In Bolivia we did different services - children’s, adult church, revival, and evangelism. I had the opportunity to preach at a service, but it was the only message that was given at a non-church location. I think the local church invited their members to the local park, but people were there who did not go to church, the best way I can describe it is a revival/evangelism service. On the bus, it seemed to me that God was telling me to share a message that He revealed to me during Bolivia, not the one I had prepared beforehand. I didn’t know exactly what I would say, but went up in faith. 

Here are two excerpts from my more long-winded Bolivia reflection:

“When we were doing ministry there were 2 specific moments that are highlighted to me. During response time (for this evangelism service), I was praying for a girl who was crying a ton. She was crying and it looked like she was receiving, but had her eyes open and looked slightly confused. I prayed for her and after the service I had an opportunity to talk to her. She shared how she grew up Catholic and wasn’t from Bolivia. She’s 17 and from Argentina and is working in Bolivia over the summer. She didn’t have a Bible and wasn’t really going to church but her boss or co-worker had invited her out to the service (this was the service at the basketball court and her boss/co-worker was actually eating dinner with us at the restaurant after). She had encountered the love of God for the first time that night and Esteban (one of the teammates who is Korean-American but grew up in Argentina) gave her his Spanish Bible. When a lot of the services felt like revival services or with local churches already filled with believers, to experience something like this was a great encouragement. God hand-picked her and brought her to that service and we just submit to His leading and He does what He has already planned…”

“Overall, I was very challenged on this trip but encouraged by God. I think verses that stick out to me from this trip are 2 Corinthians 12:9, Galatians 3:3, and Romans 12:2. I tried to very carefully see what He was trying to do when I’d share personal things, but God was showing me how He works through those things even when I don’t see it, I just need to be fully real and go deep. That God’s grace is what sanctifies me and God is who grows me, not my zeal or my natural discipline. As I continue to walk with God, the Holy Spirit will renew my mind, and help me to test what His will for me is.”

During our short time at Vision X, God led the students to receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior and set students free from their shame. I received a text message from one of my small group members after and he said this (P David touched on it during the message this morning):

“Vision X seems to have given me some kind of mental reset. Old habits feel unfamiliar, odd. I used to sit in my room almost all day and just play video games. Now, even just turning on my PC feels awkward. I didn't think of doom scrolling, but now, it feels more sickening than it once was. I'm craving more time outside, and prayer walks actually feel authentic rather than forced, even if partially.”

At the beginning of Vision X, many people didn’t understand him, his sister was also in my small group and she didn’t understand how he viewed the world and acted the way he did. I had trouble at the beginning, but realized he had such a transactional way of viewing the world where love did not compute, so it was so hard for him to receive it because it didn’t make sense. His mom talked to me after and said that the last night she came back to their room and he was waiting for her with his hands wide open, gave her a hug, and said “mom, I love you.” Something that previously had rarely, if ever, happened.

I believe that God wants to encounter individuals, pour out revival in Michigan, and give TroyHope greater vision for our future. I have such a privilege to help lead and serve at Michigan Chosen Generation with my dear brothers and sister who I can call my friends: Nathan, Elizabeth, and Pastor Alan (from Chicago). God is so faithful and loves well beyond what we could ever imagine.

Ephesians 3:17-19

“17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”

Side note: If you would like to attend Chosen Generation or would like to invite people here is the link. It is also open to older high school students and young adults. Please talk to me or reach out if you have any questions or would like more info (kylejung@umich.edu).