Ran Dumb In Sights

> Driving around Korea was unnerving at first but I got the hang of it pretty quickly. Basically, the blinker is only a suggestion. Like "please?... maybe?... may I lane change right now because if I miss this exit I will end up with a 10 minute detour?" Of course, the answer I get is always Heck No. This is the land of Burger King. You better have it your way and make your own path even if it means causing a 5 car combo collision in another lane cuz ain't nobody spoon feedin' you nothin.' After almost 3 hours of driving south of Seoul I was in the countryside where people were either color blind or interpreting red lights to mean 'go-whenever-you-feel-like-going.' I admit, I ran some red lights too, but that was only because everyone was doing it. gosh. What would they think of me if I followed the rules like some ignorant foreigner. And you know what they say, "When in Rome..."

> Speaking of driving, you cannot go anywhere in Korea without a navi (navigation system). You die in Korea without a navi. Like, you just die... as you pay for unknown speeding tickets from hidden cameras, which the navi magically reveals 700 meters before you can say "What's that camera doing there?" They say there are 3 women that a Korean man must listen to for his own survival: his mother, his wife, and his navi.

> Visiting my cousins' houses (not apartments) I noticed that Korea is the perfect playground to hardcore parkour. It seems like everyone's roof, which is more like an outdoor attic, is intricately connected somehow. Standing there looking across the landscape with my hands on my waist and my cape furiously blowing in the wind I was so tempted to just run and jump from building to building and shoot webs out of my hands while smashing pots full of bean paste... trust me you just have to be there.

> I have taken trash cans for granted. Here, you basically need to use google maps to find trash cans. I spent way too much time looking for trash cans than I should in a life time. I ended up emptying out a handful of trash from my pockets at the end of each day... and even then I had to search around the house for one.

> Rest stops along the freeway are mini-oases and I actually look forward to the bowl of 우동 (udon) and bag of 호두과자 (hodoo gwaja) and 아이스크림 (ah-ee-sss-ku-reem) that you can find at each rest stop. Also, I tried my hand at the crane game for 100 won (~10 cents) and I KNOW I had that angry bird doll in my grip, but the crane suddenly "slipped"  and let go while coming back up. Lamesauce.

> I thank God for whoever invented the air conditioner. The AC has been my best friend this summer. Also, my dad.

> Shopping in Korea... is the same. Shopping is shopping. Boring and tiring, but a little more... 'colorful' here than in the States. As usual, my relatives spoil me. I might have to start my own shopping haul youtube channel. It'll be called "Korea is the Fabulous!"

> I gained more than 5 kgs in Korea (sorry I can't do the math and google is too many mouse spaces away). Ever since I escaped from my mother's womb with a 6 pack I've never had a belly, but I found myself sucking in my stomach when they had me try on a suit at the Lotte department store ("Can you even button up thYES I CAN!") and also whenever someone "important" was walking by... lolwut? why? Natural instinct? Not so sure. Imagine a skinny guy slouching over and hanging down his arms with his butt sticking out and flexing and tucking in his stomach causing a constipated look on his face saying, "heyyy.... lady." 

> Last Sunday, I visited Full Gospel church in Yeoido, which is the largest church in the world with over 1,000,000 church members (2007). And wow, it was a sight to behold. I don't even... I can't even put into words the sheer amount of people gathered together to worship and this was only the 4th service out of 7. There were staff members and ushers everywhere bowing 90 degrees as we entered. ATM-like machines to give offering via credit card along with personalized envelopes for offering receipts. Cameras to broadcast live on the big screens. Buses to transport people coming from all over Seoul. English, Japanese, and Chinese lyrics to all the songs. Full orchestra and choir. And that particular day a college group from Germany and China had come to visit and so the church welcomed them. The big boss himself, Pastor Yonggi Cho spoke that day as well. It was about giving thanks in all circumstances. I was reminded once again there's a vast ocean out there, outside this bubble, a whole spiritual landscape of saints called to worship in spirit and in truth. I am merely a drop in the ocean, a vapor in the mist, a flower quickly fading, but somehow when God's Words of living water are unleashed and sent forth through His faithful messengers these drops become infinitely precious and loved in His sight. The creations heart resonates with the Creator's voice. A picture perfect symphony. Can't wait for heaven.

