English Compass - bringing christian fellowship to korean americans

The Faith Trip

We left the assisted living home we were staying at, and headed out to the territory. The drops were radioed in, and Kenneth and I were paired together. It was cold! Not many people came to their door. I got a few Happiness for Life (Steps to Christ) into homes. Kenneth was at the last house and I saw the van, so I radioed them to get us. I waited in the van, with the driver for a while, but Kenneth seemed to be having a good conversation with a man at the door, so I was taken to my next drop without him.

I was praying to GOD; just casual things, whatever was on my mind. After a few doors, I was getting uncomfortably cold and I asked GOD to have someone open up their home to me, to invite me inside for a while. Sure enough, I believe it was the second house after I had prayed, a grandma slowly came to the side door with her walker and invited me in saying something like "It's so cold out there, would you like to come on in?" I quickly agreed and went inside the nice, warm house. We had a nice conversation for about 10 minutes. She had a really loyal dog that seemed to be her guardian. It crossed my mind that the dog might be more than a normal dog. I left her a copy of Happiness for Life and she gave me 4 or 5 silver dollars. Before I left, we prayed together and it warmed my heart even more, when she expressed her gratitude for the visit. I thanked GOD for allowing me to get warmed up and I moved on to the next house.

Not many people came to their door, on this street either. The only materials I was able to get into homes were Happiness for Life. One young man was really interested in Plant to Plate but did not have the money. He was a culinary student. I saw the van and thought it was time for pickup, but it drove past.

I went to the last house on my side of the street. The home was not in the best condition. A middle-aged lady answered the door and the canvass began just like any other. Nothing out of the ordinary happened. I closed on Plant to Plate, Lessons of Love, and Man of Peace. She was really interested in Lessons of Love. She went into the house to find money and I got invited in, as well. She came back with a hundred dollar bill and asked if I had $50. I didn't have my wallet on me so I said I would radio our van and get change for her. Then she said, “You know what, you are doing something good. I'll give it all to you,” and she smiled.

That's when the bells and light bulbs started going off in my head and I smiled back. Green light. I reached down and took all the books out of my bag and canvassed her on everything. I ended up leaving her 10 or 11 books and DVD's. As I was going through the canvass she was saying, "Oh that will be perfect for ____, and that one will be just what he needs.”

As we were stocking our bags earlier that morning, I saw a book called Cross Examination: The Evidence for Belief: by Subodh K. Pandit. It was my first time seeing it, so I asked about it. Esther said, “Oh, maybe the Holy Spirit is telling you to give the book to someone today.” I agreed and put it in my bag, not knowing what I would even say about the book.

This book was of great interest to the lady in regards to her brother, who was straying from GOD. She wanted to read it to help answer questions he had for her, and also to give it to him to read. She mentioned her next-door neighbor who was struggling with a loss of life in her close family. I shared the story of Job and how we are of intense interest to other beings and angels. True love and loyalty to GOD means trusting and obeying Him through the hard times. She mentioned how I was saying the exact things she needed to hear.

I was thanking GOD! She was going to use the books to minister to those around her! I was humbled by this experience, knowing that GOD had used me to help someone in need. More than a feeling of joy and happiness, I felt solemn and humbled.

I'm praying for her right now, that her lips and her soul would be touched by GOD's grace, so that she would be a blessing to all those that she comes into contact with. I'm praying for her brother in California that is struggling with his belief in GOD. I'm praying for her next-door neighbor who is going through a rough time and perhaps questioning GOD.

This one door made the whole faith trip, worth it for me. I am regularly reminded to be faithful in whatever duty I am doing. I thank GOD for this experience.

Mike Cho is a student at Andrews SDA Theological seminary.  He's been youth pastor of several churches, most recently at Valley Korean SDA and Glendale Korean SDA.  He also happens to have a killer jump shot that belies his nice smile.