Eric

從VBS課堂到流鼻血插曲，Eric的首次宣教旅程充滿「愛與合一」——神以意想不到的方式更新他的心，堅固他的信心。
From VBS classrooms to an unexpected nosebleed, Eric’s first mission trip overflowed with love and unity—God renewed his heart in unexpected ways and strengthened his faith.

這是我第一年參加 YSMP。出發前，我對 Whiteriver 或者印第安保留區真的不太了解。我去年夏天才加入這個教會，正好是去年 YSMP 團隊回來的時候。我記得聽了一些見證，但說實話，沒聽懂多少，主要是因為當時我英文還不太好。

      出發前我唯一知道的，就是 Flora 提到那個地區毒品問題很嚴重。但我真的不明白這些問題會對人們的生活產生多深的影響。
    我知道宣教不是度假，而是要服事神，但我不太確定「在宣教中服事」到底是什麼樣子。我不知道該期待什麼。出發前我有一個希望，就是至少能跟某個人有一次深入的對話。這並沒有發生，但神給了我更好的東西，祂以意想不到的方式更新了我的心，堅固了我的信心。

VBS：學習服事小朋友
    這次行程最有意義的部分之一，就是我教 VBS 的經歷。本來我報名當助教，因為我沒有教主日學的經驗，特別是教小朋友。但我們到了以後，我被安排教學前班。一開始我壓力很大，完全不知道怎麼教這麼小的孩子認識神，但我對自己說：「神給了我這個職分，所以我應該盡力而為。」
    我真的很感恩有機會教他們。我在跟孩子相處方面學到了很多，希望能繼續在我們教會的兒童事工中用上。
    第一天，我準備得很充分。我準備了很多遊戲和活動，甚至擔心準備得不夠多。結果我擔心的完全不對——我剛進教室兩秒鐘，孩子們就衝到各個角落去抓玩具，完全失控。不管我叫多少次讓他們坐下來聽，他們都太容易分心了。第一天我根本沒能分享聖經故事，我覺得自己完全失敗了。
    那天晚上，我意識到需要改變方法，所以我建議零食組在戶外活動結束後直接在教室裡發零食。這樣孩子們吃東西的時候會安靜地坐著，我就可以利用這段時間來教課。感謝神，這招有效！接下來兩天順利多了。
    我很驚訝這些孩子在短短三天內取得了這麼大的進步。他們開始更好地聽課，更專注，甚至更清楚地表達自己的想法。有個叫 Isabel 的女孩，三天裡表現都很好。最後一天，在我的鼓勵下，她成功背出了記憶經文，我為她感到很驕傲。
    透過這些 VBS 課程，我看到了神在孩子們身上的工作。我意識到，雖然他們還小，但神非常在意他們，祂可能正在透過他們培養未來的傳道人、牧者和當地領袖。這個經歷真的很感動我。

挨家挨戶：面對貧窮，分享希望
    這次行程另一個重要部分，就是挨家挨戶發傳單，邀請人們參加 VBS 和我們的晚間聚會。第一天，我跟另一個教會的 Hugo 牧師一起去。他教我怎麼接近人、怎麼敲門、怎麼開始對話。
    我記得有一家，六隻兇猛的狗在離他兩碼遠的地方狂叫，但 Hugo 牧師一點都不猶豫，他一直喊，直到主人終於出來。我被他為基督接觸別人的勇氣和熱情打動了。
繼續發傳單的過程中，我變得更有信心了，甚至攔下路過的車子發傳單。但當我走過這個社區時，我被看到的景象震驚——那種貧窮程度、廢棄的汽車、到處的垃圾、用木板封住的窗戶，還有與世隔絕的人們。很多房子的狀況都很糟糕，主要原因之一就是吸毒。有些老人獨自生活，沒有家人，也沒有交通工具，這讓我意識到他們中很多人是多麼絕望和孤立。他們真的需要一位救主。
    有一個女人讓我印象深刻。當我給她傳單時，她說：「哦，VBS 是這週嗎？好的，我會來的。」後來我明白她為什麼那樣回應——Whiteriver 的一些家庭其實每年都盼著 YSMP。在 Phoenix 的閉幕聚會上，有個女孩分享說，她在保留區長大，小時候總是喜歡去 VBS，現在長大了會幫助 YSMP。她滿臉喜樂和愛。那一刻讓我明白，這次宣教真的很有影響力，我們分享的福音和撒下的種子，可能會永遠影響一個孩子的生命。