> I translated for a group of foreign missionaries today and I think I have the gift... the gift of making up stuff when I have no idea what to say as if I really know what I'm saying... all that with a big, confident, million dollar smile on my face. In moments like these I think it would be nice if everyone had the gift of tongues and interpretation. No translators necessary. (Curse you, wretched men of Babel Tower!) The conference held about 600-700 people, who are all pastors, Sunday school teachers, missionaries, MKs, student volunteer missionaries, board members of missions organizations, businessmen who devote their time and money, and Jesus freaks. I was incredibly challenged by the pure and holy devotion and commitment that each of them had for His kingdom. That unshakable, pioneer spirit that steps out by faith into the unknown and unreached. That untouchable will that counts death as mere child's play and life worth nothing but rubbish, only to know Christ and make Him known. Dang. I'm humbled.

> This trip feels like that blank page between chapters in a book. Overlooked but necessary. It's a distinguishing mark, a checkpoint, that refreshes the mind as it reflects on the story and sets the stage for the following act. If anything I have grown so so so super duper so much more mature through this experience...

> But I'm still Batman.

Motherland

Here in the motherland. Father and son. Missionary hostel room 601. Humidity: Sticky. A/C: Blessing. Late-night grocery shopping. Ice cream eating. 2% drinking. Still sticky. Olympic watching. Judo fighting. Kim Jae Bum rooting. How is it that we can root for a complete stranger simply based on a common nationality. Citizens of heaven. Great cloud of witnesses. Pass the baton. Beautiful cycle.

It's time for some Seoul searchin'.

Handshake

As I was walking past the VIP door on my way back to the dorms I saw him being escorted down the hall. My heart skipped two beats.  I gasped. I waited. The moment he stepped out, I split his two escorts and reached out my hand saying, "Pastor John! Thank you, I needed that message." He shook my hand, smiled, and then he was gone. I turned back towards the dorms with one piercing thought in mind: holy ambition.

Also, I didn't want to wash my hands...

Tune

[So this week is Missions Week at Biola. In light of that, I will [not] post a Mission Monday this week. In fact, I have three more episodes left, but they are mad fire - passion oozes out of the pages like honey from a dead bear. I've decided to pull the plug on the series until our sponsors give us the green light. This, however, does not mean the end of all mission talks. yadda yadda. roll the credits*]

.

Today after lunch, I heard a conversation between two men of God:

MoG 1: "So what are your plans after you graduate?"

MoG 2: "I just wanna get outta here!"

His response resonated with me like a rusty piano string waking up to a tuning fork. It was a familiar feeling that had been tossed in the basement of forgotten ambitions. He had the mission field in mind. He had the passion for the Gospel in his heart. He had the immovable calling that thrust him toward a vision that was more grand than he could ever imagine. He not only had far away places, but also people near to him. It was only a brief moment for all the colors to fill in the picture, but that moment was long enough to shake off the heaviness of spiritual complacency.

Right when I thought that I missed the train, right when I was getting all comfortable with my spiritual "stand", I was startled awake, comforted, and reminded of God's calling for ALL, EVERY SINGLE ONE of His children.

"disciples"

"witness"

"'Not called!’ did you say? 'Not heard the call,' I think you should say. Put your ear down to the Bible, and hear Him bid you go and pull sinners out of the fire of sin. Put your ear down to the burdened, agonized heart of humanity, and listen to its pitiful wail for help. Go stand by the gates of hell, and hear the damned entreat you to go to their fathers’ houses and bid their brothers and sisters and servants and masters not to come there. Then look at Christ in the face - whose mercy you have professed to obey - and tell Him whether you will join heart and soul and body and circumstances in the march to publish His mercy to the world.”

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army

And yet, I'm prone to go out of tune.

So let it sink deep in my heart.

