Believers Encouraging Believers

This past week our team has been evangelizing on the campus of RUPP in Cambodia. Every day we have spent 5-6 hours just going up to students asking if we can sit and talk with them. Eventually we share the Gospel and talk about their religious background. 99% of the people we talk to are Buddhist and always have been. Honestly, it can be pretty exhausting... and leave you feeling defeated. 

One morning, Jadyn and I were feeling the lack of sleep and were really praying for a good conversation. The day before we had talked to a lot of people, but we were hoping for quality over quantity. Our second conversation was two girls (M & L) who seemed excited to talk with us. We quickly found out M was actually a believer and L was Buddhist. 

The next two hours we spent eating ice cream, laughing, and sharing all that the Lord has done in our lives. M is 19 and is studying English at RUPP. She has been a believer for 2 years and has since led her two younger siblings and cousin to Christ. Her parents are Buddhist but are indifferent towards her believing. She said at first they were not happy, but now they see the difference in her.

Before she became a Christian, she applied to leave Cambodia. She failed the interview so was not allowed the future she had once hoped for. As a follower of Christ now, she knows that it was the Lord's will that kept her from being accepted. If she had left, she may have never came to a saving faith in Jesus and her family members would definitely not be believers. She feels called to be a missionary here in Cambodia. She serves in her church on the worship band and helps with children. Her heart is so evident and the time we spent with her was a huge encouragement to us as we hope to her too. And about L, she simply said, "I'm just not ready yet". 

I pray that the Lord would do an inner work in her life, so that she may have the same hope we share. The hope that crosses all cultural differences and language barriers. 

Pray specifically for M to continue to be bold in her faith. If L spends much time with her, I can't help but pray that L will want what the hope that M has. When I say M's joy is contagious, I'm talking like real contagious!! That's the joy of the Lord down in her soul! 

We were able to have some more evangelistic conversations later that day, but the Lord knew what our hearts needed to be refilled. Going home is always easier when you know that there are native believers pouring out their hearts and fighting for the Gospel. 

-Multinational Advance

Friends Forever

I looked at him and asked, "C, are we friends?" His honest self said, "Well, I've only known you an hour, but we'll be friends forever." To have such an instant connection with a pal my first day in Cambodia (7/2) made my heart skip a beat. He questioned my intentions from the beginning though. As soon as he asked how long I'd be here, he wanted to know when I'd be back. 

At the time, our team was only spending one day in Phnom Penh before leaving for the village for two weeks. So as soon as we met we had to say goodbye for a little while. When our big bus came rolling back to Phnom Penh on July 16th, C was waiting for me. He knew I'd be back. We hung out a few minutes before he had to leave, but my heart was longing to know this kid more. His life. His heart. 

On Saturday, our team had some down time, and I was in my usual spot on the balcony writing in my journal and reading my Bible. Honestly, it was grand. After a busy week evangelizing on the campus of RUPP, I was soaking in the rest and quiet. 

Five minutes in though, I hear, "Kara, come unlock the door. I came to play with you." Looking through the peephole was C. He joined me on the balcony for the next three hours as we talked about everything, played Uno, and drank coconut water. This 13 year old boy poured out his life and his heart to me. I had prayed for this conversation. 

He has been coming to the church we are partnered with for 5 years but was not yet a believer. During our three hours together, we talked a lot about what it looks like to follow Jesus. I asked him the hard questions and vice versa. It was clear he knew the truth and was ready to accept. I asked him if he was ready, and he said "yes but I will do it tomorrow at church with all of my friends there". I was hesitant because I know tomorrow isn't promised, but thanks be to the Lord that at church this morning C became my brother in Christ. We really will be friends forever. I am abundantly thankful for those moments in life that may seem like interruptions that are truly divine interventions. 

