This summer, we will have the wonderful opportunity to serve our Lord together in Cambodia for two weeks. Cambodia is a very impoverished country where the average Cambodian makes less than $2 a day. Less than 1% of the population is Christian while over 95% is Buddhist. We will be serving alongside a local church, partnering with them in their ESL outreach, children’s ministries, and a summer youth camp. Please join with us in prayer for our trip, that the Lord would use us mightily in His service in a nation where many have yet to hear the name of Jesus Christ.Here’s a little more from each of our team members:
Karrie Hahn:
This year of my life can be summed up by one word: change! I finished my master’s degree in biblical counseling at The Master’s College last May, and I am currently teaching 8th grade English at a Christian school in L.A. Additionally, I transitioned out of the high school ministry at Grace Community and have joined the Foundry, a ministry for single adults. This has been a profound blessing! The biggest change by far is how the Lord is making my desire for overseas missions a reality. After returning from Cambodia, I will spend this fall in two different countries helping the long-term workers in these fields. I eagerly anticipate the changes that the Lord has yet in store!
Jerry Huang:
I am currently finishing up my last semester at USC with a master’s degree in computational biology. With this chapter of my life coming to an end, I am looking forward to the next phase of life that God will have me pursue. As I reflect back on this past year and a half, I am amazed at the journey that God has led me through. He has blessed me tremendously, by affording me more opportunities to become more involved in my Bible study, such as leading a small group and teaching. In addition, I find that the Lord has put in me a heart for missions that I did not have a year ago. I am eager to see where God will lead me in the future as I continue to grow more in my knowledge and love for Christ.
Mike Kelly:
The Lord is good and continues to work actively in my life. He is in control and is using everything for His glory. More importantly the Lord has placed me at Grace Community Church and blessed me with the opportunity to be part of the outstanding work there. I’ve been privileged with the opportunity to serve in the singles ministry, shepherd a small group and to even teach in my regional bible study. This summer God is expanding the view beyond southern California and giving me the opportunity to serve overseas on a short term mission.
Sarah Oh:
Raised in a Christian family I was fortunate enough to have attended church. However, when it came to serving, I was always reserved as my heart was fixated and focused on secular goals such as studies and financial success. Since then, I have realized my selfish heart and as a result, strengthened my relationship with the Lord God—which includes serving opportunities. Further, within the past year, God has brought me to Grace Community Church and as I have never served on a short-term mission trip, He has also given me the opportunity to travel this summer to Cambodia for two weeks.
Garret Root:
In 1998 I had the opportunity to go on a short term mission trip to Ethiopia and in 2000’ to Jordan. Both of these opportunities served to expand my view of God and His church in the world. Recently God has blessed me with a career teaching high School and many opportunities to serve at Grace Community Church.
Grace Yang:
Praise God for His sovereignty, faithfulness and goodness toward His children. His loving-kindness is indeed everlasting! Each year, God continues to grow my love for Christ and the church. I am always learning to live before God alone and to joyfully and quickly trust in Him no matter the circumstances. I am currently in my third year of teaching high school math, living in a new apartment with some dear sisters, and attending the Foundry, a fellowship group at Grace Community Church for young singles.
Ingrid Yu:
Jim-rip sua (Hello)! I hope this letter finds you well and blessed in the new year of 2008! To some, it has been awhile since we last talked and to others, I saw you just yesterday. The Lord has been doing so much in my life. Last year, He blessed me with a chance to visit “310″ – a Westside Bible Study of Foundry, the young adult ministry that worships on Sundays at Grace Community Church. His timing could not have been more perfect. Since then, I have been attending Grace Community Church and have been involved with the Bible study and have deepened relationships with fellow brothers and sisters.
Nathan Wells (team leader):
It has been an amazing year here in LA as I continue to prepare to serve the Lord overseas in Cambodia long-term. The Lord has truly blessed me in my studies and continues to give me opportunities to serve Him at Grace Community Church. This summer I have the amazing blessing of leading a small team back to Cambodia along with the local church that I served alongside before the Lord opened up the opportunity for me to come and study at the Master’s Seminary. I am so looking forward to serve alongside this amazing team that God has raised up.
hi everyone!
Just a quick update on the team. The team is off the ground, but they’ve experienced some airline delays, twice now – but should be arriving in Phnom Penh Cambodia later this afternoon (Cambodia time). Please be keeping them in prayer as delays always make for a tiring trip, and pray that they will arrive this afternoon (along with their luggage) without any more difficulty.
