Memories of a Missionary
My love for missions began almost 16 years ago when I went to evangelize to college students in the city of Chiang Mai, Thailand. But it was never about a certain country or location. I never felt the need to go back to a certain place that I had been to if there was a need elsewhere. And it’s an obvious truth that the need for the Gospel is everywhere. From that summer on, I’ve had the privilege to go to 4 different continents on a variety of different missions trips including a whole year spent in East Asia.
When I came to Cornerstone Church in September of 2021, I already knew about our relationship with Tanzania since I’ve seen my friends from Cornerstone’s sending church, Grace Community Chapel, go every year for over the past decade. But the main reason why this country drew me was because of a man named Dan Choi.
Dan Choi was my youth pastor growing up. But more than that, he was an older brother and father-figure who taught me what it means to be a mature man of God. Every day after school, I would walk over to his house and do homework and hang out until late at night. I became interested in anime and electronics and weightlifting because he was interested in those things. I was probably in his green 99’ Honda Accord Coupe more than I was home. But when I went to college and I decided to reject the faith I grew up in, we drifted apart and we never really got to reconcile even after God brought me back to the faith.
And years went by and I saw that Dan had become a missionary to Tanzania. Then I saw that he was married. Then I heard that his wife passed away. And shortly after that, in the summer of 2019, I heard that he had died on the missions field. I regret not being able to go to the memorial service. I regret not being able to reconnect with him before he died. But his legacy of faith lives on. In me and in so many others. In the last few years, I’ve gotten to hear from so many people about the life-changing impact that he had on their lives. He truly led his life in a manner worthy of our calling.
So when I heard that we would be embarking on our first overseas missions trip this summer, I was already a yes.
Our team has begun preparations with great anticipation for what the Lord will do through our team of 6 this summer in Tanzania!