Charis Reflections (Matthew 6:25-27; Psalm 23)                                                    2008.10.05    David Wu and Tracy Lee

Charis Reflections         David Wu

           Two years ago, I went to a Christian worldwide missions convention called Urbana and I was really glad I went because it helped me see missions in an entirely different way. At first, I thought it was the perfect opportunity because I just graduated college, but at the time I was already interning somewhere and in the next month, I was supposed to get an offer to work for the company. I knew that the economy was not so good and I should just accept the job and start work, since it was more secure. I told God that if I get the opportunity to go, I’ll go.

I needed to make the best of my opportunities given to us. I needed to just trust God that He will always provide for me, and not to worry about anything because has He not provided for me already?  I have food to eat, clothes to wear, and a roof to sleep under. I have so much already.

In Korea, with a team of 7 people (2 men, 5 women), we went to an underprivileged area of Korea. The children there are from low income families, and we wanted to go there and use the teaching of English to share the gospel with the children.

I taught 6^th grade. Teaching was difficult because we could only use English and my children’s English levels were very low. Thankfully, I did not worry at all during this trip. In the past, I am someone who would tend to worry about things, but as I became a more mature Christian, I began to learn to give it all to God in any circumstance. I had a lot of people pray for me and my team and it was a blessing. Matthew 6:25 stuck with me because many of my team members were worrying about being prepared. There is nothing wrong with being concerned, but to have concerns grow into a level where it might waste time and energy, that is worrying and it is useless.

After this trip, I learned what the pains and joys it is to be a teacher. You always wonder if you have done enough and hope for the best in their future. I wanted to see them improve. I wanted to see them understand more about Jesus. I wanted to see them grow. I wanted so much. But sometimes you have to let God do his part too.

I don’t worry about them, but I’m concerned.

Charis Reflections         Tracy Lee

            In August of 2003, at the ripe old age of 24 years old and just four months after getting married, I went into surgery to remove what was identified as a large cyst in my abdomen.  A few days later, my surgeon had lab results and my husband and I were told that I had cancer. 

A few weeks after my surgery, I began nine long weeks of chemotherapy.  One of my husband’s first duties in marriage was to shave off my hair after it began to fall out in masses.   My parents, spouse and in-laws put their lives and careers on hold to care for me.

Now what did I take out of all of this?  That there is strength in the Lord, and faith is how you get to that strength. 

But during my illness, Tim’s family, which is largely a Christian family, started to come and visit us.  While over to take care of me while Tim was at work, my mother-in-law shared with me Psalm 23 to help give hope.  “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

Tim’s Aunt June, who is also a cancer survivor, came to teach me how to take control of my medical documents and showed me what organic foods to cook to promote better health.  One day, Tim’s Uncle Stan and his family came over to visit us.  Before they left, Uncle Stan prayed for us out loud.  This may seem a normal occurrence now in our household, but back then it was a new concept to me.  Growing up Catholic, prayer was something I was taught you did quietly, by yourself.  Prayer was largely memorized, not so much from the heart.

All of these events showed me that I married into a great family that showed me not only their love, but the love of God.  Just four short months after I married Tim, they embraced me as their own daughter and niece, taking care of our daily needs and taking care of us spiritually.  Would I have survived without their prayers and pleas to God?  Would I have come out of the experience the same without becoming closer to God and truly learning that he is my shepherd?  Probably not.   Through them I gained strength in the Lord by seeing how faithful they are, and by being influenced by that faith.