News > North America

 April 20-21, 2012, Pastor Abraham Kim led a senior staff meeting in the Downey California UBF Center. I am grateful for the opportunity to attend. Msn Isaac Kim and Downey coworkers graciously hosted the meeting. It was good to study the Bible with our Senior staff. We studied John 17, talked and prayed together. At Pastor Abraham’s suggestion Anna Yang and I contacted the UBF chapter in San Diego and asked if we could visit. Elder Terry Lopaz and his first son Peter drove us from LA to San Diego. The three families there welcomed us so warmly. We wanted to encourage them, but we were the ones who were encouraged by our visit with them. Three house church families are co-working together well: Daniel and Crystal Park, Harvard and Pauline Park, David and Esther Shin. Daniel and Crystal have two children—Daniela and Ezra. Daniela plays piano in the worship service. She is in high school. She studies well and she is interested in history and writing. Ezra is in the 3^rd grade and he is a future basketball player. Harvard and Pauline Park have a very active son named Danny. He is 3 years old and speaks Korean very clearly. They also take care of many of the student and graduate sheep. Dr David and Esther Shin have Elizabeth (Eli). Her grandparents are Matthew and Monica Kim in LA. David and Esther are growing spiritually and are active co-workers.

The Sunday Worship service was on the UCSD(UC San Diego) campus in a large class room. Daniela played the piano; Katrina, Esther played violin and Corey, Joanna led sing along. Crystal, Pauline, David and Chester sang a special song. Others who attended the worship service were Micky and Dan.  Andrei  joined lunch fellowship. Chester presided. Students’ hearts are humble and open. I  delivered a message on Jn 21 “Come and have Breakfast” and Anna Yang did the power point. I was reminded of 1Jn 4:10. “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be an atoning sacrifice for our sins.”  Jesus’ love deeply touched our hearts. Msn Crystal told me that the word of God through the message was like eating deep boiling Beef Soup. Praise and thank God who encouraged all of us through Jesus’ love.  

We had a group Bible study on Monday night after eating together a delicious dinner in Daniel and Crystal’s home.  Chester, David, Andrei, Corey and Joanna, Esther joined and very sincerely studied the Jn 21. When they shared what they learned, Chester and Corey shed tears. May they grow as good disciples of Jesus.

 San Diego is a pioneering chapter. There are some 50,000+ students who attend several colleges. It’s hard for those who graduate  to find jobs and put down roots in San Diego, so many study, meet Jesus, grow a little, then move on to another city. Harvard and Pauline especially would like to see a large growing chapter, but they accept the ministry that God has entrusted to them. When Harvard arrived in San Diego 7 years ago, Daniel and Chrystal were leaving the next day for Korea. He lived in their house and took care of the ministry alone for three months.  He attended an MSU conference and took care of the students God gave him. He is fluent in Spanish. This is a big help in a ministry that is just 20 miles from the Mexican border.

Daniel Park works for Qualcomm and is the chapter director. We enjoyed staying in Daniel and Chrystal’s home. They have a heart for San Diego students and pioneering spirit. San Diego is the first place on the west coast of the United States pioneered by Europeans.  Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo headed the expedition that landed on the west coast of the USA in 1542. His statue, with a cross held high, overlooks the San Diego Bay. It is near the old Point Loma lighthouse whose bright beam could be seen for 25 miles out, to guide passing ships.  Cabrillo and the lighthouse challenge us to pioneer UCSD.  The US Navy 3^rd fleet guards the coastline. With Crystal’s guidance and expert driving we saw some of the beauties of San Diego—the botanical garden, aquarium and the beautiful flowers, fish, and sea mammals such as seals and walruses on the bay beach. We continue to pray for San Diego and for the pioneering spirit of the families and students there.

Reported by Msn. Sarah Barry