Great Expectations: about to give birth

August 5, 2004

Personal Narrations

Joel Akin

Calgary, Alberta

The Dream-I saw my old friends from Lee College. Some appeared uncomfortable when I asked for a hug. Thus I was surprised when one of the women, at least 7 months pregnant, gave me a warm hug and smile. Then she said "I happen to know of a house, church and school which are available."

In 1992 I traveled to the island of Mindoro. A large island it was divided into two parts known as Occidental and Oriental or West and East Mindoro. It was actually the second time I had visited the island and on my latest visit the Senior Pastor had taken me as far as the road would go to the distant end of the island. It was there where I met up with the local pastor of a Church of God outpost. From his church the mountains were just an hours walk. It was at this church I met up with a number of folks from the Mungyan Tribe. A group of folks who lived in the forests and hills where they lived out their entire lives. I don't know if it was an adventurous streak or something deeper that cried out to me from that lonely place. I was about as far from civilization as you could get and yet when I looked to the mountains and thought of the Mungyan people I wanted to travel and speak to them about Christ. To this day, 12 years later, I can still remember that sight of the deforested hills, the church sitting there in the middle of nowhere and my spirit was crying out to go. Of course I let the pastors I was traveling with know my feelings but they discussed it among themselves and told me. We know you are willing to go and speak. But we could not forgive ourselves if the NPA were to capture and kill you. How could we ever explain this to the overseer?

So I didn't go but I left feeling as if my heart were torn in two. I do not believe I have ever felt this way about anything before. Forward in time ten years. I am now living in Calgary attending the church pastored by Alex Allan. One day he comes to me and tells me that the new Korean Family who are attending our church need to learn English. He is presently teaching the children but was wondering if I would like to help teach the father. Though I have an English degree I have never really used it for much, at least not lately. I have forgotten more then I'll ever remember. So I agree and finally have a chance to speak with Rev Sang-Mun Lee for the first time. His English is not wonderful but for several months we spend an hour in teaching and then time just talking with one another. I begin to learn his story and it is then I realize how powerful Gods timing is.

Go back to 1992. It is the end of that year and the pastor on Mindoro meets up with a young couple. He learns that they are dedicating themselves to missions on the island and going where few have dared to go before. They are convinced that they are to travel and speak to the Mungyans and live with them and open a church. That couple is Sang-Mun Lee and his wife. They travel to the very spot that my heart cried out to God and for the next ten years they ministered to the people becoming friends not only with the Mungyans but even making peace with the NPA.

For ten years they lived there living quietly with just the very basics. Raising three children and ministering for Christ. Yet a restlessness stirs them and they return to Korea taking a much deserved rest. It is there they pray and seek Gods face and there that God begins to give Rev Lee a new vision. A vision to travel to Canada to begin a new Bible school and raise up 10,000 students who will spread the vision of Christ around the world. At first it appears they will move to Vancouver where they have family but through strange circumstances and Rev Allan they end up moving to Calgary.

Now that just covers the basics because for the past year we have not really kept in close touch due to the fact I've been unable to speak and was in bed sick much of the time. Yet God never gave up on me. Yesterday Rev Lee called me via mom and left a message saying God spoke to him to come pray for me.

Around 1:45 this afternoon Rev Lee indeed showed up and we talked for a time. He shared with me the miracle of their new home and how God has said its time to start preparing for the school. He leaves next Thursday for Korea where he will spend the next 19 days speaking at nearly a dozen churches putting within peoples hearts the desire to come to Canada where he can train them.

 To some it sounds like such a simple vision. After all what is the purpose? Why come to Canada? Why not just do things some other way? Like mail order or spend a month in Korea and train them there? I don't understand all of Gods timing nor Gods reasoning but I am convinced in my heart that Rev Lee is hearing God. Not only is he hearing but he is listening.

So why then does Rev Lee believe I am to play a key role in this school? Why is it that my heart cries out once again? Perhaps that is why I prayed or should I say wrestled last night with God. For there are serious obstacles to my being a part of this school which Rev Lee wants to Start in January 2005. None which God cannot free me from but ones which only He can free me from.

It is thus the reason I believe God gave me that dream during the night. I do find it ironic how God likes to use a play on words. For as he brought up a dream of my former college, Lee, so after a year he sends my friend Rev. Lee to see me and pray for me.

Yet what I did not understand is who the woman represented, the pregnant one. I know that if the Lee part is symbolic so too is the woman. Yet I did not know who or what she signified. So as I prayed I sought Gods wisdom and understanding. God began to show me that she represented the blessings God has promised me. That like the woman they start out with a seed of promise. Something that is not seen and something which is often raised up in darkness. How I can relate to that. Yet as with the woman so too are the blessings God has prepared for myself and Rev Lee. Just as there is a spiritual birthing so too are their other types as well. In this case God showed me the woman stands for the blessings God has been promising me for months. Her welcome to me is Gods way of showing me that this blessing is intended for me. The others were uncomfortable with me which signified they were not meant for me. But this time, God says, things are different. These blessings are real and they are coming. I know my part is now to thank God for His promises for God will fulfill all that He has stated. The stage of that 'birth' of blessings is well advanced. And so I now await with expectation that the fathers promises will come to pass.