敬拜和禱告：信心得堅固
    我真正感受到神同在的時刻之一，就是 VBS 結束後每晚的敬拜和禱告。每天晚上，YSMP 團隊會聚在一起敬拜、禱告、分享。當我們一起唱歌、舉起禱告時，我感受到每個同工服事神的熱情和愛神的忠心，聖靈充滿了整個房間。
    我特別喜歡韓式禱告，就是大家同時大聲禱告，感覺很有力量、很合一、充滿信心。對我來說，這是與神對話、與祂建立深厚連結的美好時光。那個空間更新了我的心，堅固了我的信心。
    那些充滿力量的時刻讓我意識到，我多麼需要神在我的生命中——不只是在宣教的時候，而是每一天。

流鼻血：在基督裡被愛與合一
    不久之後，發生了一件意外的事。星期一晚上，我流鼻血流得很厲害，可能是因為天氣乾燥加上水喝得不夠，整整流了三十多分鐘。我按照 Jonathan 牧師的指示處理，最後血終於止住了。

    但真正讓我難忘的，是周圍所有人的反應。
        Jonathan 牧師給我搬了把椅子坐；Flora 給我紙巾和水，說會提醒我多喝水；Greg 把手放在我肩膀上為我禱告；Frances 一直陪著我，還設了定時器記錄我應該按壓鼻子多長時間來止血；之後 Jordan 輕輕地幫我擦掉腳上的血；Enoch 根據自己的經驗提醒我要去看醫生。還有很多其他人過來關心我，問我怎麼樣。

    我真的很感動。因為流鼻血，第二天我沒能去挨家挨戶發傳單，有點難過。但我意識到服事有很多種方式。我改成幫忙做手工和畫畫，同樣很有意義。

    那天晚上躺在床上，我開始思考——我受到的所有關懷，不是偶然的善意，而是從神來的。沒有基督，我們都是陌生人；沒有基督，我們不會這樣彼此相愛。我們可能會過著像 Whiteriver 那些人一樣的生活，孤獨、絕望、失去連結。但在基督裡，我們合而為一，我們是一家人。

那晚，我深深感受到對基督的需要——被愛的需要、被拯救的需要。我還意識到另一件事，就是合一的重要性。這其實是我們教會今年的主題：和睦同居。星期五晚上，我們剛學了《約翰一書》，討論了愛我們在基督裡的弟兄姊妹意味著什麼。所以現在我問自己：我真的愛我的弟兄姊妹嗎？我怎樣才能更愛他們？

結語
    真正激勵我的一件事，來自當地教會的 Jon 牧師。他分享說，多年來有許多神的偉大僕人都是從 YSMP 出來的，這個宣教能持續幾十年是有原因的——神在使用 YSMP 培養未來的領袖。聽到這些，讓我意識到，這次行程對我來說可能也只是個開始。
        YSMP 遠不只是一次旅行，它提醒我神是誰、我多麼需要祂，以及祂的愛透過我周圍的人能有多大的力量。我想繼續讀聖經，繼續服事，活在神呼召我們進入的愛與合一中。

以下為英文版：

This was my first year attending YSMP. Before going, I didn’t really know much about Whiteriver or the Indian Reservation. I had just joined this church last summer, right around the time last year’s YSMP team returned from their trip. I remember hearing some testimonies, but honestly, I didn’t understand much, mostly because of my limited English at the time.

The only thing I knew going into the trip was that Flora had mentioned how serious the drug problems were in that area. But I didn’t really understand how deeply those issues affect people’s lives.

I knew that a mission trip wasn’t a vacation. It’s about serving God. But I wasn’t really sure what “serving on a mission trip” would look like. I didn’t know what to expect. One thing I hoped for before the trip was to have at least one deep conversation with someone. That didn’t happen, but instead God gave me something better. He refreshed my heart and strengthened my faith in unexpected ways.

VBS: Learning to Serve the Little Ones

One of the most meaningful parts of the trip was my experience teaching VBS. Originally, I signed up to be a TA because I had no experience teaching Bible study, especially to kids. But when we arrived, I was assigned to lead the preschool class. At first, I felt a lot of pressure. I had no idea how to teach such young kids about God. But I told myself, “God gave me this role, so I should try my best.”

I’m really thankful I got the opportunity to teach them. I gained a lot of experience working with children, something I hope to continue using in our church’s Children’s Ministry.

On the first day, I came in prepared. I had lots of games and activities ready, and even worried that I might not have enough planned. But it turned out I was worried about the wrong thing. Just two seconds after entering the classroom, the kids rushed straight to the corners to grab toys. They were completely out of control. No matter how many times I called them to sit or listen, they were too distracted. I wasn’t able to share the Bible story that first day, and I felt like I had failed.

