The Beginning...

Where does one truly begin to talk about being presented with an opportunity that has been just a dream for over five years, and how that dream has suddenly become a reality? Well, I guess we have to start at the very beginning.

Back in the winter of 2012 I found myself struck with the question of:

“Isn’t there more to life than waking up, clocking in, clocking out, going home, preparing for bed, rinse and repeat?”

I mean if we, in a predominantly Christian identifying country, believe that we are all created with unique gifts, talents, skills, and assets, and are created as reflections of God, then why aren’t we in fact seeking to rise higher, reach further, achieving greater, dive deeper, and impact our world in a more dynamic, God glorifying manner that honors and uplifts us all? Ultimately, if we were made to do more, then why aren’t we actually doing more?

I like to think of this point in time as my greatest personal call and moment of testing. It was then that I had to start asking myself hard and personally convicting questions:

• Am I doing what I say?
• Am I living as I believe?
• Am I truly achieving my potential, or am I simply waiting for someone else to step in and do my work to achieve what I believe needs to be done?
• And if I am in fact sitting around just waiting for someone else to do what needs to be done, isn’t that just the epitome of laziness, entitlement, and privilege from inside of one of the world’s wealthiest, most secure countries?

Recognizing this as a personal life call, and in turn accepting that “change” starts with me, I began reading, seeking, learning, getting involved, raising money, spreading awareness, sending letters, sharing posts, signing petitions, and choosing to live as I believe, do as I say, and to reach beyond my status quo. It was through process that I was introduced to the people of North Korea (DPRK), and eventually my friend Kenneth Bae, founder of Nehemiah Global Initiative. And as a result my life has thankfully NEVER been the same.

Now, for those who may not know that much about the people of the beautiful but brutalized country of North Korea, outside of its dictatorship, let me take just a few moments to share a some facts with you:

(http://www1.wfp.org/countries/democratic-peoples-republic-korea ),(https://www.huffingtonpost.com/elisabeth-braw/north-koreas-forgotten-or_b_208255.html)

So, why would I give you these facts? My reason is to point out three things about the people of North Korea. 1) Those who have been most affected by the numerous actions in North Korea are the common everyday people, and not the 70 year old regime. 2) The people of North Korea have been living in a state of poverty, fear, hopelessness, isolation, and oppression for a very long time. Very few remember a time when they were free. 3) While the people of North Korea are highly intelligent, capable, have a base level education, and are working hard to stay alive every day, they struggle to integrate into the modern world quickly or easily. As a result, there is a significant need for support, rehabilitative services, and the provision of  “life skills tools” for those who have escaped, those who will escape, and to those still remain behind the wall who will one day taste freedom, but will be unprepared to fully grasp it. It is this third point that leads me to write this blog to you today.

I was fortunate enough to have been raised in a home that lives according to “the greatest commandment”, to love God with every atom and fiber and breath of your being, and then in turn manifest that love by reaching out and loving his numerous people, including the complete stranger. This was illustrated to me very clearly throughout my childhood. When I was only five, my father participated in medical missionary work to the indigenous people in the mountains of Mexico via Wycliff Bible Translators. He used his gifts to treat, heal, and help a people long forgotten.  

My mother worked in multiple capacities to provide resources, skills, and life tools to those in our community via the establishment of our local food shelf, Sunday school and adult Bible classes at our church, being a mother to the motherless, and providing a safe home to countless kids.  They were models of “Do as you say. Say as you do”, and what it means to be the hands and feet of God. And with this as a foundational pillar of my life, the opportunity now lies before me to “be sent” to our brothers and sisters on the Korean peninsula.

Through my friendship with Kenneth Bae, the longest detained American in North Korea since the the Korean War, I have had the great honor of providing social media support to his organization Nehemiah Global Initiative(NGI). As a result of my work with NGI, my family and I have been extended an opportunity to go South Korea this summer and serve North Korean students in an English language camp. Our total stay will be 14 days: four days to travel, two days to visit key sites in South Korea, one day to train and prepare, and seven to help to teach English and to actively participate in NGI’smission of:

“...Advocating for refugees from around the world through rescue, restoration, and rebuilding hope by meeting their spiritual, economic, social and physical needs, and seeking to alleviate extreme global poverty … meeting both educational and vocational needs of children and youth in extreme poverty.”

In order to make this trip of a lifetime, my family has begun selling off personal belongings and saving money. However, we will not be able to achieve the financial goal alone.  And that is where you come in.

At present it is estimated that this missions trip will cost my family approximately $8,000. As a result we are currently seeking financial partnerships to help us acquire airfare, lodging, meals, transportation, and the opportunity to teach English to an underserved community with a great need. Through the generosity of our partners we will be able to travel to South Korea as ambassadors of America, give our very best to “the very least of these”, and share God’s hope, love, joy, peace, and promise of salvation for all people via the simple gifts of language and love.

In the coming weeks I will be providing more information to you, providing ways for you to partner with us, photos, reflections, and will give status updates on dollars raised. If you would like to partner with us starting today, you can use this handy PayPal.Me link:

https://www.paypal.me/SadlerKorea

In closing, I sincerely thank you for your time and partnership. While the task is great, and I am but one person, together we can contribute to the lifting up, rescue, rehabilitation, and empowerment of a people in need.