What inspired you to join this mission to Mongolia?
There’s this idea I can’t seem to shake off: miracles can happen if we love and serve one another. I don’t know exactly what kind of impact this trip will have—on me or the kids—but something tells me that a miracle could come from this mission, even if I don’t see it right away. Maybe it’ll happen years down the line, maybe it’ll be something that changes in me, or maybe it’ll be something that changes in the children I’m about to meet. I’ve got this prayer in my heart that through my actions, a mustard seed will be planted, and somewhere, somehow, good will come from this trip. That’s really what inspired me to join this mission.
What specific needs or challenges are you addressing in Mongolia?
When I think about Mongolia, and from everything I’ve heard from the mission trip team last year, I get the sense that it’s a place going through some tough economic times. With the economy changing so much, a lot of underprivileged children are falling through the cracks. And as Christians, if we don’t step up to care for the widows and orphans, who will? This trip is really about helping in a tangible way—supporting the children’s home by volunteering, spreading some light and joy to kids who’ve had it rough, and building connections with people who might feel forgotten.
We want these kids, and the adults serving at the home, to feel the love that Jesus taught us to show—through service. So, we’ll be spending time playing sports, talking with the kids, getting to know them, and teaching them a bit about Korean culture. I’m going to be working with the older kids, teaching them about physical education, why I love working out, and why it’s something they should consider too. Hopefully, I can inspire some of these teenagers to look at health and fitness as a positive path in their lives.
How will the funds be used to support the mission?
Just to give you a bit of context, all of us on the mission team have paid for our own tickets, but we’re raising funds for everything else—supplies, accommodation, equipment, and so on. There are still a lot of costs that would be too much for the team members to cover on their own, so we’re asking for support from our community. The funds will help with all kinds of things, but most importantly, the more we raise, the more we can give to the homes and the children in Mongolia.
Your donations will go a long way in Mongolia, where the economic situation isn’t so great. Many people there are struggling, and we really want to bless them in any way we can. Your support is crucial for making that happen.
What do you hope to achieve personally through this mission?
I’m always on the lookout for more perspective in life. It’s so easy to take things for granted, especially living in a place like Korea where everything is so convenient and high-tech. While it’s nice to live in that bubble and appreciate all those comforts, it’s also important to step outside of it and see how others live. When you’re in the bubble, you just don’t see the bigger picture.
On the flip side, I think there’s a lot to learn from different cultures, especially those at different stages of development. We might see them as simpler because they don’t have as much materially, but their culture is rich, deep, and really connected with nature. I want to experience that connection in Mongolia, and I think it’s going to help me regain a sense of connectedness with nature that I’ve lost while living in Korea.
What impact do you hope to make on the people and communities in Mongolia?
I want to lift the children’s spirits while I’m there. I want to be present in those small interactions, to really empathize with them and understand their world.
We’re going to be in some pretty real situations—places where people live in tents, and there’s no running water at the school. It’s going to be a powerful experience, and I hope to bring some light and joy into their lives, no matter how tough the circumstances.
Why is this mission personally meaningful to you?
This is the first time I’m doing something like this. I don’t even know exactly what it means to be a missionary—I’m just going to show up and try not to get in the way. But this feels like a new chapter in my life, where I’m trying to serve more people and move away from a self-centered, ego-driven lifestyle.
When my pastor asked if I wanted to do this, I hadn’t really considered it before. But when he asked me to think seriously about it, I thought, why not? This is a sign of the path I’m heading down in life now. Your financial support will help me spend more of my time and resources on these kinds of actions. That’s why I’m humbly asking for a small donation that will surely go a long way.
If this letter moves you or you feel like there’s room to give, I believe that’s the Holy Spirit encouraging you. Sometimes we need to remember that life is about giving, not taking. I’m trying to put my money where my mouth is, but since I don’t have much money, I’m giving my time and energy. If you don’t have the time or the will to do something like this, I’d ask you to consider giving financially. It would mean a lot to me—not just in a practical way, but because it would make me feel supported and confirm that this is the right path to pursue.