Nathan Cho
To encapsulate my thoughts before going to STSM, I had believed that overseas missions was commendable yet supplementary. I had always liked the idea of going on missions during college, but my fears of incompetency in being a “good enough” Christian as well as my career advancements had justified my excuses to eventually go another time, whenever that would be. Now as a junior, I truly believe God used this year as my Great Fish from the book of Jonah, preventing me from running away from the Nineveh that was STSM. God challenged me directly through scripture, conversations with others, our campus MRNs, and my role serving as Missions Core. But when confronted with this opportunity, my comfort and fears made me become hesitant once again. What will others think? Was it okay for me to want this? But after reading Crazy Love with my discipleship group, where Francis Chan writes, “Something is wrong when our lives make sense to unbelievers”, I had realized that my values and actions were founded upon what the world deemed correct, and were so divergent from what I proclaimed my faith to be. As it is written in James 2:19-20, “You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe-and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from work is useless?” Rebuked by the comfort that had held me back from advancing my faith, I finally decided that this was the time to do something about it.
Throughout my month in Nicaragua, God continued to break the limitations and expectations that I had placed on Him time and time again. From early on, my own agendas and what I deemed successful began to instill doubt as I did ministry. It was difficult to believe that our efforts would bear fruit, whether it be in our brief two-hour “rockstar” ministries at church plants with children we might never see again, or forging Christ-centered yet fleeting relationships with the the seniors at KCA (the missionary’s school), knowing this might be their last exposure to Christianity before transitioning to university. But amidst the brevity, I realized that the fruit I was so preoccupied with was right in front of me. Hearing stories like Josias returning to the church after hosting KCM students at his home last year, how the locals in La Amancia constructed stairs for future missionaries to better traverse the steep hills, or even watching the children's eyes light up when past team members' names were mentioned—these were the fruits of the previous teams’ seeds. I was only a small part of God's perfect and meticulous plan for this country and the fruit that was promised in Galatians 6:9-10, ”Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have the opportunity, let us do good to all people…”
By letting go of my pride and taking a step back, I was able to better witness how God was moving in Nicaragua, realizing just how limited my perception of Him had been until now. By His grace, God revealed to me a fraction of His infinite nature through Missionary Kim and the people of Nicaragua. Hearing about Missionary Kim’s testimony—how she obediently came to this country more than 20 years ago without any Spanish-speaking experience, and now has established KCA, multiple church plants, and a Christ-centered community—demonstrated God’s faithfulness to His people, surpassing my limited understanding. It was only by God’s plan that I was able to witness His workings in Nicaragua, and even if I had not gone, He still would have been faithful to the country. This realization showed me that God is moving everywhere, in ways and places far beyond my comprehension, and brought me joy in grasping how much more of Him there is to uncover. Through the people of Nicaragua, I realized that the family of God transcends all nationalities, distance, time, and language. Whether it was Walter holding a sermon for his plantain farm workers every Monday morning, Katy helping out with praise and Wednesday service at the San Geronimo church plant, or Fernando giving sermons to the locals, understanding and witnessing that we all follow and serve the same God despite our differences revealed that God’s love is universal and holds no barriers. Even in the bittersweet farewells, I had reassurance and hope that this would not be the last time I would see the brothers and sisters with whom I had forged Christ-centered relationships in this wonderful country.
To condense all my lessons and experiences from this month is near impossible, and I am still in the midst of unveiling what God has revealed to me throughout this trip. However, I have the utmost confidence in declaring that I have experienced God and His workings abundantly, and that I rejoiced in beholding a glimpse of His character and glory through Nicaragua. I pray that as I return to my final year of college, I may continue living missionally and that my limited view of God would continue to be broken by the joy of the eternal pursuit found in understanding His goodness and character. ¡Gloria a Dios!
