They say, “Fall seven times, rise eight,” but after stumbling only twice, I lost the courage to try again.
In truth, I had not really stumbled. Though the two overseas short-term missions I joined bore no visible fruit, I gained priceless realizations and moving experiences. Even though communication was difficult, everyone rejoiced in one another’s joys as if they were their own, and comforted those who were struggling. Through that, I felt what true brotherly love is. Serving in a foreign land not only broadened my perspective, but also gave me the overwhelming joy of knowing that we had revealed God’s glory.
Looking back, there was so much to be thankful for. Yet one thought kept circling in my heart: “What if I don’t bear fruit this time, again?”
When the opportunity for a third short-term mission arose, I found myself trapped in negative thoughts, unable to step forward. I knew that if I let the chance pass by, I would only regret it later, yet I kept justifying myself with the thought, “I’ll prepare more and try again next time.”
I let the whole year of 2023 slip away in discouragement, only to be filled with regret once more. If I kept delaying because of fear, all that would remain was endless regret. I had to change. I needed to rise by holding God’s hand. Thankfully, God gave such a weak and timid person like me yet another opportunity—the destination was an unfamiliar land I had never been to before: Namibia.
Before departure, I tried to strengthen my heart, but on the very day of leaving, it wasn’t my mind but my body that failed me. I suddenly came down with a fever and body aches. I remembered how, even after promising with the team to pray for health and success, I had grown careless in prayer. At that moment, I realized deeply that in every matter, we must rely on God and pray in detail. I repented and prayed earnestly to go and return safely in good health. God answered my prayer. By the time we arrived in Namibia, my illness had completely disappeared. With renewed determination to depend on God in everything, I began the mission journey.
On the second day, I met a young man named Dinelago, who was taking care of his nephew. I preached about God’s seal—the sure mark of being protected from disaster—but he showed little response. It turned out that he mainly spoke a native language, Oshiwambo, and did not fully understand English. So we asked, through a local member, if he would like to study the Bible in Oshiwambo, and he gladly agreed. At our next meeting, he asked many questions and showed genuine interest in the Bible. We planned for him to receive the blessing of new life, but later he contacted us, saying his family had come to visit and he could not meet us. Other people we had arranged to study with also did not reply or postponed appointments. My heart grew restless. At times, the weak thought arose, “What if it doesn’t work out this time, either?” The more those thoughts came, the more I prayed earnestly. I cried out to God again and again for the souls to be saved. This short-term mission was not only a chance for me to be blessed but also a chance for the people of Namibia to be saved. I desperately hoped that this opportunity would not be lost.
In those moments, I began to sense—just a little—Heavenly Mother’s heart. How anxiously She must have waited all this time, longing for each child to return to Her arms. Just as Mother never gave up on us, we could not give up on those souls.
Then I remembered the teaching: “If you want to bear fruit, read John chapter 15.”
I quickly opened the Bible and read:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Jn 15:5
All we could do was pray to God. On the day we finally met Dinelago again after two postponements, we read John 15 together and sincerely hoped he would become a child of God. Dressed neatly, he welcomed us warmly, and at last, he received the blessing of new life. Tears of joy streamed down my face—it felt like a dream.
After those dreamlike days, I returned to Korea. Not long after, I heard that another young adult named Tiffany, whom we had met in Namibia, was continuing to study the Word with local members. I prayed every day that she would realize the truth and receive salvation. About a month later, I heard the good news that she, too, had received the blessing of new life. The seeds of the Word we had sown in Namibia had been pro watered with the water of life by the members there, and at last, they had sprouted. I gave thanks to God.
Through these overseas missions, I have experienced both discouragement and the joy of bearing fruit—and I have gained so much. I came to understand that the hardships we face in the gospel are the very hands of God shaping us into greater vessels. If I learned brotherly love through my earlier missions, this time I learned the earnestness needed to save souls.
I will engrave this lesson deeply in my heart. I will not take the grace of salvation for granted, nor be disheartened when things do not go as I hope. With a heart of earnestness like Mother’s, I will run—fervently, ever more fervently—until the work of world evangelism is complete.