Praise the Lord that we were able to share the gospel to over 7940+ students in Hong Kong! We served God through a flurry of school evangelistic programs, short outreach meetings, and english tutorial classes. The ministry was nonstop! From the very moment that we arrived in Hong Kong, HK Youth for Christ ushered us into the Lord's work. Of course before we could be fully used by God, our team members had to throw aside all hindrances, pride, and sin. The leaders of HKGT committed that every day we would have group devotions and make it our top priority! This committment was kept even when we were faced with a decision-to either eat or to do our devotions before our next performance. Many days we went physically hungry but spiritually nourished and energized! Praise God for His stength is sufficient even over my appetite!
At the beginning of this trip, I carried pride in my heart. I thought that I would wow all the Chinese students with my peaking/preaching skills, musical talents, and leadership. But no, was I wrong! During a performance at Kei CHi Secondary School, I shared my testimony expecting that I would be the "crowd pleaser"- that I would make them laugh with my funny life stories and be incredibly moved by my testimony. In fact, it was quite the opposite! They just stared blankly at me like I was some kind of space alien from California, and I could tell that I wasn't connecting with them at all. They just looked immensely bored. I asked God, "why aren't you working through me?" His response? Conviction through His Word and the words of others.
2 Timothy 2:21-22 states,
Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
I realized that I needed to have a pure heart! I repented and asked God that I would be sanctified and useful to Him (the Master). Instead of just trying to please the crowd and be "funny," God was teaching me to be real. I trusted in God to give me the words to say. And every time, a few minutes before I gave my testimony or word of encouragement I asked God to speak through me. And man, did He answer that prayer! Sometimes I wonder how I would have done it without the Lord's help!
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