NOVEMBER 28, 2025
The Mission Back Home
Hello everyone~
I said my (temporary) farewell to the missionaries today, and I made it safely back to Boston!
Missionary Lee dropped me off at the airport at 4 AM, and it was sadly time to go home.
Also special thanks to Kevin for picking me up at Logan Airport and taking me back home in this freezing weather!
But, as I travel back home, I was reminded that there is still more work to be done.
And, this realization came through a temper tantrum on the airplane.
Soon after I took this photo, it was time to buckle up and get ready to arrive into Boston.
There was a family of three seated next to me, and as we drew closer to Boston, the little girl was throwing a tantrum because she needed to use the restroom but wasn’t able to go as the plane was landing shortly.
Of course, a kid throwing a tantrum in a plane isn’t the most comfortable place to be in – especially for the mom and dad.
As the tantrum continued, some people in the plane grew more annoyed and more impatient, even to the point of criticizing the parents for “not doing anything.”
Helpless in this situation, they couldn’t respond with much besides tears from the comments about their parenting and the embarrassment from the whole situation.
We ultimately arrived. But, I could just see pain in the family – from panic, from ridicule, from insecurity.
At that moment, I offered one of my packs of Nicaraguan coffee beans to the family, mentioning this recent trip and encouraging them that they were champs for fighting through this situation.
I only tell this story because I felt like God was telling me through this moment that there is still a need for the Gospel in a broken place called home.
After a mission trip, it’s so easy to return to a life where our daily tasks slowly consume and the trip diminishes into a speck of the past.
Today, I’m reminded that the boldness and urgency that is so required for sharing the Gospel must still be relevant in my daily life – whether it’s actively sharing my testimony, opening up discussions about faith, or even showing Christ-like love in small moments.
I hope that this trip would not be a momentary peak but rather, be an act of striving for a life that loves God and shares His love with others.
Thank you to everyone who supported me on this trip – whether it be prayers, donations, encouragements, or logistics.
Special shoutout to Anna Pellegrini for helping me organize this trip!
In Christ,
Ted Song
NOVEMBER 27, 2025
A Bittersweet Bite on Thanksgiving Day
Hello everyone~
Today was my last full day of serving in Nicaragua, and I’ll be going back home tomorrow morning. And, I can’t help but wish that my stay was a bit longer.
This was one of my last few classes that I was teaching today. Although I felt like my teaching skills were lacking, I tried to make the most out of it and make English more exciting to learn!
As the school day was ending, I ran into a familiar face. This is Fernando, who faithfully serves the church in Nicaragua for some time.
He helped my team so much on my first trip, and it was great to see him again one last time!
This image of me and this girl named Alison is a glimpse of one of the most precious moments from this trip.
I was teaching her to play violin this week, and by the time we ended music class, she was crying over the fact that I was leaving.
I tried so hard to hold back my own tears, but I was just so blessed by the fact that one small act of teaching music class can mean so much to this girl. And, what a blessing it is to be a part of this moment.
As music class ended, Missionary Loida announced to everyone that I’d be leaving the next day. People shared how blessed they were at music class this week and prayed to send me off.
With each word of affirmation that spoken, my eyes were filled with tears, and my heart was filled with gratitude. Again, this music class didn’t seem so much to me, but today made me see the great value that this class has in enriching these kids’ lives.
I ended the day off with a dinner with the missionaries and the folks who came in this week. We were just yapping until midnight (or more accurately, I was getting roasted to oblivion by everyone).
But, it was such a bittersweet meal where we started off trading jokes and growing more comfortable with each other – only for it to end with a final goodbye to everyone.
Though I may not have seen my biological family on this Thanksgiving Day, I can proudly proclaim that I did spend it with my spiritual family, with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ!
Despite the bittersweet end to this trip, my heart is so filled with gratitude to spend this week serving the Lord and be reminded of the great depths of His love.
