Hello Family and Friends,
Greetings! I pray that this letter find you and your family well. You're probably wondering why you're receiving a letter in the mail from me so let me take the time to explain. I am excited to share with you some awesome news--God has called me to serve Him in the country of Ecuador in July of this year! I will be going on this mission trip with a group of 15 individuals from my home church, KPCO. We will be leaving on July 23rd and will stay for two weeks until August 3. During our time in Ecuador, we will be working with the local churches, reaching out to the people of Ecuador, and encouraging the missionaries that we are supporting there.
God has been working in my life in big ways. In less than a month, I will finally be graduating from dental school at the University of Florida! It's been a long journey but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel and I'm excited to see what God has planned for me as I take a new step in life. Last year, I was able to go on a medical mission trip to Belize with my church from Gainesville. During my time there, God opened so many doors for sharing my faith with the Belizeans through the skills I developed in dental school. This year, God is giving me another opportunity as a dentist to reach out to the people of Ecuador! I'm more excited than ever to see how God is going to use myself and the team and I truly believe that He has awesome plans for Ecuador.
Although I will be traveling over to Ecuador, most of the mission trip is fueled by those back at home...which means you. I believe that when God gives us the opportunities to be His witness and to serve, He does not leave us without the means to accomplish these tasks. I'm not sure what you are planning for this year, but I'm sure you have many plans and expenses of your own. However, in addition to writing this email to update you with my life, I am also asking for your financial support and most importantly, your prayers. Each individual member needs to raise $1,600.00 to cover their costs for the trip. It is our great desire that the gospel will reach the people of Ecuador powerfully and that the Kingdom of God would expand through all that we do. Please pray that I will go with a servant heart and to have complete faith in God throughout the trip. Also, please pray for our team's health, unity, spiritual preparedness, humility, and faithfulness. Finally, pray for the people of Ecuador--that they would be captured by God's grace and respond in praise to Him. Thanks in advance for your partnership and support!
Love in Christ,
John "Oogs" Kim