That night, I realized I needed to change my approach. So I suggested that the snack team serve the snacks in the classroom right after outdoor time. That way, the kids would sit down quietly while they ate, and I could use that moment to teach. Thank God, it worked! The next two days went much more smoothly.

I was surprised at how much progress the kids made in just three days. They started listening better, focusing more, and even expressing their thoughts more clearly. One girl named Isabel behaved really well all three days. On the last day, after I encouraged her, she successfully recited the memory verse. I was so proud of her.

Through these VBS sessions, I saw how God was working in these children. I realized that even though they’re small, God cares about them so much. He may be raising up future preachers, ministers, and local leaders through them. That experience really moved me.

Door-to-Door: Facing Poverty, Sharing Hope

Another important part of the trip was going door-to-door to pass out flyers and invite people to VBS and our evening programs. On the first day, I went with Pastor Hugo from another church. He taught me how to approach people, knock on doors, and start conversations.

I remember one house where there were six aggressive dogs barking just two yards away from him. But Pastor Hugo didn’t hesitate. He kept calling out until the owner finally came. I was impressed by his courage and passion to reach others for Christ.

As I continued to passing out flyers, I became more confident. I even waved down passing cars to hand out flyers. But as I walked through the neighborhood, I was shocked by what I saw: the level of poverty, the abandoned cars, trash everywhere, boarded-up windows, and people living in isolation. Many of the houses were in terrible condition. One of the main causes of this is drug use. Some elderly people lived alone with no family or transportation. It made me realize how hopeless and isolated many of them felt. They really need a Savior.

One woman stood out to me. When I gave her a flyer, she said, “Oh, the VBS is this week? Ok, I’ll come.” Later I realized why she responded like that. Some families in Whiteriver actually look forward to YSMP every year. At the closing rally in Phoenix, one girl shared that she had grown up in the Reservation, always loved going to VBS as a child, and now helps with YSMP as she’s grown older. She was full of joy and love. That moment helped me understand how impactful this mission trip really is. The gospel we shared and the seeds we planted could help shape a child’s life forever.

Worship and Prayer: A Strengthened Faith

One of the moments when I truly felt God’s presence was during our nightly worship and prayer after VBS. Every evening, the YSMP team would gather to worship, pray, and share. As we sang together and lifted our prayers, I felt every minister’s passion for serving God and their faithfulness in loving Him. The Holy Spirit filled the room.

I especially loved the Korean style of praying, where everyone prayed out loud at the same time. It felt powerful, united, and full of faith. It was a beautiful time for me to speak to God and build a strong connection with Him. That space refreshed my heart and strengthened my faith.

Those powerful moments helped me realize how much I need God in my life—not just on mission trips, but every day.

The Nosebleed: Being Loved and United in Christ

Not long after that, something unexpected happened to me. On Monday evening, I got a really bad nosebleed, probably because of the dry weather and not drinking enough water. It lasted for over 30 minutes. I followed Pastor Jonathan’s instructions and eventually the bleeding stopped, but what really stayed with me was how everyone around me responded.

Pastor Jonathan brought out a chair for me to sit on. Flora gave me tissues and water and said she’d remind me to drink more. Greg prayed for me with his hand on my shoulder. Frances stayed with me the whole time and set a timer to track how long I should hold pressure on my nose to stop the bleeding. Afterward, Jordan gently wiped the blood off my feet. Enoch, based on his own experience, reminded me to see a doctor. Many others came to check on me and asked how I was doing.

I was really touched. Because of the nosebleed, I wasn’t able to go door-to-door the next day. I was a little sad about that, but I realized there are many ways to serve. I helped with crafts and painting instead, and that was just as meaningful.

That night, as I lay in bed, I started thinking. All that care I received wasn’t just random kindness. It came from God. Without Christ, we would all be strangers. Without Christ, we wouldn’t love each other like that. We might live lives just like those in Whiteriver—alone, hopeless, disconnected. But in Christ, we are united. We are family.

That night, I felt the deep need for Christ: the need to be loved, the need to be saved. I also realized how important unity is. That’s actually our church theme this year: unity. On Friday night, we had just studied 1 John and talked about what it means to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. So now I ask myself: Do I truly love my brothers and sisters? And how can I love them more?

Conclusion

One thing that really inspired me came from Pastor Jon at the local church. He shared that many great servants of God have come out of YSMP over the years, and that there’s a reason why this mission trip has continued for decades. God is using YSMP to raise up future leaders, and hearing that made me realize this trip could be just the beginning for me too.

YSMP was so much more than just a trip. It was a reminder of who God is, how much I need Him, and how powerful His love can be through the people around me. I want to keep reading the Bible, continue ministering, and live in the love and unity that God has called us to.

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