July/Aug Update

JULY/AUG UPDATE

God is truly amazing.  We had a great month of ministry in July.  We could not be any happier about all the wonderful things God has done in South Korea since coming four months ago.  Despite what the news (CNN, FOX, BBC) is saying about North Korea, we don’t feel endangered but just the opposite; God’s peace and provision.  We want to thank you for all your prayers, encouragement, and support over the past several months.

So many cool things have happened during this past month:

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY HAS BEGUN

We met as a small group on July 5^th for the first time!  What is really special about this small group is it consists of us and two other couples from Duluth, MN!  What are the odds of all seven of us being in the same area at the same time in a country on the other side of the world?  We all agreed that it was no coincidence but God bring us together for something great.

To start out this small group with a bang we began by meeting on July 5^th to celebrate 4^th of July (being 13 hours ahead it was technically the 4^th in the States).   We met at our apartment for a time of fellowship and then went to Wangin’s Relics for BBQ.  Wangin Relics is one of the many nearby parks with several trails, Korean type resting pavilions, and ancient relics.   After dusk we went to a small rural town and shot off some good old fireworks in middle of some random rice fields.  It was a blast!

400 KOREAN STUDENTS HEARD THE GOSPEL

The week that follows the semester exams the students have a few days of “down time” before their summer vacation (Koreans kids really don’t get vacation.  Summer just means less classes.  The average kid in South Korea is in school everyday except for Sundays.  Some go every day from 8 in the morning to 11 at night!)  During that few days there are no real lessons or assignments but the students are required to be in class.   So I took the opportunity to reward them for being good students by throwing them a huge pizza party.  During “the parties” I shared my faith by showing videos and slideshows of our adventure around the world in 2008.  After the presentation I shared the gospel story and told them why we do what we do.  I had the opportunity to share the gospel with about 400 Korean students in one week!  It doesn’t get any better than that!  The best part about it was I had my non-believing co-teacher translate it all for me.  At the end of the week, my co—teacher told me she really enjoyed hearing the stories and that it touched her heart.  I also got a facebook message from one of my students – “Thank you Nicholas Teacher.  You volunteer make happy me. I want to volunteer”

WE FOUND A LOCAL CHURCH TO SERVE IN

The nearest city (about 1 hour away by bus) is called Mokpo.  This is a city of about 400,000 people and is where we go to do most of our shopping (grocery, supplies, clothes).  In Mokpo there are only two English speaking services that we know of, which makes finding a local church very hard to come by.  We believe in the local church and our desire is to be involved in one during our ministry through Asia.  The church we decided to commit to is called Sarang Community Church.  The pastors name is Pastor Choi.  Pastor Choi is a very young and gentle man.  The first time I met him I knew he had a tender heart for people.  Our plan is to serve there every other week and meet with our small group every other week.  Please pray that God will provide us with an inexpensive vehicle so we can increase our involvement in these two areas.  Cars and Scooters are very cheap and nice here in South Korea.  We need to raise about 1,500 USD dollars in order to purchase something reliable.  Any money that comes in during the month of August will go towards this need.

SPECIAL PRAYER NEED

We really need to sell our houses in Duluth.  God blessed us three years ago with a property with two houses on one lot.  With the extra income from the second home we were able to afford to buy instead of rent.  Being on the other side of the world it is becoming very difficult to manage and we feel like either God is going to pay the house off so we can use it as ministry in the future or someone needs to buy it!

Here is some info:

• We are selling the property for what we own on it :  125,000 USD
• The Address is 1822 East 8^th Street, Duluth, MN 55812
  • 5 min walk from Chester Park
  • Across the street from a really cool organic café called Sara Table
  • 6 blocks from UMD Campus
  • The Large House (1822)
    • Two large bedrooms, one bath (As possibilities for adding another bathroom downstairs)
    • Livingroom, Dinning room, gas fireplace, extremely large Kitchen and back deck
    • Dry Basement, Tuck under garage, new roof, new gutters, drive way that can fit up to 6 cars
    • The Small House (1822 ½)
      • Rent is between 450-550 USD
      • Very Private area
      • One bedroom, one bath
      • Kitchen, Livingroom, Sunroom
      • Dry Basement, new roof, new gutters
        • Possibilities of adding a extra bedroom and living space in the basement.