Mission Monday VI

08/07/2009

Speaker: Missionary Kang

Background: Central Asia/Ministry Director. Graduated from School of Dentistry in Seoul National University. Served in Uzbekistan for 10 years.

• "The only way to change is to deny yourself."
• He attended a huge missions conference recently for Chinese and Korean missionaries.
• Many people had gathered to worship and pray together.
• First, the Koreans were called to pray - they prayed standing up, some with hands raised, and in KM style
• Next, the Chinese were called to pray - they prayed on their knees with tears; they prayed like their life was on the line
• He was amazed at the difference in spirituality between those in the Chinese mission field and those elsewhere (what they've seen and experienced spiritually)

• Man's thoughts vs. God's thoughts
• After the fall, Adam was ashamed of being naked vs. God created him naked
• Man begins to think things are sin, which were not before
• Being weak is not a sin - "when I am weak, then I am strong"
• God uses our weaknesses for His glory

• Christians have a calling to abandon the world and be "life savers"

-------

He said many other things, but I was so into his storytelling (including some vague analogy to a Korean movie about a tsunami) that I didn't take good notes. I didn't fall asleep. I think.

...

The times they are a-changin'.

Mission Monday V

08/06/2009

"... persecuted, but not abandoned..."

Speaker: Chinese Missionary D**** X**** (via translator)

Background: the younger sister of P**** X**** who was the mentor to Brother Yun (Heavenly Man). Saved at the age of 17, she has endured persecution in the house churches in China.

Testimony: (as before, this is a cleaned up transfer of my notes)

• In the 40's and 50's the C government tried to destroy Christianity
• People were persecuted and put in prison
• The government controlled churches and checked sermons to see that they were in line with the political movement
• So then people began home churches
• In 1958, all churches were closed, but they still met together
• As a child she was sad because pastors were taken to prison
• She wanted to be a bird - "fly to heaven and praise God"

• 1966-1976 - there was a cultural revolution in C
• -> "there is no God", "church is now a museum"
• Pastors were mocked and had to wear signs on their head and clothes
• The church was cold.
• There were many tears - "The house of my God is facing tragedy." like 1st generation of Israelites
• She asked, "What can I do?" and decided,

"I will devote myself and my life for God's church."

• yet she didn't know what to do.
• Others warned her saying that a promise is important, but no one could persuade her

• Her brother was a top criminal (Christian) according to C government.
• She longed for the Living Word
• They were listening to Christian radio on Christmas
• The police caught them and tied them
• A brother told her, "If the police finds you don't say a word even if they break your leg."
• They escaped and ran away to another believer's house
• However, the police came and she and her sister were caught again and put in jail
• The jailer said, "Let's see how long you survive here."
• She realized that her father was already there. (She was still a teenager)
• She prayed, "Lord what's wrong?"

• The next morning the jailer came, took her hand and slammed it against the door, but she didn't say anything
• He got angry and beat her up until she was covered in blood
• To this day, her tooth is sensitive
• He said, "Who told you to preach this Gospel?"
• At the time, she was worrying about her family, but realized she must focus her mind on God
• Then suddenly peace came upon her ("like a baby") and she said, "I'm willing to stay here forever."

• Eventually, the police took them out of jail to another place
• Her father said, "When you hear the bang sound, we will go to heaven."
• She thought, "Then I can't preach the Gospel anymore."
• She remembered her father used to tell her to never shut out the work of the HS - if He tells you something, OBEY!
• So with that in mind, she bravely marched forward (by God's grace) even when the police chased her down.
• She didn't care.
• She was praying and singing, "HALLELUJAH!" and kept at it for a long time as her voice grew louder and louder
• Her father tried to close her mouth and stop her, but the HS rebuked him through other members.

• Later, her sister carried her and took her home
• She prayed, "God I want to preach the Gospel. I promised. But why is it so difficult every time?"
• Then suddenly, she felt a cold feeling in her heart and in her feet and knew that if this continued then she would die.
• Then she realized that if she died now, then she would have done nothing for the Gospel so she prayed,

"If it is because I am afraid of difficulties then please let me stay."

