Links! Links! Links!

It has been one crazy semester so far! It's always cool to witness God transforming hearts and changing lives, through seeing it with my own eyes or hearing someone share about it. It's also humbling to know that even in my last semester of college, that I still continue to be weak and I realize more and more how much I need God in my life.

My college church, Amherst Koinonia Church, has grown through some major heart surgery over the past few semesters. Three semesters ago, everything was looking rough. Our pastor had just decided to leave, relationships were not mended, and members were not walking with the Lord. There was just no sense of community. But thankfully God decided it was time for open heart surgery. It wasn't comfortable at all; as a matter of fact it took a lot of uncomfortable situations to make it happen. In small groups, brothers began being more real to each other and more vulnerable. God tore those walls down and we started talking about real issues in our everyday lives. Then the next step was to reach out to the communities around us. That brought us closer together because we were taking steps of faith together, initiating spiritual conversations and developing relationships with people. And there was a lot of confrontation and reconciliation that had to be done along the way. Because of our upbringing and culture, that was completely uncharted territory. But we worked our way through it together, and God has finally mended those hearts.

It's a great depiction of community and it's interesting how my home church is covering the topic of Biblical community right now in our college Sunday School. Coincidence? No way jose. Crazy thing was, I remember this series back in my Freshman year 4 years ago. And it totally rocked my world. Sharing and letting others into my life? Wow, God has such a perfect plan.

This semester, we're gonna grow deeper and deeper in our relationship. This weekend is a very special weekend. The East Coast Asian-American Student Union is hosting their annual conference at Umass Amherst. And I don't think it's a coincidence AT ALL that it's being hosted here. God is presenting a grand opportunity for us. And we're gonna step up to the plate this weekend. There will be over 1000 Asian American students on campus, and we're going to step out in faith again to spark some spiritual conversations. We had a few last night and we're continuing to do some today also. If you could pray for us, that would be great! We're learning to go more and more out of our comfort zones. We need God's strength and humility!

Till next time!

Writing from Wildwood

Hello all!

Yesterday marks the second week I've been at Wildwood, NJ. It's been a long and enjoyable two weeks so far. I'm getting to know my project-mates better and I'm feeling a lot more comfortable being around new people and in a new environment.

Praises - I found a summer job on the boardwalk! I'm working at a booth that's owned by one of the locals here. I'm very thankful for the job because it gives me the opportunity to spend time and develop friendships with my 2 co-workers, Nikki and Ahmed. I've only had 4 shifts so far but we've gotten into a few good conversations already. Please pray for my friendships with Nikki and Ahmed and that God will guide us in our conversations. I'm sure you'll be hearing lots more about them in the coming weeks!

In other news, I know that my beloved Boston Celtics are in the NBA Finals right now. To all my Boston friends, please take lots of pictures of the parade for me.... mwuahahah =P

625!

Hi friends,

We got back safely and I have lots to share about my spring break in Florida. So expect a big update soon! Get it...?

Here's a big stat for you -
Last week, 625 people came to accept Christ into their hearts!
625 new brothers and sisters that we'll spend eternity with.
625 people that were probably not expecting something life changing to happen over spring break.
625 hearts that God has been moving and working.
625 people finally home.

What else can you do but smile, and celebrate?

"In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." - Luke 15:10

Truth.

Excitement!

Oh we're about an hour away from starting our journey down to Panama City Beach! We'll first drive down to Virginia (about a 10 hour drive) and stay at a motel for the night. Then we'll get up bright and early in the morning and finish out the rest of the trip to Florida (another good 10 hours).

I'm not sure if I'll have internet access there but I will be bringing my laptop just in case. I'll try and do a quick update if I get a chance to. I'll also be bringing my camera so I hope I'll capture some good moments to post.

Please pray for us! I'm not looking forward to the long car ride but I'm eager for the time we'll spend with each other. I know it will be a good opportunity for the team to bond before arriving. Long car rides also mean a higher likelihood in getting on each other's nerves. Please pray that we'll focus on Christ and instead of beating each other up, we'll love each other as brothers and sisters. Lastly, please pray for the team's hearts as we mentally and physically prepare ourselves for a long week. I'm excited for what God has in store for us so off we go!

Lies

You can't trick me New England weather. Two straight sunny days? Stop hiding your true self. What's tomorrow's weather like - 20 in. of snow? 40 mile wind? cloudy with a 99% chance of thunderstorm? checks weather.com

A sunny 50 degrees? Realfeel 49! What. Is. Going. On.

I'm going crazy. I'm going out to soak up the sun before it disappears for another few weeks.

Boy, New Englanders sure are cynical

Give me a (BIG) break

It's official!


I'm heading down to Florida during spring break with Campus Crusade for Big Break conference! I'm excited to see how the week will unfold.

Lately I've been developing a bigger burden to share the Gospel. Last semester, a thought hit me. I looked around and I realized that all the people I interact with were Christians and only Christians. Unwillingly I had to admit to myself that I was stuck in a "christian bubble." On second thought, stuck is an inaccurate word. I'm responsible for the decisions that I make. I decide who to friend, the people who I interact with, and ultimately who I share my life with. I made decisions that I felt were comfortable.

But this was the false sense of comfort. I had forgotten what comfort really meant. To me, comfort meant having as few problems in life as possible. Comfort meant being so complacent with myself that I go on cruise control through life. I shared my life with Christians only. It was comforting to know that if I only had Christians around me, no one would question me, no one would rattle my faith, and no one would go against me. These were the things I placed my dependence on.

I was dependent on the securities of what my life offered and not on the security of the promises Christ gave to us. I stopped sharing my faith, did not care for the lost, had inconsistent quiet times, and altogether stopped depending on God.

God is good, though.

He reminds me that he's a faithful friend and he's here during my struggles. He reminds me of his grace whenever I feel too ashamed to look at him. He reminds me of his promises whenever I doubt him. And he reminds me of the true comfort I can find if I decide to depend on him.

Now, this decision to join Big Break still feels like a huge risk to me. I risk facing rejection but I am stepping out in faith, praying for opportunities. I risk receiving judgment from people I approach but I know my identity lies in Christ alone. Above all, I find comfort in knowing that I risk because God does not risk. And that's all the truth I need.

How He Loves

He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory.
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me.
And oh, how He loves us so
Oh how He loves us
How He loves us all
He is jealous for me
Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory.
And I realize just how beautiful You are
And how great Your affections are for me.
We are His portion and He is our prize
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes
If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And Heaven meets earth like a sloppy wet kiss
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest.
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets
When I think about the way
He loves us
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Everyday I am reminded of this truth
And everyday I fall more and more in love with Him