-Multinational Advance

Scattering Seeds

Garrett and I taught an English class in a public school for two weeks. The words we taught them fit into a story -- the story of the prodigal son. The goal was to get to know our students and invite them to church, where the pastor would teach on the prodigal son that Sunday. I hoped they would see themselves in the story, how we all have squandered everything God has given us and run away from Him, but when we turn around and come to Him, He rejoices and makes us His children. I poured everything I had into the class and tried to be intentional with every moment I had with them. I prayed vigorously and reached out to others back home to pray. I thought I had built relationships with several of them. On our last day of class, I wrote each student a letter, encouraging them to stay in school, telling them I greatly enjoyed my time with them, asking them to come to church, and letting them know that I was praying for them. I thought I did everything I could.

When church started on the day we had invited our students, none of them came. Garrett and I waited expectantly, but we didn't see any of them. I couldn't believe it! We were so upset. We wondered if there was anything else we could have done. 

There was worship, and the church recognized us as it was our last day in their village. Then as we sat down, they called out the name of one of my students. I turned around and saw him, one of my favorites who had stood out to me from the very first day! I gathered my things and sat in the back with him. I told him I was so happy that he had come. I couldn't believe it... again! When the lesson began, I opened my Bible to the story of the prodigal son, and someone helped him find it in the Khmer Bible. I asked him if he understood that it was the same story we learned in class, and he started picking out the English words we had learned. He ate lunch with us, told me goodbye, and left. The pastor said he would go to the student's house and meet his family this week, and hopefully he would come back to church next week.

Before coming on this trip, I had prayed that if all we did was scatter seeds without seeing any fruit, we would be content and still trust the Lord. I didn't realize how difficult that prayer was until it happened. Now I pray it again, with a new understanding. I pray for the missionary who is there long-term, that he will continue what we could only start. I pray for my students because God doesn't need me in order to save them. Anything I do in my own strength will avail nothing, but God is limitless in His ability to change lives. Garrett reminded me that we only have a short time on every place we go this summer and that we will likely not see any fruit. He has peace with it, and I need to have that, too. Lord, help me to trust You in scattering seeds.

"Oh, I pray that I may be faithful and not mind about the success."

-- Rosetta Hall, 1890, missionary to Korea (1890-1933)

-Jadyn

A Place in this World

I have 4 different languages on my arm. One bracelet is in Spanish -- it says "Cuándo todavía estabamos, Christo se murió para nosotros." The other side is in English: "While we were sinners, Christ died for us." I received two bracelets from my students with Khmer for "Cambodia" on them. And on my thumb, I have a ring with my name in Korean letters on it.

My arm is very multinational, and my heart is feeling that way, too, in both good ways and difficult ways. I know I've had a summer I will never forget with being in 3 different countries... 4 if you want to count the US. It's been quite an adventure, but I feel like I've left pieces of myself along the way. 

When I was in the Dominican Republic, I thought I knew where God wanted me to serve full-time after college. It made perfect sense -- I'm a Spanish major, they have a great need for teachers, and I already have a good relationship with the church and school there. But standing on a Korean rooftop and looking out at a city of lights, I felt at peace. I could see myself there, working with Korean refugee girls. And in the Cambodian village, my students asked me when I will come back. Riding on the back of a motorbike on a clear, cool night, I felt like I could be there for the rest of my life.

Much of our quiet times have been about unreached people groups, and while I knew about unreached people groups before this trip, I didn't think God was calling me there. I wasn't thinking in terms of "reached" or "unreached" -- just about people who need Jesus and how I could prepare for that place while in college. Now I wonder if I chose my major on my own without asking the Lord about it. Do I need to change it? Would God call me somewhere that is already reached but still has needs? Or is God calling me to the unreached? Is a Spanish-speaking country too "safe?" Where is His place for me in this world?

While these questions would normally stress me out, I feel more that my eyes have been opened to so many more people who need the hope of Jesus. I want to know the answers, but that's not for me to know right now. An old Taylor Swift song says, "Maybe I'm just a girl on a mission, but I'm ready to fly." Lord, please help me to have peace as I wait for your direction. Help me to be listening for Your calling. I will go wherever You send me. Lead me, and I will follow.

