David Cho
Two years ago, I had the privilege of going to Nicaragua on KCM STSM. Unfortunately, I had COVID and was quarantined there for 10 days. Through that time of frustration and waiting, God taught me a simple, but essential lesson: God wants just me, not what I can do for Him. So, I left with the desire to return and join God in His work in the future.
This year, I got to return to Nicaragua! Ironically, I got Covid again and the fear of not being able to join God in His work started to creep in. This time, instead of pointing my finger at God, I decided to trust Him through the process and looked to see what He was trying to teach me this time. Then, God healed me from COVID the day before ministry started, so I missed 0 days of ministry (Praise God!). I realized that God was teaching me that I should not take the time I have on the mission trip for granted for God’s time is precious. Not only is His time precious, but His people are precious, which makes the time that God gives us with each other very precious. There is an urgency to the work God is doing!
During the third week of my trip, the team had the opportunity to go on a graduation trip to Ometepe (an island in the middle of Lake Nicaragua) with the seniors of the missionary’s school we were doing ministry with. We traveled to a church on the island to do medical and VBS ministry, where the missionary received reports from the locals that we were to expect around 300 people to show up. Surprisingly, we stepped into the church to find only two people there. The team and I were all very confused and discouraged to see such a stark contrast between our expectations and the reality of the situation. My first thought was, “Clearly, there has been a mistake.”
Despite the situation, the missionary rallied the team and reminded us that our plans may fail, but God will never fail. She acknowledged the disappointment she and the team were feeling, but the missionary told us that there was no time to waste waiting for people to come to us. Seeing this situation as an opportunity to evangelize, the missionary told us to split up into different groups and reach out to the people living around the church. Missionary Kim told us, “At the end of the day if even one lost soul is saved, it will all be worth it.” So, we went out to invite as many people as we could to the service we would hold at the church. The seniors we were with served as our translators, and they, without hesitation, walked up to people’s homes and invited them to come out. Seeing their boldness made me think, “When was the last time I walked up to someone and invited them out to church?” These seniors invite strangers to church, but I hesitate to talk about Jesus to people I know back at home.
Looking back, perhaps God had intended for us to go reach out to the locals at the church. Through this unforeseen circumstance, God showed me how He can move so powerfully when we live our lives unashamedly. After going around the neighborhood, around a hundred people ended up coming out to the church, and the team was able to do ministry. Praise God for His ways are not our ways, but He is still moving.
Now that I am back in the comfort of my home, I pray that I won’t be lulled into complacency and look to be urgent with the time that God has given me. I saw the brokenness and desperate need for the Gospel overseas, but I recognize the same desperate need for Jesus back home. I realize I need to be unashamed in my faith to those around me. Specifically, I want to build my relationships with my grandmothers who live in Korea, and I see the urgency of telling them about Jesus.
To my fellow believers, I encourage you to see the people that God has placed around you as precious and that the time you have with them is not forever. So, go talk to that family member even when it’s difficult. Show love to a friend or coworker even if it’s painful. See them as God sees you: His precious child.
“Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.” - Luke 15:7
