dear friend,
Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
That very Apostle Paul-like intro felt a little overly official for me to say to you, but I think I can now understand what affections and confidence in Paul’s heart would move him to begin his letters with such an introduction. Truly do I think of you, my friend, with all gratefulness to God for the relationship that we share, and pray and speak those blessings over you with whatever authority God has given to me to do so. If Apostle Paul knew of emoticons I’m sure he would have included a few of these, too: <3 <3 <3 :) :) :)
God is God, God is good, and He loves His children. This is something that I have been learning pretty much all my life! It’s a simple yet powerful truth that can and will change the world for the glory of God. I believe that by the grace of God people of any vocation, age, gender, or race are invited to live their lives as a testament to this living and active truth in whatever ways they are called.
As most of you know, I graduated from UC Davis in the fall of 2009 (PRAISE THE LORD!) with a B.S. in International Agricultural Development. Having graduated, I was faced with that ever-looming question: “Now what?” I had a few options lined up as far as what I could do, but through prayer and God’s lead, the option that seemed to secure itself to reality is the one I now write about.
Going back to that statement I have in bold a few paragraphs above, I said that everyone is invited and given the choice to live as a testament to it. How am I choosing to do so? For the upcoming year, starting mid-August 2010, I will move to Flagstaff, Arizona. I will be a mid-term missionary, serving a Native American college campus ministry at Northern Arizona University called One Tribe. And to be honest, I am extremely, very, majorly excited. :)
Here are a few statistics that give you a sense of the more negative conditions of Native American life. In the southwest region, the suicide rate for Native American teens is 5 times greater than those in America. Drug and alcohol abuse is prevalent on Reservations where Christianity is still under 5%. We could all sit together analyzing and coming up with details on who to blame, and how to trace back through history to show the specific wounds that have affected Natives – but amidst the many reasons why, our single and true remedy stands, waiting to silence every screaming injustice of Natives and the world. That remedy is the gospel of Jesus Christ.
In Flagstaff, I will be joining John and Lana Lee, a missionary couple commissioned by Davis Korean Church. I’ll work under them helping pursue the goal that God has put in their hearts: natives reaching natives. By joining the Native leadership team of One Tribe, I will devote most of my time and energy discipling younger students, equipping them towards a stronger awareness and understanding of God, and of themselves so that they can, in turn, go back to their homes and reservations and do the same. I will also receive cross-cultural and spiritual training under the watch of John and Lana by going out to reservations.
I think that God has blessed the Korean-American Christian community, of which I have been a benefiting member. Yes, we are a minority in America. But simultaneously, we, for the most part, have been blessed with successful socio-economic standing that has allowed our community to flourish. I see that my life, the particular insights and understanding I have come to gain through all the good and bad aspects, draw from this situation that God has well-orchestrated throughout history for His kingdom purposes. In short, all that I am is all that God has made me to be, and I think that it is a tremendous honor that I can give it all back to God and His people of whatever race in this way.
It’s really (for lack of a better word) amazingly cool for me to see how God has been preparing me for this next step in my life. I don’t know what’s more exciting to consider—how God has prepared me thus far, or what God is going to do with me in the time to come. One thing I know for sure, I cannot go this journey alone. Nor do I want to! I confess that I got a little emotional sitting at my desk writing the introduction to this letter as I thought about the relationship God has gifted to us. It’s overwhelming to think of how blessed we are to have each other. I know that relationships where there can be openness, support, and trust are not always available, so for your relationship I am truly grateful.
And so, I am opening up this portion of my life to you, in hopes that you will partner in faith with me in this journey through your support. Support manifests itself in many ways, and one of the ways that I will need your support is in the area of finance to help cover the cost of a few necessities this coming year.
Housing in Flagstaff can be expensive, especially since I will be living near the university. I have found a sister in Christ that I will share an apartment with, but even so it looks like rent per month for me will be around $550-650. Another expense will be gas, as I’ll be driving out to reservations often. I’ll also need finances for ministry, reaching out to students of One Tribe by taking them out to meals as a way of getting to know the students and showing I care for them.
If you find a conviction or a desire to help financially, whether with a one time contribution or with a monthly commitment, please contact me through email. Your financial support is greatly appreciated. :)
I’ll also need some major prayer support. Honestly, I think about being in the field and I just think in a moment of honesty… “God, seriously, it’s gonna have to be ALL YOU.” So please check this blog often to read my updates as well as my prayer requests!
To close, thank you for being a friend, a support, and a minister to me of God’s goodness and provision. Let us continue seeking FIRST the kingdom.
With Love,
Andrea Uno Choi
