"In this post, I would like to share an article that I stumbled across on the Internet... The original link could be found there: http://www.christianchronicle.org/article2158872~%27Mission_trip_to_nowhere%27_blesses_church_youth_group_in_Colorado"
Thanks for reading ^^
'Mission trip to nowhere' blesses church youth group in Colorado
TAMIE ROSS | The Christian Chronicle
Thirteen youth and sponsors from the University church in Denver planned and talked for months for their annual summer mission trip.
Yet when the nine teen-agers and four adults piled into their van one steamy morning, they had no itinerary. No hotel reservations or planned rest stops. Not even a clue which direction they’d drive once they left the church parking lot.
"Why do we need a 'destination' in mind when we go on a mission trip?" University youth minister Josh Jones asked the teens when discussions about possible locations began. "Who knows what opportunities we have missed while driving to where we were headed?"
Fresh from finishing a study on the Holy Spirit, participants decided to let God lead them — in every possible way — for one week. Their careful preparations, except for budgeting and loading some tools and camping supplies into a trailer, focused on having spiritual mindsets and fasting for the first 24 hours of the journey.
A pebble tossed onto a map guided them first toward northwest Colorado. Along the way, they prayed with
and helped a couple in a broken-down moving van.
The group later stopped in Grand Junction, Colo., and drove around town with "open eyes" to find opportunities to serve, Jones said. They spent the next few days cleaning a trash-filled lot, washing a bus, preparing meals for the homeless, painting and talking and praying with residents.
From there, they spun a wheel to determine which direction they'd drive. After two more stops along the highway to help stranded motorists, they arrived in Montrose, Colo. and prayed with members of the local police department who were mourning the shooting death of an officer.
Subsequent stops took them to the towns of Moab, Green River and Vermal in Utah, as well as Fruita and Craig, Colo.
"We laughed at God’s sense of humor as he led us," Jones said, adding that once the group drove for hours in a big circle as they gave a ride to a man in need of prescription medication.
Other times, what seemed like small tasks — like mowing or pulling weeds — evolved into more elaborate home repair projects.
"It taught us to keep our eyes open for all of the opportunities that God provides, not just (the ones) we plan," said Nicole Guillo, 20, University’s youth ministry intern.
The participants also marveled at how they were cared for: Half their meals were provided by churches or individuals they were serving, and they always had a building or campground with showers to stay in overnight.
"This trip revolutionized the concept of service for me," said Mitch Bennett, 16. "I was shown that God calls us to serve every day in all ways, wherever we are."
The week wasn't without frustrations, Jones said. At times, contacts came more slowly than the eager workers would have liked, and a few projects required a handful of the teens instead of the entire group.
But the youth minister said the lessons learned were well worth the brief uncertainty at times.
"It wasn’t just the teens that didn’t know where we were going. I had no idea from … day to day or even hour to hour where we would be," Jones said. "I think all of us got a real sense of what it means that God is our provider, what it means to have your eyes open to others’ needs and how to follow the Spirit’s guiding in our lives."
Monday, August 31, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Wireless Finished (WiFi)
11 May 2009, Sunny Day
And I had done the paper (Wireless Communications and Mobile Network) without reading the instruction. The paper is not an easy one, and I left out Section B...
Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
Amen.
(Thank you ^^ Joshua for contacting me last Saturday as well as Lord who strengthens my faith, He remains faithful.)
Friday, March 27, 2009
雨中漫步 Walking under the Rain
3 March 2009， Rainy Day
Today, when I was walking home, the rain started to fell. Eventually, it becomes a heavy downpour of rain, and the strong wind blew my umbrella out.
I became totally wet...
However, thanks the Lord that, all the laptop, MP3 player, The Book, and lecture notes inside my bag did not become soaked with water. (I am still able to use the computer to write this blog now:)
When my umbrella was blow out. I had no choice, but to run to the other side of the road to find shelter. Then, I decided to write this blog. XD
During the heavy rain, I had to spent my time in the lobby of Crystal Crown hotel. (It is located not far from my current staying place in PJ.) During my stay in the lobby, I met a couple from Australia. (At first, I thought that they were not from Australia.)
Then, I opened up the can of Seasons soya drink that I got for free, and started to read Ephesian 2.
Ephesian 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God;" The next verse says, "Not of works that no one should boast."
Before that, verse 3 to 7 says, "3Among whom we also all conducted ourselves once in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest;
4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5Even when we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
6And raised us up together with Him in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,
7That He might display in the ages to come the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
Then verse 19 to 22 says, "19So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone;
21In whom all the building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple/sanctuary in the Lord;
22In whom you also are being built together into dwelling place of God in spirit."
After the rainfall is not so heavy, I said to the couple, "Bye! bye!" and the couple smiled back.
