Hi everyone! My name is Kaiya Park and I am currently a senior studying at UCSD. I have been provided with an amazing opportunity to serve alongside JEMS in going to Nagasaki Japan for a mission trip this summer. I’ve wanted to go on a mission trip since I was little, but for various reasons, I never had the chance. Whether it was being too young or dealing with fear, the main factor was that, starting in middle school, I drifted away from my faith. Going into college, I never expected God to work in my life and in my heart to bring me back to Him. Through a set of seemingly random coincidences, I found myself at AACF (Asian American Christian Fellowship), and through the past four years, I was able to reignite my faith. I learned that God makes no mistakes, and He led me to find this amazing community.

I had the privilege of visiting Japan last summer, where I was deeply immersed in the culture and heritage. One of the highlights of my trip was attending Mustard Seed Church, where the worship and message—shared in both Japanese and English—truly moved my heart. I also had the opportunity to connect with locals eager to know God, as well as college missionaries whose passion for sharing the gospel in Japan was truly inspiring. I could see how God was working in Japan, and it stirred a desire in me to be part of that movement. This past fall, I felt a tug in my heart, and knew I had to apply to the AACF/JEMS Japan's mission trip. I felt a call from God to join this movement in spreading the gospel within Japan. I feel so blessed to have been offered the chance to serve with an organization that has meant so much to me and had such a profound impact on my life during these past four years in college. 

In order for me to serve this summer, I need your support through prayer and/or financial contribution. Please pray for me and my team for emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing during our trip as well as for the hearts of the people in Nagasaki to be open to hearing about the gospel. My fundraising goal is $3,800 (airfare, housing, ministry supplies, food, etc.), please consider supporting me financially if you are able to do so! Thank you for any and all support you are able to provide and if you are interested in receiving my mission letter and updates please reach out to my email: kaiya.park@gmail.com. God bless!

Give online here or if you prefer to give by check, make the check out to “JEMS” and write my name on the memo line. Mail the check to P.O. Box 86047, Los Angeles, CA 90086-0047. If you have any questions please call the JEMS office at 213-613-0022 or email us.