It's Not Goodbye But See You Later

If you read my previous post, you will know and understand the circumstances that currently surround our church at the moment. On our 2011 Harvest Summer Mission Trip to Ecuador, a dear brother of ours was called home to be with the Lord. This post is to remember not what Tico did with his life, but what he has done and continues to do with his Life.

From a personal standpoint, Tico has encouraged me in numerous ways. From teaching me how to play bass to showing me what it meant to eccentrically worship the Lord, Tico was by far the epitome of a good and faithful servant. Tico taught me to love Christ and go into the mission field constantly wanting more. As a team, we learned the importance of living every aspect of our christian lives with a sense of urgency simply because we do not know when Christ wants us home! Through this happening, personally, Tico has taught me to love Ecuador for its people. I originally loved Ecuador simply because it was my first overseas mission trip, but Tico taught me to love Ecuador for the people that are precious in the sight of Jesus.

There was no way that all of the surrounding Amazonian villages were searching day in and day out, 5.30AM - sunset for just another missionary. The people who searched for Tico did so fervently because Tico was special to them. Tico loved them and they loved him back. Tico knew what he was called to do in Ecuador and he did exactly that. Tico taught the Ecuadorians the meaning of love and what life would be like had Christ not been in his. Tico showed the Ecuadorians what many missionaries work to do their whole life-time.

I can't thank you enough Tico for loving the church, for loving God's people, and for loving me. I'm encouraged and moved through your fervor for Christ and I realized that I was called to survive that day, so that I can come home, and tell your story.

For those of you who could not make it to the memorial service, this is what I had to say to and about my dear brother Tico.

     Our lives will be marked by either a tombstone or a testimony. A tombstone signifies the end of an individual’s life whereas a testimony tells of what an individual did throughout their lifetime. As we come back from Ecuador with heavy hearts, we return with a testimony to tell. Joshua “Tico” Kim is the epitome of a good and faithful servant. With Joshua, we don’t have a tombstone to mark his life, but we have a grand testimony to tell. Tico devoted every action, every breath, and every decision to his faithfulness to Christ’s calling. For many of us, Tico was a beloved friend, brother, and mentor but I’m here to remind you that Tico wasn’t our beloved friend, brother, and mentor; he IS our beloved friend, brother, and mentor. From as far back as I can remember, Tico has consistently modeled and represented to me what it means to be a good and faithful servant. From teaching me bass to giving me rides to never complaining, Tico was always happy to help.
     As I think about Tico and look back at pictures of Tico, not once, was he depressed, sad, or anything but happy however; I’m not encouraged by his ability to remain happy all the time, but I’m encouraged by his childlike faith and devotion to Christ Jesus OUR Lord. From delaying his graduation to serve the church, to going on countless mission trips, Joshua Tico Kim obeyed God’s calling, and obeyed God well. Every Sunday, Tico would come to church with a smile on his face and he would sing louder and more joyously than anyone else, ever Pastor Albert, during praise. Tico was a clear representation of Acts 28:31 when the gospel states, “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ – with boldness and without hindrance.”

            Joshua Tico Kim did NOT die in vain. As I stood there near the river, I thought to myself, what did Christ have planned with this? It was our last day in Lumbaqui, many had come to know the Lord during our duration there, Joseph was to go off to college in a matter of weeks, his mom was doing what she loved by studying music in Europe, and his dad was working to see both his sons go off to study what they loved. I wondered to myself, what did God have planned with all of this. I was reminded of the important of trusting in God once again. All in God’s timing, Christ managed to do things we never imagined. Christ used to Tico’s life to first of all, bring about transformation in his family.
            As I sat at home and prayed for Joseph, Mr. Kim, and Mrs. Kim, I saw Christ moving in their hearts, manifesting himself in their lives, eliciting a greater love, passion, and dedication for each other and the church. Christ also used Tico’s life to manifest a special relationship between us, the people of Harvest and Vision Church with the people of Lumbaqui, Sinangue, Cabeno, and other surrounding Amazonian villages. Christ used Tico’s life to open a door. Every year, we pray that God would open up the hearts of Ecuadorians so that we can plant seeds into their hearts; God is good. Christ used past teams, especially Joseph, to sow seeds of grace, love and mercy into the hearts of the Ecuadorians and this year, with Joshua Tico Kim, God used Tico to reap what Joseph and past missionaries sowed in the previous years.
            God is doing crazy things in Ecuador with Tico’s life both in Ecuador and in Orlando. I am so proud of Tico and the things he accomplished, and the things he is still accomplishing with his life. Pastor DL tells our seniors to end well. To devote their last days here in Orlando to the church, to invest in the youth, and to end well here at home, so that they can continue strong in college. This applies not only to our seniors but, to everyone. Tico went home to OUR father doing what he loved, serving the Lord and all I can say is that Tico did indeed end well. I cannot wait to see Tico again one day. Thank you Tico. Thank you for uniting the church, for showing us what it means to love, what it means to faithfully serve, what it means to trust in God, and what it means to fulfill the great commission. I am positive that right now, God is saying to Tico, “Well done my good and faithful servant. You may enter the gates of heaven and join me for eternity.” I promise to tell your testimony. I love you with you all my heart Joshua Tico Kim, you encourage me in ways that no one else can even begin to fathom and I can’t wait to see you again in heaven with our heavenly father.

