There is a Korean proverb that I learned as a child.  Roughly translated, it says, “A tiger leaves its skin behind while a man leaves his name behind.”   A tiger skin was very expensive and rare (and it still is) and served as a nice coat for winter.  Thus, a tiger’s skin was considered its contribution to society.  This saying was often quoted to challenge young people to live as a beneficial member of society, leaving a good reputation and legacy behind through achievements and successes.
Gone are the days, however, when a man could only leave his name behind!   A few weeks ago, around the time of the 2nd anniversary of my brother James’ passing from a heart attack, our family received a letter from the Washington Regional Transplant Community.  At the time of his death, we did not have to agonize over what to do with his body because James had already registered himself as an Organ Donor (as indicated by ’     Organ Donor’ on his driver’s license).  Knowing what a caring person James was, we would have all agreed that he would gladly donate as much usable organs and tissue as possible anyway; nonetheless, we were thankful that we didn’t have to make the decision on his behalf and that we were able to honor his wish.
The letter from WRTC stated that James’ donation consisted of orthopedic tissues that were used for patients suffering from bone or spine disease/injuries and heart valves that benefited individuals with severe heart defects or heart disease.  His gift of skin has enabled surgeons to perform reconstructive surgeries for severe burn victims.  His donations have been distributed to 15 states including Maryland and Virginia.  Though my beloved brother is no longer with us on this earth, it is somewhat comforting to know that parts of him are still ‘living.’   It is indeed bittersweet! 
James lived a rather ordinary life. He’d been sick with diabetes for much of his adult life and did not achieve much success or fame by the standards of this world.  He did not have much to leave behind for his family and friends.  James’ gift of life, however, meant the world to the recipients of his organs and tissue.   James certainly left more than his name behind. He literally left his skin and more so others could have another chance at life. 
We as followers of Jesus Christ have already received the gift of eternal life and have been commissioned to live as salt and light of the world.  One day God will call us home to live with Him in heaven forever with glorious new heavenly bodies.   Thus in my opinion, we Christians should be the first ones to become organ donors for thousands of people whose only hope for life is to receive an organ or tissue transplant.  How awesome it is to be able to practice “Love your neighbor as yourself” even at death!  I understand this kind of matter is a personal decision and needs to be discussed with one’s family.  I do encourage all of you, however, to talk about this important topic of organ donation with your loved ones.  And as you share about life, death, and beyond, I pray you will each be overcome with incredible gratitude for the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. He showed by example what it means to give the gift of life to others.  Let us imitate Jesus Christ.  Would you consider becoming an Organ Donor next time you apply for a driver’s license or a leaner’s permit? 

From Pastor Sara’s Heart
September 8, 2013

As most of you know, my husband and I plan to go out as long-term missionaries and are earnestly seeking God’s will regarding where and when.  We visited YWAM in Kona, Hawaii back in April and came back quite excited about the possibility of joining YWAM.  With Elder Frank’s background in computer networking and YWAM bases around the world that could benefit from his expertise, it seemed like that’s where God was leading us.  Then a few months later, we met with Pastor Daniel and Ruth and were challenged to pray about another possibility.  After having run the SICAP Center (equivalent of a Bible college) in Samar, Philippines for the past 16 years with much fruit, Pastor Daniel has been called by God to serve as the GP USA National Executive Director in CA.  As excited as they are for the new platform to mobilize more 1.5 Korean-Americans into mission fields, they are understandably concerned about the continued well-being of the SICAP center.  When they heard about our plan for long-term missions, they contacted and asked us to pray about the SICAP Center opportunity.
Not having been able to make the decision one way or the other, Elder Frank and I plan to visit the SICAP Center in late January to seek God’s will.  On the way back from the Philippines, we will spend a few days in Korea. While there I want to visit the Yanghwajin Foreign Missionary Cemetery, where more than 160 foreign missionaries to Korea (including family members) are buried.  Trying to obtain the visiting hours and directions, I checked out their website (http://www.yanghwajin.net) and came across a missionary I’ve never heard of.  Her name is Ruby Rachel Kendrick, born in 1883 in Texas who died in 1907 at the age of 25 as a missionary in Korea.  After her arrival in Songdo, North Korea, she led morning prayers, taught English, and took care of sick children, but unfortunately died from exhaustion after only nine months in Korea. 
Missionary Kendrick used to say, “If my work here in Korea is to be so short, I want to write to the young people at home to come and take my place.”  Many young people did follow in her footsteps and became missionaries to Korea, and nearly $120,000, which was a phenomenal amount of money back in the early 1900’s, was raised through the Ruby Kendrick Memorial Fund.  The epitaph on her tombstone reads, “If I had a thousand lives to give, Korea should have them all.”  I was shocked by this statement.  What could have possibly caused a young woman, after having spent only several months in a small, obscure country that no one really cared about, to say something so touching and humbling!  It could not have been just her passion for Korea, but God’s passion for Korea that she carried in her heart.  Today we see many seeds produced by this precious ‘kernel of wheat’ that laid down her life. Korea is the second largest missionary sending nation after the US.
As I sat amazed by Missionary Kendrick’s story, I was reminded that’s what Christmas is all about – remembering and honoring the greatest missionary in history, Jesus Christ.  Yet because we celebrate Christmas year after year, we no longer seem to be amazed by His story. I pray that our sense of ‘shock and awe’ of what Jesus endured for us would be rekindled this Christmas.  And rejoice! You will NOT find Jesus’ tomb in Yanghwajin or anywhere else; He is back on His heavenly throne, waiting to return to earth soon as King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

From Pastor Sara’s Heart
December 16, 2012