jams: May 2010

Namastey!

A new month... a new post! (haha, maybe I'll update more frequently than that..)

So, it's been about a month since I've got here to India. Man, oh man, even if I've mostly been in the office doing mostly translations or just reading a lot, I feel God has been teaching me tremendous and great things and also allowing a lot of time for me to pray and reflect. As someone told me, it may be calm right now.. but the storm is coming! And, I think I'm excited for this storm...

Okay, so after writing this update, I realized it's very long, so I'm going to break it up into 3 sections: 1) One thing I've learned/been reflecting on lately, 2) Updates of the ministry going on here and cool things that happened recently, and 3) Pictures! :)

NUMERO EK!

Of the few things I've been learning lately, one has been that God works in ways we do not or probably ever will not understand. For most of us, yeah I'm sure we know that, but re-learning this in such a new way is still very awesome. One of my students from the classes I taught last summer when I came with KCM, his name is Vipin, recognized me when I went to a Sunday school worship last week. At first, I didn't recognize him entirely but when he said hello to me and asked if I remembered him, it immediately hit me. He was a kid who didn't listen to me at all during class and was one of those kids that thought he was too cool for school. He also claimed he was a crazy break-dancer so I made him breakdance during break time in the hallway and I think I got in trouble for that... hahaha but yeah when I went to Sunday worship, of the few kids that still came out and attended, he was one of them! Now, there were a few kids in that class that I probably expected, "Oh yeah, forsure they will come out and they will be faithful Christians!" and I thought to myself that the rest wouldn't. How funny that one of the kids I least expected was actually one of the few that came to worship! He left early so I couldn't have a conversation with him but I hope I see him again soon, especially when St. Paul school starts next month (SOON!), so I can see what the Lord has taught Him!

Okay so that was a long story, I hope I didn't put you to sleep..heh heh, but through that instance, I immediately thought to myself, man I got so caught up in myself. I forgot the truth that it isn't me or my crazy words that's gonna save these kids from their sin, it is God and the truth of HIS WORD!

I realized that in the grand scheme of things, I'm either planting a seed in the hearts of those who I teach/preach to or I'm helping water/grow a seed that God has already planted. I'm not saving them from hell, that's God. I'm here to simply proclaim and do as much as I possibly can and allow the Holy Spirit to come and move their hearts to repentance! I understood that much of the time, the labor and work that I do I will probably not ever see the fruit of, while I am on this earth. (That's probably true for the most of us.) Since we're not at all places at all times knowing all things, unlike our God in heaven, we probably don't get to see the fruit of our labor always. Sometimes we do, and when we do see it, man how encouraging it is. But I think it definitely adds to making us humble servants because we don't always get to see what we sow but we have faith that God will continue to water and reap the fruit, through other servants and His power! The way I thought of it is that we work in an invisible ministry, in the sense that we don't see everything exactly as it is but that's where faith kicks in.

So, with the ministry that is in store for me to do, to teach with passion to these students and share everything that I have been blessed with to them, and preach the truth to whoever God calls me to, that I would do it with faith that God is constantly working in the hearts and I am simply being used for His glory. Also, as I eagerly anticipate the new school semesters, I hope to be given many opportunities and avenues to share His Gospel ... so if you could pray for these requests, prease :)

NUMERO DOW!

So, that's just one of the many things I've learned while I'm here. I'll share more as time goes on.. because I'm sure I have much to learn. So...we had a mango party this past Sunday with some of the other missionaries... where it's just mangoes galore!!! I don't know what it is but fruit outside of the U.S. is so much better.. SO MUCH BETTER! And.. what else.. I think my Korean is getting a little better. Now, it only takes me maybe 20 minutes to translate one sentence! An improvement of 10 minutes! :) I'm purely guessing, though.. Last Saturday, we played soccer with the people from BKC for more than 2 hours.. at the hottest time of the day! I don't think I've been that physically sore or fatigued for a very long time... aka I'm outta shape! HAHAHA but I will get into shape.. YES I WILL! Mmm.. moving on from my lack of conditioning..

Like I said earlier, St. Paul School starts next month so I think we'll start to get opportunities to teach Gospel lessons and maybe other subjects also! AECS, the seminary here, begins at the end of June so slowly but surely it's coming! In the meantime, as they prepare for the new semester, a lot of construction has been going on. At St. Paul School, they have been constructing an expansion building for more classrooms = more students = more lives for the Gospel to reach! At AECS, they are continuing to organize and set the foundation for the seminary library, which has about 30,000 books as of now! (WOW!) We're in the process of hearing back from other groups and foundations to donate seminary books so that is exciting! Construction continues to be ongoing at Berikai, which is about 2 hours from where we are and where the future headquarters is going to be! They are in the process of gaining permission to construct buildings and get electricity... also, we are waiting to hear back from the Minister of Education to get his signature and approval for St. Paul PU(Pre-University) College. With this, now students don't have to leave St. Paul School after 10th standard(grade) but PU allows for St. Paul School to have 11th and 12th standard, leading into university! It's like this gap that exists right now so they have to go to another school.. but having this gap filled would be tremendously useful for the ministry here, and as a transition for many of them to be exposed to AECS and be led into ministry! There is so much I can ask you to pray for but I guess after reading this, if you could pray that God would continue to graciously provide for His ministry here and continue the mighty work He has begun and continue to lead this ministry as He desires!

NUMERO TEEN!

Okay, this is starting to turn into one of my email updates.. har har har..

So here are some pictures for your viewing entertainment :) Enjoy!

On our way walking to the AECS campus.. one of the fields we walk through.

Playing soccer with some of the seminary students

For some reason, when I took this picture, I thought of that one Chris Brown song... name the line and win a prize! (on our way to Chennai about 2 1/2 weeks ago)