Then, I leave the hotel lobby and continue to walk under the rain. What a happy rainy day! :)
Today, when I was walking home, the rain started to fell. Eventually, it becomes a heavy downpour of rain, and the strong wind blew my umbrella out.
I became totally wet...
However, thanks the Lord that, all the laptop, MP3 player, The Book, and lecture notes inside my bag did not become soaked with water. (I am still able to use the computer to write this blog now:)
When my umbrella was blow out. I had no choice, but to run to the other side of the road to find shelter. Then, I decided to write this blog. XD
During the heavy rain, I had to spent my time in the lobby of Crystal Crown hotel. (It is located not far from my current staying place in PJ.) During my stay in the lobby, I met a couple from Australia. (At first, I thought that they were not from Australia.)Then, I opened up the can of Seasons soya drink that I got for free, and started to read Ephesian 2.
Ephesian 2:8 says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not of yourselves; it is the gift of God;" The next verse says, "Not of works that no one should boast."
Before that, verse 3 to 7 says, "3Among whom we also all conducted ourselves once in the lusts of our flesh, doing the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest;
4But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
5Even when we were dead in offenses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)
6And raised us up together with Him in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus,
7That He might display in the ages to come the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus."
Then verse 19 to 22 says, "19So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,
20Being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the cornerstone;
21In whom all the building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple/sanctuary in the Lord;
22In whom you also are being built together into dwelling place of God in spirit."
After the rainfall is not so heavy, I said to the couple, "Bye! bye!" and the couple smiled back.
Then, I leave the hotel lobby and continue to walk under the rain. What a happy rainy day! :)
Friday, February 6, 2009
Music Player-3
A new MP3 player is always a desire for me. Recently, my 512Mb MP4 player has been expired. Therefore, I prayed to the Lord about a new MP3/MP4 player.
After some conflict inside my heart, we had decided to get a new MP3 player. (4 Feb is the date of purchase) It is a Philips GoGear SA2825. (which is almost identical to Cheese's, Cheese is a friend of mine)
The MP3 player has memory space of 2GB, which is enough for putting all the musics and the messages inside. Thanks the Lord for this new MP3 player, by buying this MP3 player, I have also learned how to make decision. (Decision making is one of my greatest weakness.)
Then, life goes on..
Monday, February 2, 2009
Tea-fy
I went to a blending conference in Summit Hotel, and Brother Ed gave us a significance about how a christian life is.
How is a life of a christian?
Firstly, we get a vessel, teabag and some water and something that can stir. Then, pour the water into the vessel. (a jar or a mug will do)
He said, what God do is actually to "tea-fy" man. In other words, make man the same as He is but not in Godhead.
We are a vessel. In us, there is only plain water, nothing else. When we accepted Christ, a teabag (Christ) is put into the vessel. Then, the water in us become tea. (But we are not the teabag)
After the teabag is put into us, our christian life starts.
When we stir the tea, the tea become thicker and thicker. The element of tea is increasing inside the vessel. (So, as our journey continues, we might face problem, consequences, trials, etc. , we stir the tea) "O Lord Jesus", we call on the name of the Lord more and more each day, we pray, we have church life, we stir the tea even more.
As a result, the plain water inside our vessel become a tea, but it is not the teabag.
Easy to understand, right? That's how a christian life is.
Easy to understand, right? That's how a christian life is.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Adventure to Manila Pt 6 - Blending
Day 6
Dear Mum and Friends,
This morning, after eating breakfast we pursued "Morning Revival" at meeting hall in San Fernando. (We had morning revival almost everyday, is like morning prayer + pursuing spiritual materials called "Morning Revival") Then, we showed our brothers and sisters Balut we obtained.
After that, we went to visit a Roman Catholic Church Building. (I have forgotten where it was located, I think it is in San Fernando) The lower part of the building had been buried by volcano ashes after volcano eruption occurred many years ago. We walked around in the building, then we left. Next destination: Angeles.
Before we reach Angeles, we went to Subic Bay. (Subic was a US naval base before it turned into a place of recreation) Then, we took our lunch in Jollibee fast food restaurant. Before that, we had made a decision to go to safari. That's where we go next.
We arrived at Zoobic Safari when the sun was shining brightly on the sky. This safari has many tigers, as well as many other creatures. We spent around 2 hours there. Our group was called "Jubilee". Some picture of the animals are shown here.
Then, we stand on the sea-side of Subic. Then, we bought some local delicacies. Then, we left to Angeles.
The Church in Angeles welcomed us with warmth. We had a meeting there, we sang "We're One Family". After we had dinner, we had meeting again and had a sweet blending. Hallelujah!
That night, we rested in a new house that was unoccupied which is besides the church meeting hall. (Before that we had another blending again XD.)
The next day, we took a flight from Clark Field to Kuala Lumpur. That ends our adventure here in Philippines.