With a grateful heart,
Ted Song
NOVEMBER 26, 2025
My Losses were Great, God's Victory is Greater
Hello everyone~
Admittedly, today was bit of a rough day. I woke up with a sore throat and felt chills throughout the day. Today, serving felt more like toil, and God was not given my all.
But, as a way to end these last couple hours of the day with glorifying God, I wanted to share some small yet treasurable wins from today.
Overall, today was similar to the last few days, where I was helping with English class. But today, I covered a few classes to help Geovanny as he was attending meetings and catching up with grading throughout the day.
A special moment was when a student came up to me at the end of class, telling me, “You’re a great teacher.” And, I’m so grateful that, despite my fatigue, I can help these students!
I went into science class again, and after a class was over, I went to talk with Professor William.
I met him on Monday, yet he’s already cracking jokes (at me). But, it’s such a blessing that I can not only see him serve during his Thanksgiving break but also take the time to know a fellow brother in Christ!
Here are the other two people who came in last night. One miracle from this trip is that the person in the middle (Dr. Park from Atlanta) had his flight suddenly cancelled yesterday, but he managed to grab another flight to make it on time! Praise be to God!
The person on the right (Dr. Park from New Jersey) will be teaching STEM classes tomorrow, and he came yesterday as well.
Another side note, it had been less than 24 hours since I met them, and they’re already cracking jokes (at me).
After a long day, I took a nap to try to get over my sickness, and I woke up to eat dinner and attend the Wednesday night service. With much regret, I initially didn’t want to attend the service out of my own fatigue.
But, it was during service that my heart was so filled with regret toward God. With a great opportunity to serve Him today, this day was spent at my own leisure, often distracted away from the One who I was supposed to serve.
As we read the Bible reading during the service, the following verse encouraged me for the next day:
“’let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it’” (1 Peter 3:11).
Indeed, what a reminder that peace isn’t something that’s merely granted but something that needs to be sought after.
God deserves so much more than the little I gave Him today. And although it could have been a better day, I’m emboldened to pursue a victorious day in the Lord tomorrow.
I hope and pray that my illness wouldn’t hinder me, but rather I’d be strengthened by God to wholly serve Him in my last full day tomorrow.
In God’s victory,
Ted Song
P.S. Me and Missionary Kim, who’s been in Nicaragua the longest and leads the church and school here!
NOVEMBER 25, 2025
Gifted by God
Hello everyone~
Today was another victorious day at KCA, as I spent the day teaching English class. Once again, I was greeted by the children as I entered the school this morning! Indeed, God’s blessings from yesterday overflow into the next day!
This is one of my favorite places. It’s an area in front of the missionary’s home near the church.
Last year, it was the place where I spent much of my free time. Talking with the missionaries. Reading my Bible and writing my devotionals. Making a pennant design for the school.
Once again, the missionaries asked me today for a design task, and this is where I spent most of my time after school to work on it.
I remember that God placed in my heart last year with a seed of desire to glorify Him through my career. And, now that I’ve returned to Nicaragua and I’m designing again, I am grateful that I can partake in His great purposes through my skills.
As I reflect on this day, I also realize that this ministry in Nicaragua is one that is carried out through the great gifts that God has endowed to many individuals.
At the center of this photo is Missionary Loida. Although this photo is from yesterday, I wanted to spotlight her as a person whose skills are a daily contribution to the ministry here.
Right now, she currently teaches the students Korean as a foreign language, directs music class, and plays the piano in the praise team.
Here is a photo of Geovanny, who I’m helping with teaching English class, and he’s a recent hire at the school.
Thankfully, with his help, KCA has enjoyed a more organized approach of teaching English after he developed a new curriculum that would strengthen the English program.
Finally, here’s Dr. William who flew in yesterday to Nicaragua to teach science for this week!
Today, he was leading kids into science classes and helping them conduct experiments. Especially with science classes being such a rarity at KCA, I can already tell that the kids were excited to once again play in the lab.
