Dear Friends,
I hope this letter finds you well. It wasn’t until my senior year of college that I truly began to open up my heart for God to fill me with His love. Although I grew up going to church, I did not have a personal relationship with God and in my early years at the University of Illinois, I failed to trust and lean on Him when I faced adversities I had never faced before. I slowly developed depression and became a slave to my addictions until I finally hit rock bottom. Ironically, hitting rock bottom was the best thing that happened to me; having no one to cry out to, I cried out to the Lord asking Him to save me. God did not answer my prayers right away but surely began working in me as he sent brothers and sisters into my life that would completely transform my heart. Upon graduation, I moved back to my hometown in New Jersey and God continued to work in me and let me grow in His love as he blessed me with an amazing community of brothers and sisters in Christ at Arcola Covenant Community. Today, I am still broken but the Lord reminds me that His grace is sufficient for me and that His mighty power equips and enables me to reach out and share the love of Christ to those who need love. God works in mysterious, unexpected ways and has convicted me to go on my first missions trip to Malawi, Africa this summer. I am uncertain of how God will stretch me and challenge my faith, but I am so excited to serve Him this summer in Malawi.
I will be departing with my missions team on July 1st and returning on July 13th. During this time, we will be providing training for local pastors, teaching children the hope and love found in Jesus Christ through a Vacation Bible School, and providing clean water to various villages. If you would like to learn more about the project or team members, you can do so by visiting http://donate.arcolacovenant.org/malawi Prayer will be the foundation to keeping our team physically, emotionally, and spiritually grounded and opening the hearts of the children in Malawi. I hope that you will lift our team and the people of Malawi up in your prayers. The cost of the trip is approximately $2,100 for each member, which will cover the cost of airfare, lodging, and food. If you are led to support me financially or in prayer, you can support me directly at http://donate.arcolacovenant.org/malawi or by writing a check out to “Arcola Covenant Community” with “Malawi Mission” written in the memo. Please do not feel obligated to contribute financially.
Thank you so much and God bless!
In Him,
Samuel Chung