Indian Summer

Jymasiki !

This means "praise God" in Hindi. He is greatly to be praised for your faithful prayers and financial support on our behalf. Let me tell you a little about it.

We served in and around the city of Amritsar, Punjab in north-western India. After an 11 hour flight from L.A. to Seoul, an 8 hour flight from Seoul to New Delhi, and finally an 6 hour train ride, the team of four arrived in Amritsar to begin ministry. Soon after we settled in, we heard that men from outside Punjab had entered the area and were killing people indiscriminately. Therefore people were on edge and leery of outsiders and the team generally would never stay out later than 6pm. Nevertheless, God worked this for good.

We worked with several local pastors who took the team to various villages between Amritsar and Atari to the west (see map link above). In each location we would visit the home of a believer and wait while they gathered friends and neighbors to come and hear the gospel. Our hosts were always welcoming, offering us seats, fans, and hot or cold drink. My favorite was the homemade chai !!! Due to the tense situation, villagers would often ask many questions about who we were and why we were there. This curiosity often lead them to come and see us and hear our message ! Once the crowd had gathered, a team member would share the gospel while a pastor would translate. Upon asking who would like to receive the gospel, most hands usually went up as it is impolite to refuse one's guest, much like the situation in other cultures such as those in Africa. According to a local pastor, the real spiritual fruit was about 50% of those that raised hands. We rejoice with God and the angels in heaven at these new children of God ! 

Following the message we would mingle with the people. Many would approach us for prayer about health, studies, family, and financial problemes. Despite cultural and linguistic differences, we all share the human experience. People everywhere have similar cares and concerns and all one needs to do is consider the prayer requests offered by one's self and those around them. The team usually was invited to homes as well after the message and we drank more chai and often ate some great food ! If you don't know already, Indian food is my favorite so I took full advantage of the meals, haha. 

Besides a full stomach I also learned much. In the West, for example France and the U.S. sharing the gospel involves much apologetics. In order to even share the good news, one must first adresse and dismantle many intellectual and personal obstacles. However many parts of the world as in our situation, one can cut to the chase. There are of course exceptions and the after evangelization issues that must be adressed, but the fact remains that the proclamation of the gospel itself is very straight forward. That was incredibly refreshing and challenging. The question I think we in the West must ask is, "Am I actually complicating things ?" Perhaps it is partially the West's humanistic intellectualization of all things that has pervaded the proclamation of the simple message of salvation. Food for thought. 

I mentioned before the trip that I was going to discover what God might have in store for me in India, considering my long intrigue for the country. The conclusion is twofold. First, my experience was great and God taught me many things. God has given me a love of food, culture, and language regardless of the place and He has given me a knack for learning in this area and ability to mold to the surroundings. I will certainly go back given the opportunity, yet I am still called to France. Secondly, India does have a French speaking community in Pondicherry. God willing, I would one day like to lead a French speaking team hear for short-term and possibly on-going ministry. Who knows, maybe it will be me that stays there, haha. 

After our time in India we returned to Korea. The two female team members, Eunice and Sara, live there and the team leader, Min, visited his in-laws. Me, I spent a day and a half in Seoul exploring and intaking more culture and food ! My favorite dish was live octopus, although the dog wasn't bad at all... Yes, I said dog : poodle to be exact (okay it wasn't poodle). Spending some time there helps me better understand my current community in Orange County, the customers at my Starbucks, and church culture at little better as they are very Korean. 

Thank you for being fellow laborers in the ministry with me and giving me the opportunity to learn and serve ! If you have any questions or want to hear more, email, call, or let's meet up. I'd love to share what God is doing !

Spiced Up

Semester number two : done !

French people do not generally prefer spicy foods as other nationalities do, but I have certainly experienced une année piquante (a spicy year) here in Southern California. It has flown by and thanks to the grace of God and your faithful prayers, it has also gone very well. God allowed me to go through many trials, yet by His faithfulness all things have worked for good and His glory. Two tough semesters have passed, but they finished well. And still, things are about to get spicier !

