Still, P. Kim said, "It's amazing what
God can do if we make ourselves
available to be used by Him. I consider
it a privilege to be the hands that He is
using here in Kazakhstan. Despite the
dangers and adversity, E. and P. Kim
know that their work is living out God s
mission.
As a family, the Kims have been very
intentional about becoming wholly
integrated with their community and
have come to love the people and the
culture. The Kims made the unconven-
tional choice of sending their children
to a local school, instead of an interna-
tional, private school. "For me, it is
part of incarnational mission. - you go
and you live with the people, E. Kim
said. "We wanted our life and our
children's lives to be about entering
fully into the local environment. As
Jesus came into this world, we go fully
out of comforts and familiarity, and go
into another context."
This reckoned decision also enabled
their kids to learn the native language
immediately, as opposed to waiting
until they were older, and more
effectively. Now, the Kims speak a
medley of Russian, Kazakh, English and
Korean in their home.
E. and P. Kim leverage their gifts,
experience and passion for youth and
young adult ministry to lead a number
of programs that are thriving. One
Jennifer Oh
is an editor of the Mission
Journal and serves as a Partnership
Coordinator for the Global Ministries of
the UMC. Prior to her current role,
she served as the President and CEO of
The Beautiful Foundation USA.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
notable program they oversee is an
extension school of the Moscow
Theological Seminary. Because Moscow
is too expensive for most students, this
program offers courses twice year in
Central Asia. Currently the program
has16 students, each of whom is a
young, hopeful disciple of God who
desires to become a pastor.
Another exciting program they lead is
an evangelism camp in the summer-
time for youth and young adults.
Believers invite non-believers for this
seven day program filled with work-
shops, games and a time for sharing
God's love. "The Gospel message is
shared in a very sensitive and conscien-
tious way to non-believers," P. Kim said.
The fruit of this program is clear. Eight
years ago, three individuals went to
camp and today, they are young pastors
serving in their local church or planting
new ones.
While they've successfully developed
local leadership and grown the
churches in their midst, the barrier to
long-term success depends on eco-
nomic development and financial
sustainability. In a culture of systemic
poverty with job shortages, church
goers often do not have enough to
support their pastor's salary. Albeit
there s no easy solution, the Kims are
working to find creative ways for
women and youth to become self-
sustaining, whether through agriculture
or specific training programs, like
working at a hair salon or a pharmacy,
or working with small business to
create job opportunities.
God's faithfulness in their lives has
enabled them to go where God leads. E.
& P. Kim believe that everything they
do has a clear purpose and when they
meet with the pastors and the local
congregation, they are inspired and
encouraged. God's presence and
enduring plans for the Kims and the
people of Kazakhstan give them great
hope for continued fruit in the years
ahead.
Mission Journal
7
