Andrew Kim

The Future...

           A lot has happened since Segue ended about six weeks ago. The first major change was the ship leaving Benin and sailing to Monrovia, Liberia.  We arrived in Monrovia about five weeks ago.  The country is 1 ½ years removed from a seven year civil war.  There are 16,000 UN soldiers here in Liberia attempting to keep the peace and rebuild the country.  Everywhere I go in Monrovia there are UN vehicles, UN soldiers and UN checkpoints, which does make me feel a lot safer.  There’s not a lot going on in the city due to the fact that a lot of buildings were destroyed during the war.  It’s actually pretty expensive to go out and eat. It’s about the same as it would be in the US, not to mention we can actually use US currency here in Liberia. 

            In the last six weeks a lot has happened.  During the sail from Cotonou to Monrovia, which was a six day sail, one of our generators caught on fire so we lost that generator for about three and a half weeks.  Thus we were down to only two generators so we didn’t have any air conditioning on the ship for that time.  That was very uncomfortable at first because during the day it was about 38ºC, and then trying to sleep at night when it was around 34ºC was quite difficult.  But we made it through.  I actually slept out on one of the decks for a couple of nights because it was unbearable in my cabin.  However, the air conditioning was recently restored so everything is back to normal again.

            I have about three months left on the ship and then I’ll be leaving.  It’s a year earlier than I planned but God made it clear that it was time to go.  I found out about the change in plans during the field work portion of Segue, which was about two and a half months ago.  I had originally intended to go to the Africa Mercy in order to launch the Segue program aboard that ship.  However, plans have changed and they no longer desire to have that program on that ship.  Since then I had been praying a lot as to what I should do following my time with Mercy Ships.  God then opened up the door for me to go to seminary.  I’ve put it off for about two years now because it wasn’t the right time, but it seems that God has released me to go.  So this coming September I’ll be enrolled at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary in Boston.  I’m really, really excited to be finally going.  At this point I plan to obtain my Masters in Divinity, but that might change as my studies progress. 

            However, there are going to be plenty of challenges with me going to school in the fall.  One has already been overcome in that I was actually accepted about 4 months past their application deadline for international students.  The next big hurdle will be that of the money.  I need about $85,000 US over the three years in order to cover my tuition and living expenses.  Due to the fact that I’m not a US citizen I am not eligible for any of their scholarships, grants, loans, etc.  Thus I’ll have to find alternative means to support myself.  Also, since I do not have a green card yet, I’m also limited to the number of hours I am able to work in the US.  However, God has promised the money so I have been at peace with the situation.  Although sometimes I do get a little nervous.  It’s a lot of money, but I’ve seen God’s faithfulness plenty of times in the past and when He promises something to one of His kids, He always comes through.  Thus I’m not too worried.

            At the present time I’m working in the renovations department here on board the Anastasis.  I’ll be working in that department for my remaining time on board.  This department is responsible for the maintenance of the inside of the ship, whereas the deck department is responsible for the outside.  It involves a lot of painting and fixing things, some big and some small.  I’m learning a lot right now because as many of you know I’m not exactly the most handy guy around.  It has been a big change because the entire time I’ve been with Mercy Ships I’ve been with the DTS/Segue department.  Nonetheless this has allowed me to see the ship and the crew in a whole new way.  I’ve met a lot more people because I’ve had more time to socialize with the crew, and have been able to see how different departments function aboard this ship.  So thus far it’s been quite enjoyable. 

            Robin is working in the ward at the present time and will be throughout the entire outreach here in Liberia.  She’ll be coming to Vancouver to visit in august so you’ll finally have an opportunity (for those of you in Vancouver) to meet her. 

             Oh yeah, I got malaria this past week as well.  I had a fever of 102.8ºF, a big headache and diarrhea for most of the week.  I wasn’t able to go to work for most of the week either.  However, hopefully the worst is over and I’ll be able to start work again this coming week, but we’ll have to see.  Other than that things are going quite well here.  God continues to show Himself each day, just a matter of whether I’m paying attention.  It’s a different time in my life right now.  Almost an end to one season, and on the verge of another.  It’s exciting, but somewhat uncomfortable at times.  But its nice being in the will of God and knowing that my steps have been ordered and that I’m not alone in all of this.   