After prayer and meditation, I have decided to go on a mission trip to the Punjab, India with my church at the end of the summer : 9 July- 7 August. This area of India is filled with unengaged, unreached people groups (UUPG). Whereas the Gospel is available to nearly everyone in the U.S. and in France, it has never been heard by many in the villages within the state of Punjab ! For those communities that are fortunate enough to have heard it, there often exists no ministry team, indigenous or otherwise, that is engaged in evangelism and church planting. This is a UUPG. 

The purpose of the trip will be primarily evangelism, equipping, and encouragement. Our team currently consists of a pastor, me, and two ladies currently living in Korea. With the help of local pastors, we will be trekking from village to village sharing the gospel and encouraging brothers and sisters in Christ along the way. Instead of providing financial aide or materials to the nationals, our method of equipment is that of empowerment. The former creates dependance and the latter fosters independence. Using local believers will ensure that ministry can continue beyond the termination of the mission trip, as well as empower them to develop the ministry and make disciples rather than depend upon outside help. 

Following the trip, we will have a few days layover in Korea which I also eagerly anticipate. Many of you know that I currently attend the English ministry at a Korean church. Despite being in America and being composed of mainly second generation Korean-Americans, there is a strong Korean influence. Experiencing first hand the country that engendered that culture will give me much better insight to the my church and its people, how to communicate and relate best with them, and where my place is within the Grace Korean church body. Ultimately, I hope and pray that I can become a fully integrated member culturally and personally, thereby more effectively serving God's Kingdom !

By now you are likely asking, "Mission trips are great, but why not France ?" Good question ! Originally I wanted to participate in an Asian mission trip since I have never been to Asia. As an intercultural worker and missionary, it is very important to understand many different cultures and I have never been to Asia. The Cambodia trip was a great first choice as both in the Asian context and a former French colonie. However, God closed that door. While praying about the other trips, India popped out at me. For some time, India has held a particular place in my curiosity and interest. So what better way to see if this is of God or just a flight of fancy than to serve Him short-term there. 

The question I now would have you ask yourself is, "What part would God have me play in Seth's mission trip ?" The total cost is around $2,500, 80% being airfare. I plan on raising funds by selling produce from my garden at church, so please pray for a bountiful harvest ! Nevertheless, I will still need additional funding. Would you pray about contributing financially ? To arrive at the total I need : 10 people to give $10, 15 to give $25, 10 at $50, 8 at $75, 6 at $100, and 2 at $200. If this is you, please make your check payable to GMI-EM (Grace Ministries International-English Ministry) and send them to me at :

15105 Cheshire St. 
La Mirada, CA 90638
USA
More importantly, I and the team need your prayers ! I am looking for 20 faithful prayer warriors who would take me, the team, our needs, and those we will be serving before the throne of God from now until August 7th. Is this you ? Please email me and let me know :)

Prayer : 1. Spiritual preparedness of team and people we will serve 2. 20 prayer partners 3. A bountiful harvest from my garden 4. Financial partners 5. Understand where India stands in God's will for my life

Praise : 1. The opportunity to serve God internationally with my church 2. The chance to understand the Asian context better 3. A garden that I can raise funds from 4. God's faithfulness to provide 5. A great team (whoever they are, haha) :) !

Faithful Presence

Hello everyone ! Sorry it's been such a long time since my last update :s Thank you for your faithful intercession on my behalf. I see all around me the fruit of those prayers !

This semester has been just as busy as the previous one and God has been just as faithful. One class is finished and I am currently working on the final two papers for the remaining two classes : a 12 and 20 pager. Next semester I will only be taking two courses as I will only be taking courses that I can pay for upfront from this point on. This will also allow me more time that I can devote to engaging more in my church community and as a representative for WorldVenture on campus, as well as work more hours at Starbucks and take on additional French tutoring sessions.

