“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” -1 Corinthians 13:7
Dear friends and family,
I hope this letter finds you well. I know it’s been a while since I’ve been able to catch up with some of you. Here’s what’s been going on with me here in Korea and what my plans are for this summer! Most of you know that I moved to Seoul in 2010, and what started as a one-year commitment is now going on four! For the most part, by God’s grace, my life here has been pretty stable. I’m still teaching English at SMU and serving in the children’s ministry at church. I’m still living in my little shoebox apartment, and my 2 doggies are still doing great.^^
So, yea, outwardly, I guess I can say that my life has been pretty routine, but inwardly God’s been stretching me like He’s never stretched me before. For those of you who didn’t know, not long before I moved out here, I went through a difficult season, which through a chain of events led me to back to God, but this time going all in, 100%, no turning back. (That’s another story for another day). Anyway, these last four years, God’s been working in my heart, healing, teaching, and challenging me in so many ways. It’d be hard to explain my whole faith journey in this one letter, but I will testify to this: when you take that “red pill” and fully surrender yourself to God’s will, the whole game changes – He gives you a new heart; a new life; a new Spirit! (Ezekiel 36:26, 2 Corinthians 5:17, John 10:10)
For example, if you had asked me 5 years ago about the things that mattered to me, I would’ve answered very differently from what I’d tell you today. God’s flipped all my former priorities upside-down, giving me a stronger compassion for all things broken, lost, hurting, and oppressed. Having experienced first hand the power of God’s healing love, I want others to receive the same. And this brings me to the reason for this letter.
This summer, I have the opportunity to participate in a mission trip to Cambodia, a country with a very tragic history. If you’re not familiar, just Google “the killing fields,” and you’ll see what I mean. From July 22nd to August 3rd, my team of 11 people will be partnering with Pastors Bob & Jenny Oh and their V2R ministry as well as YWAM Cambodia DTS for a massive outreach in Kampongsom. Some of our agenda includes a VBS for the Center of Peace Orphanage, a women’s conference through New Life Church, a young adult retreat with YWAM DTS, and also outreaching in the red light district and slums of Phnom Penh to feed, wash, and treat the sick.
This is a chance for me to be a part of something BIG that God is doing, so I hope you'll send me out with your prayers and support! First, please pray for our team (and all partnering ministries) to be in UNITY. Also, please pray for our hearts; that we would go with attitudes of SERVICE, HUMILITY, and FAITH when met with obstacles. Third, please pray that the women, children, & youth of Cambodia receive new HOPE & HEALING in Jesus’ name! Last, please pray for our team’s PHYSICAL, SPIRITUAL, & FINANCIAL COVERING.
On that last note, I invite you to help us with financial support as you feel led to give. Individually, we need to raise 1,860,000 KRW for this trip. My team and I have faith that God will move hearts to raise the needed support and meet our goal! If you feel a tug on your heart to give joyfully for this cause, you can donate here on Jubilink or make a donation in person. Both your prayer support and your financial support would mean a lot to me!
People often ask me about my future plans. How long will I stay in Korea? When will I go back to L.A.? I don’t have any solid answers, but I just know that God wants me to be here right now. To my friends and family, I want to thank you for the ways you shaped and influenced my life to this day, and for every time you encouraged me, helped me, and prayed for me. Though I’m separated from a lot of you by distance and time, thank you so much for supporting me in my new dreams! I’m not always the best at keeping in touch, so please, please update me on your life, too. I want to pray for you just as you’re praying for me. I miss you and God bless!!! =)
Love,
Heidi