• and the feeling disappeared.

• She hid her criminal brother underground from the government
• The neighbors helped her out
• In the fields that she labored in the children were waiting for her to share the Gospel
• And she thought, "Lord it's so easy when you work."
• She went to other villages to share the Good News
• When a man rebuked her and told her to stop preaching, his mouth moved to the side of his face and he couldn't talk...
• (- _____-) <- [like this maybe? or maybe like] -> (- - __)
• Then the elders rebuked him and told him to repent, and only then they will pray for him and he will be healed.
• He was healed.

• She was persecuted more than 40 times by comm. leader. Later, he died.
• Throughout all this she realized,

"God's grace is sufficient.

Jesus' resurrected life overcame sin and death and defeated Satan.

We must realize this by completely denying ourselves to live in Christ.

Then you will become powerful soldiers for Christ."

• She is now 63 years old and pressing on.

-------

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18

Be my everything.

Mission Monday IV

(for this session, I will simply transfer my notes.)

08/06/2009

Speaker: Paul Park

• There is a missions strategy to target major cities.
• The idea is that you change the city, you change the nation.
• Jerusalem is key.
• The general path of the Gospel: Jerusalem -> Europe -> America -> Korea -> China -> ...
• For a long time it has been stagnant within China.
• All the world's biggest religion's are concentrated there.
• There is a deep rooted history in the Middle East.
• Islam was a local religion, but now it is all over the world.
• Evangelism has a direction. It's not random. The Gospel is piercing through strongholds of the enemy. It's on its way back to Jerusalem (around the world). Once it does, history will end.
• It's not about doing well or going out on your own. God works in community. Teamwork.
• "Do something about it."
• "Change history."

-------

And the world turns right side up.

Mission Monday III - 2

"Jesus Christ is more precious than life."

The world has its own standards for a qualified person. For example, at Samsung, one of the largest companies in Korea, applicants must meet certain qualifications that will place them well over their competition. They must be top in their class, be polite, be a quick thinker, and the list goes on. On the other hand, God's kingdom has just one qualification: humility in Jesus Christ. In fact, He lists this quality in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.

"Not many of you were wise by human standards... But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise... so that no one may boast before him..."

Think back to when God calls out to Moses through a burning bush. What if God called Moses with something more impressive than a little bush such as... a giant red oak! In our worldly standard the red oak is a mighty symbol of strength and power. (Imagine a humongous burning red oak calling out, "MOSES! Get those rainbows off yo feet!") However, God chose the small bush to move Moses into changing the history of a nation. When Moses appeared before Pharaoh as a lowly shepherd there was a fire in him that didn't consume him but consumed the land of Egypt. There was a confidence in knowing that God is the One to receive all glory.

Now think back to when the Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus like a dove. What if God decided to show 'em up with something more impressive than a little dove such as... an eagle! In our worldly standard the eagle soars high above other animals and is a symbol of strength and power. (Imagine an eagle soaring down to Jesus, *eagle sound*). However, God chose a peaceful dove, which back in those days was the poor man's sacrifice (for those who couldn't afford the other animals). When Jesus appeared before His people as a carpenter and a Nazarene he was to be the Prince of Peace and bring redemption through his blood, forgiveness of sins, and true reconciliation between God and man. There was peace in knowing that God's will would be done.

The world will remind you of your looks, hair, height, materials, grades, money, success, your past, your unchanging present, your bleak future, lack of passion, how you cannot do it, how you have failed before, how you can live with no sacrifice, no cross. But God shows us through Jesus Christ the ultimate picture of humility. He uses the humble and contrite heart to reveal Himself so that no one may boast save in Christ alone.

Dying to the world and living in Christ. God didn't save us so that we can just be good church attenders. If that was true, then we would be living in our own wisdom. He saved us so we may serve Him and be a true witness of His love. Truly the small, humble fire he puts in our hearts has the power to change one forgiven sinner let alone a nation. If you follow Jesus, you'll lose the world. The one who can change the world is the one who has been abandoned by the world to be completely abandoned to God.