-Jadyn

Let the little children come...

The Lord is doing lots on this side of the world! The church we are working with has one main location and then 7 church plants around the area. The Gospel is accepted in some areas more than others, so pray for the spiritual warfare in the less accepted areas. The children want to come to church, but many parents do not want them to attend. Pray for the parents to open their hearts! Pray for the children to continue to fight for the Gospel! For they are the next generation of adults!!!

Thank you for the continued prayers and thoughts!!!

-Kara

Multinational Advance

My Story

This past Wednesday night, I was able to share my testimony at the church's Wednesday night service. There were around 40-50 people (mainly children). The two verses I included in my testimony were ones a lot of the children had actually memorized in Khmer so for them to be able to interact in "my story" was such a sweet moment!! Jadyn shared yesterday morning, and Garrett will be sharing this week! 

Pray for the Lord to use our stories to work in the lives of those hearing them!!

-Kara
Multinational Advance Team

Search for Peace & Redemption

Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

Team of the Day: Multinational Advance

Country of the Day: Cambodia

Pray for the lost to search for peace and redemption in Christ. Pray for team members to fearlessly communicate in word and deed Christ's peace and redemptive plan with the lost.

School Days

The past week has been nothing short of adventurous and amazing! We arrived in the village on Monday afternoon and have been going nonstop ever since. In the mornings, there are around 30 preschoolers who attend the school. They arrive between 6 and 6:30 am, so they have been our wake up call this past week!

We start each day pretty early by praying with the church/school staff, and then we have been busy painting around the facility. One day we painted the ceilings, and well that was fun! In the afternoons, each of us has been teaching English in local schools. Jadyn and Garrett are in a public school, and I am teaching at the school owned by the church. So far I've personally taught 15 English classes in 4 days!

-Kara

Multinational Advance Team

A Prayer for Korea

Dear God, please reunify Korea. What I saw today at the DMZ and the hope of the south for reunification makes me want to see one Korean nation, under You. Bring families and friends back together. Restore hope to a very broken northern half. Bring down justice on the ones who are causing unknown scores of people to suffer. Let there be no more pain and ignorance over this issue with these people. Raise people up to fight, people who will stop at nothing to see one Korean land once again. Soften the hearts of the South Koreans to welcome their brothers and sisters back. Help them to see them as You see them. Most of all, please bring salvation to the people of the north. They are dying without the hope found only in You. "How, then, can they call on the One they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard?" In Jesus' name, amen

-Jadyn

A Prayer for Cambodia

"Oh, I pray that I may be faithful and not mind about the success." - Rosetta Hall, missionary to Korea from 1890-1933

Lord, please let us be Your instruments to bring the Gospel to Cambodia. Let us be willing in every circumstance and obedient to each stirring. Help us to always be bold and intentional. Unify us, whatever it takes. Save Cambodia, whatever it takes. I pray that the amazing, redemptive story of faith in South Korea will also be true of Cambodia one day. And if we only scatter seeds without seeing any fruit, let us not be disheartened but instead diligent in prayer for these people who are loved by You. Oh Lord, let them see that love! Let them feel it; make it real to them. Make it so undeniably clear to them that they simply MUST turn to You in repentance and submission. And use the six of us however You see fit. I love You. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.

-Jadyn

A Nation in need of Unity

At first glance, South Korea looks only like a pit stop in our summer. As the Multinational Advance team, we have spent the first 10 days of our trip connecting with our Korean teammates and doing refugee ministry with Korean girls. Not much of our summer was spent here, but we are all leaving a piece of our heart in this city with these people.

The reality of the brokenness of this nation set in yesterday as we visited the DMZ. This is the border of North and South Korea, the most heavily militarized border in the world. 

It was an eye opening experience as we looked through binoculars at a country that is so lost. From the observatory, you can see a propaganda village that has been built by the government to give outsiders false imagery of life in North Korea. No one actually lives here though. 

