Operation Mobilization

My boy is going to Korea. By himself. On an airplane. Over the ocean. Alone. Yeah, I know. I said that already. His contact there can't even legally purchase alcohol. What am I thinking?

I received the email confirmation of my boy's airplane ticket last week. He leaves June 9 to spend three weeks serving God in a country that is 31% Christian and 43% athiest. I don't know what God has planned, but all the signs point to something big, significant and praise-worthy.

This is not how I pictured life would be for my oldest child. Back in elementary school when he was one of the few orange-dot kids on the football team, meaning he was so big he wasn't even allowed to carry the ball, I envisioned a varsity football player, facing the Giants or some other formidable opponent. He is bright, good grades were no problem, so I imagined a high-ranking honors student.

Korea never crossed my mind.

When he first mentioned that he was invited to serve with Operation Mobilization in Busan, South Korea, I was impressed by his approach. He started a crowd-funding campaign and wrote a letter to friends and neighbors.

"If it is meant to happen, God will make a way," he said.

I agreed, fairly certain that this pipe dream wouldn't happen. I know, I know. I still hear it ringing in my ears, "Oh  you of little faith!"

I think what surprised me most was the people who donated their hard-earned money to help Ethan get to Korea. One of the very first donors was a girl I went to high school with over 30 years ago. Not long afterward, my oldest friend wrote a generous check. Wow.

Money slowly trickled in, but I knew how much an airplane ticket would be. $2,000 is a lot of money, and that didn't cover lodging, food, travel in Korea and all the incidentals. I just didn't see that kind of money coming in.

Then, out of the blue, another old friend called to ask for our address. He has a heart for missions and young people. A few days later, a check for $1,000 arrived in the mail.

"This is going to happen," I told my wife. "Our son is going to Korea."

Tears welled in my eyes. Not tears of fear or doubt. These were tears of humility and awe. A buddy from the past invested in my child. The God of this universe, the Creator of all, the One who gave His Son for us, has plans for my son.

More checks came, some larger, some smaller, all appreciated. Then came a check for $500 from a former teacher and another $350 from a family friend. The most recent $500 came today, handed to me by the unlikeliest of people, an old acquaintance from high school whom I seldom see. We don't socialize, don't have a lot in common, and, back in high school, well, it looked then like our lives were on opposite tracks.

But, time passes, people change. He told me he was impressed by a teenager who would give up summer fun for ministry half-way around the world. He told me to tell my boy to take that money and win souls for Jesus. He told me he hadn't found a home church, but wanted to give his tithe to ministry.

The tears came again. This man, these people, these amazing, generous friends and relatives listened to the voice of God and made an investment in my boy.