We have one couple who is interested in buying the house but would need some assistance on the down payment.  The couple just became the new youth pastor at Glad Tidings A/G which is four block from the house.  This would be a win/ win situation if they could purchase the home and we could get it off our shoulders.

 

FREE HUGS

I couldn’t help but post this.  Click play and enjoy.  This stuff inspires me to love, love, and love somemore!  LOVE WINS!

 

Come be the fire inside of me….

The song You won’t relent by Misty Edwards has been on my heart lately.  This is my true desire:  To be one with the Lord.  If you have time to listen to this song I want to forewarn you…don’t do it if you don’t want to be wrecked by the Holy Spirit!  My hearts desire is you will  listen and you do get wrecked.  LORD WRECK ME!  MY SOUL LONGS FOR YOU!

You won’t relent until You have it all
My heart is Yours

I’ll set You as a seal upon my heart
As a seal upon my arm
For there is love that is as strong as death
Jealousy demanding as the grave
Many waters cannot quench this love

Come be the fire inside of me
Come be the flame upon my heart
come be the fire inside of me
Until You and I are one

Lord set me on FIRE so the world will come and watch me burn for you! I don’t know who said this, but who ever it was a brave man!  My prayer is that God will continue to use me to be a prophetic voice to the people of South Korea and the entire world!   LORD!  Lavish your love on your people!  Prepare them to be radical selfless beings who are consumed by your Spirit and will risk it all so that your Gospel of HOPE, GRACE, and LOVE will go forth among the nations!

Thank you Holy Spirit!  You are rich and full of mercy.  GOD….thank you for the prophetic ministry of Misty Edwards!

Here is the link to the music:  http://www.myspace.com/mistyedwards

 

Journal Entry 7.2.2009 Isaiah 52:6-10

School is over for the day.   I love my kids and what I do. Today was a blast!   PTL…. I didn’t have to ride the bus home today after school…one of my co-worker offered me a ride.

I had them drop me off  at the nearest park close to our home.  I am sitting on a park bench looking out at the mountians ahead (Wolchulsan Mountain), thinking, reading my bible, and writing out a prayer list.  As I write this list I can feel Holy Spirit deep inside my soul.  This prayer list is filled with people and ministries that are dear to my heart. This list is made up of family, friends, ministries, and mentors that have impacted me along the years.  I am so blessed.  I think about my life and all the wonderful people God has surrounded me with and it fills me with AWE.  What a beautiful life.  When I look back on my life I don’t see stuff…i don’t see success or careers….i don’t see possesions….all i see are people…beautiful and wonderful people.

The list goes on and on…I am truly blessed.  One time I was telling my co-teacher about my life and the relationships that I have and her response was “You are rich”.

She is right!  I have what money can’t buy and what fame can not obtain.  DEEP, LOVING,  Relationships that will last for eternity!  Thank you God for a life full of wonderful people.   ISAIAH 52:6-10

Prayer list includes but does not limit to:

• Jessica (my beautiful wife)
• Our Family
• All our Monthly Supporters and Families
  • Robin Brady
  • Robbie & Terry Mansfields
  • Al Nyquist
  • Chinweike Eseonu
  • Peter and Barb Howard
  • Calvary Assemblies of God
  • Luke Shores
  • Bill and Barb Saleminen
  • Eric & Lynn Hofstad
  • Dave Chilberg
  • Erin Aili
• Hillside Family (You know who you are- We love you!)
• Ricky Spindler,  Suite 207 from Heaven, the Trinity (Nate & James), Chris Wolfle, Ryan Wilson
• Ryan Bauers & Family
• Luke Rowan
• Eric Hofstad, Mike Odberg, Kim Basinger, Tom Franzyk, Dave Mahagnoul, Axel Olson,
• Chuck Haavik and Chi Alpha UMD
• Pastor Gary Brackett (Calaway Assemblies)
• My old Youth Pastor: Brain Daniels – wouldn’t be who I am today
• Brandon, Ryan, Justin, Nason – Punk will live forever!
• Pastor Gary Grogan – aka Papa G  (Stone Creek Church)
• Pastor David Crabtree – (Calvary Church)
• Pastor Dan Colvin- (Center City Church)
• North Central University (Staff and Students)
• “The Family”
• Shawn Mansfield
• Velma, & Terry – My spiritual Southern Mothas! (Thank you for praying for me and encouraging us)
• YWAM, Oxford New Zealand and around the world
• AW80 2008

 

Happy Birthday Nicholas Mom!

