Dear Friend,
Life update: I am going to Ecuador from August 3 – 8 with ten others from my church, Harvest and one of the missionaries who first led members of Harvest to Ecuador many years ago!
So, why Ecuador? Well, I’ll tell you!
There are three main reasons I’m going to Ecuador this year:
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Our church, Harvest, has a long relationship with missionaries in Ecuador.
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Harvest 301.
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I got to do something!
The last time I went to Ecuador was in 2013. It had been a couple of years since our brother Tico had drowned in the river in that beautiful country on another mission trip where his greatest desire was to tell his testimony for Jesus. In 2013, I remember being amazed by the grandeur of the country, the kindness of all the villagers to welcome a group of Asians into their homes, and the deep sense of God’s family I felt. While complete strangers, we knew we shared the same home address: heaven.
Since then, our church has continued to partner with the missionaries there. The reports of churches continuing to be planted, the further deepening of relationships throughout Ecuador, and training of new leaders have been steady over the years. It is wild to think that it has been 12 years since I’ve gone. A lot has happened in my life, in the lives of those who went on that trip, and globally, we also went through COVID. And when I think of Ecuador, I think of the same things: Tico and Missions.
The country has been under some unrest since January 2024. As a result, our team is intentionally small, and our work will be limited. Our primary work is to encourage the leaders of various churches and our missionaries there. This means that our primary ministries will be of availability, presence, and prayer.
Harvest 301 is a class offered through our church that is focused on the new life in Christ and focused on the maturation of one’s faith in the family of God. During this class, we talk about the family of God both locally and around the world. What does it look like to be more engaged as a sender or goer? As I went through this class and wrestled with this question, I was challenged to consider going to Ecuador – the only trip offered this summer. While I wasn’t interested at first, I realized that it had been a while since I’ve traveled internationally for the purpose of engaging in God’s Commission. With the added bonus of being able to go with my church family, which has changed, grown, and evolved since 2013…it was time to go.
Lastly, I got to do something! Normally, I go to our region’s youth retreat every summer, if I can. I enjoy being with the youth and love that there are smaller churches that come to this retreat from the southeast because I resonate with the challenges of small churches in one’s spiritual growth and journey. These spaces and times were so important to me as a young person. So in evaluating my options, I saw that the ways in which I best serve and the love to go to this retreat can easily be translated in Ecuador: mountains, worshipping with fellow believers, being present with weary people wrestling with their walk with God, and experiencing Jesus in sweet ways…just by being available for whatever may be needed.
Nevertheless, a few things had to be true for me to go this year:
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I needed to be available most Sundays from 1PM – 4PM for training.
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I couldn’t be a high school or college student due to the unrest in the country.
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I needed to be willing to take on the risk.
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I needed to say yes.
All of these things were true and possible. So, here we are. You get this life update from me – aren’t you glad? ;)
While we’re at it, I’d love to ask for your care for me and my team.
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Time: Will you consider partnering with me in prayer? Please pray for safety for our team and that our team’s availability, presence, and prayers will minister deeply to those we encounter.
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Treasures: Will you invest your financial treasures in the Great Commission by sending us? We each need to raise about $1400 in support. All contributions are tax-deductible and checks can be made out to Harvest Church and mailed to 16796 E. Davenport Rd., Winter Garden, FL 34787. You can also do so on our church's website: https://harvestchurchorlando.org/donate. If you scroll down, you will see my name.
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Testimonies: Will you pray that God will move powerfully in every gathering and there would be deep renewal and rest as we seek to encourage missionaries in Ecuador? May there be many powerful testimonies to share upon our return or future testimonies to hear!
I’d love to share more if you’re interested and receive your support. Most importantly, I’d love for you to be a part of what our Heavenly Father — the one true God and the author of the Gospel — is doing through us in Ecuador. Join us!
With love and thanks,
Min Sun Kim