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

Mission Monday III - 1

Be blessed and be a blessing!

The night was still young and the next speaker went up. His name was Ishmael Lim, a Korean missionary in his late 30s and the worship leader for the Intercp Korean ministry. His smile was natural and he looked younger than his age. His voice had the "prayer husk," the kind that you hear in those passionate pastors at old school Korean revival services. It always makes them sound more spiritual, and I'm working on mine....... Anyway, this is his sermon (divided in two parts), to the best of my notes and memory and with a little bit of my insight and my [needlessly redundant] comments.... better yet, this is more properly titled - what I learned from his sermon:

-

In every worship service, there are two kinds of people. First, there is the passionate worshiper. These are the ones who are deeply moved and make the "holy face" during worship sometimes shedding a tear or two These are the ones who actually raise their hands when singing "so we raise up holy hands." They are the ones who say, "Here am I, send me!"

Then there is the worshiper who is bored out of their minds. These are the ones who would rather not clap with the rest of the mindless clappers and would not mind sitting down at all during worship. These are the ones who nod like a gansta with a slightly pursed smirk and point both thumbs to themselves when singing, "prone to wander... prone to leave the God I love." They are the ones who say, "Well I guess I'll go. Nothing better to do anyway."

Out of these two, who do you think would make the better missionary? You guessed it. The bored worshiper by far would outlast the passionate worshiper. This is because in the mission field, especially in hostile regions, the passionate worshiper will stick out like a sore 8-1/2 x 11 inch study bible wherever they go. They will make the mistake of lifting up their hands in the public squares and shouting out praise from the rooftops. They will make every effort to seek and save the lost, and their testimony will be, "Look at my passion for Him." Even before the mission begins the devil will be all over them because they would be too holy of a spiritual force to deal with later. Go fight win!

On the other hand, the bored worshiper will blend right in with the pagans and find their true comfort zone in infiltrating the deepest darkest places of the temples, where they used to be during worship services. Connecting with the ones who do not know God will come naturally for them and they will say, "Look to Jesus Christ?" The devil will ignore them because these guys seem to have no passion for Jesus and will not be a threat to their Operation: Kingdom Down. In the end, as the passionate worshipers get deported back to their countries, the bored worshipers will be the ones to back stab the devil. He'll be like, "WTH?"

So next time you see a bored worshiper in service (or maybe it's you) don't lose hope, but rather thank the Lord and praise Him for preparing a secret weapon (you can pray for them too). And next time you find yourself with a log in your eye, know and remember that God does not look at the outside appearance; he looks at the heart.

Man looks at the outward appearance,

but the LORD looks at the heart.

1 Samuel 16:7b

to be continued...

Mission Monday II

God is my provider!

After receiving my ticket into mission camp, I entered the English Ministry sanctuary (The camp was divided into adult, english, youth, children). I quickly and stealthily claimed a seat in the back as to not disturb the worship. Yes, sadly, I was late. When the lights came back on, my eyes were drawn to the many banners lining the wall of the sanctuary. these banners represented unreached people groups and nations in the world such as Turkey, Yemen, and Afghanistan. Also, there were multiple signs (and t-shirts) with the letters "BTJ" written on them. what? [Suspense]. After the introduction and announcements, the mc introduced the night's speaker who was Dr. Masahide Kanayama. This is his story:


Dr. K grew up in Japan where his mother was an artist. At the age of 5 he discovered a Western art book that his mother had in her collection. As he was flipping through the pages he stopped at a painting of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. For some reason he was drawn by it, and just sat there staring at the picture for 20 minutes wondering, "Who is this man and why does he have to suffer so much?" Suddenly he felt a tap on his shoulder and a man in white robes appeared smiling at him. Then he felt an intense warmth about him and began to weep and cry out loud for nearly half an hour. His mother tried to calm him down and asked what was wrong, but he couldn't explain it. The man was gone.