Field Work (Jan-Mar 2005)

            I learned a lot!  That’s one statement that accurately sums up this time.  This was the third outreach that I was apart of and during this time I would have to say that I learned the greatest amount.  This came partially due to the make up of my team, as well as the fact that this was the first outreach that our team did not partner with an existing land base.  During our time in Pahou, which was located an hour outside of Cotonou, we partnered with numerous schools and orphanages, as well as with a maternity clinic and prison.  We worked primarily with a local pastor who opened up many doors of opportunity for our team. 

            During our two months in the village of Pahou our team accomplished much.  One of our major projects was the construction of a one kilometer road for a local orphanage known as the Bethel House.  They wanted to begin construction on their new home but required this road in order to transport building materials to the site.  Initially it was a rather large and daunting project because it required the cutting down and then burning of eight foot high brush, and this all needed to be done by hand.  However, it was quite amazing how faithful God was throughout the entire project.  It took our team only twelve days to complete this one kilometer long road.

            Our team also worked with a second orphanage known as the Exodus House.  This orphanage did not have very much due to the fact that they had just opened their doors six months prior to our arrival.  Thus we decided to donate numerous bunk beds, mattresses and pillows.  Our team also worked hard to sew sheets and pillow cases, build storage cubbies, tables and benches, as well as paint two murals for them.  We also took pictures of all of the children, framed them and then put them up on their walls.  We decided we wanted to surprise them so we brought them to our house one afternoon while we moved all of these things into their home.  When the children returned and saw how we had transformed their home they were absolutely ecstatic.  I wish you could have been there, because seeing their reactions made all the hard work more than worth it.  That night we showed the film ‘Finding Nemo’ and then put the kids to sleep in their new beds.  Seeing the children sleeping soundly and comfortably in their new beds brought an incredible peace and joy to my heart.  Leaving the orphanage that night, one of the things that I was most grateful for was that God allowed the others and myself on the team to see the tangible fruit of all of our work.  Not many receive that opportunity.  Thus it was incredible blessing from God. 

            In addition to these two orphanages, some girls from our team visited a local prison and worked with the women in that prison.  They conducted bible studies, made various African foods together, as well as involved the women in several crafts.  Some girls also visited a local maternity clinic and presented community health education teachings. 

            Wednesdays were our team days, where our entire team would visit a local village as well as a primary school.  We prepared a program for them which consisted of dances, signing, songs, and dramas.  One of the goals of our program was not only to entertain those watching, but also to expand people’s view of worship by presenting alternate methods in which they could worship God.               

            Reflecting upon these past two months I would have to say that our team accomplished much.  I’ve only mentioned a few of our projects, but if I were to mention all that was done the list would be quite long.  However, having such a plethora of opportunities the team struggled with its focus and keeping it centered upon God, rather than upon the projects.  As leadership, we attempted to remedy the situation by having corporate worship times each morning at 6:30 before any work began.  However, this ended up being quite difficult because people’s attitudes were less than ideal at times due to the early hour in which worship began.  Nevertheless God still used the time and He still showed up, so it definitely was not wasted nor in vain.   

            As I mentioned at the beginning I learned a lot.  It definitely was a challenge at times to be leading a team in which ninety percent of it was female.  I think I achieved a new level of sensitivity during those two months.  It was a challenge at times to address the team and implement things, because the team as a whole had a very questioning mind set and also had trouble seeing the big picture and why things were being done in the manner that they were.  Thus when something was put into place such as morning worship, we would have to have a two hour long meeting to discuss the purpose behind it.  However through all of this, God taught me a lot in the way of humility and sensitivity, characteristics that I am definitely in greater need of.  Having these character traits instilled in me more and more by God has never been a simple thing, and it wasn’t this time around either.  But it was definitely worth it, and something that I hope will be built upon in the future.