Before I carry on, I would like to show you two snippets from Tico's journal to just show you Tico's heart for Christ and what he longed to do throughout his life.

Monday, August 1: We only spent less than 24 hours, and yet, God has spoke to my heart dearly. I need to get out of my comfort zone... Would I do what God has called me to do? I think I will find out later, but I hope, and I am sure I will. Wednesday, August 3: I am glad God has given me an opportunity to be part of his ministry in Cabeno. Although I was tired, I gave my best....Our name and status on the earth do not matter, but heavenly award is what matters.

How awesome is that. Tico you truly inspire me, encourage me, and teach me what it means to love Christ and fulfill the great commission.

Words cannot express how much I miss you, how much I love you, and how much I thank you. I promise, with all my heart, to tell your story, to tell God's story; I promise to carry on the legacy that you left behind for us, the people of Harvest, to carry on.

2011 Harvest Summer Missions - Ecuador

Thank you so much for your prayers for out mission trip. We were witnesses to God renewing churches and bringing salvation to individuals. We were blessed to see God moving in what previous teams had done for the past two years but this year was different because for Ecuadorians who are traditionally extremely introverted, private, and protective, this year was the first time that the Ecuador prepared and provided our meals while we were away from the hotel. For the Ecuadorians, for us to be invited in their homes means that they are calling us family. This was huge for us as we had been praying and working to build up these relationships for the past three years. God is definitely answering prayers and providing fruit with our ministry. At the same time, it is with a sad and heavy heart that I inform you that my mission trip did not go exactly as planned. Our schedule was planned to be,

• Sunday: Arrive to Quito
• Monday: Drive out to Lumbaqui
• Tuesday - Thursday: Do ministry in Lumbaqui, Cabeno, and Sinangue; along with other surrounding villages
• Friday: Head back to Quito, eat dinner as a team, go shopping, etc.
• Saturday: Return to Orlando

Thursday, as we were finishing up our ministry and time in Cabeno, the villagers invited us to go swimming at a tourist destination in the Aguarico River. This was a huge step for us because for the past two years (2009 and 2010), that Harvest has sent mission teams to the Amazonian region in Ecuador, we have worked to build up a relationship with the Amazonian villagers, hoping to gain a sense of accountability and trust. Since we've been working to build up a relationship with the people of Lumbaqui, Cabeno, Sinangue, and other surrounding villages, it was a huge step for us to be invited to go swimming in a near by swimming spot with the village members. 

On Thursday, as we were swimming, one of our team members, Joshua Tico Kim, was dragged into a bad current/rip tide and went missing. We were deeply troubled by this and were forced to find ourselves in a place of complete reliance upon Christ. We spent the night praying and hoping that Tico would be found and brought back to us. We then spent Friday morning walking up and down the river bank, searching for any sign of our dear brother Tico.

God's timing is INCREDIBLE! Despite the fact that our brother Tico went missing and is now celebrating with the Jesus Christ our Lord, we completely trusted in God and knew he would be sovereign over everything. To show God's sovereignty over this "tragedy," let me break it down in ways that we, the mission team, saw it.

