Life After Leave
It's been about two weeks since I left Oakridge Presbyterian Church. I can say, nothing much has changed and also a lot has changed since then. I say nothing much has changed, because I'm still living a very busy life. A lot has changed, since the nature and type of work I'm doing is very different from what I used to do.
We found a house to rent, and it's located just west of Egerton St. We will move out of our place on April 26 and move into the new place in mid-June (likely June 9). In between, we are making a couple of trips, one to Vancouver and the other to South Korea.
We are visiting Vancouver in May 2-5, because someone recommended a 3-day Christian conference there. She said it's like Alpha weekend away experience for 3 days. Wow, that's great!
Then we will fly out to South Korea on May 10 and come back to London on June 7. This is an opportunity for my daughter to see her grandfather (Grace's father) in person for the first time! This is a great chance for our family to relax and refresh our soul and bodies.
I have been meeting many people lately, mainly the pastors and ministry key leaders in the East of London, the area we feel called to be. It's wonderful to know that there are already a number of people God called into this area. But, also I was so overwhelmed by the amount of needs in this area. I was reminded of Jesus' saying, "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field" (Matthew 9:37-38). In fact, this is my prayer request to you: Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into this harvest field of East of London.
It is so tragic that there is a big discrepancy between the life of the West of London and that of the East of London. It seems that the life in the West is so peaceful and comfortable compared to what I am witnessing in the East of London. I look back and I chuckle at the things that I was concerned about here in the West of London, because those things are probably too luxurious to consider in the East of London. Figuratively speaking, We worry about the colour of carpet, while they worry about their empty fridge for tonight's dinner table.
Furthermore, I see the people here are hungry spiritually. They thirst for something more than the world can offer. I guess when the world is too harsh on you, it's natural that you seek something outside the world. It's just sad that there isn't enough Christ's presence by churches and Christians in this area to help point them to Jesus. Matthew 9:36 says, "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd."
These encounters affirm the vision God has put in my heart many years ago. When Nehemiah received God's vision to restore Jerusalem, he didn't go right away into actions. Instead, he prayed and fasted. Then, (I believe by God's appointment), he was able to share the plan he had for Jerusalem with the King Artaxerxes. To many's surprise, the King was pleased with Nehemiah's plan and blessed him with permission and all the needed resources. Nehemiah then still didn't execute them right away. Instead, it says, "I set out during the night with a few others. I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem" (Nehemiah 2:12). He looked at all the walls and observed everything in Jerusalem. Only when he completed this inspection he shared God's vision with others.
I know many has been anxious to know what's next for me. I believe I can share what God has put in my heart only after I see what's happening in the East of London. I need to first learn from the churches and Christians who are already there and working. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3:10, "By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. Each one should be careful how he builds." I need to acknowledge what God is already doing in this area and see where the Spirit moves. I can't build my kingdom. I want to build God's kingdom.
Once I am back from South Korea in June, I would like to begin a weekly prayer meeting. This prayer meeting is an opportunity for Christians come together and pray for the city of London. Hopefully, I want to use this time of prayer meeting to share what God has put in my heart. So, I'm looking for prayer warriors and God's kingdom workers, who are willing to come together and seek God's will to be done. If you are interested in, be aware: It's going to demand everything in you and you need to be willing to sacrifice so much. What God has put in my heart, I believe, will involve the biggest battle I ever put up. ONLY THE DETERMINED AND CALLED, CONTACT familyjgle@naver.com
In Christ,
John