effectively in serving those at the conference.
• On Sunday evening, I will be sharing my testimony at a church in or near Seoul. Pray for the Lord to speak through me. If I can get it videotaped I'll try to post it in my blog.

Worship during the retreat

I appreciate your prayers; please email me anything you would like prayer for. I hope to connect with you again soon!

Breakfast. Lunch was even better!

Pre-trip note

Who would want to read a blog I'll be writing? You, hopefully! Here's why: you have an opportunity to partner with me in hopes of bringing hope to the hopeless and healing to the destitute. You can be a part of positive change in southeast Asia, and you won't even have to leave your home!

First Stop: South Korea
On the morning of July 30 I will be flying to Seoul, S. Korea, and from there ride a few hours away to Hwasun, where I was invited to lead a small group at a youth conference occurring August 1-3. *Pray that I would lead with godly wisdom and a desire to serve*

Following the conference I'll head back to Seoul for a week-ish of having an open schedule. This will likely include teaching English, meeting with some people I know in Seoul (friends, ministry leaders), and experiencing Korean people and culture to a greater extent than I've had the privilege of doing in La Crosse. *Pray for God to guide each day's activities, that I would walk through the good works He has prepared for me*

 Next Stop: Thailand
 On August 9th I'll fly to Bangkok and eventually arrive in Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. After a couple weeks in Thailand I'll spend a few days in Laos before returning to the US on August 30th.

Here I hope to gain vision. I am set to graduate with an MPH (Master of Public Health) degree in the spring of 2013. People always ask what I want to do with that degree. Read Isaiah 61. Then you'll know.

So why the region of SE Asia? While great prosperity exists, many areas remain in poverty. Poverty without vision leads to hopelessness and despair. Many people suffer from preventable illness and disease and lack the means to pay for health care costs. This leads to parents taking unthinkable measures. Children are sold as sex slaves. Often they are kidnapped or tricked by false promises of a job and become victims of human trafficking. Please take 8 minutes and watch this video that captured my heart and also puts the spiritual chains in existence on display.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/episodes/february-12-2010/rescuing-child-sex-workers/5684/


I am not satisfied simply raising awareness about this issue. I want to do whatever I can with my hands and feet. Maybe it's just coincidence this came up after I began praying more consistently that God would give me His compassion...

...Or maybe not. As you can read in many verses, God certainly has a heart for children, the fatherless, the poor, and the helpless.

 "Whoever receives one such child in My name receives Me..." 

-Matthew 18:5

"...but Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to Me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven." 

-Matthew 19:14

"When He saw the crowds, He had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." 

-Matthew 9:36

"Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and break every yoke? 

Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?" 

-Isaiah 58:6-7

Here's my goal: see ways to empower communities to reduce poverty and prevent sex trafficking. So, I need prayer.

Here's what I ask that you pray for:

• All travel details working out smoothly and stress-free
• God's guidance and divine providence in connecting me with individuals who will help me to get involved.
• Health
• Opportunities to serve and wisdom in how to effectively accomplish the purposes of God
• God's heart and compassion for people
• God-given vision and opportunities to bring about change in an entire region through community development to achieve a reduction in poverty and prevention of sex trafficking
• That the kingdom of God would advance and the peace, freedom, and joy found in Christ Jesus would break through in supernatural ways, shining light in dark places 

While I'm hoping to bring physical and emotional restoration, Jesus Christ alone can bring true hope and healing. Bringing good news and liberty (Isaiah 61:1) means proclaiming the salvation and redemption made possible through Christ Jesus.
 
"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." -John 10:10

One final note. While I am personally able to fund this trip, I will not refuse support from any who want to give, because it's not for my benefit but yours!

"Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that increases to your account. I have received full payment, and more. I am well supplied...And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." -Philippians 4:17-19

Thank you for your prayers and support. I'll update you as I'm able. Subscribe by email to ensure that you get the updates!