I still have a dream. #6 (English version)

 

 

Dear My ministry partners, we are now approaching the end of 2023.

How has the season been for you?

 

Even though I may not fully understand the purpose for which You have called me, I will follow Your path with gratitude and obedience. In times of weakness, knowing that You are there to help me, I will trust and live out Your amazing plan. (♬)

 

For God's gifts and calling are irrevocable. (Romans 11:29)

 

Before, there were times when I questioned God's calling to bring me to this place, marked by a question mark. However, now, with confidence in God's calling without regret, I want to respond with an exclamation mark!

Despite it being only two months since the last prayer letter, I am grateful for the daily abundance of grace, which allows me to share abundantly with my fellow workers. :)

 

 

1. As we wrap up the campus ministry training for the semester, I would like to share the new vision that has been developed.

 

 

During this semester, I led meetings with the leaders (shepherds) of the Georgia Tech campus and small group meetings with graduate students. Due to the ongoing development of MPD partners, there were time constraints on campus ministry, but I utilized available time to meet with shepherds and students, sharing moments in God's Word.

At times, I noticed students skipping meals, so I organized small group meetings with packed lunches like triangular kimbap. This led to the birth of a new motto: "Feeding Physically and Spiritually!"

The goal was to not only spiritually feed through the Word but also provide physical nourishment for hungry international students who might miss the taste of home-cooked meals.

 

2. I want to create a lively community gathering and a vibrant campus worship where the Word comes alive.

In the past, "Soonmoim" often seemed to be associated with a curriculum and process within a missionary organization aimed at establishing spiritual leaders. However, through my one-year GCTC training and weekly coaching sessions with  Jin GSN, my perspective on " Soonmoim " has completely changed.

 

Personally, despite considering missionary training abroad as daunting and contemplating giving up numerous times, the coaching sessions with Jin GSN consistently transformed my thinking. The training shifted my focus from my own thoughts to God's thoughts, bringing about a remarkable transformation in my perspective.

 

Although the visible circumstances remained the same, the coaching sessions turned my mindset from 'I can't do it' to 'I can.' Consequently, I developed a desire to create a 'living Soonmoim ' with my students.

As we engaged in Soonmoim where the Word breathes life, I witnessed students transitioning from 'my thoughts, my center' to 'God's thoughts, God's center.' Teaching students to evangelize using the concept of 'Four Spritual laws' served as a powerful reminder.

Reflecting on the meaning behind training students to diligently use evangelism techniques, it became apparent that the exercises were about daily self-examination. It was about checking whether I am sitting on the throne or if Christ is seated there, and daily practicing surrendering my position to Him. The training served as a reminder to lifelong Christians that this is an ongoing challenge.

 

 

 

 

"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. (3 John 1:2)"

I have come to realize that, in order to foster such a living community and fellowship, unseen ministry is also crucial. Beyond brief encounters, I've recognized the importance of intercessory ministry that goes on outside of scheduled meetings, where students are carried in the heart, aiming for the well-being of their souls.

Among the Soonjang (leaders), as their busy academic lives caused a decrease in participation within the community, there were those unseen until the end of the semester. At that point, I had limited opportunities for face-to-face meetings due to my involvement in the co-worker development training and the decreasing frequency of on-campus ministry activities until my training was officially over. Since I had yet to establish substantial relationships with these students, it became challenging for me to meet them in person.

 

 

It was the beginning of an unseen ministry. I carried students in my heart and prayed for them in the secret place of prayer. Even in the routine of daily life, I continued to pray for the souls of the students without ceasing.

As the semester came to an end, an opportunity arose for a meal gathering with these students. During the fellowship, the confession of the Soonjang (leader), who had been prayed for, deeply touched my heart.

They shared that while engaging in their faith journey, they felt as if someone was praying for them. Witnessing the Soonjang expressing gratitude and conveying the sense of continually praying for 'that moment,' I realized that, although God's timing and methods vary, I shouldn't cease praying for those moments.

I am thankful for your prayers and support, my partners. Your prayers and sponsorship play a crucial role in leading God's mission. May we together receive the grace of participating in God's work.