It is a wonder to see so many people bring in their different skills into this ministry in Nicaragua. And, it truly is the work of God that He can not only provide all of us with various skills and gifts but also bring us all together to fill in the areas that need help.
Even today, there were two more people who flew into help out with STEM classes!
Would God bless the ministry in Nicaragua with skilled and gifted laborers who could help the missionaries in propelling His name!
With gratitude and awe,
Ted Song
NOVEMBER 24, 2025
Childlike Faith
Hello everyone~
On Sundays, Jesus Esperanza is a church. On the weekdays, the building transforms into an assembly room of a school, Korean Christian Academy (KCA).
As the students trickle in from the entrance, the place bustles with life. Little children playing tag. Parents bringing their kids to school. Friends coming into school together. Teachers welcoming in students just as the day starts.
It’s through these students that I’m reminded of childlike faith. So carefree yet so vivacious and innocent as they live out the day.
As I greeted them into the school, some kids immediately brighten up and say hi. Others hug me before they enter into KCA.
As the day school day started in the assembly room, I just couldn’t help but take the picture above.
The first thing we do is enter into a time of praise. I remember seeing a wave of hands lift up and open up as soon as the worship team started singing.
If you look closely in the photo, the students have their hands opened up in praise to God. And, this photo is merely a glimpse of this precious moment!
After our morning activities, we officially started class, and I headed off toward English class, where I eventually helped teach seven classes!
After the school day ended, I was playing violin with the students who were taking music class!
Reflecting on this long day, I’m left thinking, “How do the kids do this?”
I remember by the time it was the fourth or fifth English class, I was just fatigued. Maybe it was because I didn’t get the most adequate sleep last night, but wow, I felt my body slowly drooping into sleep mode.
Even more, during violin class, the kids were so energetic, hungry to play the violin and asking me to play along with them. And, this is after they had a long day of school and play.
As the day progressed, I could feel my facial muscles slowly growing tired, and smiling became more of a workout and less of a natural response.
Wow, one thing I realize as I interact with these kids is that childlike faith is something that is not only lively and simple but also strong and persistent!
What a reminder it is to both bask in and fight for the joy of the Lord in every moment!
To wrap up, above is a photo of me and Esteban. I remember him from my first trip to Nicaragua, and he came up to me today!
And, the following is a photo of me, Esteban, and one of my teammates (Daniel) from last year’s mission trip. Yes, I know I look tired and musty, as if I went through the deepest pits of life.
Seeing him again was a reminder to me that these kids in Nicaragua are not just memories in my past but also God’s precious children!
Would you all join me and pray for the kids here – that they would walk faithfully with the Lord and that He would bless KCA as a vessel to teach these kids in what it means to be a child of God?
In faith,
Ted Song
NOVEMBER 23, 2025
Tu Fidelidad es Grande
Hello everyone~
From Nicaragua, I joined the world in taking this Sabbath day to faithfully rest in the Lord. May praise and worship never set in the kingdom of God!
After waking, I took a walk to behold the church that stands, Jesus Esperanza! Would this church continue to proclaim the Lord as our Hope!
On my last trip, I remember how the missionaries were telling me that they wanted to build an area to carry out baptisms for their church. At the time, they were using someone else’s pool.
As mentioned yesterday, the missionaries had built a baptism pool within only a year since our last conversation.
Following my morning walk, the Sunday started with Bible Time with the Nicaragua youth, reading James 5 and discussing it.
During this time, I realized that there was so much to improve with my Spanish skills! But, it was still a joy to spend time reading the same Word of God across different languages!
Afterward, we went off to the greater church service, during which I shared my testimony in Spanish about my return to Nicaragua.
While sharing my testimony, there was one moment that filled my heart with joy. After reading the following line, people responded with a shouting “Amen!”:
El Dios en Boston es lo mismo Dios en California y en Nicaragua. (The God in Boston is the same God in California and in Nicaragua.)
