Hello! Annyong Haseyo! Or should I say Ni hau? So many languages I don’t know what to say. (English, Korean, Mandarin, and even some Arabic and Turkish) Sometimes it can get a bit confusing to say the least! My English has definitely not improved. I hope everything is going well with you. I can’t believe another year has passed and it’s now summer of 2008! It’s been a while since I’ve spoken with some of you guys. For a few of you, it might have been even as long as a year ago since we last spoke. I just wanted to touch base, reconnect, and let you know about some of the great things that are happening in my life here in the ROK.
How faithful the Lord has been this year in shining his blessings down among his children, especially here in the Land of the Morning Calm, aka. Korea. Work at Rainbow International School is going well and I just recently resigned for yet another year through the school. I will only be teaching the first grade this year, which I am very much happy with. I will be working and going to graduate school this year as well. So it looks as if I’ll have yet another busy but most surely blessed year! I’m now enjoying my free time as summer break just started last week. The joys of being a teacher! During my free time, I plan on spending time with the youth at Namson Orphanage (Jerusalem Ministries), volunteering at church (Jubilee), and also going on a mission trip. I’m looking forward to an awesome opportunity to go a mission trip to China with a group from Jubilee. I’m constantly growing closer to the Lord through my experiences within our church, and now I’m ready to see how God is working in another part of Asia.
This month through July 10-19, about 35 people from Jubilee church will be heading to
Harbin, China. Harbin is China’s northernmost major city, with a population in excess of 10 million and over 4 million in the city center alone. Historically, the city has had a lot of Russian influence, especially after the Russian Civil War, when refugees escaped the newly formed Soviet Union. The city was captured by the Japanese during World War II and later captured by the Chinese. Harbin is originally a Manchu word meaning ‘a place for drying fishing nets’ and also known as ‘Ice city’ for its long and cold winter. Over the years, the country has had civil unrest, major famines, military defeats, and foreign occupation. The country has switched from an autocratic socialist system, which imposed strict controls over everyday life to being more focused on market-oriented economic development. For many individuals the living standards have improved but political controls remain tight. Jubilee has a connection with a school in Harbin. We will be going to participate in English, Sports, and VBS Ministries.
This trip provides an opportunity to meet the educational and spiritual needs of a community that is desperately in need. More than anything, I would value your prayers for our mission’s team and those whose lives will be touched by God through us when visiting
Harbin. I believe that God answers prayers and that He calls us to pray for the lost. I’m asking you to pray before, during, and after our trip.
(1)Pray that the Lord would prepare the hearts of the children to hear about Jesus Christ and that we would be able to plant the seed of the gospel in them. (2)Pray for salvation and the salvation of their family. (3)Pray that God will prepare our hearts to have no other agenda than to love them with the love of Christ. (4)Lastly, for our safety, good health, smooth travel, and financial support. Just knowing that you will be praying will give me peace as I go into an unfamiliar country.
Beyond your prayers, if you are led to join me by financially supporting this mission, I would be grateful. Our group needs to raise just over 15,000.00 to cover the total cost of the trip. We have been coming up with creative ways to raise the money, and support letters just happen to be one of these. I have realized that it is very difficult to send support-money overseas (especially on short notice), so if you are interested in helping in my support than please contact me and I will give you account information. This is a journey that God has called me to and I would greatly appreciate any level of support that you would be willing to offer. I do understand that you may not be able to give financially but most importantly we are in need of your prayers.
“14For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19and to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled out the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Ephesians 3:14-19
Again, I really hope things are going well for you. I’d love to hear an update on what’s going on in your life in the USA, if you have the time. I will definitely be praying for you, if you already aren’t in my prayers. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this letter, and if you have any questions, please let me know. Again, please send me an update on your lives so I can be praying for you too! Take care, and I hope to hear from you all soon!
With Love in Christ Jesus,
Nicole
More than a Teacher You are a Shepherd!More than a Student You are a Disciple!
“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the Kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Mark 10:14
