So this will be a 2'fer. I will talk about my last month
Moldova and then... yeah
So in our last month we were in Cahul, Moldova working with
Campus Crusade for Christ. We taught night classes for college students and
some high schoolers. It was awesome and strange at the same time. We had a
blast with the students! They were some of the nicest and coolest people ever
once we broke them out of their shell (telephone charades helps!) The strange
part was that we ACTUALLY taught English. I mean, real grammar. I can't
describe to you how clutch God was by providing internet that month.
The Battles
Here is the hardest part about month 11... staying in the
moment. I think it would be foolish to not think about what the next chapter
was going to look like.At the same
time, God still wants to move. There's still a lot to learn!
This month, I was ravaged by sickness. It sucked badly.
Oddly enough, I had the worse case of the dirty d's I've ever had. Seriously,
the worst case EVER. It also brought a along a kind friend named Fever. Sweet
On one of the first nights I dropped a bottle filled with
water. With precision BAM, it hit my middle toe perfectly! On a positive note,
I didn't even curse. My contacts wife standing right next to me definitely
helped. However, you can bet there were some "#@$!%'s" prancing around in my
mind. Not sure if my toe broke or fractured but it was definitely something of
the sort. It was a great beginning.
My Thoughts on Kony/Invisible Children
So recently there's been a lot of backlash towards Invisible
Children (especially today). I've heard/read a lot responses and God placed
some things on my heart. (I do have some friends very involved with IC but I am
in not in any way.)
1. When did we get so perfect that our first instinct is to
judge instead of pray? We're quick to quick to cast judgment but very slow at
offering support.
2. A friend of mine made a good point that a lot of backlash
IC is receiving is about the money. Money has become such a prominent idol that
we care more about it then the welfare of people.
3. You don't like how IC is going about their fight against
Kony, then get off your ass and find (at least in your mind) a better way. Stop
hiding behind your monitor and go make a change.
Thanks for listening to my rant. Check out Donald Miller's thoughts.
To you all who are working with IC, I leave you with this
gif
So before I recollect my experiences from last year (refer
to my previous blog HERE) I want to take a minute and talk to present and
future logistics leaders.
Yes, I too took the oath to help lead my squad in rain,
sleet or snow. Here are my little
nuggets for you.
You are picked for a reason!
It was not a mistake and you were hand picked. They trust
and believe in you. You are more than capable of leading your squad. With that
being said, believe and trust in yourself!
Don't stress, God's got your back
Allow God to work in logistics. Trust in that God makes all
things work together for your good. He has it under control. You don't have to
stress. Pray into things! God is the God of logistics too!
First things first
Find that balance of getting ish done while not letting it
consume you. ALWAYS remember, your ministry to Jesus comes first!
Friends
Establish that relationship with your partner. They are not
your coworker, they are your brother/sister. Both if you guys were picked to
better each other as well.
On behalf of your squad I just want to say thank you for
accepting this role. It's not the easiest role, but someone has to do it. As a
byproduct, you get to see God move in some of the craziest ways. Enjoy it!
My squad had crazy favor in our travels. We never had
serious issues (That time in snowed in S.Africa and the bus got cancelled doesn't count.) We
never even lost a bag on our flights! I pray that even as you read this that a
double portion of our favor gets passed on to you guys.
You know that awkward moment when you call
someone you haven't talked to in a while and they know you need something from
them. They're just waiting for you to get over the pleasantries and inside
they're thinking, what do they need?
I'm sorry. I have neglected this blog and by
doing that neglected you, my supporters. I give my sincere apologies.
Moving On...
I have decided to catch everyone up
what's going on in my life by telling my story backwards. (If that made any
sense to you then good because it doesn't make sense to me) Basically, I'm
going to talk about my plans for my future all keep talking all the way back to
my time in Nepal. I realized that this would be good for the both of us. It
will help me process things and let you hear about how God moved while I was on
the race.
