In the Gap...

Eager and zealous to jump in to all that God had placed on my heart; I am currently in the “gap” of a vision and the release to go and fulfill it. Vision comes fairly easy for me--I am bursting with 1,000 things to do with the youth of this city :) 

I recently realized that in this “gap” season the work that He is doing in my heart to prepare me for full-time ministry is much more valuable than I had foreseen.  It is like getting to build a new building--I am so eager to see it up and functioning, but the foundation must first be laid.  If it is not properly attended to in the beginning, the building will not be able to stand.  

I think of the gap David had after he was told by the Lord through Samuel that he would be king and then the years that passed before it was actualized.  I trust that the God who has a history of being very involved in timing of events has not changed and is leading me in this “gap” season! 

Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.  In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths.  Proverbs 3:5-6 (Amplified Bible)

Let the journey begin!

It has now been 13 years since I moved to Tacoma, Washington and began the incredible journey of working with kids in this city. I have found myself working with children aged infant to high school in a variety of settings: public school, children’s ministry, outreach events, to most recently starting/directing a primary school through my church.

Six months ago I was at church, and heard a message that gripped my spirit and I have not been the same. Bishop Freeze, an ex-convict, ex-gang member and now fellow Tacoma youth ministry leader was sharing his testimony. During this, he began making an urgent request for us to “go get the kids.” He was putting before us the very real fight that youth today are in--either we go after them, or the enemy will. That night I knew God was telling me it was time to jump into loving broken kids in a more radical way.

The next day I called Sierra, age 15 and Victoria, age 14; two young girls I’ve gotten to know in my neighborhood. I invited them to Sozo, an urban youth outreach ministry here in Tacoma. This ministry was started with City Central, our mission base in Tacoma, in partnership with Tacoma Youth For Christ. The girls’ stories are messy--filled with abuse, homelessness, absence of a father, failure at school, and turning to boys, alcohol and cutting themselves because of their depression and anger.

This past July Sierra and Victoria decided to come to the annual SOZO summer camp and I had the privilege of co-leading their cabin with Airfeira, a student leader who has turned from gangs and drugs and is now leading other youth to a relationship with Christ. Camp was filled with powerful testimonies, prayer ministry for each kid and messages of God’s plan for their lives.

Sierra and Victoria accepted Christ at camp and learned about their destiny and purpose and received times of prayer and healing from past experiences - they both prayed forgiveness of those who have abused them and had other powerful times of ministry. At the beginning of the week they did not want to take part in worship and by the end of the week they were writing their own songs/raps of their love for Jesus and how He turned their lives around! Sierra even sang a song she wrote in front of a group, something she had never done before!

Sierra walked back into dysfunction in the home the day she got home from camp, but she continues to write songs and is excited about her new life in Christ. Victoria has more responsibility at home with her three younger siblings than any 14 year old should have, but she says that she has been talking to God every night since camp. They both really want to live differently, but they need support.

During this time, I have also started leading SOZO Kids, the urban children’s ministry where Victoria’s three younger siblings attend. Each Friday night 50 to 75 kids ages five to eleven attend our program for a night of games, biblical teaching, worship and fun. These kids are desperate for love and truth in their lives in order to prevent them from going down similar paths that we see in the SOZO youth. There are many young girls, as young as age 12, who are involved with gangs, drugs and prostitution in Tacoma. These children must have an opportunity to know the truth of God at a young age “...you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32.)

I believe God is asking me to partner with Tacoma Youth For Christ team full-time and invest in the lives of youth like Sierra and Victoria through SOZO, I plan to do this through spiritual discipleship as well as supporting them in completing their education. Part of my responsibilities will also include oversight of SOZO Kids to help continue to move this vision forward. I have begun training some of our older youth to be student leaders at SOZO Kids--their influence and connection with these kids is key for transformation.

I will be updating this with many more stories in the future of the kids I have grown to love and all that is happening in Tacoma as I jump into my new role!

Pusan!

Monday am...left for the train station packed for a few days in Pusan!!

Soooooo fun!  Great time with Pastor Oh, Soo Jung, Joy (6), Grace (4) and Haim (3).  The train went up to 310 km/hr so we arrived in just under 3 hrs.  We had to go straight to the beach and get our feet in.  It was cold, but so fun to be at the Pacific Ocean!  

