Junior | UCLA

Hello! Now that I’m back from India, I wanted to share with you all this amazing experience God has provided as well as go more in-depth on my intentions behind going on STSM 2023. 

For some context, I had only become a true believer toward the end of 2022. Before that, I essentially falsely believed I was saved as my faith had been challenged when I stopped believing in God entirely for part of last year. By God’s grace, He led me back to Him, gifting me the privilege to call Him Father and be born again through Jesus. I had realized that God had been with me every moment of my life, ordaining every blessing and hardship to ultimately bring me to Him. As a result, my heart grew to break for those who did not have the same comfort, especially those who had never even heard of the Gospel at all. Though I had doubts such as the purpose of short-term missions if you’re not missional in your daily life, the consequences short-term missions can have on the people there, etc., I had been praying for such an opportunity, so I questioned, “Why am I doubting when God has answered and provided?”, and I decided to go. 

Despite this heart to serve and be a vessel, I was the one blessed through this trip more than I could have imagined. At home, our view of God is so limited to the American, Korean, or Korean-American church based on our experience, and a personal reason for going on missions was to witness how truly grand our God is and how He is moving across the nations. In our trip to India, I was truly able to see this, particularly through the great faith of the missionaries, locals, and children. 

The first experience that touched my heart deeply was when I saw the youth kids serving in the local church’s praise team. I feel that regarding missions, we often view these other countries as less privileged, broken, and needy. While these qualities may be true in some sense, seeing these children and the other locals crying out desperately and praising God, I was nothing but jealous. In my eyes, they had so much more wealth and riches far beyond the comforts that we have at home. 

Furthermore, I was able to have many conversations with one of the missionaries, and every conversation would open a new perspective on what it means to be a Christian. She shared an analogy, asking if we would become a dog to save our dog. It might sound kind of strange at first, but she said this is essentially what Jesus did. He came down from heaven, a perfect place in perfect communion with God, to earth to save sinful people like us. She went on, to explain that missions are but a taste of the life of Jesus, sacrificing the comforts of our lives for a greater purpose. At one point, after explaining all she had given up in Korea—seeing her family, wealth, and comfort—she said, “Though my labor is small…” This phrase stuck with me, and I was in awe of her faith. In another conversation, a friend asked her, “What are your happiest moments here in India?” Most people would take some time to think and would most likely say something about their personal lives. Yet this faithful servant, not even being that well-versed in English, immediately replied, “When I see the fruit of the Spirit.” 

Though there were many more instances of these portrayals of great faith, these are truly people who find their purpose, identity, and above all joy in Christ. Their passions and happiness are not of this world, and like Jesus, they are tirelessly running the race for the joy set before them. It has been an absolute privilege to be able to witness God’s grandeur, grace, and love through his faithful people in India. For someone who did not believe in God for some time, I find myself no longer being able to doubt His existence. What else could produce such faith, such zeal in these people besides a good God? 

There is so much more I could tell, but just saying it wouldn’t give this experience justice. And not going to lie, there were hardships, and sure, I could talk about those all day—the weather, my back that has been aching for months, the 120+ mosquito bites, being so sick I legitimately thought I might die—yet what purpose would that serve? I could share endlessly about all the lessons I learned and how I could apply them, but if I could share one thing, it’d be this: No extent of suffering or hardship, no comfort or wealth can ever amount to the great privilege and reward we find in being used to give our worthy God glory. 

With that said, thank you so much for supporting me on this journey, this is not a means to an end, but only the beginning. In whatever we do, whether it be missions, work, school, or anything, let us seek first His kingdom and righteousness, finding delight and satisfaction in the good God we serve. Again, thank you, and I hope that this testimony could give even the slightest bit of encouragement to you all. And for those considering STSM or missions, I would highly encourage you to trust God and #go.