by Rev. Myungjoon Andy Yong
Covenant BP Mission in Tacoma, WA
the Missions Banner, November 2023: Online Edition
A note from the Field Director: PMU is re-establishing Rev. Yong’s financial support base. Please consider joining Rev. Yong’s ministry as a financial supporter! He currently needs approximately $3,000 more per month in regular support.
Recently, our church member’s son passed away at the age of 56. A sudden stroke sent him to the emergency room, and he never woke up. He was blind from birth. However, by the grace of God, he gained spiritual sight through faith. He became a Christian who attended worship services every week. At the funeral service held only for his family and close friends, I preached about the resurrection of the believers. The church member was greatly comforted as she looked forward to meeting her son in heaven again. She serves the Lord even more than before with hope in Him.
Sometimes God takes a person’s life earlier than we expect, but other times He prolongs a person’s life. By God’s mercy, another church member unexpectedly discovered colon cancer during a health exam. Colon cancer usually has no symptoms, so it is easy to detect in the terminal stages. She also did not have any symptoms. However, the cancer was found not by accident but by God’s providence. The day before her surgery, I went to her house to read the Scriptures and pray for her. The surgery went very well. She has been recovering quickly. Her soul has been grateful and in peace. She serves the Lord even more than before with thanks in Him.
During the summer, the number of worship attendees often dropped to single digits. In a small church like ours, empty space is quickly noticeable even if one or two people are missing. Therefore, the unfaithfulness of one church member has a great impact on other church members. Such situations sometimes make it difficult for me to prepare diligently for sermons and ministry. What I can do when things are not good like this is to look to God who is my help and salvation. Despite this situation, the Lord has strengthened me to carry on busy summer ministries. And the Lord reappointed me as a PMU missionary when the summer was coming to an end.
Last Saturday, my children rode their bikes in the park with me. They went downhill quickly and excitedly. But they went up the hill slowly and with difficulty. The life of the church seems like the life of man. There are times of joy and difficulties. But it is God who guides the path of life of man and the church. It is Jesus Christ who is the head of the church. Therefore, the church is the history of Christ. I record the church attendance weekly for mission reports. Last Sunday, October 8th, 28 people joyfully worshiped together. It was the largest group this year. All glory goes to God.
(Ecclesiastes 3:11) He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
(pictured above: the oldest church visitor, at 96 years old)