At Grace Ministries International English Ministry, God has provided me with a great family and plenty of opportunities to grow and serve. Last week God opened the door financially and in my work schedule for me to participate in a church retreat : Tres Dias. It was refreshing and I feel even closer to my church family ! Currently at church, I am going to meetings to become a cell group leader, participating in a singles seminar over the next few weeks, going to early morning prayer (a Korean thing) when I don't work, and should God open the door, go to Korea and Cambodia, a former French colony, on a summer mission trip. I thank God for each opportunity to walk along my brothers and sisters in Christ and serve them to His glory !

At Starbucks things have remained largely unchanged. Although last semester my former manager talked about me becoming a shift supervisor, the current manager is not so open to the idea. While disappointing, I know that God will provide for my financial needs one way or another as He has already done in amazing ways. In the meantime, I have taken the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities. I apply the love and passion God has given me for other cultures, and what I learn in my courses on the job, making our store a place welcoming place between cultures : a third space. My store's clientele base is about 80% Korean, so I have written signs in Korean, help co-workers to be understanding of cultural difference, and God willing, plan on taking Korean lessons this summer. Besides this, God has also given me the opportunity to be the trainer for new employees. I am learning so much about teaching and learning styles ! Relationships with co-workers continue to progress and I have had several opportunities to share the truth of God with them.

I want to reiterate how much of a blessing you have been to me ! Your prayers are greatly appreciated and I only succeed in this California adventure as God sustains and strengthens me through you intercession. Know that I pray for you as well. May God's faithful presence in your life encourage and lift you up as we fight the good fight to win this race and may we practice faithful presence in each others life through prayer and praise so spur one another on to the finish line !

Prayer Requests : 1. Grace and strength to do all things well 2. The words, organization, and time to produce quality papers 3. Relationships at Starbucks 4. To be a godly leader at church 5. To leave every result in God's hand

Praises : 1. A great first year at Biola 2. God's provisions 3. Opportunities to grow and apply myself at church and Starbucks 4. My church family 5. You, my prayer team :)

S T O N E S of remembrance

In the Old Testament, the Israelites erected stones of remembrance as a sign to them of God's power and faithfulness so that they would not forget and turn away from God. What are our stones of remembrance ? Recently the two I have erected are the house I live in and the car I drive. I call them Faithful and Goodness respectively. What are yours or how do you remind yourself of God's power and faithfulness and thus guard your heart from turning from Him ?


Praise : 1. God's goodness 2. God's faithfulness 3. God's love 4. God's trials 5. the family of God

Prayer : 1. Finish the semester with at least a 3.0 (this is necessary as a transfer student to guarantee my spot in the programme 2. I have a final 20 page, 15 page and 7 page paper due by the 10th and 17th respectively : clear vision for the papers, fluid flow of thought while writing, completion of papers by due dates, meeting of criteria 3. Wisdom in choosing classes for next semester

Faithful

Happy Wednesday everyone ! I pray that all is well with you and that you are daily growing in grace and love in the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May this posting be an encouragement to you and lead us to corporately sing the praises of the God !

Since moving to Orange County California God has put through trial after trial. In fact, I don't believe that I've ever experienced so many trials, of such intensity, in such a short period of time ! Yet more than ever I am convinced that God wants me here right now doing what I'm doing. 

Living situations, job, education, vehicle, finances and living in an American big city have stretched me beyond myself. I have had roommates and flatmates before but they have never been such a test of my patience as they have in California. Different lifestyles, maturity levels, moral standards, degree of responsibility, hygiene and spiritual need etc. have pushed my limits and beyond. In 13 years of work, I have never been around so many different people, cultures, poor work ethic, negativity, drama and need in the workplace. It is truly eye opening. June 9th I moved here and by last Wednesday I had moved for the fourth time in as many months. Uncertainty, stress, frustration, anger, helplessness are just some of the emotions I've felt through it all. My '93 Subaru Legacy brought me out here without a problem. Besides having no air-conditioning and many quirks and defects, or let's say character, it has served my needs. However in the last two weeks it has been having a serious problem and I am in weak position to do anything about it. Besides all of that, I am occupied with 9 units of masters studies at BIOLA, French tutoring, representing WorldVenture on the university campus, English language help for a Korean student and church.

