Dear Friends,
During the past two summers I had the opportunity to go to an orphanage in China. Many of you partnered with us to provide home improvements and made it possible for our team to be physically present to share our lives together with them. And still as of today we call them and hope to return soon to them. However, this year there has been a change of plans. Instead of going back to the same orphanage we will be spending our time at a café that a missionary has started and be working with a new orphanage.
At first, I was very sad and hesitated to go on this trip because we weren’t going back to the same kids. Honestly, one of the biggest motivators to go was because I was told we will be able to visit the former orphanage for at least a day! Just a day seemed all worth it because if I don’t go see them this year I know each year will be harder and harder to return.
Last year after my trip I’m sorry I wasn’t able to provide you with a “newsletter/update”. If you don’t mind :) I will briefly share: Before our trip last year quite frankly these are some of the emotions I had: 1) wanted to prove to myself that I can be “loyal” by going back 2) didn’t feel too excited going back to the same place because I know what to expect 3) didn’t want to feel like I am babysitting. Yes, I know! Horrible right? …Then the sermon came. Literally, the day we left for China- the message that our pastor shared with us was so inspiring, motivating, and still as of today it is constantly “food for thought” in my life. So our pastor was preaching on Matthew 13:44-46--
“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.”
I heard this passage before but it had new meaning to me since that Sunday. Apparently, this “man” was most likely a poor laborer on the field and passed by this same ordinary road- day in, day out, day in, day out. Then out of nowhere on an ordinary day like any other day he “stumbled” upon treasure. And the other guy, the rich merchant is always out on his job “seeking” these fine pearls like any ordinary day too – and he too finds treasure. And they both sell everything they got for this treasure. So why this message was so profound to me was that my pastor says “Jesus always hides best stuff in ordinariness, buries his best in ordinary people, best stuff is right here”. So some people think missions should be this “magical” thing but you can see God powerfully at work in just simple ordinariness. Even if we don’t have “extravagant programs, better teaching materials, great new music, or even going back to the same place, eating the same food, sleeping at the same place, etc” God has a way to meet us and fill us with awe and wonder that you don’t want to trade in anything for it.
NOOOO JOKE- I will share a TRUE STORY! I remember growing up Korean adults will force children to sing in front of invited guests as a source of entertainment. And usually children dread it and gets annoyed because YOU KNOW YOU WILL BE EMBARRASSED. I think some of you can resonate with this (haha). So here too, at this orphanage the director always “commands” the kids to sing a song when we are gathered together. I remember the first year lots of the songs they sang were “K-Pop” songs and few “Christian songs” but last year most of their song of choice were songs learned at church. (It was pretty neat to see first-hand how God continued to grow their “spiritual” life in the past year.) Out of the million different “Christian songs” you can sing- truly truly the first day we were there- the kids gathered to sing “천국은 마치” which is Matthew 13:44! I was so shocked and couldn’t believe my ears because literally right before we left our pastor preached on this same verse. I felt like Matthew 13:44 came to life and that God was giving us a taste of what it means to “bury his best stuff in ordinary people”. I guess “divine moments” do really happen and it is like moments like these that in a way it is like you want to sell everything because knowing Him is so precious and invaluable.
So this summer from July 22 to August 1- with a small team of 3 we will be going back to China. My pastor once said that “half the ministry is done” if you are just present and there. Therefore, our team asks for your prayer and support so that we can be present to the new friends we will make and reconnect with old ones. Another aspect in Matthews 13:44-45 that was new to me was that the gospel is that readily accessible. Just ordinary people can deliver the message and I guess that is why back in the biblical times- people had a hard time believing in the “gospel” because it was from way too “ordinary people”. So I encourage you that throughout your day when you are doing your “ordinary” things J please pray for us and this trip. For this trip, I would need to raise $2150. If you wish to support monetarily you can donate online: http://donate.arcolacovenant.org/china or write a check out to “Arcola Covenant Community” and under memo to include “Sarah Lim-China”. You can mail the check to Arcola Covenant Community, S-52 Paramus Road, Paramus, NJ, 07652.
Thank you for your continual support and your prayers will make impact in our ministry. Some prayer requests are: 1) team unity and to work in one spirit
2) when agendas or plans get “interrupted” to not be so “task-oriented” but to take it on as opportunities where we can learn to let God take control
3) for safety and discernment in all our travels
4) to be prayerful at all times
5) and just simply being in love with God!
THANK YOU AGAIN!
Sincerely,
Sarah Lim
p.s. I have a clip of the kids singing the song- if you wish to see it- email me! :) I will be more than happy to send it to you.