Dear Mum and Friends,
This morning, after eating breakfast we pursued "Morning Revival" at meeting hall in San Fernando. (We had morning revival almost everyday, is like morning prayer + pursuing spiritual materials called "Morning Revival") Then, we showed our brothers and sisters Balut we obtained.
After that, we went to visit a Roman Catholic Church Building. (I have forgotten where it was located, I think it is in San Fernando) The lower part of the building had been buried by volcano ashes after volcano eruption occurred many years ago. We walked around in the building, then we left. Next destination: Angeles.
Before we reach Angeles, we went to Subic Bay. (Subic was a US naval base before it turned into a place of recreation) Then, we took our lunch in Jollibee fast food restaurant. Before that, we had made a decision to go to safari. That's where we go next.
We arrived at Zoobic Safari when the sun was shining brightly on the sky. This safari has many tigers, as well as many other creatures. We spent around 2 hours there. Our group was called "Jubilee". Some picture of the animals are shown here.
Then, we stand on the sea-side of Subic. Then, we bought some local delicacies. Then, we left to Angeles.
The Church in Angeles welcomed us with warmth. We had a meeting there, we sang "We're One Family". After we had dinner, we had meeting again and had a sweet blending. Hallelujah!
That night, we rested in a new house that was unoccupied which is besides the church meeting hall. (Before that we had another blending again XD.)
The next day, we took a flight from Clark Field to Kuala Lumpur. That ends our adventure here in Philippines.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Adventure to Manila Pt 5 - Oneness
Day 5
Dear Mum and Friends,
Upon reaching San Fernando, Pampanga. The saints here welcomed us with warmth. We leave our luggage here and had a meeting. Then, we had lunch in the vicinity of the meeting hall before we were separated into 3 groups.
Our next destination is to visit the Church in Apalit, we departed with a gospel van. (The other groups went to Florida or stayed in San Fernando) "Church in Apalit is a recently rised church which is still young," one said.
We stepped into the house where our meeting was held in Apalit. The brothers and sisters in Apalit turned from a background of denominations. They were turned because of the truth they heard in radio broadcasting. There's one sister whose son is a pastor who did not agree about her leaving. In the meeting in Apalit, we shared about how we were saved, and how we meet our Lord Jesus. We were deeply touched by the saints in Apalit. The meeting was incredible, indescribable using words.
During that time, we felt that we are one. (Some said that the church could not be one, this is wrong. We could be one. As the church, when we are built up together in love, then Lord shall come.)
That time, all of us were in jubilee. When we left the house in Apalit. We prayed for them (church in Apalit) and sang hymns. We were so enjoying that we didn't notice that time is moving fast.
That night, we were accommodated in the home of our brothers and sisters. Once again, Brother Wei Han and me stayed together. We stayed in the house of Gayanes family. Their hospitality is among the better than the best.
We had our dinner with Gayanes family. They were so kind to us that we had all the best we could have. That night, we were introduced to an exotic food called "Balut". (Balut is duck's embryo which is eaten with vinegar and/or salt.) Then, we had ice-cream.
After dinner, our sister brought us to visit a hot-dog factory which is near to her house. Our eyes got opened as we had chance to see how sausages are manufactured in real.
We spent our night there in the house. Magandang gabi po! (Good night)
Dear Mum and Friends,
This day, we had breakfast at Tarlac, then we left to San Fernando. (We ride on several vehicles)
On the road, Jeepneys could be seen roaming around. (Jeepneys is modified military jeep that is used a public transport.
Upon reaching San Fernando, Pampanga. The saints here welcomed us with warmth. We leave our luggage here and had a meeting. Then, we had lunch in the vicinity of the meeting hall before we were separated into 3 groups.
Our next destination is to visit the Church in Apalit, we departed with a gospel van. (The other groups went to Florida or stayed in San Fernando) "Church in Apalit is a recently rised church which is still young," one said.
During that time, we felt that we are one. (Some said that the church could not be one, this is wrong. We could be one. As the church, when we are built up together in love, then Lord shall come.)
That time, all of us were in jubilee. When we left the house in Apalit. We prayed for them (church in Apalit) and sang hymns. We were so enjoying that we didn't notice that time is moving fast.
That night, we were accommodated in the home of our brothers and sisters. Once again, Brother Wei Han and me stayed together. We stayed in the house of Gayanes family. Their hospitality is among the better than the best.
We had our dinner with Gayanes family. They were so kind to us that we had all the best we could have. That night, we were introduced to an exotic food called "Balut". (Balut is duck's embryo which is eaten with vinegar and/or salt.) Then, we had ice-cream.
After dinner, our sister brought us to visit a hot-dog factory which is near to her house. Our eyes got opened as we had chance to see how sausages are manufactured in real.
We spent our night there in the house. Magandang gabi po! (Good night)
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