순례자의 샘터 Soonsam 2019 Fall | Page 51

A few weeks ago, I went to Korea with a team from FKBC to conduct several English camps at two different locations. To be honest about my experience, the first two camps in Daejeon were incredibly taxing and stressful, while the last camp in Goesan felt like a time of healing and resting. Rather than focusing on the negative aspects, however, I have been able to reflect on what God has been speaking to me and the team through the difficulties. A few lessons God has taught me through those last few weeks, but I will focus on the overarching theme that our team realized we had learned – trusting in God’s will, power, strength, and understanding before our own. Because our English camps were so highly detail-oriented, much of the time in our meetings before and even during the trip were fo- cused on logistics and planning rather than prayer and spiritual preparation. Even in my own personal preparation for the mission trip, I lacked in prayer and asking God to take over. He revealed the importance of trusting in Him by teaching us the hard way, that no matter how much we prepare by our own agendas and strengths, we can do nothing without Him. To give an example, one of the more stressful aspects of the trip was that there were so many instances of miscommunication with the different groups we were working with there. As a result, plans were changing constantly, and not even by our own will, which left us feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, and powerless. In those moments, it felt like all that we had worked for was crumbling, but it was also in those moments when I would whisper to myself and to God, “God, let Your will be done.” In every instance, things ended up working out somehow miraculously, and I truly believe it was to show us that no matter how thoroughly we plan and work to plant and water the seeds, we will not get anywhere nor produce any Godly fruits unless we trust God to give the growth. I know this is a life-long lesson that I will continue to learn and struggle with, but I am thankful to know and love a God who can break us down in His mercy, rather than leaving us where we are. www.fkbc.org 랄리제일한인침례교회 51