Ministry

Just a thought...that is long overdue.

I am writing this to encourage all of you who are in a role other than the status quo "ministerial" role that you have the opportunity to take on that role if you so choose in your present job, school, or wherever you find yourself. I have heard it throughout the verbiage of church goers that this word "ministry" is primarily used to describe those in leadership of a church body-- the pastors, deacons, those in "leadership". However, I know many of you know this, but also as an encouragement to those of you not working in a church setting. You have this opportunity to be a "minister" and to live out that role where you are.

In Matthew 20: 20 the scene is set of the disciples and Jesus. James and John's mother approaches Jesus with a request. This request is one not for herself, but for her two sons. She inquires of Jesus if her sons would be able to sit at his right and left side in heaven. In response to this earnest request, Jesus begins in verse 23 by teaching. He pretty much states, "Hey, are you all the ones who will be dying on the cross? Are you the ones who have been baptized with the same baptism as I?". Once the disciples heard the response of Jesus, the other ten were a little agitated. However, Jesus takes it a step further by explaining to them what must be done in order for a person to be "great". The answer is: serving or as the KJV states an individual must "be a minister". The Greek word used in this passage is diakoneo which is derived from a different Greek word diakonus, "to be an attendant, i.e. wait upon menially as a host, friend or [fig.] teacher); techn. to act as a Chr. deacon..." (Strong's Concordance, 1990). You are to be a minister. Your occupation might not be the title "minister", however, according to Christ doing a "menial" task as simple as being there for someone as a friend...listening to loved ones share about their day or stress in their lives, teaching, sharing, being patient: that is representing Christ. By doing that you are serving. You are participating in the diakonus, the menial tasks of life.

May every task you do, whether you see it as small, large or unchanging to those around you. May you be a servant in the "menial" task, so that Christ might become greater and you might become less. So that in the small, mundane aspects of every day life, you might "shine like a star" (Philippians 2:15) and spread the love of Christ by actively serving those around you.

Peace Out,

Krissy

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Mind Overload

For the past week or so my mind has been racing! It is almost like God has been teaching and showing me so many things, but yet I am unable to comprehend them all. They are huge to me and it is difficult to wrap my mind around all of them! Thus, the reason for the blog. I want to share with you all a couple things which have been on my heart lately. I would love to hear feedback, comments, and suggestions on these matters as always! I love to learn and grow so please, feel free to help me out!!

Have you ever stopped to realize HOW VAST the Milky Way Galaxy is? Composed of its BILLIONS of stars, its gorgeous beauty and INCREDIBLE depth. This is one of no one knows HOW MANY galaxies. This is IMMENSE. What about God in all of this? What about me in all of this? What about you? How do I, as small as I am in comparison to this one galaxy, the Milky Way, What do I have to do with anything?

David writes in Psalms 139 that each individual has been "knitted together" and God created each persons "innermost being". The fact is God knew me and God knew you before we were thought of, before we were created, God knew WHO we would be and what we would become. He knew and knows the choices we will make...the sins we have and will commit, the destruction we will do....yes, the list goes on....Who are we? This God who CREATED the planets, the UNIVERSE, He created me. You. Us. According to science, putting things into perspective in relationship to the galaxies, we are a speck of sand. Each individual. But yet Scripture also tells us in Matthew, that God cares SO MUCH about us and HE KNOWS SO MUCH about us, that He has counted the hairs on our heads. Seems crazy, right? It's difficult to fully comprehend...the fact is...we can not comprehend it. We can not understand the why, thy reasoning behind it all. We are human. God is not. His thinking is not ours. We are his creation, who are we ever to think we know better than Him. The Creator, compared to, us, the speck of sand...who are we to not pray about matters or seek God in everything. After all isn't that what we SHOULD be doing?

This brings me back to "why"? Grace. The undeserved kindness of God. We can not understand it, it can not be understood. How can a God love us, who after all as the Bible says, sent His son to DIE for us while we were still sinners. That is what we are, sinners, people who know nothing and are nothing without God. Hopeless individuals in need of a Savior. Thank God this Creator became our Savior...His Love is so extravagant that He lowered HIMSELF to our status, to demonstrate His love for US...and, before we committed ourselves to Him. Think about the marvelous Mystery God is...the Love He has demonstrated...

Think about You. Your size. God. God's Magnitude. Who are we to worry? What right to we have to stress? Who are we to think we don't need God? He created us. He loves us. He passionately desires to have a relationship WITH US. What are we doing to cultivate our Creator's all time purpose for us? How are we displaying our Love and affection to our Maker?

Just some thoughts...on one issue. More to come of my ramblings...but I hope these are food for thought as they have been for me.

My prayer is that you continue growing, learning, striving to do all that you desire from your walk with God. I pray that your desire for God is never quenched, but always endless.

