Outreach Reports

I was never the great man of faith. I had thought myself a decent Christian, but after a year of realizing what humility meant, I quickly cast off any false images of myself. I soon came to terms with the fact that I was trying too hard to be somebody I was not.

 

Amidst the spiritual travels, I have tagged along on several short-term mission trips and, as much as my lazy butt screamed in agony every single time, God always taught me a thing or two during every trip.

 

The first mission trip was to Japan. I had gotten back from the U.S. after my freshmen year in college, and as I had planned absolutely nothing for the summer, I was wasting time playing stupid online games and watching porn (pardon the crude honesty). As self-loathing grew evermore, I took a big step and started attending a college ministry at a church that was nearby. Thanks to God, I settled in really well. Since I had a lot of time on my hands, I wanted to do something, and coincidentally, the church was looking for people to join short-term mission trips. I thought going to Japan would not be a bad idea, so I signed up without much hesitation. I actually thought I would be tagging along with a bunch of pastors and professionals while I would help out with minor errands. I soon realized that the rest of the group was all thinking the same. We were all young college students who really had no idea what mission trips were. With the help of a few leaders, the team would get together and practice dancing to worship songs, plan short theaters, and even learn their language. In retrospect, they were such minor, seemingly insignificant, contributions to the community, but there was one thing I had learned from the trip start to end: it was how to worship with a passion. After all, that seemed like the most beautiful aspect of young adults.

 

The second trip was after my junior year in college. Nearly two years had passed since I had gone to Japan. Within the two years, I had gotten actively involved with the church back at school. By then, I was getting tired of all the church “work” I had gotten myself into. As I came back to Korea hoping to just rest, a bunch of friends asked me to go on another mission trip with them. Every single cell in my heart was screeching “no,” but in all honesty, I think it was peer pressure that got me into it again. This time, the team was to go to the Jeju Islands. Unfortunately, I was slowly drowning in a pool of mannerism. Looking back on it now, I think this was exactly what God wanted to correct within my heart. I had considered God to be an owner of a treasure map. As I would go searching for the treasure, He would simply watch. As I shared this thought, the team leader spoke of love. She spoke of companionship, friendship, a relationship, something I had not yet fully understood. The seed was still planted, as I would soon learn more about God’s love.

 

The third trip was to Argentina. I had become a senior in college, a part-time student, so I made some time to head out during the school year. This trip was much less rigorous as it was to be a medical mission trip. Five or six doctors would be traveling with a pastor. Another college student and I were to follow to help out. The way there was endless: two airplane rides and long hours of traveling on unpaved roads. Once the team arrived, however, the tired body was welcomed with such warmth of nature. The sky was ever blue with spots of clouds that seemed to have been drawn in. Houses were well blended within the scenes of trees and love. I did have somewhat of a hard time adjusting to living in a village of twenty some people with barely any electricity and clean water, but oh, I felt the embrace of God. I was allowed to see a hint of what freedom in Him would truly mean. Peace of God was what I had tasted.

 

The great passion for God after the trip was recklessly shattered, however, as I came back home to Korea. Small plans for my future were shut as I felt like I was cast into strange territories. Even among all that, I had signed up for another mission trip. Maybe it was out of habit or peer pressure, but I quickly found myself in agony. I actually remember calling my pastor, telling him I absolutely did not want to go. The trip was to the Jeju Island again, though to a different church. I would love to share my thoughts after having been there again, but I remember only one lesson, and it was of my wretchedness. Indeed, it was a valuable lesson, but I am not sure I would like to go through it again.

 

Now, back to the year 2012, the latest trip was to a local town in Korea called Hapcheon. Thankfully, I was doing pretty well both physically and spiritually. The team was to go hold a mentoring camp for middle school students. I had a decent amount of will to participate this time, but I still had a sense of doubt. I was afraid I would have an awful time, and perhaps never want to participate ever again. Naturally, I prayed to God, “Lord, as a sign, please let life spring from the ground I set my first feet upon to know that I have indeed done some good within this place,” but thanks to irony, the first step I took was on a paved road. I had forgotten the prayer during most of the trip. The schedule was busy as always, and with a blink of an eye, it was the last day of the trip. I decided to take at least a peek at the road, and of course, I could see nothing on the road. I sat down and still prayed a little prayer, but as I lifted my head up, there was a vast field of green stretching far beyond. I had not noticed it in the first place as the bus was blocking the view as we had gotten off. At that moment, I felt as if God was saying to me, “There are many living spirits here in this place, for this is what I do.” I may not know what exactly I have done in that place, but I knew God was still around.

 

Sooner or later, I would get to learn of God’s grace more, and perhaps learn to be a true fisherman for God. It is not for the people or the music that I go, but for the presence of God. A glimpse of truth may be all that I need.