For 2 full days we played at the beach.  The rainy season is officially over and now it is time for HEAT and humidity.  At the beach they put up thousands of umbrellas on the beach and then you rent one with a mat or with lounge chairs with towels on them.  We camped out all day while vendors constantly walked by with iced coffees, popsicles, chicken, red bean ice cream, corn on the cob, etc.   We for sure took advantage of their services--popsicles especially came in handy to cool down for a moment. 

 The water was also great for cooling off. It only took a minute to get used to it and it was so refreshing.  All the kiddos had tubs and they rented some addition ones for us big kids too.  We played a lot with the kids and rode the waves. 

David enjoyed the water too. Running back and forth in the waves and playing in the sand (and a tiny bit of eating the sand--who can blame the guy).   He also had the ability to win over every Korean there.  Many times daily he would be suddenly surrounded by several Koreans, touching his cheeks, trying to shake his hand, using every english word they knew.  I am fairly certain that he will show up in photo albums around the country :)  He plays along too--his favorite seem to be waitresses--waving to them from across the room.  He is quite famous!

The best part about the time was the fellowship that we were able to have with everyone.  Pastor Oh and Soo Jung are fun parents and we were able to play a lot with the kids--they knew english animal names and would shout them out for us to act out and they would teach us random korean words...including some that we used before finding out their meaning--typical preschool humor :)  We will miss their family as they have become friends.  

swim caps and cuttlefish ink

After 2 weeks of the course, we went away for the night to a resort in the mountains.  It was so beautiful--so green and so nice to be away from the city.  We had not ventured out much yet at this point from the church and so it was so refreshing!  Pastor Oh, Soo Jung, and Haim (just turned 3) took us along with our interpreter, Soo Jin.  We ate well once again, and had our first experience of a more traditional Koren bedroom--no beds.  They provide cushions and a comforter and there you go!  We also were introduced to the Korean way of swimming in a pool...CAPS ON!  Ah yes, Matt, Laura and I got to sport an attractive swim cap while enjoying the pool!  Unfortunately, no pics to document :)  

Meals have continued to bring new experiences for us (although I must admit that we have now found TGI Fridays here!).  One very enjoyable one was when one of the elders of the church brought us to the US Army base here in Seoul where her husband works for a brunch.  The Lord knew we were in need of some home cooking :) I have never eaten so well--eggs benedict, strawberry & whipped cream waffles, made to order omelets, amazing fruit, potatoes, prime rib, homemade peach ice cream... (yes, I ate all of these!!) plus so much more that I didn't have room for. 

A few other things that we have now grown accustomed to include eel, which surprisingly, I really enjoy.  We also have had a few dishes with cuttlefish ink--both in pasta (makes it black and stains your mouth) and in fried mozzarella balls.  Not bad :)  

The last week of the course went very well.  It is amazing how quickly it came.  It felt like the end of a marathon when you have to press through a bit to the finish line, but it was so encouraging to see where everyone had come to.  On the last Thursday, they were able to create some prayer teams for their recovery ministry service--they were walking in all the things that we had taught them during the weeks!  What a sweet victory :)  The last day, we had a party for the class to celebrate all the Lord had done in and through them.  For those who have been around Koreans, you know there is no escaping the blessing song...puppy-dog eyes and outstretched arms towards you with a song of thanks.  We then sang one in return that Matt had written for the occasion..."konsamida (thank you), komsamida, kom sami-sami-sami-sami-samida".  For a live rendition, please ask Matt to share when you see him--I am sure he will thank me :)

week #2!

Wow--it is crazy to be Friday again already.  This week seemed to go much more quickly, and was definitely a territory-taking week!  Their hunger continues to grow and God's Spirit continues to do mighty things here.  People are being refreshed--how fun is it to get to be a part of that!

Last night came as a surprise and almost shocked us at how powerful it was--NT business!! After finding out only a couple of hours earlier, Matt had the opportunity to preach at their Thursday night service (his prep time included about 1/2 hr of dinnertime!) and he brought the fire!  There was hardly a dry eye in the service and many came forward to be freed from shame.  He spoke on Peter's denial and how Jesus reinstated him and the power of our willing spirit as lovers of God.  Old and young men and women were set free!  Then, the teams that we have been training, had the opportunity to pray extra for those who desired it--it was almost hard to leave because we just wanted to keeping soaking in all that had transpired!  

So we are all a bit tired today, but it is a good tired--like you feel after winning an important match...we will be excited to not have as strong of a pace for a couple of days.  The group that we are training has pushed hard and has learned so much (and put it into practice).  It will be fun to see what all week #3 brings!

