Updates from an alumnus in Colombo

EAST Alumnus Edward Kim graduated from EAST in May 2016 with a Master of Arts in Biblical Studies. After his graduation, he and his family has served in Colombo, Sri Lanka, with Sri Lanka Campus Crusade for Christ. Below is a short interview with him to get an update of how he and his family have been doing.

1. What led you and your family to serve the Lord in Colombo, Sri Lanka?

Before graduating from EAST, I had planned to return to East Asia which I had served last eight years as a missionary, but Father God led me & my family to Sri Lanka, strange country to us at that time. In Sep & Oct 2016 (eight days), I visited Sri Lanka for field investigation. However, I found three main reasons which made me hesitate to serve in Sri Lanka after visiting. Firstly, I felt the weather was too hot for me. Secondly, the language (Sinhala) was difficult to learn. Lastly, it will not be easy to serve covertly on Campus because skin color of most people there is different from mine (Local campus students mentioned to me you are white, but my skin is not so white in East Asia. Anyway, I am easily recognisable among the local students on campus.)

Finally, I obeyed God’s leading after receiving several signs through God’s words, especially Genesis 45:5-8. Then my family arrived in Colombo, Sri Lanka in Feb 2017.

What are your roles and responsibilities there?

I have served in Colombo University as a campus director (under Sri Lanka Campus Crusade for Christ) from May 2017. We focus on befriending the students, sharing the gospel to friends who they are interested in Jesus Christ, teaching them God’s word, and expecting their growth in Christ. We also pray for disciples-led Campus spiritual movement. We gather for Chapel on Thursday or Friday every two weeks, and Hanna & I teach brothers and sisters-in Christ by using Follow up & Agape Disciple Group materials.

2. How was 2020 for you and your family?

It was a transformative period from on-site to on-line. Because of Covid-19 pandemic, our normal life and ministry has totally changed. Like other countries, the curfew has been issued and lifted for a long time. Therefore, we gather as a Chapel and small group (disciple group) through online means. My family also suffered a difficult time; we are still trying to adapt ourselves to the new era by the grace of God.

3. What do you look forward to in 2021?

Hanna and I were vaccinated (1^st dose) in the beginning of March this year (2021), so now we meet disciples one by one carefully near campus when they come to campus for exams etc. We look forward to meeting our disciples frequently near campus when they come. After the Easter attack in 2019, visitors are not allowed to go inside campus. After 2^nd dose vaccination, Hanna and I want to visit disciples’ hometowns because most disciples are staying at their hometowns since the pandemic. I hope to share the gospel to non-believer friends through online gathering like Easter Chapel (on-line).

Prayer requests:

• <Praise and thanksgiving>

Thank God for protecting the health and safety of family members, disciples, and local staff. Thank God that we could gather regularly and worship with brothers and sisters-in-Christ through online Chapel and small group meetings.

• <Ministry Prayer>

At the 1st year-end of Agape House Contract, the landlord’s Interior business became difficult because of Covid-19, so he wanted to move his office to his home (ground floor). As a result, the landlord asked us to move out of the Agape House (3rd floor) because the landlord planned to stay there. Thus, we moved from mid Feb 2021. Pray for (new) Agape House’s venue that God will prepare before Campus opens. Agape House is a gathering place for our Chapel and small groups, also a few sisters (4-5) have used it as a dormitory as well.

• <Family Prayer>

Pray for my three kids; Daniel, Julia, Samuel – to let them grow in faith. Daniel will take the O-Level exam in Apr-May 2021 – pray for God to grant him wisdom in his studies.

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