So In the beginning of January I went to a thing
called Project SearchLight, hosted by AIM Kingdom
Dreams. Basically, it's
for people who get off the World Race and say wtf mate? It is a week of awesome
worship, community and teaching.
Off Tangent One of the things I loved about PSL
and AIM is how much they believe in you. They look at everyone and expect them
to accomplish their dreams and ultimately succeed. They put their money where
their mouth is by offering whatever resources they have for you to accomplish
this.It's a dangerous game they're playing but I dig it. What would life look
like if we were a culture of people who genuinely believed in everybody that we
encountered? Check out THIS blog by Michael Hindes.
Also, when did we become
people that's afraid to dream big? I have two thoughts on this. For those of
you who watched Inception, there's a scene (one of my favorites) when Joseph
Gorden-Levitt's character is shooting at some people with a gun. He's
struggling to take them down. Then Tom Hardy comes and says "You mustn't
be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling." He takes out like a missile
launcher and takes them out with one shot.
T.S. Lawrence once said
"All men dream but not equally. Those who
dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds to find that it was vanity;
but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they may act their dream
with open eyes, to make it possible."
and We're Back!! I had some direction before this but
I think PSL helped me receive confirmation. So in April, I've decided to head
to G42! You might be wondering what is G42; well
thankfully I'm here to tell you. It's a Christian leadership/vision casting
school located in Mijas, Spain. While there I learn and submit to some of the
most b.a. teachers, live in authentic community and prepare for my future.
Fundraising Sounds great and all but I need your
help once again. It costs $6,300 + airfare. I am looking for 25 people to
commit to $50 a month or 50 people give $25 a month... you get the idea.
I'm asking that you
partner with me in ministry. I am not just asking for support but for you to
sow into me, and the ministry that I go into. You can click HERE in you're interested in supporting me or send checks to (please
write my name on the little note area) to the address listed below. G42 is a
registered 501(c)3, donations are tax deductible.
G42 P.O. Box 130611 Houston, TX 77219-0611
Thank you for reading this even though my neglect
doesn't deserve your attention. Look out for my next post! Until next time,
that's my story and I'm sticking to it!
I wrote this blog in India but never got a chance to post
it. Sorry
All right, I'm trying to not slack anymore on blogging. So
I'm in India right now, Calcutta (Kolkata) to be more exact. You know, the home
of Mother Teresa's ministry. It is the dream for every philanthropist who wants
to work in India. Awesome opportunity I know. However, I can't be more ready to
leave. Wait before you hear me whine let me tell you what I've been doing here.
So I'm working with Asha Missions Christian Home. It's an
orphanage for children who either don't have parents or their parents just
don't want them. Uncle (Pastor) Sam, Wife, and 2 staff members run the
orphanage. They have 13 children. Each and every one of them are freaking
awesome. We go there and basically hang out with the children Monday through
Friday. Somewhere between the hanging out there's some English teaching but who
cares about that. These kids just bless my socks off. I'm not even particularly
fond of children but they have really struck a heartstring.
I have a lot to learn about being a servant from the staff
and the children. They serve us to the point where it's super inconvenient for
us! Let me give you an example. Every other morning one of the staff members
along with 2 or 3 of the kids will do the thirty minute walk to come wake us up
at like 6 - 6:30 in the freaking morning to clean our rooms. I mean 6 in the
morning! At first we were like, huh?! What is going on?! They do it with such
gracious hearts it astounds me. I'm going to show some pictures at the end of
this. WARNING they're mad cute.
Ok back to me ready to leave India. Besides working with an
amazing orphanage, every bit of my being wishes to leave India. There's like a
spirit of chaos here and it's driving me mad. The area I'm in is kind of like
the suburbs of Calcutta. It has all the negatives of being in a city (noise,
traffic, etc) without the positives (restaurants, things to do, etc).
Everything we've done outside of the ministry has been such a hassle and
struggle. I mean everything, even getting internet. Nobody knows what's going
on. It's a mad house! In addition to all of that, it's May the hottest time in
India. Crazy heat + Constant Chaos = Me always on edge.
