ANDREW CHOI

This summer I had the opportunity to train and go to South India through STSM. Missions through KCM was always something I had in mind since I first learned about it. As a mid-year transfer my sophomore year, I was met with a lot of love and welcome to Biola through KCM. In light of receiving an overflow of love, when I heard about STSM that year, I was very intrigued but was unable to go because of logistics and schooling. This past season having spent my first full year at Biola, STSM was on my mind since the beginning and was only affirmed to go after attending WinterCon that December. Going into the process my primary focus of wanting to go on missions was to serve with an overflow of love and also learn more about submission to God’s command. While there may have been the voices saying, “But you have to finish school” or “You should work to get more experience and prepare for the school year”, this summer I decided to put those thoughts aside and respond to what I felt God was putting on my heart.

Throughout the entire process of training before the trip itself, God revealed and taught me many things. One of the largest takeaways from our weeks of Experiencing God was the idea that our shortcomings of faith such as not reading the Bible, is an issue of our love, not an issue of time or logistics. In addition, I was able to experience God working powerfully in my life once more by delivering and granting me peace following a family emergency. Through this period of fear and redemption, God revealed himself in such a large way right before our Prep Week and Intensive Retreat, that I felt fully ready to be sent and die to my flesh for God’s purpose. 

Fast forward to July 3rd and our team is off to Bangalore, India. Upon the following morning of our arrival we were met by a huge assembly prepared by the school we were scheduled to serve for the next two weeks. It was very encouraging to see a community founded on Christian values, breaking down an expectation I had of India being not Christian at all. Through this I was reminded how we as a team are here to join God in the work He was already doing before us. 

Lesson #1: Worship is for Him

Serving the children and locals throughout the week in VBS and presentation ministry was a blessing. Something that our team discussed that stuck to me was how, the people may not remember what we’re doing with them, but they will remember our energy and expressions. So despite our physical tiredness I pushed forward with the intention to make God’s love known through my own personal actions and outward emotions. 

During our village outreach, I was reminded of something very important. I remember feeling pretty distraught after a day of presentation ministry. But I was reminded later through a verse that our missionary shared with us: ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭3‬:‭13‬-‭14‬, which reads, “Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” I was reminded that when we do things like VBS or presentation ministry at the end of the day we aren’t doing it to glorify ourselves or our reputation, or gain approval of our audience or those around us. But we are to be doing it with a heart of personal worship and with a longing to make His love known through our actions with no regrets. So even when we are physically in front of locals or children, we are spiritually in front of our father in worship, and above all things we are called to worship because of what He has already done for us. 

Lesson #2: God Pursues Everyone

Another teaching I was given during our travel leg of the trip was how God yearns for every single person as individuals. We wrapped up our ministry in Bangalore after two weeks and looked to another two weeks with long hours of travel and prayer. We looked to face two weeks of a 19 hour train, a 29 hour bus, a 12 hour train, and a 6 hour bus all without tangible ministry. I knew that I would eventually be distracted with fatigue, sightseeing, and trying to get from one place to the other safely. But God still revealed to me a lesson of his love through what I experienced while traveling around India and amongst the people.

As we were getting to our platform and boarding one of our trains, I saw how crowded the platform was, and across on the other track one of the general seater trains was also packed. While I was always looking around out of precaution for our luggage and belongings, it dawned on me in a way like never before how every single person that I saw had their own individual story. About halfway through the ride we also stumbled upon what looked like an overflowing forest with tree tops peeking out of the water. Most of India we had seen was very hectic and cramped, so seeing the diversity of India’s landscape also added to this revelation. 

God ultimately reminded me how He desires everyone individually, despite their race, beliefs, and upbringing. Within every unique personal story, every unique region, and culture. We were all once lost and nothing changes how much God loves the nations and all people. Not by anything we do, God’s love is endless. Realizing the amount of people and seeing the forest, reminded me of Psalms 23:5- saying - you anoint my head with oil, my cup overflows. And it made me see further how much of a privilege it is and was to join God’s work as an overflow of the love I received from Him.

As I come back home I see how our lives should be based around worship for the Lord, reflecting His love in our words, thoughts, and actions. Through my experience in South India, I’m reminded how easy it is to take the love we receive for granted. As a result of such experiences, I’m reminded to ultimately give all the glory to God and love even when it is difficult or challenging, because of how He loved me first.