It was around the time I had been working at my job for nearly four years after graduating high school. I found myself in a season of reflection, questioning the purpose of my work and my life. Just then, some around me suggested I try participating in overseas short-term mission work. Though I knew its value and wanted to challenge myself, I felt too unsure of my language skills to even dream of joining. Still, relying solely on Heavenly Father and Mother, I took a leap of faith and said yes.
The mission destination, which I applied for along with a sister from my church, was Curitiba, Brazil. We memorized a few short phrases in Portuguese and began preaching in a completely unfamiliar city. Though I couldn’t speak fluently, I believed that simply going overseas would yield abundant fruit. But reality proved different—it was rare to meet someone who would seriously study the truth even twice. Many appointments were broken, and only later did I realize people had agreed simply because they didn’t want to turn us down directly. One Sabbath, in particular, it rained heavily, and those who had promised to visit Zion never showed up. That day left a lasting ache in my heart.
On the day we returned home, the local missionaries waved at us until we disappeared from sight. In that moment, they looked like the true protagonists of prophecy. Inspired, I decided to prepare for long-term mission the moment I returned to Korea. I found a job near home so I could walk, saved on unnecessary expenses, and gradually built up my mission fund. About a year later, I headed back to Curitiba.
When I first visited, Curitiba had just begun searching for a Zion building. By the time I returned, the local members were getting ready to join the Overseas Visiting Group to Korea. I began to dream of finding someone in Curitiba who could be part of the visiting group.
Lacking confidence in my language skills, I initially avoided conversations with local members, hoping to become more fluent first. But to my dismay, they misunderstood and thought I didn’t want to talk to them. Realizing the mistake, I explained the situation and started saying just a few words at a time. Amazingly, no matter how I said it, they understood everything. As I preached alongside them, my language improved quickly. Greeting members with hugs felt like being wrapped in Mother’s arms. I had come to share Mother’s love, but ended up receiving far more love from them.
Though I enjoyed the mission work, I couldn’t bear good fruit. The sister who came with me from Korea found many souls who accepted the truth and kept worship services. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was doing something wrong, and that weighed heavily on me. I found myself unable to fully rejoice even when new members started keeping the Sabbath and growing in faith.
When my faith felt like it might falter, I held on even tighter. I continued praying earnestly to Father and Mother and used every spare moment to listen to the sermon and learn the language with the Truth Presentation material. I came to understand that saving a soul requires unity—and that God blesses those who work together. With that realization, I was able to sincerely welcome everyone who came to Zion with a heart that loved the truth. Then, God gave me precious fruit as well. The heaviness in my heart melted away like snow.
From that point on, I repeatedly experienced the meaning of the phrase, “Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” When I felt anxious because some members didn’t seem to grow in faith, I reminded myself of Father and Mother’s enduring patience with me. As I prayed for those members to awaken, they gradually grew in faith and even received the blessing to visit Korea as part of the overseas visiting group—something I had long dreamed for them.
After those dream-like days passed, I reflected quietly during the flight home. I realized that in trying to help souls grow in faith, I had relied too much on my own strength, which made myself feel exhausted. I had forgotten that it is only God who makes everything grow, and may even have worried Them with my own impatience. I felt deeply sorry.
Brazil is twelve hours behind Korea. After I returned, I couldn’t stop thinking about Brazil. Before falling asleep, I’d think, “They’re just starting their day over there.” And throughout the day, I often wondered, “What are the members doing now?”
Eventually, I boarded a plane once again—this time to northeastern Brazil. At first, I preached passionately alongside short-term mission members in the city of Recife. After they left, I moved to Teresina to continue seeking heavenly family members. Teresina was very different from the cities I’d been to before. The weather was stiflingly hot, and the environment felt unfamiliar—so much so that I wondered if it was really the same country. But before long, I adapted and carried out the gospel mission diligently. I surprised even myself.
Now that I’ve safely returned home from the mission, I can see clearly that Heavenly Father and Mother were with me in every moment. To someone like me who had no clear goals, They gave the immense blessing of overseas mission work. They listened to my small prayer of wanting to find workers and made my dream come true. Just as Peter the fisherman was chosen to be an apostle of God, I’m deeply thankful that They chose someone as unskilled as me and allowed me to join in the gospel work.
From now on, wherever I am and whatever I do, I will walk the path of the gospel with joy, trusting in the road God opens for me.