Indeed, how precious it is to be united across nations, languages, and peoples by our God!
Another special moment during the church service was the praise! I had told the missionaries yesterday that I was listening to the song “Tu Fidelidad” to prepare for this trip, which is where the line “Tu fidelidad es grande” (“Great is Your faithfulness”) comes from.
Missionary Lee told the church about this story and also requested the praise team to lead the church to sing the song.
Admittedly, I was embarrassed at first from the attention, but by the end of this song, my heart was once again whole with gratitude to sing a song of praise before the Lord with everyone.
After the church service, the missionaries and I spent the rest of our Sunday at the mall!
Missionary Lee and I spent 2 hours at a cafe, watching as the server explained the process of pour over coffees and talking about our lives in Boston and church!
To be honest with you all, I had no idea what the server was saying in Spanish despite nodding along the entire time. Missionary Lee had no idea either!
After some time, we caught up with Missionary Kim (center left) and Missionary Loida (center right) and wrapped up the day with dinner!
Prayer Requests
As I navigated the day, I found that there are already so many areas in need of God!
One thing the missionaries and I noticed was the low attendance at today’s service. Would this local church continue to be a beacon of light and hope that draws people near to God!
During my time of Bible Time with the youth, I realize there are many gaps within my Spanish skills, and I hope that this wouldn’t be a discouragement as I take the next few days to teach English, STEM, and violin. Rather, would my strength and abilities be in the Lord!
Thank you all for your support!
Dios le bendiga (God bless you),
Ted Song
NOVEMBER 22, 2025
Sent off with Love, Greeted with Love
Hello everyone~
Hallelujah! I have officially made it to Nicaragua, the land of lakes and volcanoes! Thank God for His great provisions and for getting me here safely.
As I was packing for this trip, I realized that I was coming from a place where the morning frost is starting to encase my car and was traveling to a place that radiates with heat and humidity.
I came into the airport in Boston stuffed into three layers of clothes and arrived in Managua, stripped to only a T-shirt and shorts.
Despite these differences between home and Nicaragua, one thing remains the same: God’s love showers in both places and never ceases.
This week, God showered me with love through you all. All the reaching out and donations were such encouraging reminders that I’m heavily supported by the people back home!
It’s truly a blessing that this trip is an opportunity for us to join as God’s people to pour out our love to Him as He daily pours His love onto us. Thank you all!
Also, special thanks to Erin for driving me to the airport today at 4 AM, especially as I was scrambling to find a ride this week!
After waiting in the customs line for 1.5 hours, I was once again reunited with the missionaries!
After leaving the airport, the drive to the missionaries’ place became a fun catch-up session of this past year.
To start, we were joking about how I was trying to brush up on my Spanish skills by listening to praise songs in Spanish.
Then, we talked about me moving to Boston, and I learned that Missionary Lee (on the right) also lived in Boston during college!
One thing I’m learning from today is that this trip is already one where God’s love showers bountifully. Though I came into Nicaragua with the heart to give my time and my efforts, I’m receiving so much more.
I see the missionaries’ generosity in buying me food and cooking me dinner. I take a tour of the missionary’s place to see how much has changed and grown since last year – new trash cans, new baptism pool, and new housing.
This day has opened my eyes to see how much progress was made since I’ve last been here and to recognize that God has been so, so, so faithful.
And what a joy it is to see how God showers His love continuously and abundantly!
With showering love,
Ted Song
NOVEMBER 19, 2025
Te adoro a ti, Te adoro a ti
Hello everyone~
It's Monday night, and I'm lying down on my bed, trying to spontaneously translate some praise songs in Spanish to brush up on my listening skills. Then, I come to hear the chorus of a particular song – Te adoro a ti, Te adoro a ti, meaning I adore You, I adore You. And, at that moment, my heart was just filled with joy and purpose when it came to this upcoming trip. By the way, the song is Al Estar Aquí (To be here).
