Chi Chi Chi Le Le Le Viva Chile

Got back from Chile safely. It was an incredible trip. I have been to many fun trips, but this was a different one...a soul-satisfying, refreshing, and full of affection for one another.

I'm very thankful for the people whom God had gifted with generous hearts. Without them, my trip to Chile would have been impossible. Once again, thank you very much for the prayer and the financial contribution.

I'm also very thankful for the team members whom I served together. I believe that God put all of us together for his purpose, and he knew what he was doing.
I think many of us complemented each other from Spanish to personality. I'm glad that God had brought shameless people who were not hesitant to make fun of themselves...people who spoke Spanish...people with medical training...people with musical talents...people with servant's heart...people with great leadership. Thankful for many of my team members who made this trip so enjoyable.

Here is some of the lessons I learned from this trip.

1. humble servants
I loved my host family. The love they poured onto me is something that I would like to remember till I die. The service and the love I received was completely undeserved. I was a complete stranger who barely spoke any Spanish. In fact, I had nothing to offer. It is strange how anyone can have such a great affection for an absolutely-useless and resource-consuming stranger. I could tell they weren't in a good financial condition to pamper me with foods and gifts, but they did it to the point that they seemed irrational and ridiculous. (Who would buy an inflatable pool that was so big that they cannot fit into their backyard for a stranger?) And I could not help but think of Christ love for me. completely undeserved...yet overwhelmingly irrational and ridiculously large. I can't imagine what God's love is like if his love is infinitely greater than what I saw and received. It's like a complete overflow for my finite computing power.

Jesus told us that the humble servants will be the greatest in the heaven. Now I understand a bit why he said that. My host family's humble servitude elicited a desire to do the same for them. Their servitude was beautiful, and it glorified God.

Also, I would like to thank Pastor Sergio for showing me what is like to serve others. Late night ride to the host family, grilling, bearing an awkward conversation with me. I was floored to see the lead pastor humbly serving.

2.God's Provision
It was a big step of faith for me to trust God in fund raising effort. Not growing up in the church, I wasn't sure where the fund will come. And my pride and selfishness hindered me to ask for fund and prayer. Thankful that God had provided just enough for the team.

Not only did he provide enough fund and prayer support for the trip, he provided the kinship and affection we had for one another. It was so crazy how much the team and the church in Chile connected in such a short period of time. The affection and kinship we shared were very special, and it went beyond my expectation. Regardless of the language barrier, we were able to share our lives genuinely. While I was staying there, there was no room for nationalism or the sense of cultural superiority. Just can't explain other than supernatural work of God in our hearts. I loved my family and church members there, and I hope they enjoyed our team as well.

3. short-term Mission
I was always skeptical about the short term mission. I wasn't sure how effective the ministry could be in such a short period of time. I loved the fact that we partnered up with a local church in Chile, and there will be a sustained effort to reach the city. From what I've heard from my team and the church members in Chile, both churches benefited from this experience. I'm glad that this trip strengthened both local churches in Ann Arbor and in Santiago.

4. harvest is truly plentiful
Chile is one beautiful country with many beautiful people, and God loves Chileans. Just like he loves everyone else. The world is big, and there are many people waiting to hear Gospel. It is my desire that I will be used by him for his cause. Sinner, yet ransomed by his blood.

There is a big challenge awaiting for me as I am back here in Michigan. How will I live differently after spending exorbitant amount of cash and time in Chile? How will I apply all these lessons for God and for his church?

After all the initial excitement, how am I going to live out?
I would love your prayer for discernment and discipline in my life as I would like to make practical and tangible changes in my life from this trip.

Thanks everyone for prayer and support.
Much Love,
Hong Yoon