I’ve Been Here For A While

I came to Korea when I was 23 (a month before turning 24). I honestly had no idea what I was doing. I started an orphanage volunteering ministry (Jerusalem Ministry) in 2006 with just a few volunteers. We held our first soccer camp in 2008 and our first Arts and Crafts Camp in 2009. I led a team in planting a church (New Philly Itaewon) in 2010 (I turned 28 that year) and then established the scholarship/mentoring program (Oak Tree Project) in 2013. Last fall my wife Sky and I (who married in 2011) took charge of a new church campus (New Philly Sillim). I’ll be turning 33 next week. I’ve been here for a while.

Today was day one of our seventh annual Arts and Crafts Camp (you can view pictures on Facebook here, or go on Facebook and search, “Jerusalem Ministry.” 38 girls (3rd – 6th graders) from 7 different children homes are attending this camp. I had some connections with one of the homes that was attending for the first time (Songjook Girl’s Home). The girl in the video below, Na Rae, was originally put in my children’s home as a baby back in 2006. In 2007 she was moved to Songjook Girl’s Home and was raised there for a while. Another former student of mine from my children’s home (Eun Song), who had graduated from high school in 2009, began working as a dorm mom at this same children’s in 2013 after graduating from college with a social welfare degree. She will be 26 in a few months.

Na Rae is now old enough to be attending our camp, but wasn’t on our roster. I asked the girls from the home about Na Rae and about Eun Song. They all smiled and told me that Na Rae had gone back to live with her family recently. They also said Eun Song had stopped working recently because she is about to get married. Wow!

When I first entered my home the oldest kid was born in 1987. Now the oldest kid is 1996. All of my elementary school English students (including kids who will now be in 7th grade) were in the baby room when I first arrived at the home. Sometimes I get a bit overwhelmed just thinking about how much has changed.

What it comes down to though is this: I’m still and always will be so privileged to be able to love these children and serve them. God loves these kids so much. I get rocked by God every time I ask Him how He feels about them. I wish I could freeze my aging and stay young and energetic for the kids, but I recognize how over the years I’ve grown in wisdom, love, and patience. I’m a stronger influence now than I was before.

My greatest source of thankfulness looking back over the years is that, by God’s grace, I’ve been able to keep close to Him. He has been the source of my strength, my joy, and my fulfillment. I’ve seen so many kids like Na Rae (young ones) and Eun Song (older ones) come and go. I’ve loved and invested in so many different kids and then had to say goodbye to them. While each relationship has had their sweet moments, the temporariness of life has continually been in my face. Kids grow up. Relationships change. The only way I’ve remained thankful through it all is because God has been my foundation and my guide. Without Him I would have become jaded or burned out. But because I’ve kept walking with Him my joy has remained constant. His love truly never fails. He is faithful. I’m looking forward to walking with Him and serving this nation He has called me to until He takes me home to Him.