Frankly, I had a difficult few months grasping the meaning behind this trip. When someone asked me why I was going, I couldn't say much besides "Because I want to see the missionaries." When someone asked me what I'd be doing, I couldn't say much besides "I don't know. Probably just hanging out with the missionaries." Altogether, those answers felt, at best, vague and, at worst, selfish, even when those were not my intentions. As I fought to see what God saw or wanted out of this trip, I now realize the one word that grounds this trip: adoration.
What an underrated word.
Just as it was with the music listening session, this trip started out as an innocent step and has now transformed into a worshipful response to God. As this trip draws near, it holds a growing presence in my life – whether it comes to people requesting to join my newsletter, or supporters sending me their donations and words of encouragement, or even non-believing friends and co-workers asking me about this trip. I see that this trip has grown into an occasion that unites all of us together in adoration for our God.
¡Te adoro a ti, Te adoro a ti! Though I may still lack the monumental words to explain the greater purpose behind this trip, I am constantly reminded and can confidently proclaim that the heart of this trip is to adore the God of the nations who was, who is, and who is to come!
If you'd like to further support this trip, I'll be accepting donations to provide a gift offering for the missionaries, and please continue to pray for missionaries and for me on this trip!
To make time for packing on Friday, please send donations through Venmo (@songted) or Zelle (6575001613) by Thursday, November 20!
Prayer Requests from the Missionaries
For the missionaries and I to be of one heart in working toward God's mission.
For this trip to be an opportunity to connect with the youth in Nicaragua so that they may know God.
For the STEM classes to go well and be successful when teaching the students.
Prayer Requests from Me
For God to bless this partnership between me and the missionaries.
For this trip to be pleasing before God and that I can be a vessel of God's love and light.
For God to watch over my health and safety surrounding this trip.
En adoración,
Ted Song
NOVEMBER 15, 2025
One Week to Nicaragua!
NOVEMBER 10, 2025
Thank you, Everyone!
Hello friends~
I just want to thank everyone again, and I've been so blessed to have everyone's support for this trip!
If you can take a look at the people CC'd in the email, it's a community of people that spans multiple eras of my life:
From elementary school when I lived in Koreatown
From middle/high school in OC
From UCLA and campus ministry and church in LA
From Boston!
This list is such a precious reminder that God is the thread who connects us to one another. And, it is truly a blessing to experience and witness a God who unites us across time and distance. I am daily reminded of His love and power through you all!
Why I'm Going!
I was blessed from my trip to Nicaragua last year. But, as time passed, it weighed on my heart that these missionaries were fellow brothers and sisters to check in on and protect, rather than letting them turn into memories of my past. Thus, I decided to take this Thanksgiving as an opportunity to connect with them once again.
What I'll Be Doing!
I'll be teaching STEM classes and violin to the students at the missionaries' school. And, I also want to take this trip as a form of church encouragement and spend joyful time with the missionaries during the week!
How You Can Support!
Thankfully, all the finances are covered at the moment. But, to show appreciation for the missionaries' hospitality and encouragement of their work, I'll be giving them a love offering. So, feel free to Venmo (@songted) or Zelle (6575001613) me with any donations.
Here are some prayer requests from the missionaries!
• For the missionaries and I to be of one heart in working toward God's mission.
• For this trip to be an opportunity to connect with the youth in Nicaragua so that they may know God.
• For the STEM classes to go well and be successful when teaching the students.
And here are my prayer requests!
• For God to protect and bless this partnership between me and the missionaries.
• For this trip to be one that is pleasing before God and that I can be a vessel of God's love and light.
• For our representatives to eventually reach an agreement that serves the best interests of the people and brings this recent government shutdown to an end (Hopefully, it won't hinder me from going to Nicaragua!)
It would mean so much if you can pray for both the missionaries and me during this time!
Thank you for reading thus far! And again, I'm so encouraged by everyone's heart for this trip! God be with you all!
With love and joy,
Ted Song