• Thursday: Tico goes missing, military personnel begin the search for Tico.
• Friday: P. Inki, Tico's brother and father Joseph and Dr. Kim arrive in Quito.
• Saturday: The mission team returns to Orlando, P. Inki, Dr. Kim, and Joseph head out to Lumbaqui to meet up with Chris, Pastor DL, Pastor Henry, Pastor Mejia, and others.
• Saturday - Thursday: Dr. Kim, Joseph, Pastor DL, Henry, Mejia, Chris, and other Amazonian villagers continue to search for Tico.
• Thursday: Pastor DL, Pastor Inki Kim, Dr. Kim, and Joseph return to Orlando
• Friday: Word that Tico has been found, by the very villagers that he loved and ministered to, reaches the parents, pastors, and members of Harvest.

Now, one can question, if God's timing is just and sovereign, why would God have Dr. Kim, Joseph, and P. Inki spend a whole week in Lumbaqui without finding anything? Throughout the week that they were in Lumbaqui, Christ really grew a heart within Dr. Kim, Joseph, and P. Inki for the people of Lumbaqui. As Dr. Kim read the book of Joshua 1: 1-9, Dr. Kim was reminded of why he chose the name Joshua. Joshua 1: 1-9 states,

¹ After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them. ⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”

A crucial verse from the passage comes from Joshua 1: 3. Dr. Kim realized that God wanted him there for that week so that Dr. Kim could search for his son while, "setting foot" all around Lumbaqui. Christ wanted Dr. Kim to set foot in the Amazonian regions of Sucumbios, Ecuador so that Chris could give him every place Dr. Kim set foot. Christ wanted Dr. Kim to see the people of Ecuador that his son loved so much and once he was able to see that, less that 16 hours after their arrival back home, Christ remained faithful and guided the Amazonian villagers to our dear brother Tico. God is good!

As I would love to talk more about Tico, the point of this post is to recap how our mission trip went as a whole. I promise you that there is a post dedicated to our dear brother Tico coming shortly!

From day 1, our mission trip was filled with fruit and blessings. We arrived in Quito and were reunited with some fellow missionaries that we had worked with in the past. The next day, we drove to Lumbaqui and as soon as we arrived their, I just felt this sense of God moving in Lumbaqui and the leaders of Lumbaqui. It was not until Tuesday, August 2, that we were able to start our ministry out there.

Our ministry began in Cabeno where we would begin setting the foundation for a more permanent, stable church building. From cutting down trees with machetes to making wooden stakes with machetes, it was awesome to see how much we were able to connect and build up a relationship with the people of Cabeno. Come Tuesday evening, I had gotten sick and unfortunately, while I was sick, the team was able to continue their ministry to one little boy in the park nearby the hotel with nothing but a guitar and a small flashlight. In the midst of my sickness and the lack of light and other necessities, Christ moved through our team to bring a friend of ours, David, into the family of God. Praise God!

Amongst all of this, we continued our time in Cabeno and Sinangue as we continued to work on our construction projects and God moved in mighty ways, giving us crazy opportunities to minister in ways we never imagines. While I would love to talk more about our trip, this post is long enough and I feel like many of you are really wanting to see pictures. With that in mind, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, and concerns. Enjoy!

House Church Shepherd Commissioning Part II

Man, it has been a CRAZY couple of months.
I hate the fact that I have not been able to update my blog and practice photography as much I wish I could.
From enjoying my summer to going on my mission trip to Ecuador (more to come...), It has indeed been a C.R.A.Z.Y couple of months.

This post will be nice and curt. This post is just to acknowledge Harvest's newest house church shepherds. For those who may remember, back in June, a close friend and brother of mine, Hong Sin, was commissioned as a house church shepherd. This time around, a close older sister of mine, and her husband, Haley and Chris. have been commissioned as house church shepherds over the Hiroshima House Church. Both Haley and Chris have played an integral role in my life. I have know Haley (Haley Noona as I know her), for pretty much my life and while I've only known Chris for the past couple years, both of them have encouraged me, supported me, and prayed for me throughout my walk with Christ. I'm so blessed and proud to have such awesome mentors, and now, house church shepherds in my life.

P.S
Stay tuned for information and updates regarding my mission trip to Ecuador. There are some good things in store, and some crazy blessings that need to be told!