 

Happy Birthday Mom from So. Korea

June 30 was my moms 30 something birthday (wink wink).  I was thinking if she was never born, i would of never been born and that would of (mind my french) sucked.  :) I love you mom!  Thank you Grandma who gave birth to a wonderful woman!  I hope this makes you smile, mom.  And all you the rest of you who are watching….if you want you can sing along….

 

Teaching is secondary

The other day I was sitting with my Korean co-teacher,  Mrs. Kim.  Every foreign teacher has a Korean co-teacher. You typically  work really close with you co-teacher because they are your life line while in Korea and their job is to take care of you while your here.  If you need anything they help you get it.  If your having problems with your bills or getting around they are there to assist you.  You on the other hand assist them in the classroom.  You primary job is to create and teach conversational English.  Basically we are there to teach culture and help  give the students confedience to speak in English.

I got really blessed with my school and co-teacher.  Mrs. Kim is married to a German man and speak very good English and understands both cultures.  She is amazing.  She speaks English, German, and Korean.  Not only that but she can play a mean game of ping pong.  I think she can even control things with her mind!  She is a sweet older lady.  One of the things she said to Jessica one time was that if Jesscia got pregnant in Korea she would be there to help her through the birth.

Her and her family are not believers but she is always asking me tons of questions about my faith and Jesus.  One time Jess and I went out to an art exhibit with Mrs. Kim, Andreas  and  son Sunwon.  The artist must of been a Christian because all of his art portrayed the bible from beginning to end.  During the exhibit Mrs. Kim would repeatedly ask, “Is this true, is this really true.”  And our answer was YES!!!

So the other day Mrs. Kim started off by asking me if I knew if other foreigners felt close to their students.  I told her I didn’t know and then asked Why.  Then she said this, “I have been teaching for a long time and in all my experience I have never seen a co-teacher so connected/close to the students as you.” She went on to say that the Kids are like drawn to me and love being around me.  She said she doesn’t know what it is but there is something special about me. When she said that I felf the Holy Spirit so strongly.  In my mind I was thinking, “Because I am not here to just teach”.

Later Mrs Kim asked many of the kids why they like me so much.  They said because I am a kind and gentle man.

Jess and I love what we are doing right now.  In fact we have never felt so effective in life and ministry than we do right now.  Jess is definitely in her element, teaching elementary kids.  She has a gift for teaching.  My wife is INCREDIBLE!

Yes we are here to teach (basically I play games and love the kids) but in my opinion teaching is secondary to what my heart and calling is saying.  I primary goal is to bless the students, staff, school, and community with Gods love.  This is a total God thing.  We have been placed here to change a generation and impact a whole community.

And that is what we are all suppose to do! Weather you are a teacher, mail man, doctor, shop clerk, student….your primary goal is to be the Light and Salt of the earth.  That is why God has given you the gifts and passions to do what you do.  God wants us to impact this world.

 

Partnership

It’s about midnight here in South Korea and I just got finished putting some “LOVE WINS” stickers on a old plastic crate/basket that I found on the side of the road the other day. Tomorrow I will attach the basket to the back of my folding mini bicycle that I use for getting around town. This basket will help make transporting various foods and other item to our apartment during our daily stops to the local market. Thank you Jesus for things you find on the side of the road.

I have been so excited lately that I can hardly sleep. I am still thinking about the  visit we had last weekend from a really good friend, Will Rosenberg. Will is one of leaders from the YWAM base in New Zealand (The Around the World in 80 days DTS). We met for the first time about one year ago. During his time here we had an opportunity to pray together, share vision, and do some brief ministry at my school. It was very refreshing. God is so good. Already God is bringing people to us from around the world to share in the vision God has given us.