When he was in high school his friend invited him to church. (Back in his day, and even now, Christians were a small minority and their reputation wasn't great). Right as he entered the front door of the church he saw the same man standing there to welcome him and the man said, "I've been waiting for you." And he was gone. He knew it was Jesus. At the church he learned of the God of the universe who loved the world and came to seek and save sinners and he accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. From then on God opened up his eyes to the spiritual world and he began to witness signs and wonders.

Through supernatural circumstances (an acceptance letter from the government for a prestigious foreign exchange student program) God led him to the US to study medicine. In the process of applying for medical schools, he had the opportunity to apply to John Hopkins. In his essay protion, God impressed upon his heart to write: "The future of medicine rests on the cross and blood of Jesus Christ. By His stripes we are healed" and he proceeded to copy and paste that sentence to fill up 2 pages.... He got the interview. There the interviewees mentioned his essay and asked if he could explain and elaborate. God led him to share the Gospel with the them. He didn't get accepted (which didn't surprise him), and so he decided to attend Medical College of Wisconsin.

After medical school, he began his residency at a hospital that was notorious for a strict head doctor who cut and kicked out newbies left and right. The first time Dr. K met him, the head doctor looked him up and down and told him that he wouldn't last more than 4 weeks. The first patient he was assigned to was a woman in emergency intensive care. She was in a car accident that tore off more than half of her abdomen (all her insides were showing) and she was barely surviving. Everyone in the hospital knew there was no hope, but on top of that the head doctor told Dr. K that if this patient isn't discharged from the hospital (meaning - if she dies), then he would kick Dr. K out of the program...

That's when he began to pray and fast and desperately cry out to God. He knew that God was the Healer because he had seen God heal the sick. On the 30th day, he went in and saw that God had created new flesh and the missing internal organs in the woman's body. It was a miracle indeed, but on top of that, this woman who had a medical history of depression and other mental ailments was completely cured and healed. This shocked the head doctor, but according to Dr. K, God allowed 5 more challenges such as this one throughout his residency to show the power of God. From there on he knew that God had called him to be a spiritual doctor as well as a physical doctor.

He is currently one of the top obstetrician and gynecologist in the world. He shares how during surgery God opens his eyes to exactly where and how much he has to excise to take out the cancerous and infected cells. God also opens his spiritual eyes to see the demons that many times cause the sickness in the patient and sometimes there are demons in certain parts of the body. When he cuts those parts, which coincide with the diseased cells, he can hear the demon crying and screaming (of course no one else around him can see or hear) as it comes out of the patient's body. Then he prays over them in Jesus name throughout and after the surgery. All his patients who are treated by him get well and are healed both physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. All glory to God!

Recently, God led him to Norway where he was supposed be a guest speaker for a big Christian conference that was to be broadcast all over the country. However, during the leaders' prayer meeting right before the conference he was asked to lead them in prayer, and when he did, the Holy Spirit moved him to pray for the sick. Right then and there, deaf ears were opened, broken bones were fixed, tumors were falling off, and people were being healed left and right. (He shares how God had already told him in advance that he was to get ready to share the Good News on national TV). After that, the event planners decided to make Dr. K the main speaker and put everything else on hold. As for him, he was just in awe and praising God that He would use a Japanese man with a thick accent to reach a foreign land that was not his own and share the love of God. Looking back now, the painting in the art book he was so drawn to and touched by was a picture of that Love - the Love of Jesus Christ.

But He was pierced for our transgressions;
He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5

Mission Monday

Last summer, I went to a Mission Camp hosted by Intercp. I've been meaning to share what I learned from 3 intense days of sermons and testimonies, but I never got around to it. My plan is simply to recap my notes scribbles little by little on a weekly basis. Enjoy.
-


August 5th, 2009

I saw the pamphlet at the office and decided to stop by but not participate because the registration fee was almost $200. Glory Church of Jesus Christ was packed like belly jeans. I went to the registration table and told them my situation. I emphasized that (I think) dad knows someone important in Intercp and I represent some missionary non-profit organization and that I'm only here to "check it out yo." After going through three levels of Intercp authority and thirty minutes of broken Korean they finally granted me the super rare Badge of Visitor.

I am a hustlin' sojourner.

And so my adventure begins...