In the end, India was definitely my most challenging month
but it was good. It revealed a lot of my true colors and I thank God for that.
Ok for real this time, I'm going to try to post a blog about
Nepal before I leave here!
ok so the blog isn't playing nice right now so I'm just going to link some pictures and hopefully it works
So it's been a while since I've last written on this blog,
sorry. To be honest, I was just lazy in Malaysia. I had access to solid
internet but just didn't take advantage of it. Well I did, but not in terms of
blogging. Anyways, a lot has happened since I last wrote on here. I guess I'll
start at the beginning.
First Johnny Gospelseed is no more. Jake was selected to be
a squad leader. The team minus Jake plus Justin Warren equals the new team,
Fruit of the Groom. No longer planting seeds, reaping the harvest.
Malaysia was just a good situation. There was a healthy mix
of ministries. Mainly we worked in a drop-in center. If you stayed downstairs,
you could help cook or just talk to the people who came in. If you went
upstairs, you could help with "construction" which meant chipping paint and
sanding.
Ok now that we got that out of the way let me tell you about
something that's been on my mind. Something that I experienced at church that
I'm sure most of us have at some point in our Christian walk. Ok let me attempt
to paint the picture of what happened...
So it was the first Sunday we were in Malaysia and we were
told by our contact to go to a local Chinese church. As we walk into the
church, we meet the pastor and hear the worship team practicing. They invite us
to have some coffee and wait while they prepare. Yada yada yada... There was a
guest speaker there who I guess specialized in prayer (kind of funny, but
shouldn't all Christians do that anyways?). My thoughts on what he had to say
and whatnot will remain reserved, but like many Asian pastors, he is longer
winded (at least in western opinions). Homie spoke for something like 2 hours.
So after his sermon, he asks if anyone wants to receive prayer to come up to
the front. Well, everyone goes up. Now let's see, there was my team (6), Team
Willow (6), and like 5 member's at the church. Remember this is after he gave
his 2 hour sermon. Honestly I went up not because I felt compelled to or
anything, it was more like why not? I was about the eleventh person he prayed
for (kudos to him on that), and then it hit me...
PRAYER BREATH! We've all been victims to it and most likely
we've all had it before. I mean he did the sermon and all the prayers without
even taking a sip of water. It was at maximum capacity. It honestly hindered me
from listening to what he was saying (shows my heart, I know).
So this is just a reminder, if we feel so lead to speak and
pray for hours... please be prepared. Take constant sips of water or just keep in
a mint in your pocket just in case. So next time you're feeling long winded
remember, spray some Binaca before you spray some Spirit.
Well.. I'm sure there are plenty of typos because I haven't
proof read this piece. I will update about India another time. Internet is a
challenge so, no pictures. Sorry
Salutations my friends! I hope the title of this blog didn't stir up too much curiosity in you because it has nothing to do with them. I just don't know what else to title this blog. HA!
It's been a while since I've written an actual blog. To be honest it's because of the same reason I whine about every time I sit down to write one. I don't know what to say. Cambodia was awesome but because of the lack of internet, I never got a chance to write a blog and it just built up. There was so much good to say about my time in Cambodia that I have nothing to say. It's one of those, I don't know where to begin kind of situations. Sorry about that one.
So Australia, where do I begin? It was my first manual labor month (for 2 of the 3 weeks) so that was interesting. I cut a lot of grass. yeah... I find it funny because Australia was one of the places I was really excited to visit. I expected it to be beautiful and it is. It's easily the most beautiful country out of the 3 I've been to so far. However, I find myself ready to move on. Thinking about it maybe it's because I enjoyed the ministry in Cambodia so much that these are the after effects of it. Hmmm that's something for me to chew on.