But God... God is faithful. I feel like Job, except so much better, in that one large trial follows another or sometimes that they just stack on top of each other. Joseph was responsible and yet continued to find himself disadvantaged and suffering injustice as I have felt. Like Christ, I have had in a sense, nowhere to lay my head. But by the grace of God I, like Paul, am learning "to be content in whatever circumstances I am" (Philippians 4:11) "considering it pure joy to face trials of many kinds, because I know that the testing of my faith produces endurance. And when endurance has finished its work I will be mature and complete not lacking anything" (James 1:2-4). In the power that God supplies I "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness," knowing that He will supply all my needs (Matthew 6:32-34). For God "is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or imagine" (Ephesians 3:20) ! Even though I grow weary and tired in life and I stumble badly, I wait on The Lord and gain new strength; I can mount up on wings like eagles, I can run and not become tired, I can walk and not become weary (Isaiah 40:28-31). So "the God of hope fills me with all joy and peace in believing, so that I can abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit" (Romans 15:13).

At the end of September I moved my things into a storage unit and began sleeping at the office of someone from church. Thank you Edwin for your hospitality and selflessness ! Initially I thought I would be there for one month but nearly a week into it I received a call telling me that I could move into the house (which I call Faithful) early, as the previous renters had moved out early. It has been one week since I moved and I want to profusely thank Robert and Jean Marble for their generosity and hospitality ! Now I am waiting to see what God will do with my car. It has been shifting gears without needing to and dies sometimes when put into drive so I am considering my options : fixing it (which may cost more that the car is worth), buying a used vehicle (which I don't have the money for), or leasing (which I may not have the money for the downpayment and/or the monthly payment). Please pray with me about this. Lastly the person I'm helping with English and his wife have essentially taken me in : they feed me, let me study at their place, hang out with me etc. Thank you Jungku and Sue !

Praises : 1. Trials 2. God's faithfulness 3. Hope in God 4. A place to sleep between housing 5. Early move in 6. Jungku and Sue : a family away from family

Prayer : 1. Wisdom about the car situation 2. To be faithful in my studies and leave the rest in God's hands 3. Wisdom and discernment in managing resources well 4. Encouragement 5. Victory in it all through Christ

Finding My Stride

I've been running since March this year. While I can't say that I enjoy the physical output I do greatly appreciate the many life lessons found in the exercise. Whenever I go running the first couple kilometers/miles are the hardest. However after pushing through those, one finds one's stride and settles into the rhythm of the run.

Upon arriving in SoCal I found myself in those grueling first kilometers/miles just grinding through the necessities of my new life: settling into my living situations, finding a job and a church, creating a whole new social structure from scratch (as I did in France), discovering my new community and BIOLA... Well you get the picture. It's been nearly three months since I arrived and I feel that I am now finding my stride. I'm settling into a rhythm. I know my job and have begun building friendships with my collegues on the foundations that I laid in the first few weeks. The flow of my appartement and the lives of my flatmates are familiar. I've established habits of where I buy my groceries, do my laundry, get my gas, where I run etc... And I have found a church ! Praise God ! It is called Grace Ministries International and it is a Korean church. Of course I attend the English service, haha.

What I absolutely LOVE about the area is it's cultural diversity ! God has blessed me immensely to live in such a culturally diverse area ! I shop at an Arab, Indian and Korean market, get my hair cut at a Thai salon school, attend a Korean church and am every day having cross-cultural experiences, reveling in God's magnificent creativity ! This has been part of finding my stride. As I frequent these places I am also making personal connections that with prayer will turn into opportunities to share the love of God in word and action.

This week was my first week of classes at BIOLA. I am taking three courses : social anthropology, linguistic anthropology and cross-cultural communication. They are all very interesting courses and I can't wait to learn and grow in my understanding of God's kaleidoscope of cultures and how to understand them and clearly communicate the Good News to them ! That being said, it is all a bit intimidating :s But God has called me here and I am confident that while it will be hard He will equip me to accomplish His will.

