My heart for STSM was very nonchalant as a freshman. Missions for a month? With complete strangers? It would be signing up for something so different from my church missions that I was used to. That summer I went to Moldova with my church, growing my heart for missions. Coming into my sophomore year I was put into missions committee @UCI KCM which was something I didn’t put as a preference on my application. I was excited to serve in this way because I just came back from missions but at the same time I wrestled with God with why I was put into this committee. As the year passed, my heart grew for STSM as I was planning and preparing for MRNs, hearing testimonies from close friends, and promoting to #GO/SEND. I signed up for STSM with a now softened heart that God had been pruning and watering to not only obey the Great Commission, but also surrender an entire month to Him. To be honest, even while signing up I was still very nervous about making the “right” decision so I signed up late. A small part of me still felt like maybe I should stay home and live out the Great Commission here. However, as I served in Taiwan, God continued to show me, “this is why you are here”. The month of July was a time of many many blessings, realizations, and lessons. As amazing as serving in Taiwan was, God showed me that how I live once I get home counts just as much. In Taiwan I felt like God was preparing me for the battles that I have been and would be facing back at home. If I had to sum up the 3 biggest lessons I learned, it would be gratitude, joy, and God is working.

Gratitude

The last week in Taiwan, our team visited a temple where I saw young kids praying and following their parents as they worshiped their gods. This broke my heart for the next generation of Taiwan. Are they going to grow up never knowing or hearing about Jesus? But also a deep sadness knowing that from a young age this is how they are raised and taught. Thank you Jesus for blessing me with parents who fear and love God. Growing up I always looked to what I didn’t have without thinking about how much I do have and God’s blessings in my life. As I was worshiping on the Sunday after I came back, I kept thinking what a blessing it is that I have the privilege and honor to praise the real living God and that I have been able to every Sunday of my life. 

Joy

J.O.Y. Jesus, Others, You. Philippians 2:1-11. Being humble and counting others more significant than myself, looking to the interest of others rather than my own. Looking to Jesus who humbled himself to human form and even death on a cross. To truly live a life of J.O.Y., look to Jesus then others then myself. There were many moments where I thought about myself, where it was “all about me”. But, I learned to look to Jesus! Always. Going back to the cross and Jesus’ sacrifice whenever I make things about me, my feelings, or my comfort.

God is working

God is a living and real God who is and has been working in the country of Taiwan. There was a week in Taiwan when we evangelized on a university campus. This is where my teammate Jacob and I met William. Before meeting William, Jacob and I were looking for someone to eat dinner with and it seemed kind of hopeless. I said a quick prayer out loud asking God if He could bring someone for us to eat dinner with. The next person we talked to was William who asked us if we wanted to go get stinky tofu with him. Although the place ended up being closed (phew!), we went to a ramen place and were able to share the gospel with him and invite him to our event on friday. Though he seemed pretty suspicious about Christianity he was open to hear from us. When Friday came and William walked into our event with his friend I was beyond happy and blown away. I was quickly reminded by God that He was the one working in his heart and I was simply used by Him. Acts 1:8. By the Holy Spirit I was able to be a witness to God’s power and His work in Taiwan.

Now I am home and I have to unpack my month and really live it out. This might even be the hardest part, but God is teaching me day by day to live for Him and to live the abundant life He promises. First, to be thankful, having an attitude of gratitude. Second, to look to Jesus, others, then myself in all circumstances, relationships, and family. And lastly, to remember the powerful character of God and continue to be a witness in my home and school.