The other day while walking home from the bus stop I decided to take the long way home through our rural town. While walking the Holy Spirit began to remind me of the letters and writings fellow believers, churches, and friends from the Apostle Paul. In those letters, you find that Paul is constantly encouraging, challenging, and inviting those to share in the journey. Paul knew something very important. He knew in order for him to accomplish all that God wanted him to accomplish he could not do it alone. Paul frequently expresses his gratitude to those who have partnered with him in prayer, generosity, and encouragement. There was a deep partnership…a fellowship that spur him and others on. As believers who were lead by the Holy Spirit rallied together they revolutionized the entire world with the love and hope of Jesus.

Jessica and I want so badly that type of partnership. We know in order to be successful in what God is calling us to do; we need to share this endeavor with others. We are constantly seeking those who would dare step out in faith and accepted our invitation. We don’t want to be just another missionary on the wall. We want to be apart of something that goes deep. It’s time (with your help) to pioneer, to develop, and to move forward with impacting the eastern world. We are at the ground breaking floor of this ministry and need your prayers, financial support, and encouragement.

God has lead us by his Spirit, he has open the door for us to be here….now we are asking you to make a commitment to this part the journey with us. We are so grateful for all those who have stood beside us in the past. We know through your continued support we will reach so many more.

The three main ways you can support us and this ministry are through your prayers, finances, and words of encouragements. Of course it would be great if you could do all three.  Please take some time to explore this site.  We have worked really hard to give you spiritual and practial things that will move this new ministry foward.

 

Pictures from the classroom

 

Being “careful” is just a miscalculated risk.

There is nothing that excites me more than when people step out in faith and take a risk.  I love it when people go after their dreams and follows their passions.  The other day I received an email from one of the members at Hillside Church in Duluth, MN where Jessica and I pastored for a number of years.  I remember the first time I met and sat down with Jesse Class.  He was very new in his faith at the time.  We hit it off right away.  It was so cool to see Jesse grow in his faith over the years and decide to follow Jesus with all his heart.  Time and time again Jesse and I would meet together and talk about God, life, and our passion for computer design/ web stuff / photography.  Two artistic geeks in one room can be a dangerous but beautiful thing.

Anyways, about the same time Jess and I were taking a step of faith to become global missionaries (Hardest decision of my life) Jesse was thinking about going to school that specializes in art, computer design, and photography.  And HE DID! So many times we talk about following our dreams and our passion but so few “GO FOR IT”.  Many of us think we have to have everything in order before doing “it”.  We play it safe and end up not doing anything because of fear of failure.

Jesse went for it!  And I am so proud of him.  I believe in him and the passion he has put in Jesse’s heart to create and design.  I believe God will use Jesse’s designs to glorify Him!

I know how important it is to those who dare to dream and take  risks to be supported and encouraged.  Jesse is one of those people.  Jesse has just finish classes and is seeking employment, free lance work, anything that will get his name out there.  Please check out his designs on his temporary web site:

:http://www.dbustudents.com/web/Adv/jesse/index.html

and/or email him an encouraging word  : jesseclass@gmail.com

Another person I am so proud of and respect so highly is Jody Rowan.  Jody is an amazing and very talented woman. She is a person who goes after what she wants and is living out her passion through marketing, design, creating wonderful products.  She is also married to an incredible man (one of my best friends) Luke Rowan.  Luke was one of my first leaders during my time at Hillside – as the student ministries pastor.  He became my “right hand man” and life line during that time.  I couldn’t of done it with out him and my wonderful team!  Luke is now currently the associate pastor at Hillside Church.

Please check out Jody’s business at:  http://www.everydaybeautiful.typepad.com and/or http://www.fabricshoppe.etsy.com

These are two of many who inspire me.  The list goes on and on.  I have the coolest friends.  They are dear to our hearts!  We pray that God will bless them abundantly.  Please support them, encourage them, love them, and pray for them as well.

I want to encourage you to follow your dreams, live out the passion God has put in your heart.  I dare you to live.  Take that risk you have been thinking about!  Step out in faith and enjoy the goodness of God.  We did and we have never felt more alive!

Don’t ever stop dreaming and don’t let any tell you that you can’t do it.  Remember : ”The man who says it can’t be done is usually interrupted by the one doing it”