 I think that we will be traveling to the coast with Pastor Oh and family for an overnight on Sunday (he has 3 adorable kids) and we are really looking forward to it.  They are more confident in using their english and we have definitely bonded over these two weeks.  They are an amazing couple who have risked much to be obedient to what they feel they are being asked to do.  

David continues to add a spark to our days--he has decided that Amy and I are both "Amy" and comes to visit us in our room--to try on our shoes, carry our purses and push whatever buttons are in reach.  Yesterday he found some knobs to a built-in alarm clock in the room and without our knowledge turned it on...at 4 am we were jolted awake with an electronic-sounding "Fur Elise" that took us a good minute or two to figure out where it was coming from!

We would love prayers for continued health/energy (overall, there has been a lot of grace in this area) and that we would have discernment to know what all we are to say yes to here.  Also, that we would be able to connect with all we are supposed to over here.  Thank you to those who have been praying already!

Eating our way through Seoul :)

I have officially been in Seoul, Korea for a week now and I think it would be realistic to say that I have eaten my way through...bulgolgi, dim sum, chap che,pizza, McD's (oh, yes--they do have a #3 meal that is a bulgolgi burger!), Chinese . . . the list goes on.  Today was a full-on eating day as it was our day off and we went to a traditional Korean restaurant and ate, and ate, and ate. Lots of dishes that kept coming--many types of kimchi, seafood and several things with a healthy dose of spice. After about 45 min of dishes coming and eating, we were told that we had just been eating the appetizers!  

Then this evening we went to the Seoul Tower which rivals the Space Needle.  It is on the top of a mountain that gives you a 360 view.  Seoul is the city that goes on forever.  There are signs EVERYWHERE that are bold and light up and even dance around.  There are massive amounts of buildings and people all over the place.  It is all surrounded by mountains and a big river.  Was quite cool to see it from above after we have been in the car all over for the last week.

So we (or course) ate again at the top of the Seoul Tower.  It was also very Korean food, but at the end, we got to make our own soft-serve ice cream cones!  

If you like ice cream, then Seoul has it for you...frozen yogurt places, Cold Stone, Baskin Robbins and others.  It also has healthy competition for Seattle with its coffee joints.  I wouldn't be surprised if they have more Starbucks then we do!!  Apparently, if you were to go to a different coffee shop every day in Seoul for 5 years, you would not see them all.  And if you aren't into the Bucks, you can try "Seven Monkeys Coffee" or the ever popular "The Angel-In-Us Coffee".  Koreans drink coffee after most meals it seems and we have thoroughly enjoyed this tradition!  We have yet to get to a Starbucks, but it is literally monsoon season and the rains on our days off were a bit much to do walking in.  We hope to get out a bit more this week.

Beyond the food realm, we did keep ourselves busy with ministry as well.

Pastor Oh at Onnuri Church has a group of 60ish who are training in prayer ministry with us.  They have all been through an initial conference earlier this year and desire to learn more to help with a recovery ministry that they are a part of.  Many also work with children who have been abused.  Very amazing, compassionate people!

We have class from Tuesday - Friday from 1 - 6 pm.  This varies between lecture and ministry and prayer practice.  In the mornings, we are usually preparing for the day as well as watching David while mom and dad pray for Pastor Oh and his wife.  We had an amazing first week and are eager to start week 2 to get to more meat.  They are hungry, which makes what we are doing really fun and easy.  I got to speak about restoration and children on Wednesday last week and it was fun to share my passion and walk into something that has been spoken about for a long time!  I love how the Lord orchestrates things by surprising paths.

We have really enjoyed our interpreter, Su-Jin.  She is around our age and has a fun personality.  It has been a blessing to have her around a lot as well because most others' English is fairly limited.

It is strange to be here and know that we are across the world, but not have it feel too different.  Everyone here is so kind, gracious and generous.  They have seen to our every need and really honored us.  It is very strange to be so honored.  It is a joy though to be here and watch transformation happen.  You can see that they are being empowered by the love and Truth.  It never grows old!!!

Two funny stories that I will leave you with--

#1 Matt and Laura have a TV in their room and they happened to turn  it on yesterday.  Who did they see as soon as it came on?? Our fearless leader pastor, Brian, preaching away from when he was here last time.  So crazy!  

#2 We went to an aquarium Saturday for David (he loves fish--calls them "whee").  At one point there was a show underwater in this huge shark area where there were scuba divers dressed in Tae Kwon Do gees, sparring underwater as a show!  There was also a mini soccer game in there...only in Korea!!!