So I don't know about the rest of my squad but I guess it was kind of hard. I felt like Australia is a pretty oppressed place. There's a strong sense of apathy and I feel like that rubbed off on me. It was harder this month to really dive into the word (maybe because I'm reading through Leviticus.) So in that regard, keep me in your prayers.
I will note that the one week we weren't doing manual labor, I was on the incline. We were in the middle of no where Australia sleeping at this Aboriginal church and it was awesome. I felt like we honestly didn't do much but I had so much time just to seek God. I needed that. Shrug
Anyways, we're nearing the end of month 3, so that could only mean 1 thing. Team changes. dun Dun DUN!! or chun Chun CHUN!! So stay tuned!
Salutations friends! Sorry for the lack of blogs last month. I was in a village where we only got 2 hours of electricity a night, so I didn't have internet access. We did cold bucket showers with rain water they collected from the rainy season and brushed our teeth next to this big pig. It was awesome.
I was blessed to be able to work with Teen Challenge Cambodia. Teen Challenge is basically a Christian rehab facility. I was challenged and blown away to see these men be completely transformed by the gospel. I believe that I got to spend time with the men who are going to bring revival to Cambodia. What an honor. So keep an eye on Cambodia. God is about to release His floodgates here.
The sad things is that their stories into drug addiction sound all too familiar. â€Å"I got caught up with the wrong group of friendsâ€' or â€Å"I was depressed.â€' They go through the same struggles. With that being said, here’s what happened to me.
Sympathy --> Compassion --> Love
So you might be saying to yourself, "Where is Steve going next?" Australia! I'm pretty hyped about it. Who knows what might happen there?! Maybe share a little Gospel, love on some people, catch a platypus? shrug
On another note, I have a financial deadline coming up and I need some help. By April 1st, I need about $4,000 to be able to continue on this amazing journey that God has been leading me through. I would be so blessed, honored, happy, etc if you would partner with me in ministry. Any amount would help me out a lot.
That’s about it for now. I am hoping to be able to expand on this month really soon. So stay tuned!
So my chapter here in Thailand is nearing it's end. I can't believe that month 1 is done. It literally feels like yesterday that I told my friends I wanted to try to cry at the airport just to make everyone else cry (fail). I mean it's still weird for me when I find my squad's blogs under the "current squads" on the World Race page.
Anyways so Thailand... it has been such a slip 'n slide of whatever I don't even know where to begin. One thing that I do know is that God placed on my heart to get rid of my savior complex. I know the WR tells us to drop all expectations and whatever but let's be real. Who does that?! (My apologies to those who actually did).
Ok so savior complex... I had this idea where these nations are in trouble and they need my help. I would have never even really thought of this but it was the attitude I had. So hot, I know. This attitude of what I'm going to do to change things. Notice the word I, God had no role in MY plan.
One of the dangers of savior complex is that we think we know the solution. Our imaginations run rampant and we try to do what we think is best. I don't know about you, but without God's intervention I'm not right very often.
In my attempt to make my posts shorter I will end my tale here. Don't like the fact that there was no real resolution? Well, I don't either. I just thank God that He accepts a "work in progress" like me
As I cross into Cambodia keep my squad, team, and me in your prayers. For me, pray that I learn how to really receive and not have to take what's already ours.
I leave you with a random picture. Meet my friend...
(I'm starting off like this in hopes that my blog gets skipped over by the WR Staff.. HA! Take THAT!) So, I know many of you have been eagerly awaiting my next blog, so here it is. Already there are 3 chapters in my Thailand saga, so I'm going to try to be brief.
My first week here (Launch) was spent in Phuket, at SHE ministries (Total B.A. ministry). Awesome time with my squad and new friends from SHE and YWAM Auckland. It reminded me of a mini-training camp. So basically there were things I enjoyed and things that were more whatevers. Either way, it was really good and was just a very very small taste of what this year is going to be like.