Before we all came, we heard, "Don't get too close to North Korea"...but far before we ever went to the DMZ we had already gotten too close. We had welcomed a home full of refugees into our hearts. We had shared life, laughed, and cried with these girls. And now our hearts are breaking and longing for the Gospel to get to the inner depths of this nation. 

South Korea is deemed an evangelized country; North Korea however is practically unreached. All that stands between them is hardened hearts and miles of land mines and forest. They have "ceased fire" but the pain and tension still heavily linger. 

Despite these obstacles, God's promise is still true. Gen. 12:1-3 says that the Lord is infinitely concerned with reaching each and every people group. And He will use us to do that. Whatever it takes, we must be about spreading the Gospel. 

Pray for unity of this nation. Leaving so early, when we see a huge need here is hard on our team. But we know that it will only be through radically changed hearts by the power of the Gospel that one day this country may stand unified again. 

As God's chosen people, we are commanded, "And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity" Colossians 3:14. 

Pray for the believers in South Korea that they may love their neighbors! The division between the nation is clear. Pray for the refugees that they may hear the Gospel message and be discipled! So many of the girls claim to be believers but still feel as though they have little faith. Pray for the leaders of these nations and for the softening of their hearts! 

Despite our longing to stay in Korea all summer, we are hopeful and expectant for what the Lord will do in Cambodia. Please pray for us as we travel the next couple of days to our new location and for the ministry there! 

Meet the Team: Multinational Advance

Aun yeong hase yo! Susaday! 

Hello from the Multinational Advance Team in Korean and Khmer! We are beyond excited for the opportunity to do ministry in two different countries this summer. 

The beginning of our trip is being spent in South Korea having orientation with our 3 Korean teammates and teaching ESL to refugees. On July 1st, we will travel to and spend the remainder of our time in Cambodia doing children's ministry, campus evangelism, and continuing to teach ESL as a means to share the Gospel. 

We are excited to introduce to you our team, so you can know a little about the individuals you are reading about and praying for a little better! In total we are a team of 6: 3 Tennesseans and 3 South Koreans! 

I am Kara, the team leader, and call Huntingdon, TN home. I am a Junior studying Social Work at Austin Peay State University. I love traveling, "crafting", my grandmother's homemade rolls, and any Disney movie! My favorite verse is Philippians 1:6, and I am most excited about being able to share the Good News alongside others from a different culture. 

Next up is Jadyn! Jadyn is from Chattanooga, TN. She is majoring in Spanish and minoring in Education at University of Tennessee @ Chattanooga.  Her favorites include playing piano and guitar, blueberries, and "A Walk to Remember". Phil. 1:20-21 are her favorite verses, and she is most excited about building relationships with our Korean teammates. 

Third on our team is Garrett! He calls Johnson City, TN. home and is studying Economics at East Tennessee State University. Garrett is a fan of hunting, fishing, steak ("he would be a carnivore before being a vegetarian"), and "Hacksaw Ridge". Hebrews 4:12 is his favorite verse, and he is most excited about sharing the Gospel with unreached people groups.

Next up is Gwanjung! Gwanjung is 37 and has his Masters of Divinity from Korea Baptist Seminary. He has been our tour guide as we navigate Korea (so thankful for him!)

5th is Dasia! Dasol is majoring in dance at Seoul Christian University! She is 21 years old and will be teaching dance as part of our ministry in Cambodia. She is still finishing up her semester, so please pray for her to finish strong!

Last but not least is Gwanun! Gwanun is 19 and studying Social Welfare. He just finished his first semester of college and enjoys "gaming". 

We ask that you please pray for team unity, easy communication between our team as we work on our Korean and they work on their English, safe travels to our second country, for us to be bold, fearless, and full of the Holy Spirit as we share the truth with unbelievers, and specifically for open ears and hearts to the Gospel message!