The Secret to Passion That Never Grows Cold

When I first began my long-term overseas mission, I thought I would pour out my heart with tireless passion, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year. Reality, however, was different. As I gradually grew accustomed to life abroad, the urgent thought—“If I do not reach this soul today, I may never get another chance”—slowly began to fade. While the short-term mission teams that visited from time to time envied me for my long-term service, I found myself envying the wholehearted fervor they brought to their short-term mission.

Then God granted me a special opportunity: an eight-day mission trip to Costa Rica. Although I had served long-term, first in Mexico and then in Colombia, this was my very first short-term mission. Though the journey was brief, it awakened my soul from complacency and reminded me of the heart a gospel worker should have.

Costa Rica, often called the “Switzerland of Central America,” is a peaceful and prosperous country. After a two-hour flight, I arrived in San José, and the beautiful scene that greeted me made all my worries melt away. The clear sky and gentle sunshine, in particular, made me exclaim, “What perfect weather to bear fruit!”

At that time, the overseer of San José Zion, his wife, and I were the only people who could devote ourselves fully to preaching the gospel. Although I had lived in Central America for quite some time, Costa Rica’s unique environment made me a little anxious. With a trembling heart, I set out to preach. Many people simply walked past when they heard us speak about God the Mother. But with so little time, I could not afford to overthink things or hesitate. Above all, I did not want to leave this place with any regrets, knowing that I might never have another chance to return. Steadying myself, I approached people with a bright, cheerful smile, and spoke with all my sincerity I could muster. Gradually, one person after another began to stop and listen to the words of truth.

Among those we met was a middle-aged woman who showed an exceptional interest in the truth. The way she listened so intently, determined not to miss a single word, made me realize there was something special about her. As it turned out, she had spent many years wandering in search of the truth. Although she longed to know God, the pastors she had encountered had never properly taught her the Bible. Disillusioned by their hypocrisy and contradictions, she had stopped attending church altogether. As we carefully examined one Bible passage after another concerning the existence of God the Mother and God’s commandments, the spiritual thirst she had carried for so long was finally quenched. She obeyed God’s word and received the blessing of new life.

That woman was Sister Ivette. After receiving baptism, she faithfully came to Zion and diligently studied the Bible. Once she had discerned the truth from falsehood, she immediately began sharing the truth with her family. That very week, she led her mother and son to Zion. I gave thanks to God for allowing us to find such a precious soul—one who longed for the truth and loved God Elohim.

Even after my brief mission came to an end and I returned to Colombia, joyful news continued to arrive from Costa Rica. Sister Ivette led all her family members to the way of salvation—her husband, her daughter, and even her younger sister. Each time another family member received baptism, they gathered to take a family photo together. I later heard that as the photos grew in number, so did her joy.

Sister Ivette treasures God's commandments so deeply that she even works extra hours for several days beforehand to ensure that she can keep the Passover faithfully. Every week, when her family gathers to study the Bible with a member of the pastoral staff, she does not mind even when dinner is delayed because the Bible study runs long. Instead, she humbly expresses her gratitude for the spiritual nourishment they receive from God’s word. I earnestly pray that Sister Ivette and her family, who treasure God's word and faithfully obey His teachings, will continue to grow into faithful workers who will take the lead in the gospel work in Costa Rica.

During my brief time preaching the gospel in Costa Rica, I gained not only precious fruit but also valuable lessons. To be honest, on my very first day of preaching in San José, I felt strangely awkward going out to preach with fellow Koreans. On top of that, I found myself hesitating because I assumed that it would be difficult to bear fruit there. Because San José was so peaceful and prosperous, most people seemed content with their lives. As though they had sensed exactly what I was thinking, the overseer and his wife would renew their resolve before heading out to preach:

“Let’s save Costa Rica! Ánimo!”

It deeply moved me to imagine how, even when there had been only the two of them and no immediate results to encourage them, they had steadfastly continued laying the groundwork for the completion of the gospel of the kingdom. Though I was there for only a short time, they gave me the best room they had and thoughtfully prepared meals to suit my tastes. In every act of kindness, I could feel the warm love of Heavenly Mother.

Perhaps that is why my heart ached all the more. The people of Costa Rica, too, should experience the love God gives in Zion and prepare for the eternal future that God has promised. Yet many of them remain content with the fleeting happiness before their eyes, unaware that they are missing the greatest blessing of all. As my longing for their salvation grew stronger day by day, the time for me to return to Colombia drew nearer far too quickly, and it felt as though my heart were being torn apart.

I found myself wondering whether our Heavenly Father, who walked the path of the gospel according to the time appointed in prophecy, also carried such an aching heart. As I prayed by name each night for every member who had returned to Zion, I came to understand more deeply the heart of our Heavenly Parents, who never forget me for even a moment and never cease praying for me. I engraved on my heart once again that I stand in this glorious place of blessing only because of the grace and love of Father and Mother.

Through this short-term mission in Costa Rica, I came to a profound realization: what determines the outcome of the gospel work is not our circumstances or environment, but a passion that never grows cold. Keeping that passion alive is not easy. Yet if I never forget the aching heart of Father and Mother for Their lost children, I believe I can cherish every moment, without letting a single moment pass in vain, and faithfully fulfill my mission as a gospel worker with unwavering earnestness and wholehearted devotion.

After returning to Colombia, I have been striving to find my spiritual brothers and sisters with the conviction that today may be my last opportunity. Whenever I have even a little free time, I go out to preach. One of the people I met in this way has been coming to Zion every week and is gradually coming to understand the truth. The good news did not end there. I also received encouraging news from Mexico, where I had served for many years before settling in Colombia. A young woman with whom I had shared God’s word several times four years ago recently met members of Zion and accepted the truth. Before receiving baptism, she remembered studying the Bible with me, and that is how the wonderful news reached me. When I looked through my phone, I even found the photo we had taken together the day we first met. I cannot express how overjoyed and thankful I was.

Knowing that the seeds of God's word can take root, sprout, and bear fruit even years later, how could I not give my very best to preach the gospel? Treasuring the realizations and blessings God has given me, I will continue proclaiming the gospel with unwavering passion all my life.