While in preparation for the ARISE mission trip, I was full of an unprepared mindset where I told myself that all I needed was to be dependent on the Holy Spirit considering the lack of my skills in door-to-door interactions and English prayers. However, when Pastor Young Joo Lee stated that whilst depending on the Holy Spirit is a must, this does not mean anything without the best individual effort, I felt as if it was a message directed to myself. After that, I realized the need to practice talking to non-believers of God and accordingly asked my neighbour whether they would be willing to take the time to help me practice. Thankfully, even though the learning curve was steep, I dedicated my best to making progress through practice.
While talking back and forth in Korean and English about the gospel, I naturally started to share my own stories and inner thoughts. Through the conversations with my neighbour, I was able to come up with some structure in conveying the gospel, with special consideration to the perspectives of non-believers of God. Even surprisingly, I was glad to hear that my neighbour was able to grasp a better understanding of Christianity, which made me think it was a testament to God in action through people who are far from perfection.
Furthermore, after my participation in the ARISE trip was confirmed, God gave me the desire to bring my loved ones along with me on the trip to the extent of actively persuading a friend. Surprisingly, the friend actually joined the team as a clerk, recording and organising detailed records throughout the weeklong mission trip. This made me confident that my act of suggesting the friend join the team and him/her proactively taking part with responsibility was not a simple coincidence but instead, a sophisticated plan carved by God.
At the beginning of door-to-door evangelism, my self-consciousness of the lack of love towards strangers made every single visit like a duty. However, spending days and knocking on the same doors naturally sprouted my love towards the entire community of the neighbourhood. In addition, the community barbecue party on Sunday was a striking moment in which I could feel the act of God in play.
Towards the end of the barbecue, whilst we were blessing the Pastor and people of the Flowing Rivers Church it naturally became a time of worship. There were even children who came to the church for the first time, one of whom I sang along with. At that moment, a sudden love developed in my heart which sparked a desire to share about Jesus with the child. Despite lacking any prior interaction, God gave me a message within me, and this led Pastor Sammy to provide a reception prayer for the child. I was nobody to the child. Nor did I not visit the child’s home, I did not even invite or spend time throughout any event. Hence, this experience made me perceive the ongoing guidance of God, who is with me at all times. In that aspect, the ARISE trip was undoubtedly an invaluable time which allowed me to closely experience the presence and guidance of God, who fills me with courage at the right timing just for me.
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