My story begins on the 3rd day of UR--on Wednesday morning my Dad called me but I just stared at my phone and didn't pick up. He left me a voicemail so I decided to listen to it just in case it was an emergency. My Dad says, "Hey I found this drug rehab center in Tecate, Mexico. Let's sleep in San Diego Thursday night and head over there on Friday. Call me A.S.A.P. if you want to go." My immediate reaction: Pshh heck no! I went to SkiDazzle just for a Big Bear lift ticket and it expires Friday. No way, I want to snowboard.~ And I refused to give him a call back. So I sit down for the morning sermon, and guess what it's on? Missions. Haha are you serious? Oh my gosh Pastor Richard's sermon convicted me. Everyone deserves the gospel. It made me realize what was truly important, and I had a heart to go spread the love of Christ. Coincidence? I think not...
I called my Dad after service and told him, "Hey pick me up from San Diego. Let's do this." On Thursday night we ended up staying at the Hilton hotel at Del Mar Heights in San Diego. Around dinner time we got hungry so we went driving around the Del Mar Racetrack area to find a place to eat. Then as we're driving through this plaza, we spot this white guy/asian girl couple through the windows. And we both thought, hell no-- can that be Uncle Jerry and Aunt YooSoon? We went inside and surprise! Haha out of all the restaurants in San Diego at that same hour, what are the odds? And it gets even better-- my cousin's boyfriend Rich was there with them asking for the blessing to marry their daughter Connie (my cousin). Haha he must've thought our family is crazy, but nevertheless he showed us the ring and we had a nice conversation. Wow what are the chances that we meet on those terms? I'm hoping that our growing family will become a Christ-loving bunch :) Coincidence? I think not...
The next morning we head over to Tecate, Mexico, and Pastor Roberto was waiting for us at the border. My Dad met him on Thanksgiving weekend when he drove by himself to Mexico looking for new ministry opportunities. He asked where the most crime-infested area of Tecate was, and then he found a couple churches in that area. By God's will, he ended up finding Pastor Roberto. It just so happens that both Pastor Robert and my Dad have a heart for drug rehab ministry because they were both drug addicts before meeting Jesus. Haha imagine what Roberto thought when a random Korean guy showed up at his door. But anyways... Coincidence? I think not...
Pastor Roberto knew a drug rehab center so we drove about an hour away to the place. When we arrived there, all the drug rehab interns had gone somewhere to work for the day. The only people remaining was one leader, and a young drug addict named Manuel. Manuel had been hooked on Methamphetamines since he was 8-years old. He came to the rehab center about 2 weeks ago and accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour. Amen! And ever since then, he has broke the chains of drug addiction. However, on this particular morning, he didn't follow the other interns because he was angry about something in the morning. Everyone left except the leader and Manuel. Without any prior contact, we popped up and my Dad shared the gospel/practical experience with the young believer. Manuel (a brand new believer recovering from drugs) was tremendously blessed by the advice, testimony, and gospel that we shared with him. We gave him his first Bible and he accepted with tears of joy. Coincidence, I think not...
Afterwards, my Dad and I attended the Friday night service at Pastor Roberto's church. I shared an encouraging word, and my Dad shared his testimony. While he was sharing the gospel and testimony, there were a few that just broke out in tears. I really believe God wanted those particular guys attending the service to hear the message and touch them. Even if it was through some random Korean guy who speaks Spanish who found a random church in a random district of a random city. Coincidence? I think not...
It may not seem like much, but take a closer look at things. Everything happens for a reason. [Romans 8:28]
I was sleeping when my Dad was driving. When I woke up I said, "Am I in Utah or Mexico?"
The Son is beautiful.
Drug addiction? Slavery to sin? Victory is through Christ and in Him alone. Ask any of them.
There are no colors in the House of God.
3 comments:
hey stevo, it's sarah chong. found your blog from cho's.. mexico sounds amazing. and just how you said none of it could have been coincidence, your dad couldn't have been a random korean guy who found a random church in a random district of a random city. i love hearing stories like this-- it only convicts me more and more of god's power and grace (:
amen brother stevo
that's tight - i'm glad you shared on your blog man.
merry christmas foo! i hope brianhead was fun
beautiful.
your daddy is beautiful.
your Daddy is beautiful.
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