Johnny Gospelseed getting our snack on
My team was picked to go help out the YWAM base in Kalasin Thailand. They mainly work with college students. It was already a little cray-cray because we travelled on bus and truck for around 20 hours straight to camp that they were having. It was... interesting to say the least because a YWAM group from Atlanta, Korea, and us were the star attractions. We were monkeys or court jesters created for their enjoyment. There were around two hundred students and 50 percent of them were non-christian. None the less it was a good time to share the Gospel and to be thrown into the culture.
First time in my life that it was weird to be surrounded by white people....
After camp, we headed to the base, our home for the rest of our time in Thailand. First a day of rest (Hallelujah!), we started ministry. We walked to one of the campi (campuses sounds weird) with high hopes, eager to share the Gospel. We were ready to change the lives at this campus and bring down the FIRE! Failed. We realized that most of the students didn't speak English. I wasted a lot of time sitting awkwardly at tables with students. After the initial "hello" there was silence.
You ever have those times when a friend introduces you to their friend and then leaves the two of you? You calmly smile at each other but panic in your brain? It's like that but amplified because there's like 4 of them. Other than that, it was actually nice hearing the roar of motorbikes zoom down the street.... kidding

At first it felt like a waste of time, but my team leader Jake something that slapped me awake (he didn't know it at the time). He said something along the lines of "...by us being here, people are more willing to hear what YWAM has to say." It was a sobering reminder that we don't have to be doing anything to be used. Somewhere along that train of thought, I realized that there is no real language barrier. God speaks Thai. With a fresh perspective, the doors opened. Two of the girls on my team were able to go share their testimony to a class while their teacher translated.
Some of the students I was awkward with
Today, our contact showed us around the city. We went to this huge Buddhist temple, the center of the city, and another place to pray and give offerings. It was really sweet to be able to pray to the Lord of Lords in all these areas.
While I've been at this base and especially while we saw all these "monuments" there is one song that keeps rising up in me. "... As we worship build Your throne." I feel burdened to pray over this city. I may not be able to present the Gospel to the students here, but I can declare truths over them to the one who listens.
at the temple
Monk chilling while lady tries to get blessings through him
Don't know
Crazy
It's hard being a creeper sometimes
Other than that... the food is great. Friend Chicken in Thailand is pretty dank
as usual, this ended up being pretty long.... awkward.....
Watch the video we made at launch! be gentle, it was my first attempt!
Oh and I know the dates are wrong on the video.. but whatever
Salutations from Phuket (not F-it) Thailand! Already it's been a wild ride, let me fill you in real fast. On Wednesday, I took a 6 hour flight to Cali where I met up with my squad. I was very blessed because i was able to fly on Virgin America. The plane was literally like pimp my plane. I walked in and saw the purple florescent lights and wondered where the fog machine was. Good start!
On Thursday, we started the journey for real. We got on the plane headed toward Taipei. It was 14 hours of random movies, not listening to the seat belt sign, and no ginger ale (such a fail). I will say that our fearless leaders Sage and Julie are CHAMPION sleepers. I have much to learn from them.
From Taipei, we took another 3 hour flight to Bangkok. It was like a sneeze in comparison to the flu of the flight we were previously on.
In Bangkok, we were traveling on the back of these trucks and it hit me. HOLY CRAP!!! I'M ON THE FREAKING WORLD RACE! The euphoric state of my endorphins running rampant was stomped on when I found out we had a 12+ hour bus ride to Phukit. Awesome!
The bus ride was definitely not as bad as the plane. I didn't have to deal with my space dementia and we got some free food. However, I was caught riding dirty when I drank the water, didn't even think about it.
Anyways I just wanted to let you guys know I'm alive and made it safely to Thailand. It's currently 6am here and I have no idea why I'm up. So please excuse my grammar and/or any other mistakes in this blog.
On a sweet note, I get this feeling that Thailand is a spiritual geyser that can blow at any minute. Excited. Oh and Google is in Thai. AWESOME
signing off
Steve Chun
PS: I might edit this later, after I wash off my funk. I currently smell like a hamster cage....
