As most of you know, my husband and I plan to go out as long-term missionaries and are earnestly seeking God’s will regarding where and when.  We visited YWAM in Kona, Hawaii back in April and came back quite excited about the possibility of joining YWAM.  With Elder Frank’s background in computer networking and YWAM bases around the world that could benefit from his expertise, it seemed like that’s where God was leading us.  Then a few months later, we met with Pastor Daniel and Ruth and were challenged to pray about another possibility.  After having run the SICAP Center (equivalent of a Bible college) in Samar, Philippines for the past 16 years with much fruit, Pastor Daniel has been called by God to serve as the GP USA National Executive Director in CA.  As excited as they are for the new platform to mobilize more 1.5 Korean-Americans into mission fields, they are understandably concerned about the continued well-being of the SICAP center.  When they heard about our plan for long-term missions, they contacted and asked us to pray about the SICAP Center opportunity.
Not having been able to make the decision one way or the other, Elder Frank and I plan to visit the SICAP Center in late January to seek God’s will.  On the way back from the Philippines, we will spend a few days in Korea. While there I want to visit the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery, where more than 160 foreign missionaries to Korea (including family members) are buried.  Trying to obtain the visiting hours and directions, I checked out their website (http://www.yanghwajin.net) and came across a missionary I’ve never heard of.  Her name is Ruby Rachel Kendrick, born in 1883 in Texas who died in 1907 at the age of 25 as a missionary in Korea.  After her arrival in Songdo, North Korea, she led morning prayers, taught English, and took care of sick children, but unfortunately died from exhaustion after only nine months in Korea. 
Missionary Kendrick used to say, “If my work here in Korea is to be so short, I want to write to the young people at home to come and take my place.”  Many young people did follow in her footsteps and became missionaries to Korea, and nearly $120,000, which was a phenomenal amount of money back in the early 1900’s, was raised through the Ruby Kendrick Memorial Fund.  The epitaph on her tombstone reads, “If I had a thousand lives to give, Korea should have them all.”  I was shocked by this statement.  What could have possibly caused a young woman, after having spent only several months in a small, obscure country that no one really cared about, to say something so touching and humbling!  It could not have been just her passion for Korea, but God’s passion for Korea that she carried in her heart.  Today we see many seeds produced by this precious ‘kernel of wheat’ that laid down her life. Korea is the second largest missionary sending nation after the US.
As I sat amazed by Missionary Kendrick’s story, I was reminded that’s what Christmas is all about – remembering and honoring the greatest missionary in history, Jesus Christ.  Yet because we celebrate Christmas year after year, we no longer seem to be amazed by His story. I pray that our sense of ‘shock and awe’ of what Jesus endured for us would be rekindled this Christmas.  And rejoice! You will NOT find Jesus’ tomb in Yanghwajin or anywhere else; He is back on His heavenly throne, waiting to return to earth soon as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

From Pastor Sara’s Heart
December 16, 2012

It’s only the first week of December and I already see Christmas decorations everywhere. Even at my house, we have a Christmas tree that we purchased a few years back which started our family tradition of putting it up every year the week of Thanksgiving. It was first bought as a gift for my wife and now it has become a source of joy for my whole family. My two kids certainly love seeing the tree light up every night and they get excited to see other houses with Christmas decorations. I just wish that I could share the same excitement as I did when I was a kid. Even as I write this column, my mind is preoccupied with things that I have to prepare for Christmas and the end of the year programs. Churches across the world are preparing programs and special worship services for Christmas because it certainly is one of the most important days for us Christians. In fact, we already had our annual Christmas Banquet last night. It was a refreshing reminder that Christmas is not a time of stress and busyness but a time of joy. We sang Christmas carols, ate good food prepared by the Philippines missions team and we certainly enjoyed a warm ambiance created by beautiful decorations. Thanks to everyone who worked hard to put together such a wonderful banquet for people to enjoy.
With Christmas only a few weeks away how are you and your family preparing for that day? Are the children in your family putting together a list of things they want to receive as this year’s Christmas gifts? Or is your family planning to spend good quality time together as 2012 comes to an end? Recently I heard on the radio that many people are not looking forward to this year’s Christmas due to the bad economy. The thought of getting gifts for people and the money associated with the gifts are too burdensome that people would rather skip Christmas. I, for one, am already looking through websites and store advertisements to find good deals for Christmas gifts. It has become one of my priorities to prepare for every Christmas. I already have more than four Christmas related parties where a gift exchange is involved. Satan has twisted the true meaning of Christmas and it has now become a holiday where many people don’t even call it “CHRISTmas”. More and more, today’s culture seems to emphasize the glitter of this world rather the One who was born in the small town of Bethlehem.
There is a popular song called “All I Want for Christmas” that’s played over and over during this Christmas season. My wife and I especially enjoy Mariah Carey’s version of that song. “I don't want a lot for Christmas. There's just one thing I need. I don't care about the presents underneath the Christmas tree. I just want you for my own more than you could ever know. Make my wish come true, all I want for Christmas is you...I don't need to hang my stocking, there upon the fireplace. Santa Claus won't make me happy with a toy on Christmas day. I just want you for my own. More than you could ever know, make my wish come true. All I want for Christmas is you.” As many people sing these lyrics over the next few weeks, I wish and pray that what people want will be Jesus Christ. No matter how many gifts we receive for Christmas, the joy and satisfaction won’t last long. Only Jesus Christ is our source of eternal joy and peace. Let the peace of God rule in your hearts as you prayerfully prepare for Christmas. I also pray that the joy of the Lord will be your perfect strength as many have end of the year exams and projects at schools and work places.

From Pastor Brian’s Heart
December 9, 2012