 

 

2. GCTC Graduation Worship

 

 

 

"The Lord said to Moses: 'Make two trumpets of hammered silver, and use them for calling the community together and for having the camps set out.'" (Numbers 10:2)

On December 3rd, there was a graduation ceremony for the GSN (missionary) in San Jose, California. It takes about a 5-hour flight from Atlanta to California, and despite the 10-hour of a round trip journey, there was joy in traveling together with my husband.

It was delightful and emotional to meet the 24th cohort and GSN (missionary leaders) from California, whom I hadn't seen in a while. Over the course of a fairly long year, it seemed there were training and experiences from God to be broken and refined, resulting in a further growth and maturity.

The coaching missionary mentioned that being a leader and missionary is a lifelong journey. Recognizing that 'missionary' and 'servant' are not in the past tense but present continuous, I once again realized that, just like the trumpet in the book of Numbers, we should continue to be sounded out, broken, and shaped into God's people.

I pray that I won't stop learning just because my missionary training has ended, but that I will continue to undergo a lifelong training. May I bear the ongoing responsibilities of being a missionary, becoming a person of God, and delivering the living Word. Your prayers for this journey is greatly appreciated.

 

 

 

The graduation ceremony held in San Jose was attended by family members including my husband and the students from the campus. Even though my supporters from Atlanta couldn't participate, David, a brother with whom I had done missionary work at Georgia Tech during my STINTER days, joined the ceremony to congratulate me. It was a time filled with a renewed and deep sense of gratitude, as well as appreciation for the fruits of prayers, being able to share the completion ceremony with David and my beloved husband.

 

 

3. I still have a dream.

 

"I still have a dream" is a prayer letter inspired by the speech of Martin Luther King Jr., a prominent leader in the African American civil rights movement and a pastor. Pastor Martin Luther King's dream, marked by achievements in the emancipation of black slaves and the civil rights movement in the United States, remains powerful and moving. Now as an Atlanta resident, the speech holds a special place in my heart.

 

 

Motivated by this speech, I chose the title "I still have a dream" for my prayer letter. Several years ago, while serving as a student missionary, I dreamt of becoming a missionary leader on the Atlanta campus. This desire was also granted by God, and I have become confident in His ongoing guidance.

 

 

Quoting the Bible verse "For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Philippians 2:13), the love I feel for Atlanta overflows in my heart, and I firmly believe it is a gift from God.

In this prayer letter, I express various visions and aspirations, including the dream of establishing a "Soon Café" on the Atlanta campus—a space for vibrant community gatherings and campus worship. I hope it becomes a conduit for supporting the homeless, campus outreach, and sponsoring missionaries.

This dream has been harbored since my time as a student missionary. I pray that it may come to fruition in God's perfect time and manner.

 

 

4. Please become a missionary who sends.

 

 

I am currently in a state where I cannot engage in ministry freely as I have not completed the MPD (Ministry Partner Development). Reflecting on why God has given me such an extended period of training, it seems that God wants to teach me that financial provision comes from Him.

 

I grew up in an ordinary family, not wealthy but not in poverty, and I enjoyed what I needed under the care of my parents. During college, when my allowance was insufficient, I would work part-time at academies to earn money, filling the gaps and also being able to share with others.

 

The life of a missionary leader involves a constant need for financial support for ministry and living expenses. It took several years of consideration and prayer to make the final decision. God seems to be using this extended time of training to instill in me the understanding that both my heart and finances are under His sovereignty.

 

Through prayer, God graciously led me to unexpected partners. While I have gained over 40 regular sponsors through more than 80 contacts, the financial support is not yet fully met. In the U.S., having 40 partners is considered unusual; usually, sponsorship is filled with 16-20 co-workers. I am grateful for having more than 50 individuals, including one-time sponsors, who have joined my team. However, the financial aspect still seems lacking.

 

Interpreting this as a blessing, I find joy and gratitude in realizing that God has more training for me, and He is sending dozens of partners to join me in missionary work. The pleasure comes from knowing that we are dreaming God's dream together.

(Currently, I still need about $1000 more in monthly support. I pray for the blessing of having ministry partners who can join in fulfilling God's dream.)

Until February, I will continue fundraising as a GCTC trainee. After February, I hope to join the campus ministry as an official missionary, and I ask for your prayers towards that endeavor.

 

 

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I have a dream by  Martin Luther King

 

I have a dream that one day, on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

 

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

 

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by their character.