Greetings from Micronesia!
Sometimes things do not go as you have planned… this is challenging for Janet as she likes to have all the logistics covered, including backup plans. We have worked on logistics since we returned to the Philippines in November for 3 teams that would come consecutively beginning January 20. Little did we know that God was working ahead of us, knowing the plans he had set in place.
The first project was at Guam COTN. We had an amazing time with the 51 member team from Daekwang & Kwonkwan churches of the Nazarene coming from Korea. Led by Pastor Oh WonKeun, they worked for 9 days at Guam Church of the Nazarene. They were passionate and generous. They did maintenance and repairs on the church buildings and fun ministry with the children and youth group. They taught music and calligraphy. We were very blessed to serve with this team. In addition to the work and the ministry we got to enjoy delicious home cooked Korean food. What a treat!
Although God worked in the local church through the hard work and also passionate ministry of Daekwang and Kwonkwan COTN, here is what God was doing in their lives as they went back to Korea.
I had been distancing myself away from church for many years. Coming back from this mission trip, I found I had begun to love the church again and to get involved in my church and to worship Him. I am deeply thankful and blessed for the precise moment it needed to happen –Wonbin Bae, Daekwang COTN
I was worried that our mission team wouldn’t experience God and wouldn’t finish the work because of my shortcomings as a leader. However, during the mission, I realized that God wants to work through each one of us no matter what type of person we are. I just have to show up, and God will do the rest. After realizing this, I began to understand why serving is such a privilege. – Ara Cho, Daekwang COTN
During the VBS program, there was time to praise with youth and children in Guam. To see the youth and children praise so passionately and to see how big of a heart they have for God was so encouraging and brought me tears of joy. I am excited to see how God will use Guam Nazarene Church in the future!
-Nara Shin, Gwon gwan COTN
I was a person who only focuses on pursuing individual faithfulness alone, not knowing the importance of gathering. During the mission trip, while doing hard work with 51 people together, I felt that God wants to teach me how precious the congregation is. Also, Loving on these kids and youth and being able to serve them compassionately reminded me once again of our father’s love and grace that we don’t deserve. I am so thankful that my faith has grown stronger through this mission trip. -Minji Lee, Daekwang COTN
Video’s from the Guam W&W Trip…
Chuuk Work & Witness Trip…
The Korean teams departed January 30 and we received our team from Glendora Community Church (GCC) on February 1 in Guam. We were so excited to spend time with friends and work together on Chuuk, a beautiful island about 633 miles south east of Guam. We Worshiped with Guam church and rested on Sunday visiting some local sites. On Monday we were back to the airport ready to fly out to Chuuk and begin the fun. Just as we were ready to step onto the plane, we heard an announcement saying that the FSM government would not accept any visitors from countries that have any active COVID-19 cases, and that included anyone from the continental USA. Our team was from California and Michigan. It had to be a mistake! But, it was not. They pulled our baggage from the plane and off we went very disappointed and frustrated.
We were greeted with a warm welcome from pastor David and Rhonda Ackerman back at Guam Nazarene church and we found the Superbowl for some and some jobs to do around the church. They prayed and considered 4 alternatives for the team. In the end, due to connections on the team, they decided to connect with Kahului Naz on the island of Maui Hawaii. On Wednesday, February 5 the team left for Maui and the Wilkins, funded by this generous team, left for Chuuk.
This was not how we saw this going…. How could we not be with our team? But, we were overwhelmed with the desire to be on Chuuk and see this project through. The local church put together enough money to hire local workers. We saw this as our new W&W team.
We worked for 10 days. We used all the supplies that had been purchased and left the building ready to pour the beam and the second floor. Alabaster funds were advanced so that there would not be a delay in getting the first floor completed. With a roof it will be ready to put on doors and windows and use. We are so thankful for our hardworking team of local labor and we pray that they would desire to check out this church for themselves after working here.
I was so sad that our GCC team was not able to complete all the ministry they had planned. There were women’s meetings and men’s meetings, a large children’s program and just the encouragement of having 16 visitors can a refresh a community. But, we were able to deliver 3 suitcases full of Children’s preschool curriculum with which there are 3 teachers in this church with a vision to see a preschool in this new building. We will wait and see what the Lord will do!
GCC team member Matt Bolt shared, “We planned and saved for 2 years, sent $10,000 to Chuuk to a small Nazarene church in little known Micronesia. We had educational supplies, we had dresses, we had 16 lbs of candy, and we had a building to build and kids to teach. But governments are fickle and closed us off to going due to a unknown fear. So we stayed in Guam and helped fix their church for 2 days. Installed whiteboards, fixed leaky roofs, waterproofed a storage container, built cabinets etc. Then we get on a plane and fly back to Honolulu and then to Maui, so we can see old friends and help out with their church. We did a cement driveway, fixed doors, installed lights , fans, air conditioners, replaced window trim and built fences…we washed clothes for the homeless and gave them a clean place to shower. But most importantly God taught us a lesson. Our Brother, Pastor Tim Cruz, and his small little Maui church has a big outreach to kids and youth from the poor part of town. They are 80% Micronesian. Kids from Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap all living and getting ministered to by this church. We got to hang out with these kids and tell stories about our trip. We missed the Island, but God still gave us the People.
Video from the Chuuk Project…
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3: 5-6