One final note : God has brought an incredible possible housing opportunity across my path. A fellow appointee from WorldVenture lives out here. Her parents, who live here as well, want to have a summer getaway when they move to the Northwest of the US and need someone to rent it. That's where I come in. They would let me live there for... FREE !!! The house is seven minutes from BIOLA and living there would allow me to pay for school up front and probably graduate debt free ! Of course God's plans are higher than mine so I deffer to Him but how good this sounds and how much I pray it works !

Prayer : 1. Wisdom and discernment to know how best to manage my resources : time, finances, relationships etc. 2. To reap all I can from my professors and courses 3. Understanding in how to synthesize what I learn and practically apply it so as to serve well where God places me 4. Someone to disciple me 5. God's perfect will concerning the housing opportunity

Praises : 1. God's strength through a wonderful prayer group which has helped me find my stride 2. The housing opportunity 3. My classes and professors 4. My church 5. God's faithfulness

Prayer, Blessings, Peace

When I reflect on this last month and God's hand in my life I see that in the midst of difficulty, my cup is overflowing with blessing in God's perfect peace. What I want to do in this update is describe to you these blessings through short descriptive phrases in order to highlight God's goodness and a heart overflowing with thanksgiving to my wonderful God.

Invitation to go camping with people from a church. Second Starbucks interview. Went well. Thanks God. Waiting... Praying... What are you doing God ? Content in God's perfect will. Hired !!! WOW GOD !!! Start date, after dates for camping ! Thank you again God ! Friend Joni Marble present on camping trip. Nature. Mountains. Beautiful weather. Quiet... Encouraging... Uplifting... 

Begin work exactly one month after arriving in California. A bit anxious. Pray. Remembering how to work at Starbucks. First paycheque. Peace. A third French tutoring client ! Thank you Father ! Finally everything out of boxes. Peace. Developing relationships with my colleagues. Opportunities to be a good witness. Pray. The grace to deal with the everyday problems in order for God to be more clearly seen. 

Discovered a flatmate was seriously behind rent payments. "Eviction" brought up by appartement complexe office. Frustrated. Angry. Pray. First flatmate loans the one behind on rent, half of the deficiency. Thank you God. What now ? Create a contingency plan. Give it to God. Don't understand. Peace. Met third flatmate. Discovered too he is low on funds. Second flatmate in car accident and low on money. What is going on ?!? God !?! Pray. Peace. 

Found a home church : Korean church Grace International Ministries ! Found another church for evening services : Rock Harbor, when I must work Sunday mornings. Thank you Father ! Peace.

Dropped a Federal Loan. Better to be in God's hands than man's. Enrol for classes at BIOLA. Uncertainty about the sum of the down payment. Pray. Insurance needed in order to enrol. Provided through Starbucks and available in three months. Insufficient. Angry. Frustrated. Confused. Pray. Search for a short-term solution. Found, applied and accepted to a cheap company ! Thank you Lord ! Peace. Enrolled. Down payment of only $619 and another  payment of $420 in three instalments before the end of the semester ! God is SO good ! Waiting on Him for all my needs although uncertain how, from where and when. CONFIDENT in God and His faithfulness. PEACE. Hope.

"But as for me, I shall sing of Your strength; yes, I shall joyfully sing of Your lovingkindness in the morning, for You have been my stronghold and a refuge in the day of my distress. O my strength, I will sing praises to You; for God is my stronghold, the God who shows me lovingkindness" (Psalm 59:6-7).

Prayer : 1. Open doors to witness at work and tutoring 2. Wisdom and provision in finances for flatmates 3. Financial and lodging provision for me 4. Wisdom and faithfulness with time management especially once classes begin (Aug 29th) 5. To be able to create the time to build my church community : most Sunday mornings off (11:30-13:30), Bible studies etc. 

Praises : 1. The camping trip 2. My job at Starbucks 3. Totally moved in 4. Three French tutor clients 5. Enrolled at BIOLA 6. Found a home church 7. God's faithful provision !!!

By the way, my new adresse is : 238 S Basque Ave., Fullterton, CA 92833