-Krissy

Good Morning,

It is now 12:49AM on Friday, October 2nd. I have recently returned home from my Dad's memorial service in Fort Myers, Florida. I guess I should tell everyone I am back from South Korea. I made is safely and have been living at my mom's house in Lehigh for the past couple months.

Let's just say since I have returned back to the States, I have been flooded with a whirlwind of emotions. I feel as though I have left a piece of me in Korea...and I will never be the same after returning to America. I learned so much from the Eastern side of the world, and I would not trade my year over anything. It has truly been an incredible, and life-changing experience for me.

The culture shock has been quite a challenge to handle...I still do not believe I am adjusted. I am not sure that will ever come though. However, I am getting better! I no longer bow to say hello!Although I do feel weird at times NOT bowing...like I am being disrespectful or something. :)

I guess I should get everyone up to speed on life...I have finally found a church and a job! I am also getting involved with the church and I love it. I will start my new job on Monday doing social work! I am excited for the challenge, but nervous too! Just hoping God will give me the grace to carry on and do the best that I am able too only through Him.

As many of you, or all of you know at this point, my father passed away last Wednesday evening. I was in Georgia and was the last one with him as he went to be with Jesus. There were many tears, but strangely, a peace about it. It has been easier to say "see you later, Dad", than see him suffer through his battle with cancer. He was such a great man. Full of life and a fighter. He never quit, even to the day of his death. He was an encourager, #1 fan, my biggest confidant, and self-less individual. I will miss him dearly. I just need to remind myself where he is...and he is better there than here. God has given me Exodus 33:14 "The Lord replied, " My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest" as a promise during this time. I believe it, and stand on it. God has gone before me, and He has gone before you. There is no situation God will not be there to hold your hand and guide you through. God is love and a faithful father: never changing characteristics regardless of the situations in life.

Please hear my heart regarding the previous paragraph. I am writing not as one who has conquered the trusting God thing, but rather one who struggles with this, questions it, doubts it, but God is still faithful. He is still God. He is the never changing, the beginning and the end. I am writing from my weakness...that God is faithful no matter what. I am writing from my questioning and doubting, that God will still come through and will still Love you, and will always and forever continue His faithfulness towards myself and you, although I and we are not faithful. That is God. He is not human. He is.He is Never Changing: the I AM.

My prayer is that as you read this, if you find yourself in a struggle, a fight, a place of confusion, or a situation which seems hopeless, that you look to your Creator God and turn to Him. He has not left you, He never will turn His back. You must recognize His hand and His presence and His fingerprints in your life. Hold on to those moments when you have felt God in the past to carry you through your "dry" seasons when you might not feel His presence. Stay faithful. God will. Stay fervent. God is there and God does hear you. Continue in your pursuit of Him: to draw near to Him.

God Bless as you travel the road of a God-pursuer and God-lover. Stay faithful.

Kristina

Now is not the Time

It is Sunday afternoon. I have just come back from a great service, preached by Mr. David Bustos, a super fun children's church that went well, and really great food for lunch. Also, this afternoon I had the chance, along with two other teachers, to sit down and listen to Pastor Sean. Sean is a dentist...curently he runs a successful, English hogwon about 20 minutes away from Yongpyeong.

He was sitting at the pre school table where we were eating lunch, sharing his vision for the country of Ghana in Africa. God gave him this vision fifteen years ago, but he has not been able to go to Africa and fulfil this calling. His vision is to start a middle school in a village 6.5 hours outside the capital city. There are no middle schools in the area for about 40 km. It is also 99% muslim, but he wants to start a school there to reach these families with the Gospel. He was telling us stories of how God has shown His favor on this project. It is incredible to hear! Sadly, several mission organizations are encouraging him not to go as an occupations minsitry, but use his M.Div degree and preach. He will preach some there too, but it is sad that these organizations are discouraging him from using his dentristry skills and other practical skills as a tool to reach people.

From listening to him talk and hearing about his life for the past fifteen years I was reminded that occupational missionaries, in my opinion, often times have more opportunities to share the gospel b/c it is through relationship building. This is something that goes through any culture...a thread throughout all humanity: trust must be built, a foundation must be laid for people to want to listen to you. Think of the ways people are ministered daily too by having basic needs met! Look at the many doors that is opening for people in not only Ghana, but many other African countries. Okay...I'll get off my soapbox now.. :)

The next thing I was impressed with was his vision. God gave him the vision fifteen years ago. Throughout these fifteen years, Sean did not lose his passion for Ghana or lose sight of what God called him to do. Throughout these fifteen years, God has been molding him and preparing him for the adventure which will start in 6 months for Sean and his family. Wow!

I was reminded of my calling...to do missions work. I often think about my school loans and other things that I see which are "holding me back". However, are they truly "holding me back" or is it the preparation time God wants me to experience... prior to me going full time into ministry. Now is my time to prepare. I think about these past 10.5 months. I have learned so much and grown a lot. The calling God has on my life currently is not any less important than what He has called me to do on the mission field. It is the same. It is God's will for my life right now.

