A House Built Not Just with Hands, but with Faith

“The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

Psalm 126:3 (NIV)

In the mission field where I served, there was no church building when I first arrived. Instead, we gathered for worship under a small roof built beside a member’s home. It was simple and humble—there were no restrooms, and we often lacked enough chairs, so we sat closely together. When it rained, water leaked through the roof, and power outages were frequent. Yet despite these challenges, we remained grateful because we still had a place where we could come together and worship God.

When I arrived, plans for building a church were already in motion, although only the land had been prepared. A special worship service was later held to mark the beginning of the construction. Surrounded by nature and joined by several pastors, we prayed and dedicated the project to God. Witnessing the beginning of building His house from the ground up deeply moved me—it felt like being part of something much bigger than ourselves.

After a few months, the church was still not fully completed, but it had reached a point where we could already hold worship services inside. On a Friday morning before the Sabbath, everyone came early to prepare the place. Together, we cleaned, dug, arranged plants, hung curtains, and made sure everything was ready. There was a quiet joy in working side by side. It was more than just preparation—it felt like worship expressed through service.

That same week, our Sabbath School lesson focused on Moses and the building of the tabernacle in Exodus. As we studied and worked on our own church, the story felt more personal. I found myself imagining how the people in the past must have felt—filled with excitement, purpose, and anticipation as they prepared a dwelling place for God.

Finally, the Sabbath came when we held our very first worship service in the new church. We sang, offered special music, and gave all glory to God. After the service, we gathered for a group photo, and as I looked around, I saw genuine joy and gratitude on every face. It was a moment that deeply touched my heart and even brought me to tears.

Through this experience, I was reminded of how meaningful it was when God’s people came together with one heart and purpose.

Although the building was not yet finished, it was clear that God was guiding every step. What once began under a small, leaking roof had grown into a sanctuary, and throughout the journey, His presence had been evident in every moment.

Name: Ga Eun Kim | 64th Batch 1000MM

Hometown:Namyangjusi ,Republic of Korea

Mission field: Poblacion San Agustin Surigao del Sur