So, as I leave you with these thoughts and ponderings of my own, I am saying all this to say that God will have His way in His timing. Travel one step at a time. God called you in the first place and He doesn't forget that long term vision or goal. What you are doing now may be preperation for the long term vision or goal. Continue on, persevere, and do not lose sight of the vision. Live your calling now, as it is just as important as the long term, seemingly unreachable dream that burns in your soul. However, you will reach that dream as you continue in yourpursuit of your Master.

God Bless,

Krissy

Buddha's Birthday

About a month ago, as I opened the door of the van and stepped out, the sound of bells and chants greeted me. The occasion?It was Buddha's birthday and beside the orphanage, where I was, there was a temple. This was not my first encounter with a Buddhist temple, however, hearing the chants, and the sounds of people worshiping took me back...

Previously I had gone to Seoul with some other teachers and a friend from church. We were on a Korean tour excursion! It was exciting to see the palace, the "green house" (the President's home), and visit the famous restaurants we did! It was truly a fun experience! This fun time was suddenly put on halt, as we stopped at a Buddhist temple.

The burning smell of incense, and a musty building greeted me. I was stunned with what I saw. I took off my shoes and took about four steps further when I stopped. It was as if I was frozen. I could not speak. Before my eyes was a sight I had only heard about and seen pictures of. It was something I knew about, but it all seemed so foreign and shocking to me. Four people were performing a ritual. Bowing and chanting in a specific posture and rhythm towards a statue of a man sitting down. Buddha was embellished with gold and surrounded by food. The praises of his subjects were echoing through the room.

I stood there in disbelief, with only one response. This response to the environment in which I had presently found myself in sent chills through my body and an aching and pain in the deepest part of my soul. As I stood there lifeless with tears rolling down my cheeks, I was reminded of Christ's awesome grace and love. I was reminded of the brokenness and the need which surrounded me day in and day out. This need is one that surrounds every individual everyday. It's the need which each human being craves and struggles to find the answer too. This need is one of a savior, a healer, a restorer, and comforter.

In America, this need is often sought after through money, work, success, material possessions, friends, popularity, significant others, and the list goes on....and on...In Korea, although quite culturally different from America, the thread of all humanity which surpasses cultural differences was strongly displayed. It is the same need as that in America, but shown in a way that appeals to those on the Eastern side of the world. Still, the same craving to have an anchor for life and stability was present and thriving in that room.

My heart began to break as I realized that these individuals were worshiping one they could see, but not experience, talk too but who could not talk back, and touch but could not return affection. In that moment, I wanted to tell them of Christ. No, you can not touch him, but you can feel his presence, no, you can not see him, but you can see His power displayed through out all creation. His affection towards every individual is more than one can fathom. It is a love story which can never be repealed. It's stamp on history, and in an individual's life when accepted, is an indescribable and powerful, life-changing event. It is not one of question. Yes, you can talk to Him and He will talk back. This Jesus I am speaking of offers life and renewal for every individual. In every circumstance. In every land of the whole world.

If you are reading this, may you be reminded of your brokenness, your need for the everlasting arms of a Savior, and the perseverance to find the Truth and your fulfillment in Him. That you might conquer your need and want of fulfillment in material possessions, money, fame, friends, etc. and become complete, fulfilled and satisfied as you rest in the arms of the One who died for you. The One who holds your brokenness in His hands, and who is asking you if He can take your pain, heal your heart, and allow Him to substitute your human desire of a "money- savior" with Him, the eternal Savior. May He be your Rock, Fortress, and Anchor for your soul as you march through the torrents of life.

Peace,

Krissy

"May mercy, peace, and love be lavished on you!" -Jude 1:2

From Then to Now...

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Here are quite a few photos of the latest events going on in South Korea these days. The pics you see of the posters are from the day all the International School students walked a 5k to raise money for "thirsty kids". These are kids and families who do not have clean drinking water. I was so proud of them!! They all finished the walk, and on top of the gave over and above the amount we wanted to raise. We were able to buy one sanitary pit, several taps, and I believe one disaster relief kit to provide safe water for two individuals after a natural disaster. These kids raised enough money to save HUNDREDS of people from dyeing because of unclean water. Congrats ANCA students!!

The scenery shots are places around my house. I thought you guys might like to see where cows live. Its nice to see people water skiing and wake boarding on the river again. Yay its spring time too! The flowers are amazingly beautiful. They are so bright and colorful. The cherry blossoms have also started to bloom and are beautiful as well.

The colorful, Disney-like photos are from a theme park we went too called Lotte World. It is pretty much like a Korean Disney. The kids enjoyed it and had a blast. The architecture and creativity was incredible at the park. There was one place that is all inside which had a couple roller coasters and other rides inside. Also in the middle of this building there is a ice skating rink. Its a pretty big place and we had some fun :)

I have more photos but its pretty much impossible to upload all the photos on here. It would take me hours. Happy Monday!!